Despite utilising various strategies to beat the casino, you should be aware that the casino will always win in the long run. Due to the house edge present in every game, no matter how lucky you are, you will most likely end up losing money on the casino games you choose to play. In addition to winning or losing your bets, you may also end up breaking even.
Whenever you win the same amount you have wagered, you are said to be breaking even. As your balance is not higher than before the wager was placed, some players do not consider breaking even a win. Meanwhile, others regard any situation in which they avoid a loss as a win. This leads to constant discussions about whether you can actually win casino games by breaking even or whether that is simply a way of preserving your money.
Depending on your personal viewpoint, breaking even can be considered a win, a loss, or something to ignore before continuing to play. To explain why opinions differ, we will cover everything you need to know about breaking even.
What Is Considered a Break-Even Point in Casino Games
Simply put, breaking even is the point at which you win exactly the amount you have staked. If we are talking about casino games, there are two types of break-even scenarios. The first occurs when a single-round win covers the stake you placed for that round. The second applies when, over the course of a session, you recoup all the money you previously lost.
You might sit down at a casino table with a budget of £100 and lose £30 over a few rounds. If you then win enough in the next round to return to £100, you will have reached the break-even point.
One important thing to remember is that sometimes people are simply on a losing streak, and chasing a break-even point is often not worth it. While it may be comforting that at least you have not lost any money, long gaming sessions undertaken purely to break even can be very dangerous for your budget. That is why it is crucial to know when to stop and walk away from the casino games.
When Breaking Even Can Be Considered a Win
As already mentioned, some players believe breaking even is still a type of win. There are several scenarios in which breaking even can genuinely be viewed as a win. While this applies mostly to those who play at land-based casinos and hold rewards cards, online casinos may also offer similar benefits.
Whenever you break even, you can still earn comp points. These act as a form of currency that you can exchange for various casino benefits or, in some cases, real cash. That is definitely a positive outcome, even though you have only broken even during your session.
In most land-based and online casinos, collecting comp points may also allow you to upgrade to VIP status. Usually, a higher status at a casino can grant you more exclusive perks and benefits. Free drinks or meals are just a few of the advantages of being a VIP member. By playing casino games, even when breaking even, you will be able to earn comp points and enjoy extra VIP perks.
One of the key elements of gambling entertainment is the thrill it provides. By risking some of your money, chasing wins becomes more exciting. Even if you do not end up with any significant profit, breaking even enables you to enjoy casino games without losing a substantial amount.
Why Breaking Even May Not Count as Winning
To reach a break-even point, you still need to land a win on the game you are playing. However, the amount you are paid makes such a win a mere break-even payout instead of a true profit. While technically you land a winning combination, there are a few reasons why breaking even may not feel like winning.
You have probably heard the phrase the house always wins, which is unfortunately true in the long run. As players chase losses and try at least to break even by playing numerous slot rounds, they fall under the Law of Large Numbers. The more rounds you play, the more likely it is for the fixed probabilities to assert themselves and grant the casino its guaranteed long-term advantage. Eventually, the casino’s wins tend to exceed its losses.
In most cases, even after you reach the break-even point while playing casino games, you have not recouped all of your losses. Many online casinos may apply a fee to your withdrawals, meaning you could end up with less money than when you started playing. You will therefore need additional wins if you truly want to break even, yet chasing those wins may cost you the money you have already gained.
Is It Possible to Break Even on Casino Games?
While there are different opinions on whether breaking even is a true win, some players doubt whether it is possible at all to break even in certain casino games. Slot players are usually the most discouraged, as many believe there is no way to reach that point on slots.
A few lucky players who have swept jackpot prizes on slots will probably support the idea that breaking even is possible. However, as most people enjoy shorter sessions with irregular wins, breaking even on slots seems rather difficult. Slots do not require any strategy or skill, and the result depends solely on luck.
Many players fall into the trap of compulsive gambling while chasing the break-even point on slots. Some even believe there are hot and cold slots, using the excuse of a slot being hot to continue chasing losses. The truth is that there is no correlation between previous and subsequent spins, so there is no such thing as hot or cold slots.
When it comes to table games, there is a chance to break even on options that involve a degree of skill. For example, professional blackjack players tend to use a basic strategy to ensure they always make the optimal decision. Because your actions influence the outcome of each round, it is possible to tilt the odds in your favour and reach a break-even point.
Although playing with the correct strategy may give you better odds of securing long-term profits, it still does not guarantee positive results. As casino games are chance-based, you can end up on a losing streak even when using a perfect strategy. Sometimes it may simply be impossible to break even, no matter what game you play.
Why Is Breaking Even on Casino Games Difficult?
If we take a proper look at casino games, we will soon realise that there is practically no chance of winning in the long run. That is just how these games of chance are designed, always giving the advantage to the house. While the house edge on every casino game is different, it is always there to guarantee the casino will eventually win.
If we trust maths – certainly more reliable than luck – the chance of breaking even in casino games is not very high, as your long-term winning odds are simply not that great. The casino always has an edge over gamblers; every game has a different house advantage, and even individual bets can carry distinct edges.
| House Edge on Casino Games | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game | Rule Variations/Bet Types | House Edge |
| Baccarat | Tie | 14.36% |
| Banker | 1.06% | |
| Player | 1.24% | |
| Blackjack (standard Vegas rules) | 0.28% | |
| Caribbean Stud Poker | 5.22% | |
| Heads Up Hold’em | 2.36% | |
| Pick’em Poker | 0% – 10% | |
| Roulette | European | 2.70% |
| American | 5.26% | |
| Sic-Bo | 2.78% – 33.33% | |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | Ante bet | 2.19% |
| Slot variations | 2% – 50% | |
| Video Poker | Full-pay Jacks or Better | 0.46% |
Things to Remember When You Are Trying to Break Even on Casino Games
One of the most important things to consider before you start playing any type of casino game for real money is that having fun should be your top priority. If you are playing solely to make a profit, you are embarking on this adventure for the wrong reasons. It is far too risky to rely on gambling to make a stable income, as you can lose all of your wins in just a few seconds.
If you experience a few lucky streaks and build up some extra funds, you will be better off cashing out your winnings and returning to everyday life. If you notice that the casino is starting to win again, you should end your session before any serious damage is done.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it is not always possible to restore your original bankroll completely, no matter how many times you win. That does not mean you should continue playing. If you notice that your balance is suffering substantial losses, you should end the session and leave the casino adventure for the next time you are feeling lucky.
Conclusion
When you land a lucky streak that compensates for your previous casino losses, you reach the break-even point. Although at that stage you will have no extra profit to enjoy, you will still have maintained the budget with which you started your session. As there are no additional funds to celebrate, many players do not consider breaking even a win.
Whether such an outcome qualifies as a win is entirely up to you. Some players believe that as long as there is no loss, they have been winning. Whether or not you regard breaking even as a win, it is certainly better than suffering a loss. However, it should be noted that breaking even is not easy, especially in certain casino games.
Because the house always has an edge over players, the casino will always win in the long run. Some players chase their losses and play numerous rounds in an attempt to break even. However, the more rounds you play, the higher the casino’s chances of winning. That is why it is important to know when to stop playing and walk away before you exhaust your entire balance.
