Return to Player in Table Games: Why the Rules Matter Too

Most discussions of return to player focus on slot games. Table games have RTP too — and the mechanism is different enough that understanding one does not automatically prepare you for the other. For slots, RTP is a software configuration chosen by the operator. For table games, RTP is determined primarily by the specific rules the variant uses: which payouts apply, which side bets are available, and critically, how the game pays out natural blackjack. This page covers both, starting with how the two calculation methods differ and ending with how to confirm game conditions before you commit any funds.

Slots and Table Games: Two Different Approaches to RTP

Slot RTP is a certified mathematical constant built into the game's software. The operator selects which build version to deploy, and that figure is fixed until the operator changes the configuration. Players can find it in the information panel of any regulated slot.

Table game RTP works differently. The underlying probability structure of a game like blackjack or roulette is determined by the physical or mathematical rules of the game itself — the number of decks, which bets are available, what the payout is on a natural, and what the house does on various totals. Each rule variant produces a different house edge, and therefore a different RTP.

This means that two blackjack tables with different payout rules for a natural — one paying 3:2 and one paying 6:5 — are effectively different games from a mathematical standpoint, even if they look identical in the interface. The rule difference alone accounts for a meaningful gap in expected return.

The Blackjack 3:2 Rule and What 6:5 Actually Costs

When a player receives a natural blackjack — an ace and a ten-value card on the opening hand — the payout matters more than any other single rule in the game. Under 3:2 rules, a $10 bet pays $15. Under 6:5 rules, the same $10 bet pays $12. That $3 difference, repeated across the frequency of naturals in a standard deck, adds approximately 1.4% to the house edge.

In practical terms: a blackjack variant with 3:2 payouts and otherwise standard rules carries a house edge under 0.5% for a player using basic strategy. The same game with 6:5 payouts carries a house edge approaching 2%, a four-fold increase driven by a single rule change that is invisible unless you read the game terms.

The commitment at these casinos is that blackjack pays 3:2, not 6:5. This is not a minor detail. It is the most impactful single rule in the game, and it sits at the foundation of why table game RTP varies so significantly between sites offering ostensibly the same game.

RTP Across the Table Game Categories

Different table game categories carry different baseline RTP ranges depending on their structure:

• Blackjack. With 3:2 natural payouts and basic strategy applied, the house edge falls below 0.5%. This makes blackjack one of the highest-RTP table games available when the rules are player-favourable.
• Roulette. European roulette with a single zero carries a 2.7% house edge (97.3% RTP) on outside bets. American roulette with both zero and double-zero raises the edge to 5.26% — nearly double — for the same outside bets. The choice of variant matters significantly.
• Baccarat. The banker bet carries approximately 1.06% house edge, the player bet approximately 1.24%. Both represent competitive RTP compared to many other table games, which is why baccarat is popular with players focused on long-run expected returns.
• Video poker. Optimal-strategy video poker variants can reach RTP above 99% on specific paytable configurations, making them some of the highest-return games in the casino when the player understands the strategy and the paytable completely.

Confirming Game Rules and Return Rates Before You Play

For slots, the in-game information panel provides the live RTP for the specific build running on this site. For table games, the confirmation process is different because the RTP depends on rules rather than a software configuration:

1. Open the game rules or help tab before placing any bet. Table game rules are displayed in full before the first wager.
2. Confirm the payout for a natural in blackjack — it should read 3:2.
3. For roulette, confirm whether the wheel carries one zero (European, lower house edge) or two (American, higher house edge).
4. For baccarat, note the commission structure on the banker bet, which affects the effective house edge.

For slots alongside your table game play, the information panel process applies: open the game, find the information tab, and read the RTP figure listed there. Cross-referencing that figure with the studio's published documentation for the same title confirms which build tier is active.

A full explanation of how slot RTP configuration works — and the commitment to deploying the highest available build — is on our guarantee page. Details on how the programme rewards long-term play across game types are on our loyalty programme page. Our casino reviews note the table game variants available at each brand in the group.