CJ125
CJ125
  • Threads: 2
  • Posts: 2
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
June 16th, 2015 at 3:31:50 AM permalink
Casinos often display the house edge on games for customers to see. Question is do these displayed odds include the return of the players stake or are they the displayed without the return of the stake?

CJ
charliepatrick
charliepatrick
  • Threads: 39
  • Posts: 3019
Joined: Jun 17, 2011
June 16th, 2015 at 4:15:33 AM permalink
The House Edge is the ratio of initial bets made to the total profit/loss to the house, it is based on the total return including stake compared to the initial bet.

If we played a fair Heads/Tails game you might bet $1 and would lose $1 on Heads, win $1 on Tails. The House Edge is calculated as half the time you lose your $1 and half the time you win my $1.

Method 1 : The total bets were $2 and the results were +1 and -1, so the house profit was $0, thus the House Edge was 0%.
Method 2 : The total bets were $2, now look at how much we got back. H:0 T:2 - total = $2. Thus the house returned 100% of the total bets, so made a profit of 0%.

Suppose we only pay 90c for a win.

Method 1 : Bets $2; results +$0.90 and -$1.00, house profits 10c per $2 bet (or 5%).
Method 2 : Bets $2; H:0 T:1.90 - total = $1.90. Thus the house returned 95% so retained a profit of 5%.
Method 3 : The fair price for Tails is Evens but we are only offering 9/10, thus we should payout a total of $2 but only pay $1.90,

Method 2 is typically used for fruit machines, as you work out all the winning combinations and their probabilities and payouts.
Method 3, which answers your question that it does include your stake, is sometimes used for Roulette etc where there is a single bet whose true odds are known.

Sometimes we do not know the true odds, like a horse race, so can only base the calculation on the odds being offered. So in a donkey derby (i.e. no knowledge) a [generous] bookie might offer 4/1 on each of the six runners. The method here is slightly different as we work out how much it costs to get back $100 regardless of the result. In this case we have to put $20 on each donkey, total cost = $120. This is usually expressed as a book value of 120, rather than 83%, but you can see the similarities and that it is based on including the stake and winnings.
DJTeddyBear
DJTeddyBear
  • Threads: 211
  • Posts: 11065
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
June 16th, 2015 at 5:10:36 AM permalink
Quote: CJ125

Casinos often display the house edge on games for customers to see.

Where have you seen the edge?

I've seen signs such as "99% return" over a bank of machines, but never the edge. True, it takes little effort to realize that means 1% edge, but they never display it that way.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
wudged
wudged
  • Threads: 2
  • Posts: 998
Joined: Aug 7, 2013
June 16th, 2015 at 5:18:40 AM permalink
Quote: CJ125

Casinos often display the house edge on games for customers to see. Question is do these displayed odds include the return of the players stake or are they the displayed without the return of the stake?

CJ



You are referring to the payouts, not the house edge. If they are listed as "X to Y" or "X:Y" then it includes the original bet. If they are listed as "X for Y" then it does not include the original bet.
charliepatrick
charliepatrick
  • Threads: 39
  • Posts: 3019
Joined: Jun 17, 2011
June 16th, 2015 at 10:46:28 AM permalink
Quote: DJTeddyBear

Where have you seen the edge?...

A few years ago UK casinos had to show the House Edge in a prominent position. The rules have been relaxed recently, so I suspect they might have to provide it if requested, but not display it at the table. Most chains have pamphlets or an A4 sheet if you ask. Also there is a website with most rules and the games' House Edge.
Quote: http://www.ukcasinotablegames.info/

Rules of each game must then be made available in all casino premises, and this is normally achieved in the form of "How to Play" leaflets. In addition, "House Edge" information must similarly be made available for all games provided in a particular casino.

DJTeddyBear
DJTeddyBear
  • Threads: 211
  • Posts: 11065
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
June 16th, 2015 at 11:50:35 AM permalink
Interesting. I stand corrected.

I gotta check out some of the casinos outside of the USA sometime...
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
  • Jump to: