Understanding Return To Player
Return to Player (RTP) is a term that is commonly used when playing online slots. It’s a percentage that indicates how much money a slot machine will pay back to players over a period of time.
Understanding RTP is essential for anyone who wants to play slots, so let’s dive deep into what RTP is and how you can use it to your advantage when choosing where and what to play.
Understanding Return to Player (RTP)
Return to Player (RTP) is the percentage of all wagered money on a slot machine that is paid back to players over time. We will explain what RTP is, how it is calculated, and how it differs from the house edge, and essentially what you should think about when choosing slots with high or low RTP.
Definition of RTP
RTP is a measure of the long-term expected payback percentage of slot machines. It represents the percentage of all bets that will be returned to players over time. For example, if a slot machine has an RTP of 95%, it means that for every $100 wagered on the machine, $95 will be returned to players over time.
How RTP is Calculated
Calculating the RTP of a slot machine is a complex process that involves analyzing the game’s payout structure and the probability of each winning combination. The calculation takes into account the total amount of money wagered on the machine and the total amount of money paid out as winnings.
The formula for calculating RTP is as follows:
RTP = (Total amount returned to players / Total amount wagered) x 100%.
If a slot machine has taken in $10,000 in wagers and has paid out $9,500 in winnings, the RTP would be calculated as follows:
RTP = ($9,500 / $10,000) x 100% = 95%.
RTP vs. House Edge
The casino house edge is the percentage of all wagers that the casino expects to keep over time and shouldn’t be confused with RTP. It is the opposite of RTP, which represents the percentage of all wagers that are expected to be returned to players.
For example, if a slot machine has an RTP of 95%, the house edge would be calculated as follows:
House Edge = 100% – RTP = 100% – 95% = 5%
The house edge is an important concept to understand because it represents the casino’s advantage over the player. While the RTP represents the long-term expected payback percentage of a slot machine, the house edge represents the long-term expected profit percentage of the casino.
The Importance of RTP in Slots
What does the RTP mean for you as a player? We will explore the importance of RTP in slots and how it affects player expectations and game selection.
Player Expectations
RTP is an important factor in determining player expectations. It is the percentage of the total amount wagered that is returned to players as winnings. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, it means that over time, the slot will pay back 95% of the total amount wagered by players.
This does not mean that players will win 95% of the time, but rather, that the slot will pay out an average of 95 cents for every dollar wagered.
Players should keep in mind that RTP is a long-term prediction and does not guarantee that they will win back a specific amount of money. Bear min mind that higher RTP generally means that players have a better chance of winning and can expect to receive more frequent payouts, but in smaller amounts and vice versa.
Game Selection
RTP is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a slot game to play. Players should look for slots with a higher RTP as they offer better odds of winning.
It is important to note that not all slots have the same RTP, and it can vary greatly from game to game. Some slots may have an RTP as low as 75%, while others can have an RTP of 98% or higher.
Players should also keep in mind that a higher RTP does not guarantee that they will win more money. It is important to find a balance between RTP and other factors such as volatility, paylines, and bonus features.
Variability and Volatility in Slot Games
Volatility refers to the amount of risk involved in playing a slot game. It measures the frequency and size of payouts. A slot game with high volatility will have infrequent payouts but with higher amounts, while a low volatility slot game will have more frequent payouts but with lower amounts.
Understanding the volatility of a slot game can help players decide whether they want to take more risks for a chance at a bigger payout or play it safe with more frequent but smaller payouts.
RTP and Volatility Relationship
The relationship between volatility and RTP is important to understand. High volatility slot games tend to have a lower RTP, while low volatility slot games have a higher RTP.
This is because high volatility slot games have the potential for big payouts, so the casino can afford to offer a lower RTP. On the other hand, low volatility slot games have more frequent payouts, so the casino needs to offer a higher RTP to keep players interested.
Maximizing Wins with RTP Knowledge
By knowing the RTP of a slot machine, we can make informed decisions about which games to play and how to manage our bankroll. Find out how we think about choosing slots based on RTP:
Choosing High RTP Slots
One way to maximize our chances of winning is to choose slots with a high RTP. As we learned from our research, the RTP of a slot machine is the percentage of wagered money that is expected to be paid back to players over time. Therefore, a slot machine with a higher RTP has a better chance of paying out more money over the long run.
To find high RTP slots, players can use the information provided by us in the guide about high RTP slots. Remember that the RTP can vary from game to game, so it’s worth doing some research before we start playing.
Bankroll Management
Another way to maximize our chances of winning is to manage our bankroll effectively. By setting a budget for our gambling and sticking to it, we can avoid losing more money than we can afford.
One popular bankroll management strategy is the “5% rule.” This means that we should never bet more than 5% of our total bankroll on a single spin. For example, if we have $100 to play with, we should never bet more than $5 per spin.
Another important aspect of bankroll management is knowing when to quit. If we’re on a losing streak, it’s often best to take a break and come back another day. Similarly, if we’re on a winning streak, it’s important to know when to cash out and enjoy our winnings.
Myths and Misconceptions About RTP
There are common myths about RTP, stretching back to when the very first slot machines were created. We’re here to dispel some of them and shed light on the reality of how online slots work today.
RTP and Slot Winning Patterns
One of the most common misconceptions about Return to Player is that it affects the winning pattern of a slot game, which is not true. RTP is a statistical measure that determines the average percentage of the total amount of money that a slot machine will pay back to players over time. It does not control the winning pattern of a game, nor does it guarantee that players will win back a certain amount of money.
Is RTP inversely correlated to volatility?
While it’s true that it’s common that game providers and online casinos set a low volatility to high rtp slots and vice versa, this is not the case. Slot games can be adjusted for higher and lower volatility, albeit not as common.
Common Misunderstandings
There are several other myths and misconceptions about RTP that we would like to clear up. One of the most common is that higher RTP always means higher chances of winning. While it is true that a higher RTP means that a slot game is more likely to pay out over time, it does not necessarily mean that players will win more frequently or win larger amounts of money.
Another common misunderstanding is that RTP is fixed and cannot be changed. In reality, the RTP of a slot game can vary depending on several factors, such as the game’s volatility and the amount of money wagered. It is also important to note that the RTP of a game is not a guarantee of future payouts, as each spin of the reels is completely random and unpredictable.
Regulation and Compliance
As slot games both costs and gives you a chance to win real money, they are heavy regulated and under strict rules and compliance checks. Here’s how the you can be sure that the slots are not in fact “rigged”, and gives a fair outcome at online casinos.
RTP Auditing
All licensed casino sites have regular audits of casino games to ensure that they are in compliance with industry standards. These audits are conducted by third-party entities that are approved within the industry. The purpose of these audits is to verify that the games are fair and that the RTP is accurate.
During these audits, the third-party entities will examine the game’s software, algorithms, and payout rates. They will also analyze the game’s RNG (Random Number Generator) to ensure that it is generating truly random results. If a game does not meet the required standards, it will be taken down and fixed until it is in compliance.
Legal Requirements for RTP
In Canada, all slot games must meet certain legal requirements for RTP. The average RTP for a slot game must be at least 85%, and this figure must be displayed on the game’s paytable. All slot games must undergo testing and certification by a third-party testing lab before they can be offered to players.
The Canadian government has strict regulations in place to ensure that all gambling activities are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. This includes the regulation of RTP in slot games.
