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Gambling. It’s a mug’s game, right? Have you ever wondered how casinos make a profit? It’s all down to punters losing bets, yes? Well, actually, no! Whether you’re playing at a brick-and-mortar casino or one of the popular online casinos, the odds are still the same. All casino games have a built-in edge that, of course, always works in the casino’s favor.

 

If you’re new to gambling, then you’re probably wondering what we’re talking about – the term to those in the know is called the house edge.

 

Unlike the skill requirements of your normal gaming hobby, it doesn’t matter which casino game you play or where you play it; it’s a fact of life that casinos pay out less money than they take in. They have to, or they would all be out of business.

 

Playing games at an online casino can be great fun and an enjoyable way to pass the time if you’re bored. However, for most people, it’s the prospect of winning real money that will lure them in and get them hooked.

 

Slot games, like some other online casino games, are, for the most part, entirely down to luck. Other games are a combination of luck, skill, and knowledge, which could be said for games such as poker and blackjack, where ultimately, the decisions you make regarding the cards in your hand improve your chance of winning.

 

You’ve probably had some great nights out at the casino and some winning ones. But while occasionally you will walk away a winner, in the long run, you will not. Understanding the house edge and how to minimize its effects might help you a little. Continue reading this article to find out how to use the house edge to your own advantage.

 

Understanding the House Edge

 

Even if you don’t gamble yourself, casinos offer spectacular entertainment. It’s fun to watch players hold their nerve, risk it all and still manage to defy the odds, for the most part. Nevertheless, like all businesses, casinos need to make a profit, and this is where the house edge comes in.

 

There is a fairly consistent casino advantage when you play at a casino, particularly some of the more popular table games such as roulette,  blackjack, and baccarat. However, minor changes to the rules can make a considerable difference to alter the house advantage.

 

Take European Roulette, for example, where there is a reasonable house edge of 2.70%, but that number changes significantly when you play the US version. Here, the house edge jumps to 5.26% due to the addition of an extra zero number on the roulette wheel.

 

The house edge applies to big live casinos like those in Vegas and also to online casinos, which has a wide selection of games, including baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, all of which are highly popular and need luck along with a certain amount of knowledge and skill.

 

The definition of luck in the dictionary is “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions,” which is what happens when you visit a casino. It is impossible to predict what slot the ball will land in at the roulette wheel and impossible to know what symbol will drop when you are playing on slot machines; it is all down to chance and luck.

 

Some games, such as blackjack, do require a certain amount of strategy. If we focus on blackjack, for now, you can find numerous variations of the traditional blackjack game, both in offline casinos and online casinos. Rule differences and how many decks you play with all determine the house edge of blackjack.

 

Blackjack is one of the few casino games that rely on a player’s knowledge and understanding of the game and what it takes to win as much as the luck of the draw when it comes to cards.

 

Based on playing blackjack perfectly using the standard rules and basic strategy, a 2% house edge is considered a general indication. However, if you use a solid basic blackjack strategy, you can reduce the house edge from 2% down to 0.5%

 

Much the same as casino poker, the blackjack game relies on the player’s knowledge and judgment, and several strategies have come to light that gives players a way to minimize the house’s edge and protect their bankroll.

 

There are numerous strategies around for blackjack, with one of the most popular and successful is that of a blackjack chart that you can download and then memorize. There are plenty of these available online if you search for “blackjack strategy” in Google or Bing.

 

These blackjack strategy charts show you every possible outcome for the cards you and the dealer hold, guiding you on which decision to make depending upon the cards on the table.

 

Summary

 

Casino gambling of any kind, therefore, is down to luck rather than skill, and even if you are on a winning streak, the odds are unfortunately stacked against you, and sooner or later, you will start to lose. Saying that, it does take a certain amount of nerve to keep playing, so hold your own and keep your cards close to your chest. Keep your fingers crossed that you will encounter a certain amount of beginner’s luck.