What is RTP: A Guide to Return to Player in Gambling

RTP is one of the most critical terms that casino players need to understand. In this guide, we will explain what RTP is, how to calculate it, how it manifests in different casino games, and where you can find the games with the highest RTP. Keep reading to learn how RTP affects game fairness and why it’s a number you should always consider with great care.

What is RTP and How Does it Work?

RTP stands for “Return to Player” and is the percentage of the wagers a game pays back to the players in the long run. Each game’s RTP is calculated based on a sample of millions of hands or spins, and it demonstrates the average percentage players can expect to get back from a game.

For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, you can expect to get $0.95 back for every $1 you bet over the long run. It is very important to understand that the RTP can’t help you predict the outcome of any single session. If you play 10 hands of Blackjack, you may end up winning or losing any number of them. The theoretical RTP number will only materialize after many repetitions.

RPT in a Nutshell:

• RTP (Return to Player) is the long-term percentage you can expect the game to return.
• RTP is based on the results of millions of repetitions, but can vary greatly from session to session.
• Each game has a different RTP rate, making it important to familiarize yourself with the details before choosing which game to play. 
• Playing high RTP games will decrease your long-term casino losses and increase the chances of winning each time you play.

RTP vs House Edge: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The term “house edge” represents the exact opposite of RTP. While RTP represents the percentage of all bets that are returned to the players, the house edge represents the percentage of all bets that the house wins. For example, in European Roulette, the RTP stands at 97.3%, and the house edge is 2.7%. The two numbers add up to 100%, with players getting 97.3% back, and the casino keeping 2.7% over the long run.

Which Casino Games have the Best RTP?

Different casino games have different RTP percentages. You can expect the highest RTP in video poker games and card games like blackjack, while games like slots and keno usually have lower RTPs.

It is worth noting that the RTP is not static in all games. For example, the RTP in blackjack or video poker can change significantly based on your strategy. If you play optimally, you may get an RTP of 99.5% or higher in such games.

On the other hand, games like roulette, slots, or bingo are strictly luck-based. The RTP in these games does not change regardless of what approach you take or what bets you make. This is why savvy gamblers often prefer games like blackjack over roulette, craps, or slots.

In the table below, we compare the RTP percentages and house edge of the most popular gambling games, as well as the impact of skill on the final numbers:

RTP vs. Volatility, Variance & RNG: What is the Difference?

RTP connects to a few other concepts that shape how slots work. Electronic casino games use RNGs (random number generators). An RNG is a computer system that produces a completely random result on every spin. Each outcome is independent. The overall math of the game is what makes the published RTP appear over a very large number of spins rather than in a single session.

Volatility and variance describe the short-term behaviour of a slot. Low-volatility games award many small wins. High-volatility games award fewer wins but with larger potential prizes. In most casino guides, volatility and variance are used in the same way, so you can think of them as describing how steady or swingy a game feels.

RTP Tiers in Slot Games

When it comes to playing slot games, the RTP can vary widely from one game to the next. Some slots have a very low RTP, while others come close to video poker games. The difference in RTP often relates to how old the games are, who their makers are, and where they are usually found. 

Generally speaking, we can split slots into the following categories:

Online vs. Physical Slots RTPs

In most cases, online slots feature a much higher average RTP than live casino slots. While an average online slot has an RTP of 95 – 98%, most live slots are in the 85 – 92% range. The reasons seem quite obvious, as live casinos cost more to run, have limited space, and have to provide actual machines for players to play on.

The advantage for online casino operators like CoinPoker is the ability to offer all games on a single platform, with fewer staff and lower overhead costs. This allows us to offer transparent and fair games with high RTPs and a low house edge. Combined with cost-efficient crypto transactions, we can provide the best-paying games in the industry and even add plenty of extra value through bonuses and promotions.

How to Find RTP in Online and Physical Slot Machines

If you want to know the RTP of a particular slot machine, there are a few ways to find out. These differ greatly between online and physical slot machines. 

When it comes to online slots, most modern games display their RTP in the help or paytable section of the game. You may have to scroll through a few pages of information, but the RTP will usually be included. Alternatively, you can find each game’s RTP on its developer’s website. 

When it comes to physical slots, getting your hands on the information may be a bit more difficult. In some jurisdictions, casinos are obligated to display each machine’s RTP on a sticker, which has to be stuck on the machine. In other places, you may have to ask the casino staff or look at the casino regulator’s reports to ascertain the machine’s RTP. The RTP of live slot machines can vary quite a bit from one casino to the next, and especially from one legal jurisdiction to another.

How to Use RTP to Play Online Casino Games

Now that you know what RTP is, let’s talk briefly about how you can use it to give yourself an advantage when gambling.

Common Myths about RTP

Terms like RTP and house edge often create misconceptions among the players. Here are a few common myths about RTP that many players believe, but simply aren’t true:

• High RTP Guarantees Profit: Playing a game with a high RTP makes each spin more profitable, but does not guarantee profit in the short or long term.
• RTP Changes by Time of Day: Contrary to popular belief, casinos don’t pay more depending on how busy they are. Busy periods tend to produce more winners, simply as a result of more people playing at the same time.
• Casinos Change RTP Remotely: Casinos rarely change the RTP of deployed games. When such a change is made, it must be implemented in a regulated manner and clearly displayed.
• Casinos Can Set Any RTP They Want: In most cases, casinos can choose only from a few versions of a slot game made available by the software developer. In online casinos, the exact RTP of the version available will be displayed in the help pages.
• The Displayed RTP is False: The RTP percentages displayed at licensed casinos are always correct. However, remember that the game’s RTP has very little direct correlation with the outcome of any short gameplay session.

Play High RTP Games Online at CoinPoker

You now understand what RTP means for casino games, how to recognize games with a high RTP, and what to look out for in terms of volatility. At CoinPoker, you can try some of our highest RTP slot games, or hit the tables and apply actual strategy to get the best RTP rates in games like Blackjack or video poker.

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