How does RTP work for online slots?
Online casinos’ most popular games are typically slot machines, but not all slots are created equal whether online or in-person, and knowledgeable player are often looking for online slots with high RTP rates. But how does RTP work in online slots, what does it mean, and why is it so important for bettors looking to find the best slot games to play?
On this page, we will answer all these questions and suggest some casinos that offer games with favorable RTP rates.
What does RTP mean in slots?
First things first, let’s break down exactly what RTP means in the world of online slots. It is “return to player”, a percentage between 1 and 100 that signifies the house edge when you play a game. In simple terms, the closer to 100 you get, the more chance you have to win in the long-run. For example, a slot with an RTP of 96% will return $96 for every $100 that’s been wagered, on average.
RTP is calculated and verified over millions of hypothetical spins and it includes the reel layout, features and gameplay elements as considerations. Still, the random number generator (RNG) element means that each spin is randomly generated, so the RTP percentage itself really comes into play over extended play sessions.
We suggest that you use RTP as a guide rather than a guarantee of wins — aim to play slots with RTP of at least 96%, and these are widely available from multiple reputable studios such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Play’n GO.
How does RTP work in slots
A slot’s RTP is independently verified by respected bodies before a game goes live, with bodies such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs among the most well-known. This is crucial as it means that you as a player can trust the number that is being claimed by the provider is accurate.
RTP itself is based on the mathematical design of the game itself — including bonus rounds such as free spins — rather than indicating what will definitely happen in a single spin session. This is crucial to understand so that you are aware that each spin is random. Even a game with a 99% RTP, for example, will not definitely mean you win — it just means that there is a good chance that you will see healthy returns on the game over an extended period of time. Put simply, higher RTP = lower house edge, but wins are never guaranteed.
Variable return to player
When choosing to play a slot for real money at a Bitcoin casino, it is important to clarify which version of the slot you are loading up. It is very common for RTP platforms to offer multiple versions of the same slot; you may see one with 96% RTP and another with substantially lower, such as 89%, for example. Again, this does not guarantee you will lose, but it can affect your bankroll over time. You will always be able to verify the RTP version in the game information.
What is considered a good RTP for a slot game?
Generally, players seek online slots with an RTP rate of 96% or higher. This is considered a high RTP, with some going up to 99% or more. An RTP of 95% or less is considered low.
Interestingly enough, even online slots with a low RTP can still be lucrative and worth playing if a slot has high volatility. This means that even if the returns are not as high, players can win more often, and this trade-off is typical. Slots with the highest RTP rates may not have the greatest potential payouts, while slots with lower RTP numbers may have the potential to offer huge wins to players willing to try their luck.
What’s the best RTP slot online?
While the measure of best is subjective, one popular example of an online slot with a high RTP is Blood Suckers, a Dracula-inspired slot that has all of the iconic movie vampires like Count Orlok and Nosferatu. It’s an old-school style slot machine but it has plenty of fun elements available to bettors. One bonus game has players open coffins until they reveal a cash prize, all in the name of slaying a dreaded vampire. There’s also a Free Spins bonus round that increases the number of scatter symbols available, triples big wins, and leads to larger jackpots. This online slot has a high RTP of 98%, meaning that even over time, players are statistically likely to win back 98% of what they bet.
Another online slot with a high RTP is Mega Joker, a slot of a very different kind. This online slot has an incredibly high RTP of 99%, as well as a progressive jackpot mechanic. Basically, 3% of each bet that players make over time contributes to a massive jackpot amount that can be won by a one lucky player. There’s also a super meter mode that features higher payouts. Despite Mega Joker having so many interesting features, the slot style is of the classic variety, featuring the classic fruit machine design of yore.
Slot RTP and volatility
To understand how RTP works in slots, it is also useful to know its relationship with the game’s volatility. Also known as variance, this is a metric that indicates the type of gameplay experience you can expect. Again, it refers to the model of the slot from the developer, with high volatility the most common — this refers to a slot that is designed to reward wins more rarely, but when they do land they are likely to be substantial. Low variance does the opposite (frequent and small), with medium a combination of the two for a more balanced experience.
Together, RTP and volatility are the two most reliable factors to determine the gameplay a slot will provide, so keep both in mind and consider the type of experience that you enjoy as well as your bankroll.
Should you play high or low RTP online slots?
Players can use RTP to determine which online slot they want to play, but whether they should play high or low RTP slots online will come down to personal preference and risk appetite. While high RTPs are the often most popular choice for gamblers because they can feel more reliable over time, there are multiple factors to consider.
Players with more patience may want to choose high RTP slots because they can perform better over a greater number of spins. On the other hand, lower RTP games often have greater risk and volatility, which can lead to bigger wins. Players just have to choose the style that’s right for them.
RTP gambling: use it as a guide
To summarize how RTP works in slots, we have established that every slot at a legit online casino will have a number attached to it, with 96% the average to expect. Anything above this is recommended and can be considered an enhanced RTP slot. Still, it is crucial to approach the RTP number with caution — it is effectively a hypothetical number that only really takes effect over longer periods of time and does not necessarily reflect what will take place in an individual game.
So, we suggest that you use this information as a useful guide, but always stick strictly to your budget and never keep playing because you think that the game will owe you a win eventually — that is not how it works.
Below are some popular casinos that each provide popular slots of varying RTP rates, including plenty above the 96% average.
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
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