RTP (Return to Player) and House Edge are two sides of the same coin. RTP tells you how much you keep; House Edge tells you how much the casino keeps.
This tool converts between the two metrics, calculates your Theoretical Loss per $1,000 wagered, and helps you compare the “price” of different casino games.
RTP ↔ House Edge Converter
Enter either value to convert. Select a game preset below.
Theoretical Loss Calculator
Calculate expected loss based on total wager and house edge
| Game | RTP | House Edge | Expected Loss | You Save vs Worst |
|---|
Casino Game Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of popular casino games
| Game | RTP | House Edge | Loss per $1,000 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (Basic Strategy) | 99.5% | 0.5% | $5.00 | 🏆 Excellent |
| Video Poker (9/6 JoB) | 99.54% | 0.46% | $4.60 | 🏆 Excellent |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 98.94% | 1.06% | $10.60 | ✅ Good |
| Craps (Pass Line) | 98.59% | 1.41% | $14.10 | ✅ Good |
| French Roulette (La Partage) | 98.65% | 1.35% | $13.50 | ✅ Good |
| European Roulette | 97.3% | 2.7% | $27.00 | ⚖️ Average |
| Slots (High RTP 97%+) | 97-98% | 2-3% | $20-$30 | ⚖️ Average |
| Slots (Standard 96%) | 96% | 4% | $40.00 | ⚖️ Average |
| American Roulette | 94.74% | 5.26% | $52.60 | ⚠️ Poor |
| Slots (Low RTP 94%) | 94% | 6% | $60.00 | ⚠️ Poor |
| Baccarat Tie Bet | 85.6% | 14.4% | $144.00 | ❌ Bad |
| Keno | 71-75% | 25-29% | $250-$290 | ❌ Bad |
🏆 Excellent (<1%): Best odds, skill-based games
✅ Good (1-2%): Solid value
⚖️ Average (2-4%): Most slots, European Roulette
⚠️ Poor (4-6%): American Roulette, low-RTP slots
❌ Bad (>6%): Avoid — Keno, tie bets, side bets
Understanding RTP and House Edge
RTP (Return to Player)
Used mostly for Slots. Shows what percentage of wagered money is returned to players over time.
Example: A 96% RTP slot returns $96 for every $100 wagered (over millions of spins).
House Edge
Used mostly for Table Games. Shows the casino’s profit margin per bet.
Formula: House Edge = 100% − RTP
House Edge Comparison by Casino Game
Here’s how different casino games stack up in terms of house edge and RTP:
🏆 Best Odds (Lowest House Edge)
| Game | House Edge | RTP | Loss per $1,000 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.3-0.5% | 99.5-99.7% | $3-$5 | Requires strategy; rules vary |
| Video Poker (9/6 Jacks or Better) | 0.46% | 99.54% | $4.60 | Full-pay tables only |
| Baccarat (Banker bet) | 1.06% | 98.94% | $10.60 | Best bet in Baccarat |
| Baccarat (Player bet) | 1.24% | 98.76% | $12.40 | No commission |
| Craps (Pass/Don’t Pass) | 1.36-1.41% | 98.59-98.64% | $13.60-$14.10 | Basic bets only |
📊 Average Odds
| Game | House Edge | RTP | Loss per $1,000 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 2.70% | 97.30% | $27.00 | Single zero |
| French Roulette (La Partage) | 1.35% | 98.65% | $13.50 | Even money bets only |
| Slots (High RTP: 97%+) | 2-3% | 97-98% | $20-$30 | Blood Suckers, Mega Joker |
| Slots (Average: 95-96%) | 4-5% | 95-96% | $40-$50 | Most online slots |
| 3 Card Poker (Ante) | 3.37% | 96.63% | $33.70 | Optimal strategy |
⚠️ Worst Odds (Highest House Edge)
| Game / Bet | House Edge | RTP | Loss per $1,000 | Avoid? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Roulette | 5.26% | 94.74% | $52.60 | ⚠️ Play European instead |
| Slots (Low RTP: <94%) | 6-10% | 90-94% | $60-$100 | ⚠️ Check RTP first |
| Blackjack 6:5 (not 3:2) | 1.5-2% | 98-98.5% | $15-$20 | ⚠️ Find 3:2 tables |
| Baccarat Tie Bet | 14.4% | 85.6% | $144.00 | ❌ Never bet |
| Keno | 25-29% | 71-75% | $250-$290 | ❌ Worst odds in casino |
| Big Six Wheel | 11-24% | 76-89% | $110-$240 | ❌ Entertainment only |
What is a “Good” House Edge?
| Rating | House Edge | RTP | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Excellent | <1% | 99%+ | Blackjack (strategy), Video Poker (full-pay), Baccarat banker |
| ✅ Good | 1-2% | 98-99% | French Roulette, Craps pass line, High-RTP slots (97%+) |
| ⚖️ Average | 2-4% | 96-98% | European Roulette, Most online slots, Caribbean Stud |
| ⚠️ Poor | 4-6% | 94-96% | American Roulette, Low-RTP slots, Some side bets |
| ❌ Bad | >6% | <94% | Keno, Big Six, Tie bets, Most insurance bets |
Why Calculate Theoretical Loss?
Theoretical loss is critical for:
- Bonus clearing — Know the true cost of wagering requirements
- VIP status chasing — Calculate if the perks are worth the cost
- Bankroll planning — Budget for entertainment costs
- Game comparison — Choose the most cost-effective game
Example: Clearing a $10,000 Wagering Requirement
You need to wager $10,000 to clear a bonus or reach a VIP tier. The “cost” depends entirely on your game choice:
| Game | RTP | House Edge | Cost to Clear $10K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 99.5% | 0.5% | $50 |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 98.94% | 1.06% | $106 |
| European Roulette | 97.3% | 2.7% | $270 |
| Slots (96% RTP) | 96% | 4% | $400 |
| Slots (94% RTP) | 94% | 6% | $600 |
Common RTP Traps to Avoid
Don’t fall for these common mistakes that cost players money:
❌ 6:5 Blackjack
Pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 on blackjack. Increases house edge from 0.5% to 1.5-2%. Always find 3:2 tables.
❌ American Roulette
Double zero (00) doubles the house edge to 5.26%. Play European (2.7%) instead.
❌ Insurance Bet (Blackjack)
House edge is 7.5%+ even when dealer shows an Ace. Never take insurance.
❌ Slots Under 95% RTP
Many high-RTP alternatives exist. Check RTP before playing any slot.
❌ Tie Bet (Baccarat)
Pays 8:1 or 9:1 but has 14.4% house edge. Stick to Banker/Player.
❌ 8/5 Video Poker
Pay table with 8x full house / 5x flush has 97.3% RTP vs 99.54% for 9/6. Find full-pay machines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good House Edge?
Good: 1-2% (French Roulette, Craps pass line).
Average: 2-4% (European Roulette, most online slots 96%+).
Poor: 4-6% (American Roulette, low-RTP slots).
Bad: Above 6% (Keno, tie bets, side bets).
For slots, look for 96%+ RTP. Avoid anything under 94%.
What is the difference between RTP and House Edge?
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
How do I calculate theoretical loss from house edge?
Why do slots have higher house edge than table games?
Does higher RTP mean I will win more?
What RTP traps should I avoid?
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House edge figures assume optimal strategy where applicable. Actual results may vary. Always check specific game rules as they affect RTP. Gamble responsibly.