Hold
The percentage of drop that the casino retains as revenue after paying all winning bets.
Detailed Explanation
Hold percentage is the ratio of casino Win to Drop, expressed as a percentage. For example, if a blackjack table receives $100,000 in drop and the casino keeps $20,000 after paying out player wins, the hold is 20%. Hold is the primary performance metric for gaming floor management and a key figure in casino financial reporting.
Hold differs from the stated house edge because it incorporates the multiplier effect of re-wagering. As chips are recycled through multiple sessions, hold accumulates. Over the course of a casino's fiscal year, baccarat tables typically show hold rates of 12–25%, substantially higher than the stated 1.06% house edge, because chips are wagered multiple times.
Hold is also affected by player skill, game rules, and table limits. Games with higher-volatility bets show higher hold rates than skill-influenced games like blackjack.
Related Entries
Casino Operations
Cage
The secure cashier area where players exchange chips for cash and access casino banking services.
Casino Operations
Croupier
A casino employee who manages a table game, dealing cards or spinning the wheel and paying winning bets.
Casino Operations
Drop
The total cash and monetary instruments deposited into gaming tables during a period.
Casino Operations
Drop Box
The locked metal container beneath each gaming table that receives cash and other monetary instruments.