How Is RTP Calculated

When playing online slots, you want to ensure you get the best casino experience. But that's not all; you'll also want to enjoy big returns in the long run.

While some players are attracted to the innovative themes and features of the game, others go straight to check the RTP percentage of the slot machine. The theoretical RTP percentage indicates what the slot will payout to players after several spins.

Slot games with high RTP percentages tend to attract players more than those will low percentages. But what is a return to player RTP rate, and how does it benefit players?

Our complete guide covers all the relevant information you should know about RTP in slot machines. We've explained why it is important, how to calculate RTP percentage, how to find the slot RTP, and much more.

What is Return to Player (RTP) Percentage?

The theoretical return to player or RTP is the measure of how much a slot machine can pay back to its players for every wager over a long period. The RTP is usually expressed in percentage form.

So, the higher the percentage, the better game payout you expect in the long run. Usually, the RTP return to the player is subtracted from 100%, and it is divided into two groups. You will find casino games with low RTP and some with high payouts.

How Does RTP Work in a Slot Game?

As mentioned earlier, it's pretty simple to understand how the RTP of a slot machine work. We'll use a simple example to help you to understand how the Return to Player percentage work in slot machine games.

For example, if a slot game has an RTP of 98%, you play multiple bets with a stake of R100. In theory, the game is expected to pay R980, and the remaining balance is the house advantage. Nevertheless, you should understand that various factors like hit frequency, maximum win, and variance may affect the game payouts.

Note that the return to the player is divided into two, the low and high RTP. Let's find out what each group entails:

Low RTP Casino Games

Games with low RTPs tend to be less popular as the payouts are not worth the time. The RTP of a casino game can be affected by various factors. The most popular factor across most casino games is the rules of playing.

For instance, blackjack has different variations that follow different rules. Some table variants have payouts of 3:2, and others offer a payout ratio of 6:5. This automatically affects the RTP of the game. Additionally, the number of decks can also affect the overall game payouts.

Other common factors that can make a casino game have a low RTP include volatility, variance, and betting options.

High RTP Casino Games

The motivation of casino players is winning. That's why players look for online slot games with higher RTP percentages. In general, these online slot machine games have higher percentages than those in land-based casinos.

An average online slot machine has an RTP of 96%, but the percentage in a brick-and-mortar casino can be around 93%. The same works for other online casino games, like blackjack, where you enjoy a high RTP of 99.4% at online casinos and 98.7% at offline casinos.

Calculating RTP in Slot Games

As aforementioned, the RTP is the mathematical advantage of the player in a particular slot game. You'll find out that determining the return to the player is quite simple, thanks to the straightforward formula.

Do understand that the percentages are calculated based on the sample of millions of game rounds. You calculate the RTP of a slot game by dividing the total winnings by the total bets and multiplying by 100%.

Follow this simple method to determine the RTP of an online slot game:

  • Return to Player = (Win Total/Total Bet) x 100%

For example, if you have won R9800, and your stake is R10000, it implies the RTP would be 98%. The remaining R200 is the profit that the casino keeps.

Why is the RTP Important to Players?

The return to player percentage remains one of the critical factors to consider when sourcing for an online casino game. The percentage is essential as it helps a player to quickly determine the potential profit from each game round. But the RTP of a game can only be felt if you play responsibly for an extended period.

However, if you are only going for a few spins, you may not realize the effect of the RTP. Such players are often attracted by the beauty of the game other than gameplay payouts.

Finding Online Slot Games with the Best RTP

Depending on the game, finding information about the slot's return percentage can be easy or complicated. The good thing with online casinos is that you can find out the RTP by playing slots with free spins. The free-mode games provide information about the bonus features, game payouts, and RTP percentage.

Many online platforms are dedicated to providing slots with high payouts and other bigger benefits to players. Additionally, you can tell that a slot machine pays well by checking the house edge. If the casino advantage is above 5%, it means the RTP is relatively low, and you should not play it.

Another thing you must consider when finding online slots with the best RTP is the volatility level. Often, slot games with high volatility have bigger payouts, but the winnings may take longer to occur.

Slot RTP vs. House Edge

As you are already aware, the RTP of the game is what you expect a casino game to pay in the long run. Game with high RTPs is much loved by players more than the ones with low payout percentages.

The best thing about slot machines is that it's pretty easy to determine the house edge. A house edge or the house advantage is the percentage the casino benefits from your wagers. In most casino games, the house edge is the exact opposite of RTP.

For instance, if a slot machine's RTP is 98%, it means that the casino's mathematical advantage is 2%. Regardless of the high return to player percentage, the house always wins in the long run.

Hit Frequency and Variance in Slot Games

There are two components in online slot games you must consider before playing. These elements are the hit frequency and the variance of the game.

The hit frequency is a term used by casinos to describe how often a game will stop on a winning combination. For example, if the hit frequency in an online slot game is 5%, it implies that the slot will form winning combinations about 5 times.

Keep in mind that many VLT or slot machine games accept multi-line bets on each spin. The advantage is that a player can land one or more winning combinations. There is a significant variation in hit frequency among slots. For instance, progressive jackpots have a lower hit frequency than regular slot games.

Many people often confuse the slots RTP and variance. These are two completely different concepts in slot machines. Simply put, variance shows the players expected return and the exact win.

An online slot game with a low variance offers small wins. The good thing is that the winning combinations happen more regularly. On the opposite, high variance slots provide big wins, but they rarely occur.

Land-Based vs. Online Slots

The theoretical return to player RTP varies greatly in online and offline casinos. Most online slots have higher RTP return-to-player percentages because of the few maintenance costs. Generally, online slot games cost very little to set up and maintain. You'll be lucky to find games with high payouts of up to 99%. Unfortunately, there are no slot machines with an RTP exceeding 100%.

On the other side, land-based slot machines are designed to provide a player with an overall experience. These games are available across all Las Vegas casinos. The standard RTP in land-based casinos is 86%, with some titles offering even lower percentages than that. The relatively low RTP is due to the high cost of maintaining, paying workers, and other overhead costs.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are a beginner or a veteran player, it is essential to understand how the return-to-player RTP works in different games. A slot game with a clearly published RTP will increase the confidence and trust of the player in the casino. It gives an indication that the casino game is transparent and fair. But as we've stated earlier, a high RTP is not everything you may want in a casino game.

Other things to consider include innovative features, a unique theme, and engaging gameplay. Additionally, you should choose a fully licensed and regulated online casino. The UK Gambling Commission is one of the most respected authorities in the iGaming industry. You can also find casinos that are regulated by Curacao, Malta, and Gibraltar licenses.

Overall, RTPs play an important role and should not be ignored, whether playing for fun or for real money.

Slot Return To Player FAQs

The following are answers to some of the most common questions you will find about RTP in slot machine games.

Is the RTP Percentage Shared Publicly in All Slot Games?

It is required for the game developers to publish the RTP of the game for everyone to see. This will help players to know whether the game is profitable or not.

How Do Casinos Determine the Return to Player RTP of a Slot Machine?

To calculate RTP in a slot game, you divide the total winnings by the total bet and multiply by 100%. This is a simple process that takes less than a minute to calculate.

Are Slots With Higher RTPs the Best?

Many people are attracted to slot machines with high RTPs for obvious reasons. These games have better returns in the long run than slots with low payout percentages. However, you must understand that the casino wins eventually.

How Are the Slot RTP and Hit Frequency Related?

The RTP and hit frequency of slots are two different meanings. Many slots with low hit frequency have bigger payouts, while games with high hit frequency have smaller payouts. Similarly, a slot with a high RTP offers bigger returns than a slot with a low percentage.

What Is the Average Rtp Percentage of Online Slot Machine Games?

The return to player percentage of an online slot machine varies depending on the game developer. The best slot games have higher payout percentages ranging between 96% and 99%.

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