Odds Desk

The math

Every game on this site is a specific instance of the same few ideas. Learn them once and every pay table, bonus offer and betting system becomes readable.

The most useful of these is the distinction between edge and variance. Edge is what you lose on average; variance is how far any given session wanders from that average. A game with a small edge and huge variance — a progressive slot — can feel like it is beating you badly, and a game with a large edge and small variance — keno with low picks — can feel harmless while costing far more per hour.

Almost every misleading claim in gambling marketing exploits that gap.

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