What RTP and house edge mean, how they relate to volatility, and a table of RTPs for blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, slots, video poker and crypto originals.
RTP and House Edge Explained: Which Casino Games Have the Best Odds?
By Chris Wyatt · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: RTP (return to player) is the percentage of all money wagered that a game pays back over the long run. House edge is the opposite: the casino’s average profit. A 99% RTP game has a 1% house edge. The best odds are in blackjack with basic strategy (about 99.5%), crypto originals like dice and Plinko (about 99%), video poker with good pay tables and baccarat banker bets. Most slots return 94% to 97%.
In this guide:
- What Is RTP?
- What Is House Edge?
- RTP and House Edge by Game
- RTP vs Volatility
- How RTP Affects Bonus Wagering
- How to Find a Game’s RTP
- Best-Odds Games for Crypto Players
- RTP and House Edge FAQs
What Is RTP?
Return to player is the theoretical share of all wagers a game pays back over millions of rounds. If a slot has 96% RTP, it pays back $96 for every $100 wagered on average across all players. Your own session can be far above or below that, because RTP only shows up over a very large number of bets.
What Is House Edge?
House edge is 100% minus RTP. It is the casino’s built-in average profit per bet. A 2.7% house edge means you lose about $2.70 for every $100 wagered on average. Lower is better for players.
RTP and House Edge by Game
| Game / bet | RTP | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy, good rules) | ~99.5% | ~0.5% |
| Video poker: 9/6 Jacks or Better (optimal play) | 99.54% | 0.46% |
| Crypto dice, limbo, Plinko, Mines (originals) | ~99% | ~1% |
| Baccarat: banker bet | 98.94% | 1.06% |
| Baccarat: player bet | 98.76% | 1.24% |
| Craps: pass line | 98.59% | 1.41% |
| French roulette (La Partage, even-money bets) | 98.65% | 1.35% |
| European roulette (single zero) | 97.30% | 2.70% |
| Online slots (typical) | 94%–97% | 3%–6% |
| American roulette (double zero) | 94.74% | 5.26% |
| Baccarat: tie bet (8:1) | 85.64% | 14.36% |
| Craps: any 7 | 83.33% | 16.67% |
RTP vs Volatility
Volatility (or variance) describes how bumpy the ride is. Two games can both return 96% while one pays small wins often and the other pays rare huge wins. High-volatility slots, high-risk Plinko and long-shot crash targets all have big swings; low-volatility games keep your balance steadier. Choose volatility to match your bankroll and patience, and RTP to get better long-term value.
How RTP Affects Bonus Wagering
When clearing a bonus, your expected loss equals the total amount you must wager times the house edge. Clearing $3,500 of wagering on a 96% slot costs about $140 on average; on a 99% game it would cost about $35, but many casinos exclude low-edge games or count them at a reduced rate. Run the numbers with our wagering calculator and see how bonuses work.
How to Find a Game’s RTP
- Open the game’s info or help panel; most slots list RTP.
- Some games come in several RTP versions (e.g. 96%, 94%, 92%), and the casino chooses which to offer. Check the figure at each site.
- For crypto originals, the payout table usually makes the edge obvious, and provably fair systems let you verify results.
Best-Odds Games for Crypto Players
- Blackjack with basic strategy
- Dice and limbo, Plinko and Mines at about 99%
- Baccarat banker bets
- European or French roulette instead of American. Try our roulette payout calculator.
RTP and House Edge FAQs
What does RTP mean in a casino?
Return to player: the percentage of all wagers a game pays back over the long run. A 96% RTP slot returns $96 per $100 wagered on average.
What is a good RTP?
Above 97% is good for slots. Table games and crypto originals often reach 98.5% to 99.5%.
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
Blackjack with basic strategy and good rules, and video poker with optimal pay tables, both under 0.5% to 1%. Crypto dice is around 1%.
Does RTP guarantee what I will win?
No. RTP is a long-term average across many rounds. Short sessions can vary widely.
What is the difference between RTP and volatility?
RTP is the average return; volatility is how much results swing around that average.
18+ only. Gambling involves risk; never bet more than you can afford to lose. Visit our responsible gambling page for support. More beginner guides in our Crypto Casino 101 hub.