Have you ever looked for an ‘edge’ in an activity or a goal? The term refers to something that gives you an advantage. If you have experience in a particular industry, for example, you might have an edge when looking for a job.

The term ‘house edge’ is used when describing a casino’s advantage over its players. The casino – the ‘house’ – has a mathematical advantage over players. The exact percentage varies depending upon the house edge casino games in question but exists in just about every game offered. From live poker to house edge roulette and slots, the house tips the odds in its favor. 

You might be wondering why it exists. The answer is simple: so that casinos make money. If casinos did nothing but hand out money to winners, they would soon go bankrupt. In order to offer players a good game selection and VIP perks, casinos must make money to put back into the business. It helps ensure that operators win enough money to make a profit. 

How it works

An operator’s house edge differs from game to game. Video slots have some of the worst odds, with the house edge typically falling between 5% and 10%. Craps house edge fair not so good, typically exceeding ten percent. If your goal is to maximize your chances of winning, you have to pick the right game. Card games, for example, are often better choices. 

Casino games with the lowest house edge

Card games tend to have comparatively lower house edges. Poker variants, in particular, are some of the best games to play if the goal is to maximize your chances of winning. From 1.5% and up, here are some of the most popular poker variants with the best online casino house edge.

Texas Hold’em

With a house edge of 2.19%, Texas Hold ’Em is one of the most popular card games on the market. This classic is simple to understand. Think of the game as an act in four steps

• Pre-flop
• Flop
• Turn
• River

The pre-flop is the start of the round. Players receive two ‘hole’ cards which are dealt face down. The flop comes next when three community cards are dealt face up. Then, a fourth community card is dealt in the ‘turn’. Finally, players receive a fifth community card in the ‘river’. 

After each of the four stages outlined above, players will place their bets as they fold, raise, or call. The aim of the game is to use five of the seven available cards to create the best poker hand possible. 

Four-card poker

Four-card poker is another popular poker variant. It boasts a house edge of between 2.79% and 1.3%, making it a great choice for players looking to win. The game is a simple one to play.

• Place an ante bet.
• Receive five face-down cards.
• Fold or raise.
• Remove one card from your hand.

That’s it! Note that the ante bet is not optional – if you want to play, you will place a bet. After you receive your cards and look them over, you will decide to either raise or fold. Folding means that your bet is collected by the casino. Raising will keep you in the game. You must raise by at least as much as your ante bet but no more than 3x its value. 

There are several card combinations (hands) to look for. These include:

• Four-of-a-kind
• Three-of-a-kind
• Straight flush
• Flush

These are ordered from best to worst, and this is not an exhaustive list. These are just a few of the combinations players should understand before they begin to play. If you collect any of them, your chances of winning could increase dramatically. 

What is the house edge in slots?

Why is this important? Because RTP values also indicate the house edge players face when playing the game in question. More specifically, a game’s RTP is 100% minus the house edge. A slot with a 90% RTP, in other words, has a house edge of 10%.

Casino games with a high house edge

The casino games with the highest house edge are generally slots. Here are some of the slots with the highest house edge. 

The Dark Knight

With an RTP of 88.96%, Microgaming’s The Dark Knight has a high house edge. Playing the game is simple – you must sit down and spin the wheel – but your chances of winning anything significant are quite low. 

Mega Moolah

Another Microgaming title, Mega Moolah boasts an RTP of 88% and is incredibly popular. The slot has granted massive jackpot wins in the past, but it is important to remember that the chances of this happening are quite slim. 

The Purse of the Money

A highly themed release from Saucify, The Purse of the Money has a variable RTP ranging from 84.9% to 89.8%. Neither of these are overly impressive and there are much better slots on the market. 

Can you beat the house edge?

Skill can help players lower the house edge in some games. The poker variants described above, for example, as well as blackjack can all give players better odds as long as players understand how to play optimally. In the long run and in most cases, however, the house edge will always win. This is especially true of slot machines, where skill does not play a part in winning or losing.

Resorts Casino can help you get a feel for the house edge before you risk your money! If you want to learn more, we have another article for you! We offer free demo play to all our players, Sign up now!