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House edge and expected value

Intermediate · 7 min read · by Denis Satoshi

Updated:

Every bet has a mathematical expectation. Learn how house edge and EV work, and why no strategy overcomes a negative expectation long-term.

Expected value (EV) is the average outcome of a bet if you repeated it infinitely. In casino games EV is negative, because of the house edge — the built-in margin that guarantees the casino profits over time.

Stake Originals run at 99% RTP, a 1% house edge: for every $100 wagered, the expected loss is $1. A fair multiplier is calculated as 0.99 ÷ win-probability, which is exactly how our EV calculators work.

No betting system changes EV. Strategies redistribute when and how you win or lose, but the long-run expectation stays negative. Understanding this is what separates informed players from those chasing impossible 'systems'.

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