Know Before You Play
If you don't know what "house edge" means, start here: it's just how much of your money a game takes on average, the more useful number is the plain dollar figure next to it, not the percentage.
In plain terms
Say you sit down and bet $100 total over a session, spread across many hands. On a game with a 2% house edge, you'd expect to end up about $2 behind on average. That's it. It's not a fee taken up front, and it's not what happens on any one hand, some hands you'll win, some you'll lose, but averaged over enough of them, that's roughly where you land. The lower the number, the less the game costs you to play.
The table below shows both the percentage (how the industry talks about it) and the plain dollar version (what it actually means for your money), so you don't have to do the math yourself.
Every table game covered on this site, ranked from cheapest to play to most expensive. Figures reflect standard published casino game mathematics, assuming you play correctly under commonly available rules. Rules vary by casino, so treat these as a guide, and check the individual trainer for the exact strategy behind each number.
| Game | House edge | Avg. loss per $100 bet | Volatility | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best odds, low volatility | ||||
| Blackjack | 0.28%1 | $0.28 | Low | Required |
| Video Poker (9/6 Jacks or Better) | 0.46%2 | $0.46 | Medium | Required |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 1.06%3 | $1.06 | Low | None |
| Craps (Pass/Come) | 1.41%4 | $1.41 | Low | Bet selection |
| Pai Gow Poker | 1.46%5 | $1.46 | Low | Some |
| Pai Gow Tiles | 1.50%6 | $1.50 | Low | Some |
| Middle of the pack | ||||
| Spanish 21 (S17) | 0.40%7 | $0.40 | Low | Required |
| Roulette (single zero) | 2.70%8 | $2.70 | Medium | None |
| Casino Hold'em | 2.16%9 | $2.16 | Medium | Some |
| Ultimate Texas Hold'em | 2.19%10 | $2.19 | High | Required |
| Texas Hold'em Bonus | 2.04%11 | $2.04 | Medium | Some |
| Roulette (double zero) | 5.26%8 | $5.26 | Medium | None |
| Four Card Poker | 2.79%12 | $2.79 | Medium | Some |
| Dragon Tiger | 3.73%13 | $3.73 | Medium | None |
| Three Card Poker (Ante & Play) | 3.37%14 | $3.37 | Medium | Some |
| Crazy 4 Poker | 3.42%15 | $3.42 | High | Some |
| Let It Ride | 3.51%16 | $3.51 | High | Some |
| Casino War | 2.88%17 | $2.88 | Low | None |
| Higher edge, know what you're playing | ||||
| Mississippi Stud | 4.91%18 | $4.91 | High | Required |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | 5.22%19 | $5.22 | High | Some |
| Sic Bo | 2.78%–33.33%20 | $2.78–$33.33 | High | Bet selection |
| Big Six | 11.11%–24.07%21 | $11.11–$24.07 | High | None |
| Keno | 25%–29%22 | $25.00–$29.00 | High | None |
A note on card counting: it doesn't appear as its own row above because it's a technique applied to blackjack, not a separate game. Practiced well, it can shift blackjack's edge toward the player. See the card counting trainer for the Hi-Lo system.
Also see the practice gear guide for equipment that pairs with these games.
What does house edge actually mean?
It's how much of your money a game costs you to play, on average. A 2% house edge means if you bet $100 total over a session, you'd expect to end up about $2 behind. It's not a fee taken up front and it doesn't predict any single hand, some hands you win, some you lose, but averaged out, that's roughly where it lands.
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
Under liberal rules and correct basic strategy, blackjack sits at the very bottom, around 0.28%. The baccarat banker bet and full-pay video poker aren't far behind, both under 1.1%.
Does learning strategy actually change the house edge?
For games tagged "Required" or "Some" above, yes, substantially. Playing blackjack or video poker without a strategy typically runs several points worse than the optimal-play figure shown here. Games tagged "None" have a fixed edge that no strategy changes, only which specific bet you choose matters.
Why do some games show a range instead of one number?
Sic bo, Big Six, and Keno each have many different bets available on the same table, and each bet carries its own house edge. The range covers the best and worst available, and the individual trainer explains which specific bets to avoid.
This page is for education only. No real-money wagering. 21+. Gamble responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
1–22. Figures reflect standard published casino game mathematics under commonly available rules. Verified current as of this page's last update.