What is RTP in Casino?

Written by Sophia Novakivska |
Reviewed by Mark Dash
September 26, 2024
2199 Views
What is RTP in Casino?

Within the gambling gaming world at gaming casinos, you will be hearing one term more often: RTP. Quite simply, this acronym stands for Return to Player. Return to Player, or more shortly RTP, depicts the general percentage of all wagers that any particular casino game will pay out to players over time. For example, if some kind of slot gaming has an RTP of 96%, then this would, in theory, means the game returns a payout of $96 for every $100 wagered. It is also worth noting the figures for RTP are long-term, calculated over millions of rounds, so individual sessions can differ quite far from that figure.

Importance of RTP

Understanding the RTP from any casino player’s perspective gives an idea of how big a win or loss is expected after some time. If you’re trying to maximize your win, then more favorable games must have a higher RTP. As regards RTP values, ranges from 92 percent up to 98 percent are quite common in most slot games. Online slots do usually give better returns compared to their land-based cousins. For example, widely popular Starburst and Mega Joker have pretty high RTPs and are at the top of the list for many experienced players.

But usability of RTP is in what sense as far as your day-to-day gaming is concerned. Suppose you are playing a game with 96% RTP. That doesn’t mean that whenever you stake $100, you are sure to get $96 back. The RTP is actually the average over many millions of spins or hands. In the short term, you either hit it big or walk away with nothing. Understanding RTP is important because that allows players to approach gaming in casinos with a realistic point of view.

If you want a more in-depth view of what RTP is and how it plays into gaming, then check out this in-depth guide about RTP in gambling.

How Different Games Use RTP

The RTP differs depending on the casino game type. Slots are, for instance, among the most variable casino games by RTP. You’ll find many between 92-98%, but some outliers go all the way down to 80% and up as high as 99%. Online slots are usually higher in terms of RTP, and figures that are closer or even higher than their physical counterparts are mainly due to the much lower overheads within an online casino space that can afford to be more generous in its payouts.

Speaking about table games, the RTPs are rather high. For instance, blackjack has its RTP over 99% and seems to be one of the most player-friendly games on condition of optimal strategy. Then, European roulette has an RTP of 97.3%, while the RTP of American roulette sheds to 94.74% because of a double-zero pocket on its wheel. This discrepancy in RTP makes European roulette an incomparably better choice when it comes to players who seek maximum returns.

Other table games, like baccarat and poker, also boast competitive returns to players. Using baccarat to illustrate, the RTP for the banker bet would be around 98.94%, making this another wager that gives high returns for players. Poker games do not conventionally involve a normal RTP, as players usually face off against other players rather than against the house. Skilled poker players do have positive returns quite routinely.

To read further about RTP in different games, it is recommended to take a look at this guide on the mechanics of RTP if one wants more on the subject.

RTP and Volatility: What’s the difference?

While RTP can be expected to give the long-term average payout, it does not take into consideration volatility, equally important in shaping the player’s experience. Volatility in this text relates to the frequency and size of the payouts involved in a game. Ratio-wise, highly volatile games offer fewer payouts, but when they do, the wins tend to be much bigger. On the other side are low-volatility games, offering smaller but more frequent payouts.

Even if a game has a high volatility, the general rhythm of your session will be dictated by the level of dispersion. By way of example, a high RTP game that comes with high volatility may provide you with very long periods without a win and then give you a big one. A low volatility game with the exact same RTP can give you more frequency with smaller wins.

Both RTP and volatility are essential in deciding which game will suit your playing style, and for that matter, your bankroll. If you want more playing time with frequent payouts, then low volatility games would be more up your alley. If it’s that big jackpot you’re after, willing to put up with a few dry spells here and there, then it is now time to take high volatility games.

RTP in Online Casinos vs. Land Based Casinos

Another big advantage of online casinos is that they have a decidedly higher average RTP than online casinos do. For one thing, physical casinos have a great deal more overhead-software ranges from the upkeep of the building to employee salaries-which tends to make the RTPs decidedly lower. Online casinos cost much less to run and are thus in a position where they can afford to give more player-friendly payouts.

For instance, most online slot games boast RTPs upwards of 96%, while the very same slot machines at land casinos might only offer 85% to 90%. This is one of the reasons why more and more players are gravitating toward using the online platform more often. If you wish to try some online high-RTP games, the New Zealand online casinos list will help you select reputable casinos with the best returns.

How RTP Can Help You Strategize

Knowing the RTP of a particular game will thus enable players to make informed decisions as to where they want to spend their time and money. Indeed, one bankroll will be stretched further and will last longer when the player is focusing on higher-odds-of-winning slot games. In balancing strategy, however, one must also take into consideration the volatility of such a game. A high RTP will not mean frequent wins, especially in cases where such games have high volatility.

While RTP is definitely one of the major factors to consider when picking games, this should be part of your overall strategy. Bankroll management-which goes along with understanding volatility and knowing when to fold ’em-is probably just as important.

Closing Remarks

Understanding RTP is important for making informed choices both in online and land-based casinos. Also, while it doesn’t guarantee success or predict individual outcomes, it gives some sense with regard to the long-term potential return of different games. For those who want to play smarter, it’s always best to verify the RTP and weigh it up against other factors, including game volatility, personal preference, and entertainment value.

Edward Howarth

Senior Casino Reviewer 20 years experience With 20-plus years on the casino front line, Edward Howarth blends deep operational insight with academic rigour. After serving as VIP Manager for a multinational casino group, the University of Waikato Social Sciences alumnus turned his focus to player-behaviour research, online wagering and safer-gambling programmes. Edward also holds an ICA Anti-Money-Laundering Diploma (2021) and completed eCOGRA’s Responsible Gambling & Fair Gaming training in 2018. About Edward Howarth | Twitter | AskGamblers Expert on: online casinos responsible gambling gambling fair gaming

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