Casino Games Guide

Ontario casinos offer thousands of games across multiple categories. From video slots with bonus features to classic table games and live dealer options, the selection covers everything you would find on a casino floor and more. This guide explains the main game types, how they work, and what to consider when choosing what to play.

Understanding game mechanics and odds helps you make informed choices about where to spend your time and money. Some games offer better returns than others, and some require skill while others are purely chance-based. Knowing the differences lets you pick games that match your preferences and playing style.

Slots

Slots make up the largest portion of any online casino library. Modern video slots go far beyond the simple three-reel machines of the past, offering complex gameplay, bonus rounds, free spins, and progressive jackpots.

Video Slots. The most common type, featuring five or more reels with multiple paylines or ways to win. Video slots include themes ranging from ancient civilizations to popular movies, with graphics and animations that rival video games. Bonus features vary widely: free spins, pick-and-click games, expanding wilds, cascading reels, and multipliers add variety to base gameplay.

Classic Slots. Simpler games inspired by traditional slot machines. Usually three reels with fewer paylines and straightforward symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens. Classic slots appeal to players who prefer uncomplicated gameplay without elaborate bonus rounds.

Jackpot Slots. Slots with prize pools that grow over time. Progressive jackpots accumulate a portion of each bet across a network of players, building to potentially life-changing sums. Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune, and similar titles have paid out multi-million dollar prizes. Note that jackpot slots typically have lower base game RTPs because a percentage of each bet feeds the jackpot pool.

Megaways Slots. A popular mechanic licensed from Big Time Gaming that changes the number of symbols per reel on each spin. This creates a variable number of ways to win, sometimes exceeding 100,000 combinations. Megaways slots are known for high volatility and big win potential.

When evaluating slots, check the RTP (return to player) percentage. This represents the theoretical return over millions of spins. Most slots range from 94% to 97% RTP, with higher percentages offering better long-term value. Volatility also matters: low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more frequently, while high volatility slots pay larger amounts less often.

Blackjack

Blackjack is the most popular table game at online casinos, offering some of the lowest house edges when played with proper strategy. The goal is simple: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.

Each card has a value. Number cards are worth their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10, and Aces can be 1 or 11. You start with two cards and can hit (take another card), stand (keep your current total), double down (double your bet and take one card), or split (if you have a pair, separate into two hands).

Basic strategy charts show the mathematically optimal play for every combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard. Following basic strategy reduces the house edge to around 0.5% in standard games, making blackjack one of the most player-friendly casino games. Many online resources provide free strategy charts you can reference while playing.

Variants include European Blackjack (dealer does not check for blackjack until player completes their hand), Atlantic City rules, Vegas Strip rules, and Spanish 21 (which removes 10s from the deck but adds bonus payouts). Each variant has slightly different rules and house edges, so check the specific rules before playing.

Roulette

Roulette is a game of pure chance where a ball lands on a numbered wheel. You bet on where you think the ball will land, choosing from numbers, colours, odd/even, or various groupings.

European Roulette. Features numbers 0-36 on the wheel. The single zero gives the house a 2.7% edge. This is the most favourable version for players and should be your default choice when available.

American Roulette. Adds a double zero (00) to the wheel, increasing the house edge to 5.26%. The additional zero nearly doubles the house advantage with no benefit to players. Avoid this version when European roulette is available.

French Roulette. Uses the European wheel but adds rules like La Partage (you get half your even-money bet back if the ball lands on zero). These rules reduce the effective house edge on even-money bets to 1.35%, making French roulette the most player-friendly variant.

Bet types range from single numbers (35:1 payout) to even-money bets like red/black or odd/even (1:1 payout). Inside bets (specific numbers or small groups) pay more but hit less often. Outside bets (colours, columns, dozens) pay less but win more frequently. No betting system changes the underlying house edge, regardless of what anyone tells you.

Baccarat

Baccarat is a comparing card game where you bet on whether the Player hand, Banker hand, or a Tie will win. Despite its reputation as a high-roller game, online versions are accessible at all stakes.

Cards are dealt according to fixed rules with no player decisions after betting. Two cards go to both Player and Banker positions, with a third card drawn based on predetermined rules. The hand closest to 9 wins. Card values: Aces are 1, face cards and 10s are 0, and other cards are face value. If a hand totals more than 9, the first digit is dropped (so 15 becomes 5).

The Banker bet has the lowest house edge at around 1.06%, though casinos take a 5% commission on winning Banker bets. The Player bet has a 1.24% house edge with no commission. The Tie bet pays 8:1 or 9:1 but carries a house edge over 14%, making it a poor value despite the attractive payout.

Poker Games

Casino poker games pit you against the house rather than other players. These games use poker hand rankings but follow different rules than Texas Hold'em or Omaha.

Video Poker. A solo game where you receive five cards and choose which to hold or discard. The machine deals replacement cards, and you are paid based on your final hand. Jacks or Better is the classic variant; Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Double Bonus offer different pay tables and strategies. Video poker with optimal play can offer RTPs above 99%, among the highest in the casino.

Caribbean Stud. You and the dealer each receive five cards. You decide whether to fold or raise after seeing your cards and one of the dealer's cards. The dealer must have Ace-King or better to qualify. A progressive jackpot side bet is usually available for hands of flush or better.

Casino Hold'em. Based on Texas Hold'em but played against the dealer. You and the dealer each get two hole cards, and five community cards are dealt. You can fold after seeing the flop or continue to showdown. The dealer needs a pair of fours or better to qualify.

Other Table Games

Craps. A dice game with numerous betting options. The pass line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%, making it one of the better wagers in the casino. Online craps simulates the dice rolls and offers the same bets as physical tables.

Sic Bo. An Asian dice game using three dice. You bet on various outcomes like specific totals, combinations, or individual numbers appearing. House edges vary widely depending on the bet type.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games stream real dealers from professional studios to your device. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game show titles like Crazy Time and Dream Catcher are available. Live games offer the social atmosphere of a real casino with the convenience of playing from home. See our dedicated live casino page for more details on live dealer options at Ontario casinos.

Understanding House Edge and RTP

Every casino game has a built-in house edge, the mathematical advantage that ensures the casino profits over time. House edge is expressed as a percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep. RTP (return to player) is the inverse, the percentage returned to players over time.

A game with a 3% house edge has a 97% RTP. Over thousands of bets, you can expect to lose around 3% of the total amount wagered. This is a long-term average and does not predict short-term results. You might win in a session, lose more than the edge suggests, or hit anywhere in between.

Games with skill elements like blackjack and video poker have variable house edges depending on how well you play. Optimal strategy minimizes the edge; poor decisions increase it. Games of pure chance like slots and roulette have fixed house edges that no strategy can change.

Choosing Games That Suit You

Consider what you want from your casino experience. If you enjoy decision-making and learning strategy, blackjack and video poker offer depth. If you prefer simple gameplay and variety, slots provide endless themes and features. If you want social interaction and atmosphere, live dealer games deliver that experience.

Bankroll and session length also factor in. High volatility slots and single-number roulette bets can deplete a bankroll quickly but offer big win potential. Low volatility games and even-money bets provide more playtime for the same bankroll. Match your game choice to your goals, whether that is entertainment, the chance at a big win, or maximizing your time at the tables.