The big feature of any online casino is the fact that there is a house edge in place. This is always in favour of the casino rather than the player. However, there are ways that this can be played with an advantage to the player.
What is the house edge?
While there is a common misconception that the house always wins, the house edge actually simply ensures that the game is profitable to the casino over the long term. This means that a casino game may not pay out every time it’s played, but there is still a possibility to win.
Essentially though, the house edge is an advantage to the casino in terms of statistical edge. It’s shown as a percentage that shows the potential returns (to the player) for any specific game. These figures are averages, though, which is why it can always change. The higher the return to player rate, the more likely a game is to payout. For instance, a game with a 97.5% RTP has a high payout rate, one more likely to give the player some success. In terms of the house edge, this is 2.5% (the remaining percent).
What this means is that for every $100 spent on the game, the casino will get $2.5 in profit whenever the game is played. But, this profit can be made up from players who lose, not across all players.
Beating the house edge
As with everything, there are ways to do well at an online casino, though no strategy guarantees a win. The major step is understanding the house edge, but then there are ways to take advantage it too.
Picking a good game
Different casino games have different house edges. For instance, roulette has a low house edge, but more specifically so when it comes to French Roulette. American Roulette, thanks to the extra pocket, has the highest house edge of the three main variants and is the one to steer clear of.
Other games that have high RTP rates or low house edges are video poker games. Often, these can be as high as 99%, which really gives players an edge. Other games like blackjack have low house edges too, and are easy to play and get to grips with. Similarly, for players tossing up which is better in the Dragon Tiger vs Baccarat debate, they are actually very similar here too, and worth playing.
Betting strategies
Once the game has been selected, this is still not enough. It’s also important to look at the different betting strategies available. Luck is not enough in many games which is why strategies such as the Martingale or D’Alembert can come into play. These are methods for monitoring and looking after the bankroll rather than figuring out ways to win in the game itself. These types of strategies allow players to eke out their bankroll for longer, which gives them more opportunities for scoring a win down the line.
Of course, there are strategies for games like blackjack that can be employed as well. But for most of the low house edge games such as roulette, these luck-based games simply require bankroll management.
Choosing the right bet
Another way to take advantage of the house edge is to place the right bet. Most table games have many different betting options available. Some of these are worse than others when it comes to the house edge. Take baccarat. A player or bank bet has a house edge of anywhere from 1.05 to 1.25%. However, a tie bet in this game pushes the house edge to 14% or more, which shows that this is not a good bet to take.
Alongside these points, players should also consider the casino as some casinos offer their own games too. It’s possible to check the payout rate of a casino as a whole too, which helps this decision-making process and highlights which are more trustworthy.
