House Edge & Expected Loss Calculator
The casino calls it “theoretical win”. You can call it the price of the entertainment. Here it is, per hour, per trip and per year.
Your game
Pre-filled with a typical pace; adjust to your game.
—Expected loss / hour
—Per session
—Per month
—Per year
—Wagered per session
Same bet, same time — every game
Each game uses its own typical pace, so fast games (slots) cost more per hour even at similar edges.
The formula casinos use
Expected loss (“theo”) = average bet × bets per hour × hours × house edge
Example: $10 × 70 hands × 3 hours × 0.5% = $10.50 for a session of blackjack with perfect basic strategy.
Casinos use exactly this number to rate players and decide comps, which is why a free buffet is never free. Your actual result in any one session will swing above or below the expectation — see the Bankroll & Risk Calculator for the range — but over many sessions, results converge on it. More in House Edge Explained and How Casinos Make Money.
Tip: treat the per-session number as a ticket price. If a three-hour night out costs an expected $10 at blackjack or $120 at the slots, you can decide what that entertainment is worth to you. See How to Set an Entertainment Budget.
House edges assume standard rules and optimal play where relevant. Pace figures are commonly cited estimates and vary by venue.