The most popular casino games today are slot machines and slots. Online casino customers, apart from these high rollers, focus even more on online slot games, the number 1, than on poker or baccarat. Every player has their own preferences and rules as to why this particular slot machine is chosen. In addition to impulsive and emotional decisions, many players base their slot selections on mathematical and statistical principles. The RTP or “Return to Player” value is the decisive factor, as it reflects the chances of winning. Of course we all want to play slots with high odds! Specifically, there are two key pieces of information that you can take from the RTP:
The house edge of the slot machine The statistical payout ratio Simply put, RTP stands for “Return to Player Percentage”, which indicates what proportion of the stake is returned as winnings. The amount is calculated as a ratio or percentage. The RTP indicates how likely it is and how high the chance is that you will get your stake and winnings back. You can use this value to identify the slots in terms of the probability of payouts.
In mathematical terms, RTP is the ratio of the total wins achieved in the slot to the total stakes placed. The calculation is identical for almost all slot types, from the oldest to the newest. However, this is a theoretical concept that has no direct influence on your personal game result. It is also calculated over a longer period of time in the game, not just for a single game or round. If the RTP percentage of the game is 95%, then for every euro you stake, you have a 95-cent chance of winning and a 5-cent chance of losing.
How important is the RTP? How important is the chance of winning big at the casino?
It is one of the decisive factors that many players look at when choosing online slots. It helps to determine whether the game is profitable or not. Generally speaking, slots with higher odds of winning offer players a better chance of receiving a payout. You will always find the percentage RTP value in our tests and reviews of slot games.
What you ultimately do with it is of course up to you. From a common sense point of view, we should all factor a good chance of winning into the decision-making process. In the long run, of course, a high payout comes into play. For those who don’t want to think about months or years in the online casino, the RTP remains a theoretical value.
It is also a personal decision because the RTP value depends on the structure of the game and the conditions and specifications of the respective slots. Slot machines with easier-to-understand game rules have a greater scope for winning and the RTP value increases. So if you choose your slot on the basis of logical considerations, you should not only ask about the percentage, but also read the small print in the slot information carefully.
Only in this way can you actually find out whether one slot is superior to the other in terms of payout in the long term. If necessary, you can also play a few rounds in the free version – that’s always fine. Only when you are sure that you have found and understood your slot should you play for money.
How is the RTP, the odds of winning, calculated?
It’s simple, taking into account a few benchmarks, such as the average number of bets, the average winnings and payouts in the game, as well as the free spins, bonus and winning combinations available to a player. The RTP is usually calculated from the results of all games played by different players together. The time period is also confusing.
The data collected usually shows a minimum period of one month and a maximum period of one year. Occasionally, the entire duration of the slot is also used. In other words, from the publication of the slot to the publication of the data. Over the years, they are then gradually adjusted. However, this rarely happens. If everything is done properly and the complicated details are omitted, the following simple formula is used to calculate the RTP:
Total winnings of all players on all slots multiplied by the total stake on all slots and all players, multiplied by 100. The time period is the basis of the figures and is therefore not taken into account in the formula.
To illustrate this with a simple example: If all players bet 100,000 euros on a particular slot in one month and the winnings totaled 96,820 euros, the RTP is 96.82%.
RTP and the house edge The house edge represents the advantage that the casino has over the player. Because casinos have to generate higher revenues than expenses (winnings, employee salaries, business expenses), every game in a casino – whether online or on site – has a house edge. The house edge is a measure you can use to evaluate all types of gambling, not just slot machines.
The house edge therefore also represents the chance of winning in the casino. The house edge is calculated by subtracting 100% from the RTP. With an RTP of 96%, the house edge of the slot is 4%. Put simply, this is the percentage that indicates how likely it is that you will lose in a game. The higher the percentage, the less favorable the odds. It is the exact opposite of the RTP.
As with any game, there is also a value for the house edge of an entire casino. However, these are only theoretical calculations.
RTP slot tips – gambling with the best chances of winning
Slots that offer you a fair chance of winning should have an RTP value of at least over 95%. The more you play the slots, the closer your actual winnings will be to the statistical value. The RTP value helps you to choose the right type of slot over longer periods of time.
Games with a high RTP or low house edge are the better choice for beginners. Without extensive knowledge, you cannot make a mistake, at least in theory. At the beginning of your gambling career, it is advisable to rely on statistical values rather than your intuition.
The volatility of a slot also plays a role here. Volatility determines whether you rarely achieve large winnings or frequently reap small winnings. The RTP is high for slots with low volatility, while it is relatively low for slots with high volatility.
Only in online casinos can you find RTPs of values from the 90s. In station pubs or arcades, the RTP can be as high as 65%. This is for the same reasons that online retailing is cheaper than the business in the pedestrian zone. The costs for operators are reduced as operating costs and rents are eliminated.
Familiarize yourself with the rules of the slot game. You can find the RTP value in the payout tables or in the rules of the slot on the casino website. Before starting the game, you can check the paytable or the game rules to get an idea of the RTP.
RTP for progressive jackpot slots – online casino slots with high chances of winning?
The RTP of progressive jackpot slots is complex as it depends on whether you can get to the actual jackpot game. However, the RTP of these slots includes the total value including the bonus game. For this reason, these slots should be used with great caution, especially by career changers and beginners. The RTP for the base game is well below average compared to other slots.
The main reason why players opt for progressive slots is the risky game for the jackpot. However, it can be riskier for beginners to play progressive slots as the probability of losing is significantly higher. There is a high risk of suffering a total loss from the slot. Always remember how many players have to lose in order to reach the millions of progressive jackpots.
