What is RTP in slots? Quick facts
Before we dive into this topic that is part of
crypto gambling, here are some quick facts that will give you a full overview of why RTP is such an important concept when you are playing online slots:
- Return to player is the average percentage of your outlay that you can expect to receive back when you play a slot game over a long period.
- RTP is always expressed as a percentage. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95% and you wager $1,000, you should expect to receive back an average of $950. In other words, $1000 divided by 100 and multiplied by 95.
- RTP is calculated by the game developer after completing millions of spins on the game.
- The higher the RTP, the more you can expect to receive back (on average) when you play.
- RTP is always less than a hundred percent, and the difference between the RTP and 100% is known as the house edge.
- House edge is the casino’s profit margin. So if a slot has an RTP of 95%, the casino's profit margin on the game is 5%.
- Every slot game at
trustworthy crypto casinos
and other online casinos clearly displays its RTP percentage.
How to view the RTP of an online slot
If you’ve read our article on
provably fair in crypto gambling, you will know that it is essential for crypto casinos and real money online casinos to provide a fair and unbiased experience for all players. As part of this, all online slots at legitimate online casinos allow you to view the RTP of the game. In most cases, you can do this on an in-game information page (usually accessed via a small encircled ‘i’ symbol). However, you may sometimes see the RTP displayed on the main game screen or even on the supporting information on the launch screen. If you are unable to locate the RTP of a slot, you should contact the casino’s customer support for assistance.
It is also important to note that live dealer games and
crypto casinos' original games
will usually display a house edge rather than an RTP. Whilst this is essentially the same information in a different way, you may find that the RTP can vary depending on the specific strategy that you deploy.
The link between RTP and volatility
Whilst RTP is a fundamentally important metric when you are assessing online slots, it does not give you a cast-iron guarantee of your returns. You also need to take into account a game’s volatility before deciding whether it is right for you.
So,
what does volatility mean in slots? Answer: It gives you an indication of the size and frequency of your payouts over the long term. Low volatility slots are likely to track closely to their RTP. As such, they will give you regular small wins.
In contrast, high volatility slots are far more erratic, so your returns can be wildly different from the RTP. This means that whilst you do have the opportunity of landing the occasional very big win, you are also likely to go through long losing streaks. By assessing both the RTP and volatility of an online slot, you can get a solid overview of the game’s overall quality.
Low RTP vs high RTP: Pros and cons
Now that you know what RTP is, let’s take a look at the main differences between games with high RTPs and those with low RTPs.
| Low RTP slots |
High RTP slots |
| Any slot with an RTP of 95% or less is considered to have a low RTP. |
Any online slot with an RTP of 96% or more is considered to have a high RTP. |
Final thoughts - Always check out the RTP before playing a slot game
The RTP of any slot game says a lot about whether it is worth trying out in the long run or not. To sum it up, the higher the return to player of a slot is, the more likely you are to make a long-term profit. This is why you can count on experts to guide you in checking out the RTP of the game before you even play it. With our expert reviews, you’re bound to find a lot of RTP percentages available on the site you’re playing at.
That being said, it’s a notable practice to consider checking out the RTP before you start so you can make the most of your experience. After all, not every player has the time to enjoy each game and try out their chances.
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What is RTP in slots? FAQs
🎰 What is RTP?
RTP stands for Return To Player. It is a percentage figure that tells you your average returns if you play an online slot game.
👁️🗨️ Where can I view the RTP of a slot?
You should be able to find the RTP of a slot on the game’s information page.
📊 Should I play games with an RTP of 95%?
95% is generally considered to be an average RTP. Ideally, you should look to play online slots with an RTP of at least 96% as this will give you a higher chance of success.
