Variety is the spice of life and the spice of real money casinos. Playing at an online gaming site is similar to walking a brick-and-mortar casino floor; you’ll find plenty of different games, minimum bets, jackpots, and bonuses. Before you start playing at real money online casinos, it helps to brush up on the most popular game types and their likelihood to pay out.
Slots
The word “slots” might summon a particular image in your mind. Perhaps it's a classic three-reel game with 7s and bar symbols. OR maybe it's a game themed around your favorite movie. The fact that everyone’s first thought is different speaks to the vast variety of slot games. While the visuals and themes all differ widely, so, too, do the chances of winning.
Two major factors influence how a slot plays and how likely you are to win: RTP and volatility. Keep in mind that all slots are games of chance, so there’s never a guarantee that you’ll win.
Return to player or RTP is represented as a percentage, such as 96.5%. A slot with an RTP of 96.5% tends to pay out $96.50 over time for every $100 played. This measure is over many thousands of spins. The higher the RTP, the better a slot game will tend to pay out.
Volatility is a measure of a slot’s general win frequency and size. A high volatility slot tends to pay out large wins sporadically. A low volatility slot wins more often on average, but those wins are smaller. This is a scale, so you might also find medium volatility slots with moderate payouts of modest frequency. Treat these distinctions as preferences and not hard-and-fast rules. You might prefer playing for a while and hitting a big bonus, while your friend may prefer flashy wins even if they’re smaller in size.
Blackjack
Blackjack has a high RTP overall, though different factors can influence it. Because there’s a strategy element to blackjack, some games have an RTP of 99% or higher with ideal play “by the book.” You’re more likely to get 95-99% at the average blackjack table, online or otherwise.
When seeking a blackjack table, look at the payouts for when you hit a blackjack. For example, 3:2 is a better payout than 6:5, so your wins may take you further at one “table” versus another.
If you see side bets at a blackjack table, you’re better off avoiding them. Their big advertised payouts are highly unlikely, and they lower your overall win percentage if you constantly funnel money into them.
Roulette
There are three major roulette variants offered at online casinos: American (double zero), European (single zero), and French (single zero with a few alternate rules).
That order also represents their relative returns. American roulette has the lowest return average thanks to its two green zero slots. French Roulette, on the other hand, has the highest RTP thanks to a special “En Prison” rule that can save losing bets if the green space lands twice in a row.
Baccarat
Baccarat’s house edge can be as low as 1.06%, which means the RTP can be as high as 98.94%. The game’s elegance stems from its simplicity. At its core, baccarat has three bets: player, banker, or tie. The dealer runs the game, and you just hope for the side you bet on to win. It’s close to 50/50, but the tie throws a wrench into the gears. Plus, baccarat games often charge a small commission on banker bets, guaranteeing the casino a cut either way.
Video poker
Playing video poker with some strategic decisions (e.g., holding the right cards) can yield RTPs of 97% to 99% or more. The video poker space has all sorts of variety, which means the win chances can vary, too. Make sure you understand the mechanics of the game you’re playing to maximize your potential.
Live dealer games
Live dealer games are the closest online equivalent to playing at a real land-based casino. When you play live dealer blackjack or roulette, you can often get odds similar to the same games at a physical property. Once again, tough, stay away from side bets, which can easily siphon money with low odds of a potential payout.
