Difference Between RTP & House Edge | Explained in Detail

Posted by: Joe Hilton

2 min

House Edge and RTP (Return-to-Player) Percentage are concepts you’ve often heard of as a casino player but perhaps never got a clear idea of what they are and how they affect your casino wins. In the casino world, no matter whether novice or experienced, casino players of all skill levels come across this one particular question, “What is the difference between RTP and House Edge?”

So, here we are with a detailed explanation of these concepts, why they are essential, and how they can affect your casino sessions positively and negatively based on your choice of casino games. Although it sounds complicated, it's an easy concept to understand and implement. By the end of this blog, you’ll be ready to implement and enhance your real money gameplay significantly.

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RTP & House Edge: Are they the same or different?

While both RTP (Return-to-Player) and House Edge are metrics used in casino gambling, they represent opposite sides of the gambling coin. RTP is the percentage of wagers returned to players over time, indicating the game's overall fairness and profitability for players.

On the other hand, House Edge represents the casino's advantage over players, representing the average amount the casino expects to gain from each bet. Thus, they are distinct concepts where the RTP focuses on players' potential returns, and the House Edge highlights the casino's built-in advantage.
The Casino always has an Edge

Have you ever heard of the casinos always having an edge or that casinos always win? But what does that mean? It means that even if you play at the best online casino, the casino will gain more profit than you in the long run. Does that mean you can never win against the casino? The simple answer to that is - No. You can, just not in the long run.

To make it simpler, let’s say you bet some money on Roulette and win the round. This is an instant win, meaning you can beat the casino only in the short term. However, if you keep betting for a longer time, your chances of winning are way less than that of losing. This is where RTP and House Edge come into play. These concepts clearly show how the casino profits and the player wins work. Let’s learn about them in more detail ahead.
What is RTP (Return-to-Player)?

RTP refers to the return-to-player percentage that a casino offers over the bets you place on a game over a period of time. This refers to the winning percentage you can expect from a real-money casino game to earn back. Let’s say a casino game has an RTP of 95%, meaning you can win back 95% of your wagered amount on that game.

Understanding RTP is essential for players in choosing which games to play. Games with higher RTP percentages offer better odds, making them more attractive for players seeking high payouts. How do you calculate the RTP percentage of casino games? Simply divide the total amount returned to casino players by the total amount gambled, and there’s your answer.

Casino games with the highest RTP percentage

Huge wins are what every casino player is looking for. One such category of online casino games offers some of the highest payouts according to their respective RTP percentages. Slot games, online slot games, fruit machine games, or whatever you may know them as are some of the most profitable casino games online. Here’s a list of online casino slot games that offer some of the highest RTP percentages:

Game	RTP Percentage
Jackpot 6000	98.8%
1429 Uncharted Seas	98.6%
Cash Bonanza	96.21%
Book of Dead	96.21%
Dead or Alive	96.82%

To learn about these games in detail and know what other games offer high RTPs, refer to casino games with high payouts.

What is House Edge?

Unlike the RTP percentages that show how much payout players can expect from a particular game, House Edge represents how much edge or advantage a casino has over the players. A percentage signifies the average amount the casino expects to retain from each player’s bet. Understanding the house edge is essential for players to decide where to place their bets and where not.

So, the higher the House Edge, the less it will pay you. And the lesser the house edge, the more you can win. To know which casino games to avoid, we have covered casino games with the worst odds before you begin your next online gambling session.

Casino games with the Lowest House Edge

Strategic or seasoned casino players with a fair idea about how casino house edge works often seek games with the lowest house edge to maximize their chances of winning. Here’s a list of online casino games offering the lowest house edge ever:

Game	House Edge
Video Poker	0.05% – 2%
Blackjack	0.43% – 2%
Baccarat	1.06% – 1.24%
Craps	1.36% – 1.41%
Ultimate Texas Hold’em	2.20%

These are some of the casino games that offer the lowest house edge percentage. To know the gameplay and understand these games in more detail, check out casino games with the best odds before starting your next gameplay.

In the casino gambling world, where luck plays an important role, a hint of knowledge can create a considerable difference in your potential winnings. You can confidently gamble on your favorite games with an understanding of RTP and House Edge. Remember, while the house may always have an edge, the players with the proper knowledge can tip the scales in their favor. So, the next time you step into a casino or log onto an online casino site, remember these concepts and play responsibly.