Key takeaways
- House edge is the casino's average profit as a percentage of each bet over the long run.
- It comes from payouts being slightly lower than true odds.
- Short-term results vary a lot; the edge shows up over many bets.
- Choose low-edge bets and fewer bets per hour to make your budget last.
Every casino table game is built so the house wins slightly more than it loses over time. The house edge measures exactly how much. It's the most useful number in gaming, and it's easy to understand.
What is the house edge?
House edge is the average percentage of each bet the casino keeps over the long run. A 2.70% edge means that for every ₱1,000 wagered, players lose ₱27 on average. In a single session you might win or lose much more. That's variance. Over thousands of bets, results move toward the edge. The concept is covered in more depth in the casino game mathematics article on Wikipedia.
Where does it come from?
Take European roulette. A single number has a 1 in 37 chance, so fair odds would be 36:1, but the casino pays 35:1. That gap creates the 2.70% edge (1 ÷ 37). On the American wheel, true odds are 37:1 with the same 35:1 payout, which gives a 5.26% edge.
House edge comparison
| Game & bet | House edge | Avg. loss per ₱1,000 bet |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy, 3:2) | ~0.5% | ~₱5 |
| Baccarat – Banker | 1.06% | ₱10.60 |
| Baccarat – Player | 1.24% | ₱12.40 |
| European roulette | 2.70% | ₱27 |
| Sic Bo – Big/Small | 2.78% | ₱27.80 |
| Three Card Poker – Ante | ~3.37% | ~₱33.70 |
| American roulette | 5.26% | ₱52.60 |
| Baccarat – Tie (8:1) | 14.36% | ₱143.60 |
Speed matters too
Your real cost depends on the edge and how many bets you make. A low-edge game played very fast can cost more per hour than a higher-edge game played slowly. Our bankroll guide shows how to estimate hourly cost.
Myths about house edge
- "I'm due for a win." Each round is independent. Cards in a shoe have a tiny effect, but wheels and dice have no memory.
- "Systems beat the house." No sequence of bets with negative expected value adds up to a positive one.
- "Tracking patterns helps." Baccarat roads and roulette history boards are fun, but they don't predict outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good house edge?
Anything under about 1.5% is excellent for a casino game. Blackjack with basic strategy and baccarat Banker/Player bets fall in this range.
Is RTP the same as house edge?
RTP (return to player) is the opposite of house edge. A 97.3% RTP equals a 2.7% house edge.
Can you win despite the house edge?
Yes, in the short term anything can happen. The house edge describes the long-run average, which is why it is important to play for entertainment, not income.
Keep reading
- Bankroll Management for Table Games: A Simple Plan That Works
- Blackjack Basic Strategy: Play Every Hand the Smart Way
- How to Play Baccarat: A Simple Guide for Filipino Players
- Roulette Guide: European vs American Wheels, Bets and Odds
- The Complete Table Games Guide
- Table Games Glossary
AI-assisted content: This page was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed, fact-checked and edited by Jash Jacinto. Game rules and odds can vary by operator, so always check the rules shown at your table. How we create content.