What is RTP, and Why Does It Matter?
RTP stands for Return to Player, and it tells you how much money a slot game will pay back to players over a long period of time. For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, it means that for every £100 you bet, the game is expected to return £95 to players on average.
However, RTP is not a guarantee of how much you will win in a single session. It’s based on long-term averages, so in one game, you might win or lose more than the RTP suggests. But knowing the RTP helps you understand the overall odds of the game.
How RTP is Calculated
RTP is calculated as a percentage, and it’s based on the total amount of money bet on a game over time. For example, a game with an RTP of 96% means that, over many spins, the game will pay back 96% of all money wagered.
- Example 1: If you bet £100 on a game with an RTP of 96%, you can expect, over time, to get £96 back. The remaining £4 is kept by the casino.
- Example 2: If you bet £10,000 on a game with an RTP of 95%, the game will, on average, return £9,500, and the casino will keep £500.
It’s important to remember that RTP is an average over many spins. In a single session, you could win more or less than the RTP percentage suggests.
RTP Ranges
Not all slot games have the same RTP. Here’s how RTP ranges can affect your chances of winning:
- High RTP (96% or more)
Slots with a high RTP are usually better for players because they return more of the money bet. These games tend to pay back a higher percentage of your bets over time.
Examples of high RTP games:
- Blood Suckers – RTP: 98%
- Mega Joker – RTP: 99%
- Ugga Bugga – RTP: 99.07%
These slots give players a higher chance of winning over time.
- Low RTP (Below 95%)
Slots with a low RTP tend to give back less money over time. While these games may still be fun to play, they generally offer lower returns.
Examples of low RTP games:
- King of the Aztecs – RTP: 92.04%
- House of Fun – RTP: 91.2%
These games might have bigger jackpots or special features, but they give back less money in the long run.
RTP vs. Volatility
RTP and volatility are two important factors when choosing a slot.
- RTP tells you the percentage of money that will be returned to players over time.
- Volatility (or variance) tells you how often a game pays out and how big the payouts are.
- High Volatility: These games don’t pay out often, but when they do, the payouts can be large. High volatility games can have big jackpots, but they can also have long stretches without wins.
- Low Volatility: These games pay out smaller amounts more often. They are usually safer for players who prefer steady wins, but the payouts are generally smaller.
Example:
- A slot with high RTP and high volatility might give you small wins often, but the big wins can be rare and huge.
- A slot with high RTP and low volatility might give you steady, smaller wins, but the big payouts won’t be as frequent.
How to Find RTP Information
- Check Game Descriptions
Most online casinos and game developers will list the RTP in the game’s description. Look for a “paytable” or “info” button in the game to find the RTP. - Trusted Sources for RTP Data
There are websites that list RTP information for many popular slots. These sites can help you find out the RTP before you start playing. Some trusted sources include:
- CasinoGrounds
- BigWinBoard
- SlotCatalog
Summary
RTP is a key factor to consider when choosing a slot game. While it’s not the only thing that matters, knowing the RTP can help you make better decisions and understand how much a game might pay back over time. A higher RTP generally means better returns for players, so it’s a good idea to look for slots with a higher RTP if you want better chances in the long run.
