If you are on the lookout for casino games that will give you big wins, you should examine the payout differences of slots and table games. Though this is important, it is only half the story. In this article we will take you through the payouts that online slots and table games offer at the best Canadian online casinos. We will also explain how to factor in the other indicators when selecting casino games.
Payouts of Casino Games
A payout is the amount you get when your bet wins. Since different players will bet different amounts, the casino game rules specify the payout as a multiple of the bet. A payout of 7:1 would mean that if you bet $1 and your bet wins then you would get $7. The first thing to understand when comparing differences of slots and table games is that there is inherently a higher risk associated with a higher payout. The following example from roulette explains this in a simple manner.
- A bet on a single number has a payout of 35:1, but this bet wins only once in about 36 times.
- A bet on Red has a payout of 1:1, but this bet wins about every second spin of the roulette wheel.
We will return to this concept later after we have examined the differences of slots and table games payouts.
Comparison of Slots Payouts
Here are some important features of slots payouts that will help newbie players in understanding the differences of slots and table games.
- Slots payouts are given in a table that can be accessed within the game rules.
- You will find several payouts listed and will be automatically awarded the relevant payouts depending on the outcomes of your slots spin. Your bet will cover all the possible eventualities.
- The payouts are listed as numbers and it is assumed that they are multiples of a bet of $1. If a payout is listed as 500 and you bet $2 then you will win $1000.
- In most online slots the payouts will start at 1 and the maximum payout depends on the volatility of the game. In the less volatile slots, the maximum payout would be typically 500 and this can go to more than 10,000 in the volatile online slots.
- The slots payout depends on two factors. The first is the number of like symbols that you get in a payline. Three like symbols will pay less than five like symbols.
- When comparing slots payouts, you will find that the non-thematic symbols, typically playing card icons, offer lower payouts. Whereas the thematic symbols offer higher payouts.
Payouts of Progressive Jackpot Slots
In progressive jackpot slots there is no predefined maximum payout. The maximum payout keeps on increasing with every spin till the jackpot is hit. Then the jackpot is set to a seed value from where it starts increasing again.
Comparison of Table Games Payouts
When comparing the payout differences of slots and table games, it is important to look at each table game separately because this is not a homogeneous category. The most common table games are roulette, blackjack, and baccarat and we analyse each of these in turn.
Roulette Payouts
In roulette you can place one or more from several bets each of which is associated with a stated payout. European Roulette is the most popular version of the game at Canada online casinos and we list some of the important bets with their payouts in the table below.
| Bet | Payout |
| Red/Black (18 numbers) | 1:1 |
| Columns (12 numbers) | 2:1 |
| Two Rows (6 numbers) | 5:1 |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11:1 |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 |
| Single Number | 35:1 |
Blackjack Payouts
In blackjack games you place one bet for the deal. If you beat the dealer’s hand then the payout is 1:1. If you win with a blackjack the payout is 3:2. Some online blackjack games offer side bets with greater payouts. These bets are sucker bets. We advise players to stay away from these, so we will not consider them in our analysis.
Baccarat Payouts
The gameplay in baccarat is similar to blackjack, but the payout structure is somewhat like roulette. You can choose from three bets each with an associated payout.
| Bet | Payout |
| Player Hand | 1:1 |
| Dealer Hand | 0.95:1 |
| Tie Bet | 8:1 |
The Tie Bet is a sucker bet and we do not consider it in our analysis.
Differences of Slots and Table Games Payouts
We now put together the maximum payouts from each of the game categories to highlight the differences of slots and table games payouts. Since there is no defined maximum payout in slots, we have taken an indicative figure of 5000.
| Casino Game | Maximum Payout |
| Online Slots | 5000:1 |
| Table Games | |
| Roulette | 35:1 |
| Blackjack | 1.5:1 (3:2) |
| Baccarat | 1:1 |
One of the reasons that online slots are so popular is that they offer much larger payouts than table games. However, high payouts carry an element of risk, as explained earlier. This is factored in through the concept of payout ratios.
Comparing Payout Ratios: Slots Vs Table Games
The payout ratio is a long-term expectation of your winnings from casino games expressed as a percentage of the bet amount and is based on the payouts and the probabilities of winning. For a payout ratio of 97%, you can expect to win $97 for every $100 bet. We add payout ratios to the earlier table to complete the differences of slots and table games.
| Casino Game | Maximum Payout | Payout Ratio |
| Online Slots | 5000:1 | 94% to 96% |
| Table Games | ||
| European Roulette | 35:1 | 97.3% |
| Blackjack | 1.5:1 (3:2) | 99.5% |
| Baccarat | 1:1 | 98.8% |
Players who want the excitement of trying for large payouts should go for online slots and sacrifice a bit in the payout ratios. On the other hand, players who want to maximise the long-term return expectation should play table games and settle for the modest payouts. Here, it is important to note that the high payout ratio for blackjack can be achieved only if the player employs the optimum strategy to make his choices.
In our experience, 94% serves as a bottom limit for payout ratios. If any casino game, or any bet in a casino game, has a payout ratio of less than 94% it should be avoided.
Comparing Payouts of Popular Online Slots
Within the slot games category there is some variation in both maximum payout and payout ratio. We have hand-picked a few popular real money slots trying to cover as much of the range as possible.
| Real Money Slot | Maximum Payout | Payout Ratio |
| Starburst | 250 | 96.09% |
| Cash Eruption | 1000 | 96.00% |
| Gonzo’s Quest | 2500 | 95.97% |
| Da Vinci Diamonds | 5000 | 94.94% |
| Mask of Amun | 5000 | 94.00% |
Best Payout Canadian Casinos
We would be remiss if we did not guide you to the best payout casinos where you can play the online slots and table games. We suggest you read our casino reviews and make your selection, not forgetting to claim the exclusive welcome bonus offer. We start you with five casinos from our recommended list. All these casinos have stable mobile platforms that can be accessed from smartphones and tablets, allowing you to play real money slots on the move.
The Top 5 Canada Online Casinos
| Casino | Win Rate | Exclusive Welcome Bonus |
| Casumo | 98.7% | $2000 Bonus + 20 Free Spins |
| Jackpot City | 98.7% | $1600 Bonus + 80 Free Spins |
| LeoVegas | 98.2% | $1000 Bonus + 100 Free Spins |
| Royal Vegas | 98.8% | $1200 Bonus + 120 Free Spins |
| Betway Casino | 98.3% | $700 Bonus + 50 Free Spins |
The analysis of differences of slots and table games payouts shows why online slots are by far the most popular games at Canadian online casinos. The excitement offered by trying for the high payouts easily offsets the small reduction in the payout ratio. We urge you to sign up at one of the recommended online casinos, claim the welcome bonus offer, and start enjoying real money slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are payout ratios calculated?
There are two ways in which payout ratios are determined. In games like roulette and craps the number of possible outcomes is limited and the payout ratios can be determined mathematically. In casino games like slots and blackjack, the possibilities are too large and therefore the payout ratios are obtained through simulation.
What are sucker bets?
In some bets in table games, the payouts seem to be attractive, but are much below the mathematically fair values. These bets are known as sucker bets. For example, in the baccarat tie bet the fair payout is 9.5: 1, but most online casinos offer only 8:1. In the long run you will lose heavily on this bet.
