The short version
Every casino game has a mathematical expectation. The house edge is the casino’s long-run advantage expressed as a percentage of the amount wagered.
A 5.26% edge does not mean a casino takes 5.26% from every single spin. It means that, across a large amount of play under the same rules, the average expected loss is about $5.26 for every $100 wagered.
House edge vs. RTP
RTP means return to player. It is the portion a game is theoretically expected to return over time, while house edge is the portion the game keeps.
If a game has a 5.26% house edge, its theoretical RTP is 94.74%. Those are two ways of describing the same long-run relationship.
Why games have different edges
The rules and paytable create the difference. American roulette has two zero pockets, which gives it a higher edge than European roulette with one zero. Baccarat’s banker bet has a relatively low edge, while other bets on the same table can cost more.
Common reference values include 5.26% for American roulette, 2.70% for European roulette, 1.06% for the baccarat banker bet, and 1.41% for the craps pass line.
Rules and strategy still matter
A preset number is not a universal promise. Blackjack’s edge can change with the rules, number of decks, table options, and whether the player uses basic strategy. Slots vary by paytable and machine. Always treat a quoted edge as specific to the version of the game being described.
Use the edge before the session
House edge is most useful as a comparison tool. It can show why two games with similar visuals may have very different long-run costs. It can also help you translate a planned session into a number before you decide how much time or money to bring.
FadeIt’s calculator lets you choose a common game or enter a custom edge, then estimates the expected loss from your total amount wagered. The result is a long-run average, not a prediction of one session. For a specific wager with one win payout and one loss result, use the expected value calculator.