Playing casinos is awesome, and the world has really one-upped itself by introducing online casinos, no more do we need to have a shower, brush our teeth and put on our most glam get-up to go gambling!
Now, we can play all our favorite casino games from the comfort of our couch! What could be better?
However, whenever you are playing casino games there is one thing you need to consider, the pesky, sneaky house edge. No game is without it. Whether you’re playing poker at the local casino or if you are playing blackjack online, the house edge is there
It will shift your chances of winning a game, it can alter your odds, but before we make it sound too scary, let’s make sure you understand what the house edge is.
The truth is the house edge is not a scary concept, but it is annoying, and you do need to know that it is there. Because if you are in it to win it, you might want to avoid some games, where the house edge is sky high!
Understanding What The House Edge Is
Casinos, whether they are land based, or online, are great, you can risk it all and defy the odds, or go crashing down in a disappointing betting disaster. But, like every business, casinos are not there just to offer you a laugh and some sheer luck.
Casinos need to make profit, like any other business, and this is where the house edge comes into play. You see, the odds are not natural, like they would be if you played these games in the basement with your friends.
Casinos have to make profits, and so the house edge is there to shift the odds in the favor of the casino, so those profits can emerge.
When you play games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, the house edge has been the same for pretty much its whole existence. However, when you play the more popular, well known table games, the advantage the casino has is pretty highly consistent.
Consider roulette, if you were to play European roulette, then you would note an average house edge of around 2.7%, however, when you play American roulette the house edge leaps up to 5.26%. Which does not sound a huge amount, but big bets, and a house edge increase like this can mean big losses.
The house edge is basically just telling you what the casino’s profit margin is. So, if you were to play double exposure blackjack, and you had a house edge of 0.69%, then for every $100 you wager, the casino will profit $0.69.
So, with a house edge average of 5.26% in American roulette, the casino will often gain $5.26 per $100 you play.
The experience of play won’t be affected so much though.
How To Find The House Edge
The house edge is not a secret, it is just that most of us are not so sure where to look. If you were to play slots online, you want to look for the RTP percentage which is on the right of the machine. This is the return to player rate.
The RTP rate tells you an average of how much you get back per $1 you play. So if the RTP rate is 79% then you could expect $0.79 back for every $1 you play.
This is a long term picture though, and things do not always work this way, but it gives you an idea of what to expect before you play.
Why Taking Note Of The House Edge Is So Important
Of course, it does not always work out as the house edge would suggest, however, you do need to take note of it, as doing so gives you a bit more perspective.
Casinos let you know their edge because you can make a more informed choice.
The house edge is tested out by testing agencies who test each game, data, software, and RNG’s to make sure games are fair and that the house edge is what it is said to be.
When you play at an online casino, there will usually be a monthly report that tells you the RTP and edge for each game and for the site overall.
How Does Online & Offline Play Differ?
If you are used to playing in casinos on land, and not online you may be used to this concept but are wondering exactly how it affects things in online play.
Well, it is worth noting that while the house edge does still exist in online casinos it can usually be a bit better. This is due to how you can find some more unusual types of games that have more favorite rules, which is something found a lot in blackjack.
Slots can also have more games on offer too. With more games, you have more options, and you can really search for the games that have the best house edge, you needn’t even change the game just the variation of it, or even the site it is on!
