When you start playing at an online casino, there’s a good chance you’ll come across the term ‘Return to Player percentage’, or RTP. There’s also a chance you’ll hear that higher RTP games are generally considered safer options than lower RTP games, because of their more consistent outcomes, which aligns with responsible gambling practices. But, ‘what exactly is RTP?’ we hear you cry. Here we take a look what RTP is, and some common misconceptions about casino payout rates to help you make smarter choices when playing your favourite games.
RTP In a Nutshell: Why It Matters
RTP refers to the amount that any given game is likely to return to players (in winnings) expressed as a percentage. Think of it as the amount a game is expected to pay back to you over the long run. Depending on the game, this could play out over millions of spins for slots or millions of online roulette or blackjack rounds.
Let’s put this into layman’s terms. If a casino game has an RTP of 96% (the industry average), that means for every $100 wagered by all players, not just you, the game will pay back $96. The catch lies in the fact that this amount is repaid over a lengthy, undisclosed period. You might win more; you could win less. Many players make the mistake of thinking that RTP refers to their chances of winning during individual gaming sessions – but this is something that casinos often don’t mention. Let’s unpack this a bit.
What Online Casinos Don’t Always Tell You About RTP
Apart from the above, there a few other aspects of RTP that casinos don’t generally disclose.
- RTP is an average, not a guarantee
As mentioned above, the RTP percentage of any game is calculated over the course of millions of game rounds. This means that, from session to session, your payouts may fluctuate dramatically, and not reflect the game’s stated RTP. So, don’t assume that a high RTP guarantees a high payout every time.
- The impact of bonus features and mechanics
Some games appeal to players because of their high RTP, but features like Bonus Buys can skew the gaming experience. The difference can be put down to what we call theoretical RTP and actual RTP. These special in-game features can actually lower the base RTP as they require real-money buy-in, so it’s important to take this into account.
- The role of volatility in casino games
When considering games to play at an online casino, volatility can also impact your gameplay, regardless of the RTP. While RTP impacts the percentage one can expect to win over time, volatility refers to the frequency of potential wins. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking high volatility means high RTP. In fact, some games with a high RTP may have a very low volatility, and vice versa.
The Importance of RTP in Your Gameplay Strategy
While it’s important that you don’t see RTP as a crystal ball that can predict the outcome of a game, it’s certainly a useful tool and metric for understanding the payout potential of a game. The fact remains that high RTP games offer a better chance of success than those with a lower RTP, however it’s impossible to know whether the high payout rate will benefit you directly.
If you’re looking to take advantage of high-paying games, some examples include online slots like Mega Joker (99%) and Blood Suckers (98%) both developed by NetEnt. In terms of table games, online blackjack is your best option, with an RTP as high as 99.5%.
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