GuidesEverything you need to know about RTP in slots
RTP, a household term in online gaming, is an abbreviation for return-to -player. This term or value describes the amount a slot game pays back to players over a given number of spins. Most casinos have this value expressed as a percentage. Understanding what return-to-player values are in top slots games could help players maximize their potential winnings.
The difference between RTP and variance
Many players usually mistake the return-to-player for the variance of slots. That is primarily because of how closely related the two concepts are. However, there is a significant fundamental difference between the two terms.
Variance actually refers to how the RTP is realized. For example, a slots game with lower variance means that players will get hits more frequently. However, the win amounts will be relatively lower. That allows players to enjoy more games even with limited funds.
Slots with higher variance usually run for longer before players can get a hit. They typically have their RTP in bonus features, which can mean massive hits in most cases. That means that a slots game having high return-to-player value may not necessarily be friendly to a player's bankroll.
Fair payouts and randomness of winning
Return-to-player and variance are theoretic metrics, which are based on hundreds of thousands or millions of spins. That means that there is no way of using them to calculate winning chances at any given time.
Random number generators usually determine the outcomes of online slots. That helps to ensure the results are unbiased and fair for all players. Each spin is independent and is not connected to the spins of other players or previous spins in any way.
Return-to-player for progressive online slots
RTP can be divided into two different types for jackpot slots or progressive slot games. The first revolves around the payback for the base game, which pays players for landing various winning combinations. The other RTP part is for the jackpot payout, paid out only by hitting the jackpot.
Unfortunately, the nature of the jackpot, regarding the amount, makes getting a jackpot hit quite rare. Thus, only a few lucky players get the jackpot payback part.
The standard values for slot games
There is no particular law regarding the return-to-player value that slots should have. However, the industry dynamics have made most slots operate with an average RTP of 96%. In addition, most online casinos usually set their RTP based on the outcome of simulations. For example, a casino can simulate a billion outcomes and calculate the RTP based on those results.
The law comes in on the licensing part. The regulating authority must audit and ascertain that the RTP announced is correct before awarding an operating license. Some gambling regulating authorities go the extra mile of monitoring the actual RTP over time.
A slots game RTP can change
Some online casinos can change their slots' return-to-player percentage. Such platforms usually certify their games at various RTP levels, which allows them to make adjustments. The provider can also make choices that affect the RTP, such as mode and character selections. Other factors that can affect return-to-player values include bet size and selected pay lines.