Online casinos offer something for everyone, no matter what kind of game, theme or entertainment you’re looking for.
It can be an overwhelming experience for beginners experiencing the thrill of online casinos for the first time. The flashing lights, the enticing jackpots on offer, there’s a lot to take in. However, anyone delving into the world of online casinos for the first time should make themselves aware of the return to player (RTP) metric.
It might seem like complex mathematics at play, but RTP has a very real effect on how games are played, and crucially, how much you can win.
What is RTP?
Return to player is the term used in online casinos to describe the percentage of money that a game is expected to pay back to players over a period of time.
Some slot games can have an RTP as high as 98%. Quite simply, this means that for every $100 wagered, the slot is expected to pay out $98 in winnings. These aren’t bad odds at all.
However, when it comes to RTP, the game is not just looking at you. RTP is calculated over millions of spins for slots. It does not mean that if you wager your $100 that you’re guaranteed $98 back in one session. RTP is a long-term calculation, and although it gives players an insight into how much a game will payout, it’s never a guarantee of a win.
How RTP is calculated
It’s a very simple calculation to work out RTP despite it factors in thousands or more gameplays and sessions over a period of time.
Although the 98% figure given above is what one slot provider might pay out, the reality is that the calculation involves much more than one $100 wager. Normally, an RTP will be calculated across millions of spins. If $1m is wagered across those spins, then 98% would result in $980k of that being returned to players. The missing $20,000 is known as the house edge and is what keeps casinos in business.
However, it is important to remember that RTP is not a fixed number. The game developers decide what the RTP will be, and this will vary between different casinos and slot games. Higher RTPs are often used to attract more players to a game in the hope of a better chance of success.
Why beginners should pay attention to RTP
Flashy graphics, headline-grabbing jackpots and attractive themes might be enough to tempt newcomers to the world of online casinos, but ignoring RTP can be a very costly mistake.
Soldiering on without considering RTP in the games being played can result in a much shorter and less rewarding gaming experience.
By educating themselves about RTP, beginners can make more informed decisions about which games to play and where to spend their money. Higher RTP games theoretically offer better value, which can lead to more enjoyment when playing, but understanding RTP can also help players avoid games with far lower returns that do little other than eat into their budget.
How RTP works across different games
How much RTP impacts a game varies greatly depending on its type. Online slots can offer wildly different RTPs between games, with some offering progressive jackpots dipping down to 85% RTP. Slots offering smaller but steadier wins can offer RTPs of around 99%, meaning longer playing time for less money.
Evolution Gaming’s Crazy Time has caught on like wildfire in the online casino world and offers varied RTPs from 94.41% to 96.08%. Similar to roulette, players wager on which segment a wheel will land on, with the segments offering different prizes. There are online guides for the best Crazy Time strategy, which allows beginners to get a better understanding of the game itself and the best ways to win.
Classic casino table games offer more consistent RTPs. Blackjack’s RTP can exceed 99.5%, but that’s when players are using the optimal strategy for the game, so that figure is likely to be lower for beginners. For those who prefer traditional roulette rather than exploring its Crazy Time cousin, be mindful that European roulette offers a higher RTP than American roulette due to the absence of the double zero on the wheel.
How to find RTP information
The RTP of any game should be indicated in the game’s paytable or its information section. Reputable platforms want to publicize this information to players in the interests of transparency. These casinos want players to know all the information upfront so they can make informed decisions about their gaming.
The game description or technical details section on a casino’s website might also hold the RTP information of all games, letting you compare games.
If a casino doesn’t detail the RTP of each of its games, then the best advice is to ditch that casino and find one that does. Any lack of transparency from a platform could indicate more serious issues, and it’s best to spend your money elsewhere.
More to games than RTP
RTP is no doubt a valuable indicator of how a game might perform, but it’s not the whole story. Volatility, game mechanics and player decisions can influence results, leading to two players playing the same game and having wildly different results.
High volatility games might offer the same RTP as lower volatility titles but offer far fewer payouts. Games of skill, such as blackjack and poker, can lead to more experienced and knowledgeable players exceeding the given RTP, but it would be very rare for a beginner to achieve those results. It’s the same idea if you’re a player new to PS5 games compared to those who have been playing these titles since they were released.
Final thoughts
Like so many other aspects of online gaming, RTP should be understood and considered by players. It can be crucial in choosing what games to select, and how it could affect your win ratio in the long term if you stick with a particular game.
Whether you prefer the regular returns of a higher RTP game or the bigger risk that comes with the excitement of a possible big win on a lower RTP game, understanding what it means puts you in the driver’s seat and in control of your gaming.
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