Understanding Slot RTP (Return to Player)
Slot machines are super popular as simple betting games that don’t require a lot of strategy building. But even with slots, there are a few things gamblers should understand in order to improve their betting experience. The RTP is one of these must-know things before you start betting on online slots. Keep reading this article to find a detailed guide regarding slot RTPs.
Key Takeaways:
- The RTP value refers to how much you can expect to win on a bet placed on a slot.
- RTP values are important for determining the risk attached to online casino games.
- There are also other important factors to consider, such as slot volatility.
- The average RTP range for online casino slots is 92% to 97%.
- RTP values are controlled by the slot providers, and not by the casinos hosting the slot.
RTP Explained: What is RTP in Slots?
RTP stands for Return to Player and is a figure expressed as a percentage. In simple words, the Return to Player percentage gives an idea of how much money you can expect to win on your initial bet.
For example, if a game has an RTP of 96%, then for every $1 bet you place, you can expect $0.96 back. The other 4% goes to the casino. This is why you will notice that the RTP values will always be lower than 100%, and this is called the house edge.
If a slot or casino game had an RTP value above 100%, the casino would lose money on that particular game. However, the winning edge always belongs to the house, which is why the RTP values are always less than 100%.
Do Other Casino Games Have RTPs?
RTP values are not a slot-exclusive calculation. Every casino game has its own RTP percentage, including live casino games such as Blackjack or Roulette. Even sports betting, such as that on horse racing, will have RTP values. Bettors just hear RTP values associated with slots more commonly, because these are easier to understand and calculate. This is because playing slots is fairly simple as compared to other casino games.
In other casino games, especially table games like roulette, there are a number of other important factors to consider. These include the house edge, probabilities, and odds. Several of these change depending on the bet type. This is why the idea of RTPs is slightly trickier when it comes to other casino games.
Overall, European Roulette and Classic Blackjack are two table games that offer high RTP values. If you’re looking for table games or live casino games instead of slots, consider gambling on these two options.
Does RTP Matter in Slots?
RTP values matter because they give bettors an idea regarding the risk associated with a game, allowing them to make informed decisions. For example, if you choose to bet on a slot with an RTP of 97%, you can expect to win more than you would win from a slot with an RTP of 89%.
However, do remember that in order to calculate RTP value, a large set of betting rounds is simulated. Thus, it’s not like you will lose exactly 4% of your bet on every betting round at a slot with 96% RTP. The individual wins and losses can go higher or lower.
But, the RTP value gives an overall value of which slot offers better odds in the long run. For example, you are much better off wagering on a slot with a higher RTP than one with a lower RTP. But in individual rounds, there’s no guarantee that one slot will pay more than the other.
This is because casino RTP alone does not provide you with all the information you need regarding a slot. There are other considerable factors as well, one of which is slot volatility.
What is the Difference Between RTP and Slot Volatility?
Slot volatility refers to how much and how often you can expect to win when betting on a slot game. High volatility slots offer rare wins but larger payouts. Low volatility slots offer frequent payouts but the winning amount is pretty small.
A slot with a particular RTP, let’s say 95%, can be high volatility or low volatility. This is why there’s no guarantee of how much you will win from individual betting sessions. Some also consider volatility as a distribution of the Return to Player value, which is another way of looking at the relationship between these two calculations.
But the bottom line is that in order to truly gauge your winning odds on a slot game, you need to have an idea regarding volatility and RTP because both of them have the utmost importance in determining the chances of winning.
Types of Slot RTPs
Each slot’s RTP is decided by the game provider behind the game, not the casino offering it. Usually, most online slots have a Return to Player value between 92% and 97%, but it is possible to find slots with an RTP value above or below this range.
In general, a low RTP slot will have a value between 90% to 93%. A medium RTP slot will fall somewhere between 94% and 96%. A high RTP slot will have a value of 97% or higher, but less than 100%, of course.
Setting RTP values can be tricky. If the value is too low, it will become difficult to attract players to bet on it. But on the other hand, if the value is set too high, casinos won’t find it profitable to host this particular game.
Thus, slot providers have to be pretty strategic when it comes to setting slot RTPs, because they need to find a balance that works for the bettors as well as the casinos hosting the slot.
Furthermore, casino software providers also need to strike a balance between the RTP value and other slot features. For example, if a slot has a lower RTP value, then low volatility and frequent bonus features will still manage to keep players engaged and excited.
Which RTP Slot Should I Pick?
Despite the RTP value not being the sole element determining a slot’s wins, bettors should still pick a higher RTP slot over one with a lower RTP. But, after the RTP percentages, there are several other things you should consider before you choose games to bet on. Here are the most important ones that will help you come up with an optimal strategy:
- Pick the right volatility: High volatility games appeal more to players who want big wins, have a large budget, and don’t mind the heavy risk. On the other hand, low volatility slots are better for beginner or casual gamblers. They’re also great for people who have a limited betting budget and cannot afford to lose a lot or take high risks. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which volatility you should go for, as that will depend on your individual preferences. Just make sure to choose a volatility that makes sense for your circumstances.
- Pick a game that offers bonus rounds: A slot game's mechanics have a huge impact on the wins. Bonus rounds can enhance your winning combinations further and offer other exciting opportunities to rack up your winnings. This is why it’s good to check which casino games offer bonus rounds and go for them.
- Take a look at the paytables: Paytables offer you a comprehensive look at the winning combinations within an online slot game and how much you can expect to win from each of them. Understanding these combinations beforehand is important because they allow you to get an idea of the overall wins expected from a game. There can be wide differences between the winnings from each combination so make sure to take a look at all of them.
- Check if there are any other bonus features: Other than bonus rounds, online slot games will occasionally offer bonus features such as scatters or wilds. These features also improve winning chances and add an extra thrill to the game. Progressive jackpots are also a feature to look for, because they also offer enhanced winning options.
- Don’t settle for the first slot you see: The best thing about the online casino world is that there is an endless array of options to explore. Don’t pick the first slot you come across. Shop around and check the statistics of a few different games before you decide which one to go with. Do take a shot at the slot’s demo version to see its stated RTP and volatility actually in action.
Slots With Outstanding RTP Values
Now that you have a general understanding of slot RTPs and why this value matters, here are some of the best RTP slots that you can play at the top online casinos. These are some of the best games that have an RTP higher than the average range:
🎰 Slot 💻 Provider 💰 RTP Book of 99 Relax Gaming 99% Marching Legions Relax Gaming 98.1% Steamtower NetEnt 98% Blood Suckers NetEnt 97.9% Heimdall’s Gate Kalamba Games 97.8% Polar Paws Quickspin 97.8% Quest to the West Betsoft 97.5%
How Does RTP Affect the Overall Gameplay?
Beyond giving you an estimation of the overall risk attached to a particular game, RTP values also affect the overall gameplay of a slot machine. For example, your bankroll management will depend on the RTP of your chosen slot.
If you pick a high RTP and low volatility slot, you can expect to win small but frequent payouts. Knowing what your winning chances look like will help you determine how you should allocate your budget for gambling on a certain slot machine. Thus, having a firm grasp of the term RTP will encourage bettors to play responsibly.
How do I Determine Slot RTP?
Slot RTP values are easily available on online platforms, which is why you should always check them before you start betting on a slot. Often, casino websites mention the RTP values for their provided slots.
At Playcasino, you can check the RTP value for any slot that is present on our website. We offer all the details regarding an online slot game, including RTP values, bet sizes, and variance.
Slot RTP Values: Myth vs. Fact
Because RTP values are so essential to a slot’s gameplay, bettors have developed several myths over the years. But, are any of these statements even true? Let’s take a look at some common myths that people usually hear when it comes to playing casino slots:
🧙♂️ Myth Number One: RTP values don’t matter in individual sessions.
✅ Fact: This can or cannot be true, depending on how you look at the scenario. In general, yes, the RTP value will not affect the individual playing rounds. This is because RTPs are calculated over a large number of betting rounds. Thus, the RTP value could or could not be reached in an individual playing session or on a few rounds of wagered money.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should completely disregard the RTP value. You’re more likely to win in casino games that have a high RTP. So while individual sessions can result in a win or a loss, the chances of winning are better in high RTP slots.
🧙♂️ Myth Number Two: Casinos can manipulate the RTP values in a game.
✅ Fact: Considering how often people hear about the ‘house edge’, many have started thinking that casinos manipulate slot games in a way that makes them impossible to ever be won. However, the gambling world is not that atrocious.
The house edge is a fact. At the end of the day, a casino operation is a business, and businesses run on profit. Thus, each casino will seek to maximize its revenue. However, that does not mean that all casino games are based on trickery and manipulation.
In fact, slot games are owned by the game developers, who are also behind setting the RTP. The casino has no say in this regard. Online casinos are often more prone to hearing this accusation, but even their games are hosted directly on the developer’s servers.
This means that even if a casino wanted to manipulate a slot’s RTP, it would not have the tools required to do so. Only gaming providers have access to these core controls. If you feel like the same slot has a different RTP value at different casinos, this is because many slot providers offer the same slot at various RTP levels.
🧙♂️ Myth Number Three: Streamers play the same slot games at higher RTP levels.
✅ Fact: Streamers refer to individuals who stream themselves playing games, most commonly on platforms such as Twitch. Online gaming has produced an increase in streamers, as this type of content drives a huge amount of engagement.
Oftentimes, streamers advertise for particular casinos, based on a sponsorship or some other marketing agreement. This leads people to believe that they might be offered higher RTP values, as compared to the average player.
This brings us back to our earlier point that casinos don’t hold the power to manipulate the RTP values of individual slots. It might seem like a streamer is winning more frequent payouts than common players, but that may also be because these individuals spend several hours a day on gambling and betting, as this is what they do for a career. It's also possible that they may play only the higher RTP slots, in order to advertise the casino.
Furthermore, some casinos may offer special bonuses to their loyal streamers, as a part of their marketing agreement. These bonuses may sometimes allow streamers to rack up higher wins, but you can consider this a form of payment in return for advertising the casino to a large number of online followers.
Land-Based Casinos vs. Online Slots: Where is the RTP Higher?
In general, online casino slots tend to have higher RTPs than to physical casinos. The average RTP on land-based slots is somewhere between 70% and 90%. However, this would be considered an extremely low RTP range for online slots, where most RTP values fall between 92% and 97%.
This stark difference in the average RTP value is because of the associated costs. Land-based casinos require costs for operating the chunky slot machines, while also having limited space for the number of slots they can host. Based on these two factors, land-based slots required a higher house edge in order to be profitable for the casino.
However, online casinos don’t have to struggle with these physical limitations. There are online casino sites that host thousands of online slot games at the same time. Within this sea of options, any slots with an extremely low RTP value will just go unnoticed, and hence, not be played.
Final Thoughts
The Return to Player Percentage is one of the many elements that offer important information regarding the winning odds of different slot machines. RTP values are essential to consider, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned slot gambler. Before you begin betting on any slot machine, be sure to do a quick search for its RTP value and then determine whether it’s the right slot for you or not.
