What is House Edge?

House edge is one of the most important concepts in gambling. Understanding how it works helps you make smarter decisions about which games to play and manage your bankroll effectively. This guide explains everything you need to know about the casino's mathematical advantage.

What is House Edge?

House edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over players in any given game. It's expressed as a percentage and represents the average profit the casino expects to make from each bet over the long term.

Every casino game is designed with a built-in house edge. This is how casinos remain profitable while still paying out winnings to players. The house edge varies significantly between different games.

Example:

If a game has a 5% house edge, the casino expects to keep $5 for every $100 wagered over time. Players will, on average, lose $5 per $100 bet. However, in the short term, individual results can vary widely from this average.

House Edge by Game Type

Different games have vastly different house edges. Generally, skill-based games and certain bet types offer lower house edges:

Game	House Edge	RTP
Blackjack (basic strategy)	0.5%	99.5%
Baccarat (banker bet)	1.06%	98.94%
Roulette (European)	2.7%	97.3%
Roulette (American)	5.26%	94.74%
Video Slots (average)	4%	96%
Betbits Original Games	1-3%	97-99%

House Edge vs. RTP

House edge and RTP (Return to Player) are two sides of the same coin. They always add up to 100%:

House Edge + RTP = 100%

If a slot has 96% RTP, the house edge is 4%

While RTP tells you what percentage of money is returned to players, house edge tells you what percentage the casino keeps. Both metrics give you the same information from different perspectives.

How to Minimize House Edge Impact

While you can't eliminate the house edge, you can take steps to reduce its impact on your gameplay:

Choose Low Edge Games

Opt for games with lower house edges like blackjack with basic strategy, baccarat (banker bet), or high-RTP slots.

Learn Optimal Strategy

For games like blackjack and video poker, using optimal strategy significantly reduces the house edge.

Use Rakeback

Betbits' rakeback system returns a portion of the house edge to you, effectively reducing your losses.

Play Provably Fair Games

Our original games have transparent, low house edges that you can verify for fairness.

House Edge in Betbits Originals

Our provably fair original games feature some of the lowest and most transparent house edges in the industry. You can verify the fairness of every bet using cryptographic proof:

Dice

Crash

Mines

Plinko

Limbo

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I beat the house edge?

In the long run, the house edge ensures the casino has an advantage. However, in the short term, you can absolutely win. The key is understanding that gambling should be for entertainment, and over millions of bets, the math will trend toward the house edge.

Why do casinos have a house edge?

The house edge is how casinos stay in business. It ensures they make a profit over time, which allows them to pay for operations, staff, game licensing, and player bonuses. Without a house edge, casinos couldn't exist.

Is house edge the same as odds?

Not exactly. Odds refer to the probability of winning a specific bet. House edge is the overall mathematical advantage the casino has, which takes into account all possible bets and their payouts. A bet can have good odds but still contribute to a high house edge.

Does skill reduce the house edge?

In some games, yes. Games like blackjack and video poker allow skilled players to reduce the house edge by making optimal decisions. However, in pure chance games like slots and roulette, skill has no impact on the house edge.