The mathematical truth
Lower bars mean better games for the player. Hover or tap any game name for the full guide.
Personal cost calculator
Your expected loss
Enter what you wager — see how it differs across games.
For R1,000 wagered across these games
| Game | House Edge | Expected Loss | Your Take-home |
|---|
The complete reference table
| Game | House Edge | Notes | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.50% | Skill-based; full charts here | Casino's lowest edge — by far |
| Video Poker (full-pay) | 0.50% | Optimal strategy required | Excellent for skilled players |
| Baccarat (Banker bet) | 1.06% | No skill required | Low effort, decent odds |
| Craps (Pass Line) | 1.41% | With odds bets, lower | Above-average game |
| Aviator / Crash games | 3.00% | Provably fair, fixed RTP | Better than slots, worse than tables |
| European Roulette | 2.70% | Single zero | Acceptable if enjoyable |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | Avoid — double zero | Twice the edge of European |
| Slots (typical online) | 5.00% | Varies; check RTP | Entertainment, not value |
| Slots (low RTP) | 12.00% | Some bonus games | Mathematically poor |
| Sic Bo (typical bets) | 7.87% | Asian dice game | High edge |
| Keno | 30.00% | Varies wildly | Worst odds in casino |
Reading this chart properly
The house edge column is the percentage of every Rand wagered the casino expects to keep on average over millions of plays. Lower is better. The crucial point most players miss: house edge applies to amount wagered, not to your starting bankroll. Wager R10,000 across a long session of even a 0.5% edge game and you've put about R50 of expected value at risk. Wager that same R10,000 across slots at 8% edge and the expected loss is R800. The amount wagered, not the starting bank, is what compounds.
The three tiers of casino games
Tier 1: under 2% house edge
Blackjack with basic strategy, full-pay video poker, baccarat (Banker bet), craps with odds bets. These are the only games in any casino where a disciplined player can have a session-long entertainment experience without being mathematically punished. Always available at SA casinos; always worth knowing.
Tier 2: 2-5% house edge
European roulette, Aviator and crash games, baccarat (Player bet). Acceptable for casual entertainment if you enjoy them. The maths is workable in moderation but the bleed is real over time.
Tier 3: 5%+ house edge
American roulette, slots (most), Sic Bo, Keno. Mathematically poor games — your expected losses compound quickly. Play these as occasional entertainment with strict session limits, not as your primary casino activity. The fact that they're often the most heavily marketed and visually appealing games at any casino is not a coincidence.
The one rule
If you're going to play casino games, play Tier 1 by default. Branch into Tier 2 occasionally. Treat Tier 3 as occasional entertainment with explicit session caps. The combination of low edge + skill development on Tier 1 games (especially blackjack and video poker) is the only way to keep casino play sustainable as a long-term hobby rather than a slow bleed.
Continue learning
- All casino game guides — rules and strategy for each.
- Bankroll calculator — sizing positions correctly.
- Strategy hub — every guide on the site.
- Glossary — every term defined.