Understanding House Edge in Craps, Baccarat and Beyond

The Next Right doesn’t believe in blind bets or lucky streaks as a long-term strategy. If you’re going to play, you might as well know the game you’re playing—and that means understanding the house edge. This built-in advantage is how casinos make their money, but knowing how it works (and when it hurts you the least) can give you a smarter edge of your own.

So if you’ve ever walked away from a table wondering why it feels like the odds are never in your favor, you’re not imagining things. Let’s break down how the house edge really works—especially in craps, baccarat, and a few other games that often fly under the radar when it comes to their payout potential.

What Is the House Edge, Really?

The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over you in any given game. It’s how the casino ensures that, over time, it profits—even if individual players occasionally win big.

The key phrase here is “over time.” In the short term, anyone can win. But if you keep playing long enough, the house edge starts to show its teeth.

Think of it this way: If a game has a house edge of 5%, then for every $100 you bet, the casino expects to make $5. It’s not personal. It’s not rigged. It’s just math.

Now, not all games are created equal. Some give the house a huge advantage, while others leave a sliver of daylight for players who play smart. Let’s look at how this plays out in real casino favorites.

Craps: A Game of Noise, Dice, and Smart Bets

Walk by a craps table and you’ll hear the loudest cheers in the casino. But amid all that excitement are some of the best—and worst—bets you can make, depending on what you choose.

Best Bets in Craps

• Pass Line Bet: The classic bet. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, you win. If it’s 2, 3, or 12, you lose. Any other number becomes the “point,” and you win if that number comes up again before a 7. House edge? About 1.41%—not bad at all.
  
• Don’t Pass Line Bet: You’re betting against the shooter. Slightly better odds at 1.36% house edge, though you might not make many friends at the table.
  
• Come and Don’t Come Bets: These work just like the Pass and Don’t Pass bets but are made after the point is established. The house edge stays about the same.
  
• Odds Bets: This is where craps really gives you a leg up. After a point is set, you can place an additional bet called “taking the odds,” which pays true odds (no house edge). You’ll often see players double, triple, or even 10x their Pass Line bet with Odds. The more you can afford to bet here, the lower your overall house edge becomes.

Worst Bets in Craps

If you’re tempted by the flashy middle section of the craps table—proposition bets like “Any 7” or “Hard 8”—walk away. These bets carry house edges of 10% to 16%, and while the payouts are big, your chances aren’t. You’re essentially throwing money away on these bets.

Stick to the basics. Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and Odds bets are your best friends here. Craps can actually be one of the most player-friendly games if you ignore the noise and stick to the numbers.

Baccarat: Not Just for High Rollers

Baccarat might look like a high-society game for tuxedo-wearing elites, but it’s one of the simplest games in the casino—and it offers surprisingly good odds.

The Three Baccarat Bets

• Banker Bet: The best bet at the table. House edge is a low 1.06%. Even with a 5% commission on winning banker bets, it’s still the smartest choice long term.
  
• Player Bet: Slightly worse odds than the Banker, but still good. House edge sits at 1.24%.
  
• Tie Bet: This is the sucker bet. It pays out 8:1 or 9:1, but the house edge is around 14.36%. That’s brutal. Unless you’re into high-risk stunts, skip this one entirely.

Why Banker Is Best

It’s tempting to mix things up, but the Banker bet statistically wins just over 50% of the time. That’s why casinos take a commission on it. Over hundreds of hands, sticking with Banker will generally bleed your bankroll the slowest.

Blackjack: Skill Meets Math

Blackjack is one of the few games where your decisions actually matter. With perfect basic strategy, you can bring the house edge down to around 0.5%, depending on the rules of the table.

Factors That Affect Blackjack’s House Edge

• Number of decks: Fewer decks usually favor the player.
• Payouts: A 3:2 payout on blackjack is standard. If a table only offers 6:5, the house edge jumps significantly.
• Dealer hits on soft 17: If the dealer has to hit on soft 17, the house edge increases.
• Doubling rules: The more flexible the doubling options, the better for you.

Play With a Strategy

Memorizing basic strategy charts might not sound glamorous, but they work. Hit, stand, double, or split based on what the dealer shows and what you have. Playing on hunches or gut feelings? That’s how the house wins.

Roulette: French Flair or American Trap?

Roulette looks simple, but those little pockets hide a big edge—depending on the version you play.

Two Main Versions

• European Roulette: One zero. House edge is 2.7%.
• American Roulette: Two zeros. House edge is 5.26%.

That one extra pocket in American roulette nearly doubles the house edge. You’d think that would scare people off, but many U.S. casinos still pack them in. If you have a choice, always go European.

Don’t Fall for Fancy Bets

The wheel may offer dozens of betting options, but all of them fall under the same house edge in their version. Betting on red, black, odd, even, columns, or dozens—it’s all just window dressing. Over time, the zero(s) tip the scale against you.

Slots: Flashy, Fun, and Expensive

Slots are designed to be entertaining. They’re also usually the worst value in the casino in terms of house edge.

Most slot machines have a house edge anywhere from 4% to 15%, and unlike table games, you have almost zero control over the outcome. There’s no strategy—just spin and hope.

The Trade-Off

What you lose in odds, you gain in accessibility. You can play at your own pace, start with small bets, and potentially win big jackpots. But make no mistake: These machines are the casinos’ biggest money-makers for a reason.

If you’re going to play slots, stick to ones with higher Return to Player (RTP) rates—some online platforms advertise RTPs of 96% or higher. And always know when to walk away.

Understanding Long-Term vs. Short-Term Play

The house edge is all about the long game. Over a short session, anything can happen. You might beat the odds, walk away with a win, and feel like a genius. But if you keep playing the same game for hours—or worse, days—those percentages start to take a toll.

This is why disciplined bankroll management is key. Set a win limit. Set a loss limit. Know your exit strategy before you even sit down. The house edge is only a real danger when you ignore it and just keep going.

Can You Beat the House?

Short answer: Not in the long run.

Card counters can beat blackjack in the short term, but most casinos are wise to it. Advantage players can find small edges in video poker or promos, but it takes serious discipline and math skills.

For the average player, the goal shouldn’t be to “beat” the house. It should be to play smart, have fun, and lose slower. That may not sound sexy, but it’ll keep your bankroll intact a lot longer than chasing the impossible.

The Bottom Line

The Next Right is not here to tell you not to gamble—we’re just here to help you do it smarter. The house edge is real, but it doesn’t have to be your downfall. Games like craps and baccarat offer relatively low house edges if you stick to the right bets. Blackjack gives you a fighting chance if you learn basic strategy. Roulette and slots can be fun, but the odds are stacked higher against you.

Play the games you enjoy, but don’t play blind. Whether you’re there for the thrill, the atmosphere, or a shot at a lucky streak, understanding the math behind your bets is the smartest move you can make.

Because when it comes to gambling, luck may be random, but The Next Right decision doesn’t have to be.