While slot games are based on luck, there are a few terms and concepts you need to get to grips with before playing. A prime example of this is the “RTP”, which is an abbreviation for Return To Player.
Every slot game will display its RTP, and this is an important feature that you should consider before deciding which game to play.
In this post, we will explain RTP in further detail, helping you to understand what it means and why it matters to those playing video slot games.
What is RTP?
RTP is a term used to describe how much the slot pays back to the player on average. For example, if a slot game has an RTP of 96%, this means that for every $100 spent on the slot game, it will pay back $96.
Of course, this does not mean that you are always going to get 96% of your money back. After all, there are huge numbers of spins occurring on a game throughout the day, and this is how some people end up losing money whereas others end up being in profit.
It should not be difficult to find out what a slot’s RTP is. This should be displayed in the description. And, when you consider the sheer number of slot games available today, including the video slot games now under Sportsbet and other bookmakers, you should have no trouble selecting a slot game at an RTP you are happy with.
How do you read a RTP slot?
To understand the RTP of a slot machine, follow these steps:
- Find the RTP value: The RTP percentage is usually provided by the game developer or the casino hosting the game. You can typically find this information in the game’s description or the paytable.
- Interpret the RTP value: The RTP is presented as a percentage. For example, if the RTP is 96%, it means that, on average, players can expect to receive back $96 for every $100 wagered over an extended period of time. However, it’s important to note that the RTP is a long-term average and individual gaming sessions can deviate significantly from this value.
- Consider the house edge: The RTP is closely related to the concept of the house edge. The house edge represents the casino’s advantage over the players and is calculated as 100% minus the RTP. In the example above, the house edge would be 4%.
- Understand the implications: A higher RTP generally indicates a slot machine with a better payout potential for players in the long run. However, it does not guarantee specific outcomes for individual gaming sessions. Variance and luck play significant roles in short-term results.
Remember that the RTP is just one factor to consider when choosing a slot machine. Other aspects like volatility, gameplay features, theme, and personal preference also influence the overall gaming experience.
Is RTP the same as variance?
A lot of new slot players assume that a game’s variance is the same as the RTP and vice-versa. However, this is not the case. Yes, both concepts are closely linked, but they are different from one another.
Variance describes the manner in which the RTP of the game is realized. For example, a slot game with low variance is programmed in a manner whereby you will have frequent smaller hits, yet you will not have as many big hits. These sorts of slot games are preferred by those looking to play for as long as possible.
With higher variance games, there is the chance to win big and accumulate a lot of wealth in just one spin. However, it is easy to go bust, and losing streaks can be common.
Therefore, when you are deciding what sort of slot game to play, it is important that you take a look at both the variance and RTP. You will sometimes see variance referred to as volatility, so do keep this in mind.
Do online casinos influence the RTP of their slots?
The shower answer to this question is no. Online casinos today will not typically own the slots they are offering punters. Instead, the slot game is rented from the game developer, with games typically being stored on the developers’ servers.
Because of this, casinos do not have the access that is needed to amend any of the core settings, including RTP.
There are some providers that will offer games with a number of RTP variations, yet casinos cannot change a random game at will. This is simply a widely prevalent misconception.
Factoring in RTP when choosing a slot game
So, there you have it: everything you need to know about RTP when playing slot games today. We hope the information provided above has helped you to get a better understanding of this concept and what it means for you when playing video games.
