Post
Topic
Board Gambling discussion
Re: House edge in poker-like games
by
pakhitheboss
on 10/11/2019, 16:13:55 UTC
Here's the the relevant part from another topic, which seems to be worthy of its own dedicated thread:

On the other hand, when you are playing against other folks (as in poker), the house edge becomes kinda irrelevant because it is the same for all other players as well, but you win not by taking the casino's money but the money of other players. And that's the true beauty of it
I haven't ever played poker. But I think when you play poker, there is still some profit go to house.
For example if a user lose 100$, you won't win 100$, you will win lower than that as 1$ (for example) goes to house.

I wouldn't call that a house edge

Edge means an advantage, in this case the advantage of the casino before the player. But since casino is not playing in poker (unless you are playing against the house, of course, and not the other human players), you can't consider this percentage taken from your winnings a house edge even if it does go to the house. I would suggest to think of it as a fee, a playing fee of sorts. Most importantly, it doesn't take anything from the advantage you may (or may not) have over the other players

I understand you and  I agree that poker can be more fun because users are playing against each other.
But whatever we call that, fee, commision or edge, that is decreasing your chance

But that has nothing to do with your chances

And that's exactly why we can't call it a house edge as a house edge is supposed to do just that, i.e. make the game unfair (let's call it provably unfair). Look, you get an advantage over your opponent though skill or pure luck, and this advantage allows you to win. You are playing against the other player(s), not the casino. So however small your advantage might be (like 0.001%), you still win all and then the casino takes its fee (like 1% or whatever)

Put differently, this kind of house edge affects all the players in equal degree, with the meaning being that everyone is treated equally. You either win and then the other players lose, or vice versa. Therefore, it can't possibly affect your chances to win like it does in dice. It is 50/50 in terms of winning or losing for two players before the cards have been dealt (if we discard the ramifications of skill and expertise from the equation)

Online poker is a myth furthermore Bitcoin casino poker is a bluff. Poker is a skill and behavior-based game, without the partner being physically present it is hard to call it poker. I do not believe in them and that is why I avoid playing online.