Understanding Casino Math And The House Edge

Casinos are incredibly profitable businesses, and their success relies entirely on cold, hard mathematics.


The house edge is the built-in mathematical advantage that the casino holds over the player in every game.

The Secret of the House Edge

The house edge is created by paying winning bets at slightly less than the true mathematical odds.


However, if you win a straight-up number bet, the casino only pays you 35 to 1.

Every single game has a mathematically defined edgeIt represents the percentage of each bet the casino keepsSkill-based games usually offer lower house edges
The Flip Side of the House Edge

If a slot machine has a 5% house edge, its theoretical RTP is exactly 95%.


This means that over millions of spins, the machine will pay back $95 for every $100 wagered.

Finding the Best Casino Odds

Smart players actively seek out games where the mathematical advantage of the casino is incredibly thin.


Avoiding high-edge games is the easiest and most effective strategy for any casino visitor.

Bet TypeCasino AdvantageRecommendationBaccarat (Banker)1.06%Highly RecommendedKeno20.00%+Avoid Completely

You cannot defeat the math, but you can choose the games that give you the fairest possible fight.