It makes a lot of sense to do some research regarding slot games before parting with any money and trying them out for real. Few metrics are being utilized by slot game companies and reviewers which will help potential users to work out whether they wish to play a game or not, at least understand more about the title itself and the way it works.
The RTP percentage is one of the key criteria for these slot machines. This number is associated with each slot machine game’s prize pool and indicates how much of a player’s wager contributes towards overall wins.
Slot game RTP is something that astute RTP and slot analysts have worked hard to understand and explain to their audiences. In this guide, we aim to show what is RTP in general with its ins and outs.
What is RTP?
Valentino Castillo, RTP and slot analyst at Johnslots.com explains RTP in simple terms: The percentage of wagers that are made into the prize pool for slot game players is known as the RTP rate.
When somebody analyzes their preferred online casino‘s slots, they will usually see that there are several figures and data explaining each game. One of these key metrics is RTP, which stands for ‘return to player’ – the percentage of wagers that are refunded to users.
All online slots have a specific RTP rate, and they are usually relatively high. It helps some people to think of it as the house taking their cut.
Therefore, if a slot game has an RTP rate of 95%, it means that for every $100 wagered, $95 will be paid out to any player as winnings, and occasionally a sizable portion of that money will be given as a big jackpot.
Consider the following example of a slot game:
- $1,000 is staked on the game in total by numerous users
- Of this $1,000, 95% must be put into a pool for players to potentially win money from, equaling $950
- 10 players win $10 and 10 other users win $20, meaning $300 in total has been accounted for. The other $650 is paid out as a jackpot to one lucky user.
Estimating RTP ratings is a long-lasting process, nevertheless it is possible that the pot of potential earnings builds up for days or even weeks before a jackpot.
As you can see, the fact that a slot has a 95% RTP doesn’t automatically mean that someone who gambles $10 is going to get $9.50 back. It varies, as some people are fortunate enough to get way more than they staked by winning a jackpot, while others will get very little in terms of returns if they are unfortunate.
The correlation between the RTP and the house edge is significant. Consider a game with a 95% RTP, implying a 5% house edge. In essence, this signifies that the house stands to gain a 5% profit from the game over an extended period. For instance, if a total of $1 million is wagered, the house can expect to collect approximately $50,000 as its take.
RTP for slot games
Each slot game is assigned an RTP rating, a crucial component embedded in the game’s code during its development. Developers must specify the RTP when creating a slot, and in some regions, this is a mandatory requirement for obtaining an iGaming license. For example, in the UK, the gambling commission performs checks on the RTP rates of slots to ensure compliance.
It’s important to reiterate that the RTP of a slot game doesn’t ensure specific returns for individual players. Nevertheless, it serves as a useful factor for gamblers when they are considering which slot games to play. Users can utilize the RTP as one of the factors in their decision-making process to make informed choices about their gambling preferences.
RTP for non-slot games
Every game has its own intrinsic RTP, whether this is something that is hard-wired into the coding or not. For example, over a long enough time period, a roulette game will provide a certain RTP level. This is usually somewhere between 93% and 97%.
The RTP may be harder to measure, and some casinos and brands will evaluate data for a longer time in order to fix the RTP rate of certain games.
For instance, blackjack technically has an RTP rating, but this is one of the harder games to measure. Things like the betting strategy that users can implement makes a big difference regarding how much is won, so the RTP isn’t always set in stone in the same way as slot games. Card games like poker include a level of skill.
Is the RTP the same at all casinos?
The RTP of slot machines and other games can differ from one casino to the next, in response to this query. There may be a predetermined RTP when a game is created by the developer, but this RTP can be changed with a few adjustments.
Why would you want to change the RTP? The answer is that some operators will use a lower RTP to try and collect more returns from their players while others may try to provide a better RTP rating that can entice more people to gamble at their casino.
That’s why it’s essential for iGaming enthusiasts to consider the RTP rates before gambling. This involves not only testing the RTP of a specific slot game set by the developer but also comparing the same slot game’s RTP at different casinos, as it may be different based on the casino’s chosen settings. Being aware of these variations can assist users and raise their awareness when choosing a casino game.
RTP and volatility
In addition to having an RTP rate, slot games also have something called volatility, which can help users to have necessary skills about the way that the slot game may or may not pay out.
Volatile slots may not pay out as frequently, and you can potentially go on longer losing streaks on these games, but the payouts may be higher when they are triggered. On a lower volatility slot, it is more likely that the user will get gradual, steady returns on their betting, but they may not get very high amounts.
The two concepts are interconnected, and a slot machine’s volatility also holds considerable sway. Even with a 95% RTP, if a slot machine has high volatility, a significant portion of the earnings might be disbursed in a single lump sum through a jackpot win. Consequently, if you aren’t the fortunate recipient of the jackpot, you may experience more frequent losses. The pivotal factor here is your risk tolerance.
Summary – Improve your winning chances
Selecting the casino with the higher RTP becomes a logical decision when confronted with the choice of playing a game at two separate gambling sites, and one site offers a higher RTP than the other. Despite the inherent randomness in each game’s outcome, a higher RTP signifies that the casino is anticipated to lose less money on that particular game, potentially leading to players having greater chances of gaining profits.
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