Table Game House Edge: Picking Battles You Can Win

House edge is where you need to begin. The house edge is the math advantage the casino has over you, expressed as a percentage of each bet, over time. This book will show you the lowest house edge games and bets, how rules variations affect the house edge, and what you can do to reduce the amount you lose per hour. You will also learn how to read the table signs, how to select a good game, and how to determine the right bankroll. You just want to play smart and pick a fight you can win, or at least lose more slowly and enjoyably.

Quick Links:

House Edge 101: What It Is and Why It Matters

Lowest to Highest ·

Rules and Strategy ·

Bankroll ·

Side Bets ·

Quick Rankings: Lowest-to-Highest House Edge Table Games

Smart Play ·

What to Expect ·

How Rules and Strategy Change the Edge

Blackjack

Sources ·

• 3:2 blackjack payout is good. 6:5 is bad and raises the edge a lot.
• S17 (dealer stands on soft 17) is better than H17 (dealer hits soft 17).
• DAS (double after split) and RSA (resplit Aces) help you.
• Surrender (late surrender) also helps a bit.
• Fewer decks are better than more decks, all else equal.

Conclusion

Baccarat

The house edge is how much of your money the casino takes in as a bet over the long term. A bet with a house edge of 1 means that for every 100 you bet over a very long time, the house is taking 1. This is the long-term average. Short-term, it could go either way, a win or a loss, based on luck. The more you bet, though, the closer you get to the house edge.

Craps

Confusing house edge and hold is a common error. House edge is a mathematical calculation on every wager. Hold is how much of buy-ins the house retains over a given period of time. Hold is influenced by how you play, how fast you play, and your win/loss. House edge is influenced by the rules and paytable.

Another important concept is variance. Variance is the volatility of the game. High variance means wild fluctuations. Low variance means a flatter experience. House edge is what you pay for a bet in the long term. Variance is how you get there.

Good bets: Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds, or Place 6 and 8 (~1.52%). Bad bets: Big 6/8 (~9.09%), Any 7, Hardways (often high edge), Prop bets with flashy payoffs.

Roulette

The house edge will vary based on the rules of the table and how you play.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is slow and has many pushes. The edge ranges around 1.5%–2.7% based on commission rules and if you bank. Because the game is slow and has many ties, your loss per hour can be low even if the edge is not the lowest. Ask the dealer about the “house way” and how to set your two hands. For basics, see Wizard of Odds Pai Gow Poker.

Speed matters

Even a good game costs more if you play too fast. Blackjack can be 70–100 hands per hour. Pai Gow can be 30–40 decisions per hour. At the same bet size, the slower game often costs less per hour.

Bankroll: Picking Battles You Can Sustain

Blackjack can be good or terrible depending on the rules.

• Expected hourly loss ≈ average bet × decisions per hour × house edge

Basic strategy is a chart that shows you whether you should hit stand double or split. Key rules:

Example 2: American roulette at $10 per spin, 40 spins, 5.26% edge. 10 × 40 × 0.0526 ≈ $21 per hour.

Using 3:2, S17, DAS, surrender, and basic strategy, the house advantage may be very close to 0.5% or even lower. Using 6:5 and H17, the house advantage can be over 2%. For information on how the rules affect the house advantage, please visit our Wizard of Odds Blackjack Calculator.

Simple rules to stay in the game:

• Bet only 1%–2% of your session bankroll per hand. If you bring $500, bet $5–$10.
• Set a stop‑loss before you start. For example, stop if you lose 3–5 units.
• Set a win goal. For example, lock up wins at +5 to +10 units.
• Do not raise bets to chase losses. Progressive systems do not change the math.
• Take breaks. Slow down. Fewer hands per hour reduces cost.

Side Bets and “Sucker Bets”: When to Say No

Craps has some good bets and some bad bets. Pass Line has an edge of about 1.41%, Don’t Pass is about 1.36%. The Odds bet has an edge of 0% - very rare and good for you. You can only take Odds after making a point. Some casinos offer 3x, 4x, 5x Odds, or more. The more Odds allowed, the lower your total cost on the combined bet.

• Blackjack Insurance: bad unless you count cards. It is a separate bet with a high negative EV.
• Blackjack 21+3, Perfect Pairs: often 7%–10% edge or higher based on the paytable.
• Baccarat Tie and pair bets: Tie is ~14.36%; many pairs and “Dragon” bets are high.
• Craps Any 7, Horn bets, Hardways: fun, but often very high edges.
• Triple‑zero roulette: not a side bet, but the same idea—flashy, high cost.

Smart moves: Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds, or Place 6 and 8 (~1.52 house edge). Dumb moves: Big 6/8 (~9.09 house edge), Any 7, Hardways (often high edge), Prop bets with fancy payouts.

Where to Play and How to Vet a Table and Casino

Go for single-zero (European) instead of double-zero (American) wheels. The house edge is 2.70 instead of 5.26. If you can find a table that has La Partage or En Prison rules on even-money wagers (red/black, odd/even, high/low) the house edge is only 1.35 on those bets. Don’t play triple-zero. It’s cool. It’s not worth it. To learn more, visit Wizard of Odds Roulette.

• Blackjack: Look for 3:2 payout on a sign. Avoid 6:5. Check S17 vs H17, DAS, RSA, and surrender.
• Roulette: Count the zeros. Pick single‑zero. Ask if La Partage is used on even‑money bets.
• Baccarat: Check if commission is taken on Banker and how much. Avoid Tie and side bets as your main plan.
• Craps: Ask what Odds are allowed (e.g., 3x/4x/5x or 10x). More Odds is better for you.
• Pai Gow Poker: Ask about commission. Ask to see the “house way.”

Pai Gow Poker is a slow game with a lot of pushes. The house edge is in the neighborhood of 1.5%–2.7%, depending on the commission structure and whether you bank. Despite the low house edge, since the game is slow and has a lot of pushes, your expected loss per hour can be low. The dealer can tell you the “house way,” which is how the house sets their two hands. For basic strategy, see Wizard of Odds Pai Gow Poker.

Want to compare real‑world tables and rules before you go? Our independent review hub at Danske-Casinoer.com lists table rules we see on the floor, typical house edges, and player notes on comps and service. Use it to find fair rooms with 3:2 blackjack, single‑zero roulette, or full‑odds craps near you.

Smart Strategies for Popular Games You Can Actually Use

Blackjack: Do and Don’t

• Do: Use a basic strategy card. It is legal. Many rooms allow you to keep it on the table.
• Do: Choose 3:2 payout. Ask about S17, DAS, RSA, and surrender.
• Do: Split and double as the chart says. Small edges add up.
• Don’t: Play 6:5 blackjack. The hidden cost is big.
• Don’t: Take Insurance in normal play.
• Don’t: Chase losses or change plays on a hunch.

Baccarat: Do and Don’t

• Do: Bet Banker most of the time. It has the lowest edge.
• Do: Keep bets flat and slow. It is a simple, calm game.
• Don’t: Make Tie your main bet.
• Don’t: Splash side bets unless you know the exact paytable and math.

Craps: Do and Don’t

• Do: Bet Pass or Don’t Pass and take max Odds allowed.
• Do: Consider placing 6 and 8. They are decent value.
• Don’t: Bet Big 6/8, Any 7, or too many center‑table props.
• Don’t: Spray bets all over the layout. Keep a plan.

Roulette: Do and Don’t

• Do: Choose single‑zero. Even better if La Partage applies to even‑money bets.
• Do: Keep bet sizes steady and pace yourself.
• Don’t: Play triple‑zero wheels.
• Don’t: Trust betting systems like Martingale. They do not change the edge.

Pai Gow Poker: Do and Don’t

• Do: Learn a simple, strong set of rules to set your hand. Ask the dealer to explain the house way.
• Do: Enjoy the slow pace and high push rate. It can keep your bankroll steady.
• Don’t: Overbet. Variance can still hit hard when it does hit.

Myths, Systems, and Psychological Traps

• Martingale and other “double up” systems do not beat the house. They raise risk. The edge stays the same.
• Gambler’s fallacy: past spins and rolls do not change the next one. Each spin of a fair wheel is fresh.
• “Hot” or “cold” tables are stories we tell after the fact. Trust rules and math, not streak talk.
• Comps are nice, but small. Food and points are like a 0.1%–0.3% rebate for many players. They do not flip the edge.
• Pace matters. Slow play cuts cost per hour and helps you make better choices.

Realistic Expectations: What Winning Looks Like

They’ve got flashy lights and promise high payouts.

• Pick low‑edge games and fair rules.
• Use simple, proven strategy (not hunches).
• Keep bets small. Set stop‑loss and win goals.
• Play slower. Take breaks. Enjoy the session.
• Walk away when you hit your plan, win or lose.

Glossary (short and useful)

• House edge: Casino’s average profit on each bet, shown as a percent.
• RTP: Return to player. 100% − house edge.
• Variance: How swingy results are around the average.
• S17/H17: Dealer stands or hits on soft 17 in blackjack.
• DAS: Double after split allowed in blackjack.
• Odds bet: Craps bet with 0% edge you add to your line bet.
• La Partage: Roulette rule where even‑money bets get half back on zero.
• Paytable: Chart that shows payouts and rules.

FAQ

What is house edge in simple words?

It is the built‑in advantage for the casino. If a bet has 2% edge, the casino keeps about $2 for each $100 bet in the long run.

Which table game has the lowest house edge?

Make sure the casino is licensed and audited. In the US, you can check the Nevada GCB stats and documents. In the UK, check the UKGC consumer guides. For research, check the UNLV Center for Gaming Research and the American Gaming Association.

Does basic strategy remove the edge in blackjack?

No. It does not remove the edge, but it makes the edge very small if the rules are good (like 3:2 payout, S17, DAS). See charts at Wizard of Odds.

Is single‑zero roulette really better than double‑zero?

Yes. Single‑zero is 2.70% edge. Double‑zero is 5.26%. If La Partage is used on even‑money bets, the edge on those is only 1.35%.

Do betting systems like Martingale work?

No. They do not change the math. They can cause big losses fast when you hit a bad streak.

Why are side bets usually bad value?

They have high edges to fund the big payouts. Many are 7%–20%+.

How do Odds in craps affect the house edge?

Odds have 0% edge. When you add them to your Pass or Don’t Pass bet, your total cost per dollar bet goes down.

What is the difference between house edge and hold?

House edge is the math on each bet. Hold is what the casino keeps from buy‑ins over time. Hold depends on speed, luck, and how people play.

Sources and Further Reading

• Wizard of Odds — game math, house edges, paytables, strategy charts
• UNLV Center for Gaming Research — data and reports on casinos and games
• Nevada Gaming Control Board — rules, revenue reports, hold stats
• UK Gambling Commission — consumer advice and rules
• American Gaming Association — industry and responsible gambling resources
• Wizard of Odds: Blackjack
• Wizard of Odds: Baccarat
• Wizard of Odds: Craps
• Wizard of Odds: Roulette
• John Grochowski — table game columns and explanations

Method note: Edges and examples here use public math from the sources above. Your local rules may differ. Always read the sign on the table and the posted paytable.

Responsible Gambling and Help

In fact, that's the best part.

• US: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) — call or chat for help
• UK: BeGambleAware and GamCare
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council
• Global tips: UKGC Safer Gambling

So concentrate on what you can control:

Conclusion: Pick Battles You Can Win

You cannot remove the house edge, but you can choose where you fight. Pick games with a low edge. In blackjack, insist on 3:2 and use basic strategy. In baccarat, bet Banker. In craps, take Odds with your line bet. In roulette, pick single‑zero and prefer La Partage on even‑money bets if you can. Avoid most side bets. Keep your pace slow and your bets small. Set limits and stick to them.

Before you sit down, compare table rules near you. Check an independent guide like Danske-Casinoer.com and the sources above. With smart picks and simple habits, you can make your money last and give luck a fair shot to shine.