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Why is it harder to win at some slot machines than others? Don’t worry: it’s a question every casino player asks themselves at one point or another. The answer to this question is a lot simpler than many would think: the cause is Return to Player, or RTP.
What is the meaning of RTP? The RTP is a percentage figure that is returned to a player the more they play a casino game. So, if you deposit $1 into your bank for long enough, you may have 96% RTP on that dollar.. That’s a 96c interest on each dollar over time, if you continue to deposit a dollar every day. That is the basic principle of RTP, but let’s dive into more detail about what the RTP process entails.
What Exactly is RTP?
So, you may be asking for the definition, of ‘what is casino RTP?’. The RTP is the part of the money paid to machines that can be then given back to the player as prizes. So, based on that definition, there are a lot of misunderstandings among players. They understand why they don’t get their RTP immediately, or after a handful of spins.
The RTP is a theoretical number that is determined over several million spins. So, when you ask ‘what does RTP mean in casino’, generally, that is the stake returned to player over a long period of playing one specific slot game.
The industry standard for an RTP is roughly 96%. This means most valuable, and worthwhile slot games have a stake returned to player at 96% of your consistent wager every time you spin. On the other side of the coin, the house edge would be the opposite of the RTP. So, if the RTP at the slot game you are playing at is 96%, then the casinos house edge for that slot game is 4%.
Why Should You Care?
So, what is the RTP in casino games, and why should you, the player, care about it? Well ,it will lead to a better overall playing experience for a variety of reasons.
- Play longer: A NetEnt game with 98% RTP means you’ll likely get most of your money back, letting you keep playing for big wins.
- Understanding higher value slot games: The RTP is somewhat of a cheat code. It tells you, right away, if a slot game is high paying or not. For example, would you rather play at a game with a 97% RTP, or a game with a 93% RTP? You’d aim for the 97%, because you want more of your stake returned to you. If you apply that principle to the overall casino game, we’re sure the game with the higher RTP also has higher wins and better gameplay overall.
- Helps you understand volatility: Of course, it is important to note that the RTP is completely separate from the volatility. The RTP simply refers to the amount of your stake you could potentially have returned to you.
The volatility is how likely you are to win at a game, and how much. A high volatility game pays out higher amounts, less frequently, but it can still have high RTP. On the other hand, a low volatility game, that pays out lower amounts more frequently, can still have a low RTP. They are connected, but they are not the same thing.
Where Can I Find a Games RTP?
So, what is a casino RTP location? In other words, where can you find the RTP of certain slot games before you play them? There is a couple of different ways to find this, such as:
- Help menu: Every slot game has a help menu, or an information section that is easily findable with a question mark, or an ‘i’ symbol. If you click on that, it will break down all the technical information of the slot game, including the RTP.
- Online reviews: There are plenty of slot reviews out there that break down the play of every popular slot game. These reviews will highlight what the RTP is for the slot game, and if it is variable.
Conclusion
The RTP is not just another mathematical figure lumped in with the technicalities of a slot game. It is a key return figure, that tells you so much about the game you are about to play, and if it is worth playing. This figure determines a game’s long-term profitability. Look at the RTP as a strategic tool, not some magic payout number. The more you treat it like a tool and base your slot play off it strategically, the more advantageous it will be for the player.
FAQs
What does 96% RTP mean?
This means the amount of stake returned to the player over time is 96% of your bet. 96% is the industry standard for slot games.
Is RTP real in slots?
RTP is absolutely real in slots, and it can be a determinant to how long you can play a particular slot game.
Can casinos adjust RTP?
Only if the slot developer has a variable range of RTP available to the player. So, if a slot game has a 94-96% RTP, then a casino can adjust an RTP within those variables.
Are slots with high RTP more volatile?
No. The RTP and the volatility of a slot are not the same thing. They are connected variables, but they do not affect each other.
How does RTP work in slots?
The RTP essentially determines how much the player could make over a series of spins with the slot game. So, if a player spins 100 times at $1 with an RTP of 96%, they should get $96 back.