RTP and house edge are the same fact stated two ways. This converts between them and turns the percentage into something more useful: what an evening actually costs.
House edge is just 100% minus RTP. A 96% slot has a 4% edge. European roulette returns 97.3%, so the edge is 2.70%. Blackjack played with correct basic strategy gets close to 99.5%, an edge of about 0.5%. Same idea, different number.
The edge applies to turnover, not to your deposit. This is the part that surprises people. Bet $1 a spin for three hours at 500 spins an hour, and you’ve wagered $1,500 — not $100. At a 4% edge, the expected cost is $60, and that’s true whether you deposited $100 or $1,000. How much you bet in total decides what you lose, not how much you walked in with.
Why the numbers below differ so much.
Blackjack, basic strategy 0.5% · $2.50 per $500 wagered Video poker, 9/6 JoB 0.46% · $2.30 per $500 wagered Baccarat, banker 1.06% · $5.30 per $500 wagered European roulette 2.70% · $13.50 per $500 wagered American roulette 5.26% · $26.30 per $500 wagered Typical online slot 4.00% · $20.00 per $500 wagered
American roulette costs roughly twice European roulette for an identical-looking game — the second zero is the whole difference. If both are offered, there is never a reason to play the American wheel.
What the edge does not tell you. It’s a long-run average, and your session is not the long run. A 4% edge does not mean you lose 4% every night; it means that across a very large number of spins the average settles there. Any individual session can land far from it, which is what the variance simulator is for.
FAQ
What is the house edge on slots?
Typically 2% to 8%, with most mainstream online slots around 4% — a 96% RTP. It is usually higher than table games. The exact figure is in each game’s info screen, and the same game can run at different RTPs at different casinos.
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
Blackjack with correct basic strategy, at roughly 0.5%, and 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker at about 0.46%. Both require playing correctly — mistakes raise the edge quickly. Baccarat on the banker bet is about 1.06% and needs no skill at all.
How much will I lose per hour?
Multiply your stake by rounds per hour by the house edge. At $1 a spin, 500 spins an hour and a 4% edge, that is $20 an hour on average. Think of it as the price of the entertainment rather than a prediction.
