What is the house edge?

How do you work out the cost of a session?

Multiply your total bets by the house edge. Total bets are every bet you place, not your deposit:

Edges from Wizard of Odds. The expected loss is an average, and one session can end far above or below it.

How is house edge different from RTP?

House edge and RTP describe the same thing from opposite sides. Return to player (RTP) is the share paid back over time, so a 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge. Slots usually state RTP in the help screen, and table games are usually described by house edge. Try both in our RTP calculator.

Is house edge the same as hold?

No. Wizard of Odds describes hold as the share of chips the casino keeps against the chips sold, measured over a period such as a shift. Hold depends on how long players stay and how often chips are bet again, so it can be far higher than the house edge and cannot be worked out from the maths of the game alone.

Why do some games have two figures?

In games where you add to your bet during the hand, such as doubling in blackjack, the house edge is measured against the first bet only. Wizard of Odds also gives an "element of risk", measured against all the money bet. For Caribbean Stud Poker, it lists a 5.22% house edge and a 2.56% element of risk.

Does the house edge assume perfect play?

Yes, for games with choices. Wizard of Odds says its figures assume optimal or near-optimal strategy. Play by instinct and your real cost is higher. See blackjack basic strategy.