House Edge in Casino Games

Players should always be aware of the house edge on any game they play. The house edge of any casino game is the percentage of the money the game takes in and keeps. The lower the house edge, the better chance the player has of winning. The higher the house edge, the more money the house keeps and the player ultimately loses. Players can easily discover the house edge of any of their favorite casino games.

Where to Find the House Edge

Most online casino games have their house edges already calculated. The casino itself analyzes the game's odds and reports this to jurisdictional licensing boards. These reports are then published on the licensing board's websites as well as on the casino's own website. Players should easily be able to find these reports and determine if the house's edge on a given game is too high to risk placing a bet.

The Contention of House Edge

The house edge of any game can vary from casino to casino. This can hurt players as their exact utility on a game may be much lower in one casino as compared to many others. Several anti-gambling groups have argued that house edges should be standardized across the industry. Unfortunately, these groups argue that the house edge should be set higher to discourage players from gambling.

Luckily, many casinos keep their house edge artificially low in order to encourage more players to enjoy their favorite games. They know that the better chances players have of winning money, the more often they will play.