ShareHave you ever gone to the casino and watched the players on the floor? Some of them are hanging their heads as they suffer yet another loss, others are frustratingly walking among the slot machines, while a small handful have huge smiles on their faces as the machines ding in celebration.
This varied casino experience is because of payouts, or winnings, which differ between casino games. Each gamer is developed with different odds of winning and payout mechanisms. It goes further than just game differences though, as each slot machine will offer a unique payout too. Gambling can be risky, but with the potential to win big, it is worth seeing the highest paying online casinos ranked by Techopedia. Winning is never guaranteed, but when you do strike it lucky, a high-payout casino is where you want to be playing.
The main reason why casino games pay out differently is because of the different odds of the games. Odds are your chances of winning on each bet. Some games offer better odds, meaning you’re more likely to win consistently. Your “luck” at the casino can be measured in return to player “RTP” percentages. RTP is how much money will be returned to you when you win a specific game. So, for example, if a game’s RTP is 98%, and you bet $100, you are likely going to get back $98. The remaining $2 is the house edge, or the casino’s profit.
The above example is a simplified situation, as the RTP is calculated over several bets, not a single bet.
Different games have varying RTP, and there are various factors that influence this percentage. While some games have set RTP values, others fluctuate. The RTP of a game is affected by the type of game, how the game is programmed (if it is a slot machine), and whether it has a progressive or fixed jackpot.
Here are some average RTPs for the most common casino games:
- Video poker: 98%
- Blackjack: 98 - 99%
- Baccarat: 98%
- Craps: 83 - 98%
- European roulette: 97%
- American roulette: 94%
- Slots: 85 - 99%
The house edge also impacts how much a casino game will pay to winners. The house edge mentioned above, is a built-in advantage that ensures the casino makes a profit. A lower house edge means that players have better odds of winning in the long run. The house edge of popular games are:
- Video poker: 4.4%
- Blackjack: 0.3%
- Baccarat: 1 - 1.2%
- Craps: 0.9 - 2%
- European roulette: 2.7%
- American roulette: 5.2%
- Slots: 2 - 15%
Games also have different levels of volatility. Volatility is the risk involved in each game, and how this risk impacts how often players will win and how big the payouts are. Volatility will also determine how much patience you need to have while you play, as you might have to play a while before you see a payout. Slots tend to be highly volatile, and pay out less frequently but have the potential for larger payouts when the player strikes it lucky. Low volatility games will offer lower payouts, more frequently.
The game rules and payout structure are other factors to consider. Some games, like poker, require skills, with experienced players being able to change the outcome of the game more than a novice would be able to. For example, when you play video poker, you can choose different pay tables that offer varying payouts on hands like a flush or full house. In slots, the number of paylines, special symbols, and bonus rounds all impact how much you win, and varies between slot machines.
