Return to Player, or RTP, is a term which is used in the world of slot machines. A very simple concept, it underpins how much a slots game can be expected to pay out over a period of time. Here, we will take a closer look at RTP, and how to find the games which offer the best RTP rates out there.
What is RTP?
Return to Player is used to refer to the amount of money that can be expected to be paid out from a slots game over a period of time. For example, if a game has an RTP rate of 90 per cent, then a player wagering £100 could expect to receive roughly £90 in return. RTP and house advantage are calculated to work out over the long-term, though, so it is unwise to expect at least a 90 per cent pay out every time you play on a game, for however long.
In simple terms, RTP is just the other side of the coin to the house always having an advantage. If a game has a 20 per cent house advantage, then its RTP is 80 per cent. The house will always have an advantage, in almost every form of gambling, but the RTP allows you to calculate just how much of an edge you are playing against.
Where to Find the Best RTP
An online casino will usually have a much better RTP rate than a real life casino, with many online slots games offering RTP rates as high as 96 or 97 per cent. This is due to online games having far fewer overheads, in terms of things like rent and staff wages, than their online equivalents.
RTP information can be found on the front of a gaming machine, if you are in a casino or similar venue, or in the information section of the online slot you’re playing. There is no reason to disbelieve the figure given, as it will have been independently verified and audited. Not sticking to published RTP rates, and being caught not doing so, would be a public relations disaster for the game developer and the casino involved, whether online or in the real world.
Things to Consider
Unfortunately, even with the best RTP available, the percentage payout is calculated over the long term. This means that playing in short sessions will not allow the full RTP rate to be paid out. That is not a recommendation to play for hours and hours at a time, but just a simple way to explain the mathematics of how RTP works.
Pay out percentages are calculated using millions of spins, not a few hundred, so how a game responds when you play it is really down to chance. RTP should be viewed as useful guide, rather than a dead certain way of predicting how much you will win. Overall, finding the game with the best RTP will obviously take some time, but is worth doing in the long run, so bear that in mind when you browse the great online slots with Lucky Nugget Casino.
