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
What went wrong?
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.