Payout
The amount returned to a player on a winning bet, expressed as a ratio (e.g., 3:2) or multiplier showing the profit relative to the stake.
Detailed Explanation
Payout describes how much a winning bet returns. Expressed as odds notation (3:2 means $3 returned per $2 wagered, netting $1.50 per $1 staked) or as a multiplier (3x means the stake is multiplied by three, returning 3x including the original bet or 2x profit depending on convention). Payout ratios are fundamental to understanding game value.
Different bets within the same game offer vastly different payouts. Roulette's straight-up single number bet pays 35:1 but has a 37:1 probability of winning on a double-zero wheel — the difference (2/38) represents the house edge. The even-money bets (red/black) pay 1:1 and have approximately 47.37% win probability on American roulette.
Comparing payouts across casinos and variants matters. Blackjack paying 3:2 on naturals gives the player significantly better value than the same game paying 6:5. Video poker's pay table differences can shift the game's RTP by 2–5% based solely on altered payouts for flushes, full houses, and other hands. Always read the payout schedule before committing significant wagers.
Related Entries
Casino Fundamentals
House Edge
The mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player on any given bet, expressed as a percentage.
Casino Fundamentals
Theoretical Loss
The mathematically expected average loss for a player based on their action and the house edge.
Casino Fundamentals
Variance
The statistical measure of how much actual results deviate from the expected value over a series of bets.
Casino Fundamentals
Vigorish (Vig)
The commission or surcharge applied by a casino to certain bets, most commonly the 5% commission on winning Banker bets in baccarat.