House Edge
casinoThe mathematical advantage the casino or sportsbook has over the player, expressed as a percentage of each bet.
Key Takeaways
- 1The house edge is the casino's mathematical advantage
- 2It varies dramatically by game (0.5% to 29%)
- 3Over time, the house always wins due to this edge
- 4In sports betting, the equivalent is called vig or juice
What is the House Edge?
House edge is the built-in mathematical advantage that ensures the casino or sportsbook profits over time. It's expressed as a percentage of each bet that the house expects to keep.
House Edge by Game
| Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% |
| Baccarat (banker) | 1.06% |
| Craps (pass line) | 1.41% |
| Roulette (American) | 5.26% |
| Roulette (European) | 2.70% |
| Slot Machines | 2-15% |
| Keno | 25-29% |
How It Works
In American roulette, there are 38 numbers (1-36, 0, 00). A bet on red covers 18 numbers, so your probability of winning is 18/38 = 47.37%. The house edge is 100% - 2(47.37%) = 5.26%.
What This Means
Over time, the casino will keep approximately 5.26 cents of every dollar wagered on American roulette. The house edge is inescapable in the long run — it's the mathematical law that keeps casinos in business.
Sports Betting Equivalent
In sports betting, the house edge is called the vig or juice. Standard -110/-110 odds represent approximately a 4.55% hold.
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