The RTP in casino games stands for Return to Player, and is a percentage that indicates the payouts a player can expect to get their hands on. The RTP is something that every player should know about and take note of, as it tells you how high your chances are of winning.
It must be remembered however that the RTP is a theoretical percentage that has been calculated by the game’s developer over a period of time. The developer determines how regularly the game pays out for every $100 bet, and the RTP is calculated taking all wins over a set time into account. An average percentage is then determined and this becomes the RTP.
It must be remembered that the RTP does not indicate that you will win the exact percentage indicated. If the RTP is 97% don’t expect to win $97 of every $100 that you bet. This percentage has been worked out theoretically, and there are always other factors that can affect your wins.
Obviously the higher the RTP is, the more rewarding the game, and as RTP measures probability it also is similar to the house edge. Players know what the house advantage is if they look at the RTP, and can work out how likely they are to win.
RTP in Slots
While all casino games technically have an RTP, they are most commonly listed for slots. In fact, many players check the RTP of a slot they are interested in before they do anything else. The average RTP in online slots sits at between 95 and 97%, with a few games even exceeding this by a few points of a percentage.
Some real money slots also have variable RTP’s that depend on what bonus features are activated, or if different modes of play are engaged. These variable RTP’s will be clearly displayed, usually in the game’s paytable, and players often have a choice of how they want to spin the reels to ensure they get the maximum possible rewards.
In online slots with progressive jackpots you may well find the RTP is a bit lower than in those with fixed jackpots. This is due to the fact that the progressive jackpots pay out far less frequently, but this is what makes the games all the more exciting. There is the chance of becoming an instant millionaire, so a lower RTP is par for the course.
Game Considerations
Other casino games like Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Video Poker also have RTP’s that differ depending on the variant played, but these are far less scrutinised. In these games players tend to focus on the house edge, as this is more commonplace for this type of gambling.
However, before you play any casino game it is suggested that you see if you can find the RTP. If a game has a particularly low RTP you’ll know that it has a very high house edge, and that you will be taking a big risk. That being said, gambling is all about risk and reward, and often the risk pays off!