Have you ever checked and reviewed a casino game before you wager real money? No, we're not just talking about the theme and bonuses available in online slots or the applicable side bets and potential jackpots in card games like blackjack and baccarat. We're referring to the math of the games, the software and technology that generate potentially rewarding yet fair and random outcomes.
Behind each game is its math that guarantees fair outcomes, the basis of the paytable, and several other terms that game studios use to design truly unique casino games.
One such term that you'll encounter when reviewing is the Return to Player or RTP percentage. The RTP is a term used by operators and software vendors to describe the percentage of the total money wagered is paid back to players as winnings over time. It's a different concept from volatility or variance, another crucial detail in each game that describes the frequency and relative amounts of payouts players may earn.
So, how important is the RTP, and how should it affect your game choices?
Revisiting the RTP (Return to Player) percentage
The game's RTP percentage is a theoretical number describing how much the casino or a game pays back to bettors over time. It's expressed as a percentage and calculated from gameplay over time. For example, Netent's Starburst has an average RTP of 96.1%. This means that this popular slot machine pays back 96.1% of all money wagered in the form of winnings. So, if the total wagered amount over time reaches $100, $96.10 is paid to players in winnings. The RTP is the opposite of the house edge or the casino's mathematical advantage over time.
Traditionally, these are the common RTPs for the most popular casino games you can play right now:
- Online Slots - 93-99 percent
- European Roulette - 97.3 percent
- American Roulette - 94.7 percent
In other casino games, computing for the RTP can be challenging as it depends on the player's specific strategies. For example, in blackjack, you can use several strategies which bring down the house edge. Also, blackjack's RTP and house edge may vary depending on the number of decks used or the rules followed. For example, a 3 to 2 natural blackjack payout lowers the house edge by 1.39%, and a single-deck blackjack reduces the house advantage by 0.47% compared to blackjack with six decks. So, with a solid strategy, players can lower the RTP, but sloppy play can also increase the casino's house edge.
Why is the RTP important?
The RTP is crucial game information you shouldn't miss out on when playing casino games, especially online slots. You can use it when comparing and choosing which games to play. Here's the general rule when looking at the RTP of online slots: the higher the RTP, the better it is, as it offers plenty of ways to win.
On average, slot machines feature RTPs that range from 93 to 99%, with many popular titles boasting an RTP of 95 to 97%. Of course, you'll want to pick slot machines with an RTP close to 99%.
Before you play, check out the game's paytable or review the game information from the publisher. The RTP is one of the crucial game data included in game pages, together with the volatility, hit rate, and max payout.
Or, you can regularly check out our blog as we continuously review some of the best online slots to play at Pasino.com. Currently, some of the best slot machines you can play at Pasino are 888 Dragons by Pragmatic Play, with an RTP of 96.84%, Money Train by IG Tech, with 96.2%, and Lava Gold slot by Betsoft, with an RTP of 96.02%!
