♠ Card Games Encyclopedia

Casino Card Game House Edge Comparator

Not all casino card games are created equal. The house edge, the mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player, varies dramatically from game to game and even between different bets within the same game. This interactive comparator helps you understand exactly how much each game costs per hour based on your bet size and playing speed, giving you a clear picture of the relative value of different casino card games.

Understanding house edge is one of the most important concepts for anyone who plays casino games. As explained by the American Gaming Association, every casino game is designed to give the house a statistical advantage. However, the size of that advantage varies widely, and informed players can choose games that minimize their expected losses.

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# Game Bet Type House Edge Hands/hr Cost/Hour Session Cost

Expected Cost per Hour

Important: These figures represent long-run mathematical expectations. Short sessions can vary wildly from these averages due to variance. House edge calculations assume optimal strategy where applicable. Actual results in any given session may be significantly better or worse.

Understanding House Edge in Casino Card Games

The house edge represents the casino's built-in mathematical advantage expressed as a percentage of each bet. When a game has a 2% house edge, the casino expects to retain $2 for every $100 wagered over the long run. The remaining $98 is returned to players as winnings. This doesn't mean you lose exactly 2% each hand; rather, outcomes fluctuate considerably in the short term, but over thousands of hands the average converges toward this figure.

Different casino card games achieve their house edge through different mechanisms. In Blackjack, the edge comes primarily from the dealer acting last, meaning the player can bust before the dealer even plays. In Baccarat, the edge comes from the commission on Banker wins and the predetermined drawing rules. Each game's unique ruleset creates a different mathematical environment.

Why Game Speed Matters

House edge alone doesn't tell the full story. A critical factor often overlooked by casual players is game speed. The number of hands dealt per hour directly multiplies your exposure to the house edge. According to research compiled by the UNLV International Gaming Institute, different casino games operate at dramatically different speeds, which has a major impact on the player's expected cost per hour.

Consider this example: Pai Gow Poker has a house edge around 1.46%, which is higher than Blackjack's optimal 0.5%. However, Pai Gow typically deals only 30 hands per hour (plus approximately 41% of hands push), while Blackjack deals around 80. With $25 bets, Blackjack costs roughly $10 per hour while Pai Gow costs about $6.50 per hour after accounting for pushes. The slower game is actually cheaper despite the higher edge.

Optimal Strategy and Its Impact

The house edge figures used in this calculator assume optimal or near-optimal play. For games like Blackjack, this means following basic strategy perfectly. Deviating from optimal strategy increases the effective house edge, sometimes dramatically. A Blackjack player who relies on hunches rather than basic strategy might face an effective house edge of 2-5% instead of the theoretical 0.5%.

For Three Card Poker, optimal strategy is simpler: play with Queen-6-4 or better, fold everything else. For Caribbean Stud, you should always raise with a pair or better and fold with less than Ace-King. Each game has its own strategy requirements, and our individual game guides cover these in detail.

Casino Card Games Ranked by House Edge

Here's a general ranking of the major casino card games by house edge, assuming optimal play:

  • Blackjack (Basic Strategy): 0.5% – The gold standard for low house edge, but requires learning and consistently applying basic strategy
  • Baccarat (Banker Bet): 1.06% – Simple to play with no strategy decisions; just bet Banker and let the rules play out
  • Baccarat (Player Bet): 1.24% – Slightly worse than Banker but avoids the 5% commission
  • Pai Gow Poker (House Way): 1.46% – Low edge plus extremely slow pace and high push rate make it very affordable
  • Three Card Poker (Ante/Play): 2.01% – Moderate edge with fast play; the Pair Plus side bet carries a higher edge
  • Ultimate Texas Hold'em: 2.19% – Poker-style game with a reasonable edge for skilled players
  • Caribbean Stud Poker: 5.22% – Higher edge, though the progressive jackpot adds entertainment value
  • Casino War: 2.88% – Simple game but higher edge; the Tie bet at 18.65% should always be avoided

How to Use This Comparator

Enter your typical bet size and how long you plan to play, then select which games you want to compare. The tool calculates expected cost per hour and total session cost for each game and bet type. Use the sort options to rank games by house edge or hourly cost, and switch between table and chart views for different perspectives on the data.

The chart view is particularly useful for seeing at a glance which games cost the most per hour. Remember that these are theoretical averages. In practice, a four-hour session at any casino card game can produce results ranging from significant wins to notable losses. The house edge simply tells you the expected long-run average cost of playing.

Making Informed Decisions

This tool isn't designed to tell you which game to play. Entertainment value, personal preference, social atmosphere, and skill level all matter. Some players love the strategic depth of Blackjack; others prefer the simplicity of Baccarat or the social pace of Pai Gow. What this comparator provides is transparent cost information so you can make informed choices. The National Council on Problem Gambling recommends that players set clear budgets before playing, and understanding expected costs is an important part of responsible gaming.

For more detailed analysis of individual games, including full probability breakdowns, explore our dedicated calculators: the Baccarat Odds Calculator, Blackjack Strategy Calculator, and Three Card Poker Calculator each provide in-depth analysis of their respective games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What casino card game has the lowest house edge?

Blackjack with basic strategy has the lowest house edge among standard casino card games, typically between 0.5% and 1.0% depending on table rules. Baccarat's Banker bet is second at approximately 1.06%. Pai Gow Poker also offers a relatively low house edge around 1.46% with optimal hand-setting.

How is house edge calculated for casino games?

House edge is calculated as the average percentage of each bet that the casino expects to retain over the long run. It is derived from the mathematical probabilities of all possible outcomes in a game, weighted by their respective payouts. The Wizard of Odds provides detailed mathematical derivations for most casino games.

Does playing speed affect how much you lose at a casino?

Yes, playing speed significantly affects expected losses. The house edge is applied per hand or round, so faster games expose your bankroll to more decisions per hour. A game with a low house edge but fast pace may cost more per hour than a slower game with a slightly higher edge per hand.

What is the difference between house edge and expected loss per hour?

House edge is the percentage of each bet the casino expects to win on average. Expected loss per hour multiplies that edge by your bet size and the number of hands played per hour. This is why the comparator shows both metrics, as they tell different but complementary stories about the cost of playing.

Related Resources

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. All casino games carry risk and no strategy can eliminate the house edge. Please gamble responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.