House Edge Across Table Games: A Comparative Guide

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Two tables. Same pit. Same buzz. On the left, a single-zero roulette wheel with a small sign: “La Partage.” On the right, a double-zero wheel. A friend puts $25 on red for an hour at each table. He makes about 40 spins per hour. At the French-style table, the real edge on even-money bets is 1.35%. That is a long-term cost of about $13.50 per hour. At the American table, the edge is 5.26%. That is about $52.60 per hour. Same vibe. Very different price for the same game flow.

This guide shows what house edge looks like across common table games, how rules move it up or down, how game speed and variance change your cost per hour, and how real casino “hold” can differ from theory. If you want the short answer: rules matter more than the game’s name. Read the plaque on the table. Then do one fast sum.

Quick gut-check: edge per hour in one line

Expected hourly loss ≈ average bet × decisions per hour × house edge.

• Blackjack (3:2, S17, with basic strategy): $25 × 70 hands × 0.5% ≈ $8.75/hour
• Baccarat (Banker): $25 × 60 hands × 1.06% ≈ $15.90/hour
• American roulette (double-zero, any straight-up mix): $25 × 40 spins × 5.26% ≈ $52.60/hour

If you want to see the math idea behind that one line, this short page helps: expected value basics. The point is simple: edge × speed × bet size shapes your real cost per hour.

The messy middle: rules that swing the edge

Blackjack is the best example. Small rule tags shift the edge a lot. S17 (dealer stands on soft 17) is better than H17 (dealer hits soft 17). DAS (double after split) helps you. RSA (resplit aces) helps a bit more. Late surrender trims the edge again. The bad sign is “6:5” on blackjack payouts. That alone can push the edge near 2% or worse. For a full rule-by-rule breakdown, see this deep dive: blackjack house edge by rule set.

Roulette looks simple, but the wheel and one extra rule make a big change. Single-zero (European) has a 2.70% edge on most bets. Double-zero (American) jumps to 5.26%. French “la partage” or “en prison” on even-money bets cuts the effective edge on those to 1.35%. Over time, the law of large numbers makes the long-run average show up. In the short run, anything can happen. Over many hours, rules win.

Craps is a web of bets. The Pass Line and Don’t Pass are fair by table game standards (about 1.41% and 1.36%). The “free odds” on top of those have 0% edge. That is rare and good. But many center-table props are costly. “Any 7” can be ~16.67% edge; some hardways are around 9–11%. A solid math guide is here: craps math and free odds explained.

Pai Gow Poker looks slow and gentle because many hands push. With a standard 5% commission, house edge is around 2.5%. Some “no-commission” versions adjust wins or push certain dealer hands to make up for it, so the real edge can sit around 1.8%–2.7%, based on the set rules.

Three Card Poker has two parts. The Ante-Play side, with correct strategy, is around 1.5%–1.7% depending on the table’s pay schedule. Pair Plus can be anywhere from about 2.3% (good paytable) to over 7% (thin paytable). You can check sample paytables and the math here: Three Card Poker math and paytables.

One more note: rule sheets and allowed paytables are set by each place. In regulated U.S. markets, casinos follow posted rules from the state. Here is a public source for that idea: official game rules in regulated markets.

The Big Table: House Edge by Table Game and Rules

Below is a compact “dataset” view. “Typical House Edge” shows a best-common rule set you are likely to find if you look for it. “Range” shows how rules can shift the math. “Pace” gives a normal speed with a live dealer. Many of these games can run faster or slower, based on table crowd, dealer speed, or electronic tables. “Volatility” says how swingy the game feels. All numbers are rounded.

Blackjack (3:2, S17, DAS, 6 decks)	~0.5% (with basic strategy)	~0.35% (with late surrender) to ~2%+ (6:5)	High	60–80	Low–Med	S17, DAS, RSA, late surrender help you; H17 and 6:5 hurt you
Baccarat (Banker)	~1.06%	—	None	50–70	Low	Banker best; Player ~1.24%; Tie varies by pay
Baccarat (Tie)	~14.4% at 8:1	~4.85% at 9:1 to ~14.4% at 8:1	None	50–70	High	Avoid 8:1 Tie; rare 9:1 is less bad
Roulette (European, single-zero)	2.70%	—	None	35–50	Med	All straight bets same edge (except even-money with French rules)
Roulette (French, la partage on even-money)	1.35% on even-money bets	—	None	35–50	Med	Half-loss on zero cuts edge in half for even-money bets
Roulette (American, double-zero)	5.26%	—	None	35–50	Med	Double-zero raises edge on all standard bets
Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass)	~1.41% / ~1.36%	—	Low	30–45	Low–Med	Add free odds (0% edge on that portion); avoid high-edge props
Pai Gow Poker	~2.5% (with 5% commission)	~1.8%–2.7% (no-commission variants)	Med	30–40	Low	Many pushes slow loss rate; “no-commission” rules vary
Three Card Poker (Ante-Play)	~1.5%–1.7%	By paytable	Med	60–70	Med	Use Q‑6‑4 strategy; check dealer-qualify and paytable
Three Card Poker (Pair Plus)	~2.3%–7.3%	Wide by paytable	None	60–70	High	“Fun” bet with big swings; shop for better pays
Ultimate Texas Hold’em	~2.2% (vs ante)	Element of risk ~0.5%	High	30–40	Med–High	Strategy matters a lot; payouts and blind bonus rules vary
Mississippi Stud	~4.9%–5.5%	By paytable	High	30–35	High	Heavy swings; correct raises cut loss but do not kill edge
Let It Ride	~3.5%	—	Med	35–45	Med–High	Standard paytable assumed; side bets often worse
Sic Bo (Big/Small)	~2.78%	Props often 10%–30%+	None	45–60	Med–High	Specific triples can exceed 30% edge
Big Six / Money Wheel	~11%–24%+	By segment	None	40–60	High	Simple, but costly; check posted pays per slice
Casino War	~2.88%	Tie bet ~18.65%	None	60–80	Low	Base game is okay-ish; tie bet is poor value

Field note: The most common traps we spot on floors: 6:5 blackjack on a nice table, double-zero wheels in rooms that also have single-zero, 8:1 Tie in baccarat as a “fun” add-on, and heavy use of craps props when the shooter gets hot. Read the small sign every time. It pays.

Edge is not destiny: speed, variance, and human error

You can pick a low-edge game and still lose more per hour than on a higher-edge game if the pace is wild. A heads-up blackjack game can fly at 100 hands per hour with an auto-shuffler. A full table might crawl at 60. Same rules, very different hourly cost.

• Speed: roulette 35–50 spins/hour; craps 30–45 decisions/hour; baccarat 50–70; blackjack 60–80; Pai Gow Poker 30–40.
• Variance: Pai Gow Poker feels “calm” because many hands push. Mississippi Stud and Pair Plus feel “spiky” because wins and losses are bigger and less often.
• Player errors: In games with strategy, missed moves raise the edge. In blackjack, basic strategy keeps the edge near 0.5%. With many mistakes, the edge can double or more.

Want a calmer spend per hour? Slow games with many pushes help. Want a thrill? Be ready for bigger swings, even at the same long-run edge.

Reality check: what casinos actually hold

Public data shows what casinos “hold” from players as a percent of drop or handle. This is not the same as house edge, but it is a window into the real world. You can scan monthly reports here: Nevada Gaming Control Board revenue reports. For longer runs and research sets, see the UNLV Center for Gaming Research. For a macro view of U.S. markets, the AGA State of the States report is useful context.

Why hold ≠ house edge:

• Short runs: A few whales or a long streak can skew a month.
• Game mix: A “baccarat” line can hide many side bets and promos.
• Pace and limits: Faster games and higher bets raise dollar hold even if the edge is the same.

Still, the trend is clear over time. Games with low posted edge often show lower holds and gentler swings on the books. Games with rich side bets and high-edge props tend to hold more.

Methodology and sources (with live rule notes)

We built the table above from posted rules, public math, and floor checks. When there were ranges, we picked “best-common” rules that a careful player can find in many markets. For pace, we used observed dealer speeds and normal table loads, then rounded to clean ranges. All edges are long-run values; your short-run result will vary.

Core sources we trust and use often:

• Wizard of Odds — Blackjack, Craps, Three Card Poker
• New Jersey DGE rules (as an example of regulated rule sets)
• UK Gambling Commission — RTP guidance

To keep this table honest, we ground-truth rule sets from real pits and live lobbies. We log table placards and paytables, with dates. You can browse current rule sheets in our independent casino reviews at https://rewinly.com/. We update entries when floors change, and we welcome tips when you spot a new rule sign.

Notes on metrics:

• House edge is shown on the base bet unless we say otherwise (for example, craps free odds are 0% on that portion only).
• “Element of risk” (used in UTH) spreads the cost over total money put at risk, not just the ante.
• All figures are estimates for common rules. Always read the posted rules in your venue.

Practical picks: match your risk and budget

• If you want low hourly cost: Blackjack 3:2 with S17 (learn basic strategy), Baccarat Banker, French roulette even-money with la partage, Pai Gow Poker (slow, many pushes).
• If you want a bit more drama but fair math: Three Card Poker (Ante-Play only), Craps Pass/Don’t Pass with odds.
• If you want big swings and don’t mind the price: Mississippi Stud, Pair Plus, Sic Bo props. Budget for it.
• Avoid by default: Big Six/Money Wheel, 6:5 blackjack, 8:1 Tie in baccarat, most “any 7” and center-table props in craps.

Quick myths, busted

• “Martingale beats roulette.” No. It changes risk shape, not edge. The house still has the same cut.
• “Tie in baccarat is easy money.” No. At 8:1 it is about 14% edge for the house.
• “A hot shooter drops the edge.” No. Streaks happen, but the posted odds do not change.
• “Dealer skill decides blackjack edge.” No. Rules and your play do. A fast dealer only changes speed.

FAQ

What is the difference between house edge, RTP, and hold?
House edge is the long-run cut the casino gets on a game, as a percent of each bet. RTP is “return to player,” the flip side of edge. If edge is 2%, RTP is 98%. Hold is what casinos report they kept from players over a time span. It can swing a lot, and it is not the same as the game’s edge. For RTP basics, see the UKGC guide.

How much would I lose per hour at $25 blackjack?
On a 3:2, S17 game with basic strategy, use the quick line: $25 × 70 hands × 0.5% ≈ $8.75/hour. If it is H17, no DAS, or 6:5, that cost goes up fast.

Is there a zero-edge bet on any table?
Yes and no. In craps, “free odds” have 0% edge, but they ride on top of a Pass/Don’t Pass bet that has an edge. Your total still has a house edge; it just drops a bit when you add odds.

Are live online tables the same as on a floor?
Often yes, but check the rule card in the lobby. Many live online blackjack tables are H17, some pay 6:5, some ban re-split aces. Always scan the rules. Speed is often higher online, so your hourly cost can rise even with the same edge.

Does a slower game really save money?
Usually. If the edge is the same, fewer decisions per hour means a lower expected loss per hour. This is why slow Pai Gow Poker can feel “cheap” for time played.

Responsible play and further reading

Set a budget. Set a time. Expect to pay for the fun. If you want help or more info, see the National Council on Problem Gambling (U.S.) or BeGambleAware (UK). If the game stops being fun, take a break.

Editor’s field notes

• Single-zero roulette in mixed rooms is often at higher minimums. Do the hourly math before you sit down.
• Blackjack “side bets” can run 3%–10%+ edge. They add swing. If you care about cost, skip them.
• Craps odds: learn the max allowed (e.g., 3–4–5x). If you take odds, size your base bet so you can afford the odds without going over budget.

Jurisdiction note: Rules and paytables vary by state and country. Always check the posted table rules. This guide uses common, public rule sets for its estimates.

Dataset meta (how to cite this table)

Name: “House Edge Across Table Games — Common Rules Snapshot (2026-07)”. Variables: Game, Typical House Edge, House Edge Range, Skill Impact, Pace (decisions/hour), Volatility, Notes. Sources: Wizard of Odds (game math), NJ DGE (rules), UKGC (RTP guidance), and in-person rule placards (see link above). You may reproduce the table with credit and a link to this page.