House Edge in Dollars: A Quick Reference Table
Translate common house-edge percentages into long-run expected cost per $100, $1,000 and $10,000 of total wagering.
House edge becomes easier to understand when converted into dollars. A 1% edge represents about $10 of long-run expected cost per $1,000 wagered; a 5% edge represents about $50.
House edge translated into dollars
| House edge | Per $100 action | Per $1,000 action | Per $10,000 action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50% | $0.50 | $5 | $50 |
| 1.00% | $1 | $10 | $100 |
| 1.06% | $1.06 | $10.60 | $106 |
| 1.24% | $1.24 | $12.40 | $124 |
| 2.70% | $2.70 | $27 | $270 |
| 5.26% | $5.26 | $52.60 | $526 |
| 14.36% | $14.36 | $143.60 | $1,436 |
The formula
Expected cost = total amount wagered × house-edge percentage. “Total amount wagered” means action, not simply the amount you deposited or brought to the table.
Why this is not a loss forecast
Variance can dominate short sessions. A 1% house edge does not mean you lose exactly $1 for every $100 you bet; it describes the long-run average built into the rules.
Use the exact game rules
The percentage is only useful if it matches the wheel, paytable, blackjack rules, baccarat commission structure or other configuration you are actually playing.