Written by Freya | Sep 10, 2024

The Casino's Secret Language: Decoding RTPs

96%. It's a number you've likely seen flashing on slot machines or lurking in the fine print of casino games. But what does it really mean for your wallet?

Return to Player (RTP) isn't just casino jargon – it's your key to smarter gambling. This seemingly innocuous percentage holds the power to transform your casino experience.

I'm here to pull back the curtain on RTPs. We'll dive into what they truly represent, busting myths and uncovering strategies along the way. You'll learn why that 99% RTP on Mega Joker matters, and how baccarat's sky-high 98.94% return might just make it your new favorite game.

Ready to speak the secret language of casinos? Let's decode RTPs and put the odds back in your favor.

What is RTP?

RTP or Return to Player is a value presented in percentage that reveals how much of your total bet will be returned to you over a long period of time. The higher the RTP, the higher the returned amount will be over a series of spins. Games with high RTPs will eventually return the corresponding percentage of a player's bet.

However, this can be mistaken as a certain percentage that reveals how much players will be rewarded for every game. RTPs are determined by gaming providers during their tests which involve conducting a million spins. It's not merely calculated over a hundred or thousands of spins and it most definitely does not indicate the reward you are guaranteed to win in a series of games.

Game volatility vs RTP

It's essential to understand that regardless of how high the RTP is, it doesn't affect how often you'll win in a round. To gauge a game's likelihood of paying out, focus on its volatility level rather than the RTP.

High volatility slots pay out less frequently but when they do, they grant huge rewards. On the other hand, low to medium volatility slots pay more frequently than high volatility slots but in smaller amounts.

Does RTP differ between demo and real games?

It's usual that players play a game's demo version first before playing with their real money. When you play slots for free, sometimes you trigger the feature in one spin or land a huge win even after just a few plays. Once you get a taste of victory in the demo mode, you'll be enticed to play for real. But when you start playing for real, you're frustrated that you're not landing any wins unlike the first few rounds of your demo game.

Is it possible that the RTPs in the free play version are higher compared to the RTP of the real game? Some say other game providers such as EGT give higher RTPs to demo versions to encourage players to play their games for real. After all, getting a taste of victory with no real payouts can only be as painful as losing.

However, game providers can't make alterations if there are casino regulations in place. Local gaming authorities or gambling commissions are responsible for ensuring that no tampering or foul play happens in casinos whether they are brick and mortar or online.

Regulations vary per place and while others may not tolerate manipulation of any kind, some like the Curacao e-Gaming Commision gives providers the liberty to do whatever they like as long as they are well within the bounds of law.

What does the RTP indicate?

The RTP assures players that the game they are playing will payout rewards regardless of wins and losses. So even if they encounter continuous losses, players know that it's not impossible to win.

Since developers test their games before they are made available to the public, you know that their games are proven to return a percentage of the total bets. Additionally, there are regulations imposed by commissions and regulating bodies to ensure that software providers offer fair games to the public.

Why is the RTP necessary?

It ensures the player that it's possible to win from the game. You may not encounter winning spins all the time but that doesn't mean that you'll always be on the losing side. The fact the RTP exists proves the slot has already been tried and tested to return a percentage of your wagers over a period of time.

Can RTP be manipulated?

No, it's impossible for the player to mess with a game's algorithm. Only the game developer has access to that and not even the casino can tamper with it.

To make sure that you're playing a fair game, you can check that it is provably fair. Independent labs and companies such as eCogra are official testing labs that prove a game's fairness. Additionally, you can also check the licenses your online casino has to ensure that you're playing in a site that abides by the rules.

Computing RTP in Different Games

While RTPs are usually attributed to slots, all casino games actually have RTPs. However, they are calculated in different ways. Slot games undergo a testing period before gaming providers determine their RTP. On the other hand, the RTP of table games such as baccarat and blackjack among others are determined based on the house edge.

RTP in slots

To get the RTP of a particular slot, the gaming provider runs a series of test spins that go over a million spins. Afterwards, the RTP is calculated by dividing the total winning amount by the total wagered amount and multiplying the outcome by 100%.

The formula looks like this: RTP = (total_player_wins / total_player_bets) x 100

Note that the values above are based on actual player wins and bets placed by players. These are not theoretical numbers you can input at random.

Contrary to popular belief, casinos are not the ones who determine the RTP of games they offer. These are completely out of their hands because only gaming providers can determine a game's RTP. Most slots have an average RTP of 96% and those that have an RTP higher than this are often referred to as "loose slots" because they reward more often. Conversely, slots with RTP of 92% and below are called "tight slots" because they are stingy with rewarding players.

RTP in non-strategy games

For games that do not require strategy aside from slot games, the formula is:

RTP ≈ 100% − house edge

These games include table games whose outcome rely solely on luck. Because every play differs from each other, the RTP is only an approximation of the actual return of the game. To determine a more "exact" number, the game has to be played a significant number of times first. The "exact" number does not specifically mean that you get an actual number of your returns but rather, the two sides of the equation draw closer to 1.

This number is called the game's theoretical RTP. For example, a roulette game has a house edge of 5.26% meaning its advantage over the player is that much. To get the theoretical RTP, you only need to calculate the following:

RTP ≈ 100% − 5.26% = 94.74%

This means your chances of winning a series of roulette games is 94.74%.

RTP vs house edge

To simplify things, RTP can also be understood as the player's advantage while house edge is the casino's advantage. As the name suggests, this is the percentage of the lead the house has over the player. The house edge can also be understood as the casino's profit since it pertains to the certain percentage of stakes the casino takes for themselves.

Debunking common RTP myths

There are a lot of myths surrounding RTP that are mostly brought by hopeful thinking. One of these is that the RTP translates to the payout frequency of the game. Because of the Random Number Generator or RNG, it's impossible to have the same results over and over again and in consecutive spins.

The RNG is responsible for generating every random outcome of a game. Remaining true to its design, the result of the RNG cannot be predicted, making it impossible for the RTP to determine the frequency of wins.

Another common misconception with RTPs is that it shows the percentage of assured wins you're going to receive back after playing a certain number of rounds. For example, if you place a bet worth €100 on a slot with an RTP of 97%, you're not going to win €97 back. No matter how high a slot's RTP is, it cannot guarantee that you will receive a specific reward.

However, a game with a higher RTP will win you more prizes than a slot game with a lower RTP. So while the RTP percentage cannot guarantee any prizes, it indicates your chances of winning if you look at it in a macro perspective.

Games with high RTPs

All games you can find in online casinos have their respective RTPs. You can find it either on the casino's game screen or on the gameplay rules inside the game itself. Here are some noteworthy games with high RTPs:

Mega Joker Slot

Of the numerous games NetEnt offers, Mega Joker is one with the highest RTPs. This classic slot will take you back in time with its spectacular graphics that resemble a brick and mortar casino. But most importantly, it has varying levels of RTPs depending on which bet level you play.

When you play with the highest possible wager, the RTP skyrockets to 99%. To make your gaming experience even better, the game adds a skill element in the form of the Supermeter where you can gamble your payouts for a chance of increasing their value even further.

NetEnt is undoubtedly one of the most notable gaming providers in the industry. Known for interactive games and highly entertaining feature slots, you can never go wrong with choosing a NetEnt game.

Baccarat

Out of all games in the casino, baccarat comes with the highest RTP. With a house edge that's as low as 1.06%, it has an RTP 98.94% following the theoretical RTP formula mentioned above. Playing baccarat is as simple as playing coin toss. All you need to do is guess which side will win and you will receive twice the amount of your bet. It's easy gameplay adds to the appeal brought by its high RTP.

All kinds of baccarat have the same house edge and RTP values so it doesn't matter which type you like playing. Whether you prefer playing live dealer baccarat or playing with an AI in video baccarat, the same values apply.

Bloodsuckers Slot

Another NetEnt slot, Bloodsuckers will please players whether you're interested in vampire-themed slots or not. With an RTP of 98%, you'd still experience an electrifying kind of thrill in every spin.

Unlike the classic Mega Joker slot mentioned above, Bloodsuckers is a video slot with 25 paylines scattered across 5 reels. It has low volatility so it frequently pays little winnings over a period of time.

RTP in a nutshell

While RTP can never guarantee a win, it offers a reliable indicator of how much a game might return over time. It's a vital part of understanding how online casino games are structured, ensuring fairness and transparency. When you approach the casino floor—or your favorite online platform—having a solid understanding of RTP can help you make more informed decisions, setting you up for a better, more enjoyable gaming experience.

Happy gaming, and remember, the fun is in the play!