House Edge
What is House Edge?
House edge is the percentage of every wager a casino expects to keep over time. A game with a 2% house edge returns $98 for every $100 wagered on average. The other $2 is the casino's built-in profit margin.
This does not mean you lose 2% every session. Short-term results swing in both directions. You can win big on a high-edge game or lose on a low-edge one in any given session. House edge only shows up across thousands of bets. Over time though, the math catches up. The more you play, the closer your actual results get to the expected edge.
Lower house edge means your bankroll lasts longer. That is why game selection matters if you are trying to maximize playtime or minimize losses. A game with a 1% edge gives back $99 per $100 wagered on average, while a game with a 10% edge gives back only $90.
House edge varies across game types. Blackjack with optimal strategy sits around 0.5%. Most video poker variants run between 0.5% and 2%. Roulette ranges from 2.7% (European) to 5.26% (American). Slots can be anywhere from 2% to 15% depending on the game.
BlockBet Originals are built with competitive edges. Dice runs at 1%, Crash at 3%, and Blackjack at around 0.5% with basic strategy. You can check the exact house edge in the info section of every Originals game.
House edge and RTP (return to player) are two sides of the same number. A 3% house edge means 97% RTP. A 1% house edge means 99% RTP. Same thing, different framing. Some platforms list RTP, others list house edge. If you see one, you can calculate the other by subtracting from 100%.
One thing house edge does not tell you is volatility. Two games can have the same house edge but play completely differently. A low-volatility game pays small amounts frequently. A high-volatility game pays larger amounts less often. Both can have identical house edges, but the experience and bankroll swings are very different.