Casino house edge: which free games give you the best odds

What the house edge means

The house edge is the share of every stake the casino expects to keep over a very large number of bets. A game with a 2.70% edge returns, on average, £97.30 for every £100 staked. On any one session you can win or lose far more than that, because results swing around the average. Over thousands of bets, though, the edge always shows through.

Slots usually show the same idea the other way round, as RTP (return to player). A slot with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. If you see one number, you can always work out the other: house edge = 100% minus RTP.

The edge comes from the rules, not from luck or timing. In roulette it is the green zero. In baccarat it is the commission on Banker wins. In blackjack it is the fact that you act first and lose if you bust, even if the dealer busts later. Our gambling glossary explains any terms you have not met before.

House edge by game

These are typical figures for the standard versions of each game. Exact numbers depend on the table rules or the slot’s settings, so always check the game’s help screen.

Two things stand out. First, the same game can be good or poor value depending on the bet: baccarat’s Banker bet is one of the best in the casino, while its Tie bet is one of the worst. Second, blackjack only has a low edge if you play it well. Played on instinct, it can cost several times more than roulette.

What the edge means in pounds

The edge applies to the total you stake, not to the money you start with. That is why fast games cost more than they seem to. Here is the average cost of an hour’s play at £1 a bet:

Slots are not “worse” because of their RTP alone. They cost more an hour because each spin takes a few seconds. If you enjoy slots, a lower stake per spin and regular breaks matter more than chasing the highest RTP. These are averages: in a single session you might win, or lose much more.

How to lower the edge you play against

1. Choose the bet, not just the game. In baccarat, stick to Banker or Player. In roulette, choose European (single zero) tables over American ones.
2. Learn blackjack basic strategy for free first. Practise on the free blackjack demo until the right move feels automatic. It costs nothing and is the biggest single saving in any casino game.
3. Check slot RTP in the game’s info screen. The same slot can be set to different RTPs at different casinos. Our free slots page lists RTP and volatility for each demo.
4. Slow down. Fewer bets an hour means a lower expected cost, whatever the game.
5. Ignore betting systems. Doubling up after a loss, or betting on “due” numbers, does not change the edge. It only changes how quickly your balance moves.

Where casino bonuses fit in

A welcome offer can tip the maths in your favour for a short time, because the casino is giving you something for free. Free spins are the simplest example: you get spins on a slot without staking your own money on them. Deposit bonuses usually come with wagering, which means you play the bonus through a number of times, and the house edge applies to every pound of that wagering.

Two current examples with free spins:

• MrQ Casino: deposit £10, get 100 free spins. See our review for the full terms and how the spins work.
• Virgin Games: wager £10, get 100 free spins. New members only, opt in required.

Offers change often, so always read the terms on the casino’s site before you sign up. Our UK casino reviews explain what each licensed site offers, and the latest casino deals page compares them side by side.

Before you play for real

Only play at casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. They must verify your age and identity, offer deposit limits and time-outs, and display each game’s rules and RTP. Decide on a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of the entertainment, not money you expect back. If you want a break, you can block all UK-licensed gambling sites at once with GAMSTOP.