RTP stands for "Return to Player." It’s the percentage of all wagered money a slot machine is expected to pay back to players over time.

RTP is crucial in choosing casino games, especially those entirely dependent on luck, like slot machines. While RTP is a theoretical average of a specific slot payout over a long time, it is a valuable metric for choosing the game with the best possible odds of winning.

In this article, I’ll explain RTP, why it matters, and how you can use it to your advantage.

RTP Made Simple

RTP, or Return to Player, is a theoretical average that tells you how much a casino game will pay back to players over time. It is a percentage and calculated based on so many rounds of play.

Regarding slot machines, the RTP percentage shows the amount a given slot is designed to pay out to players over millions of spins. That is why it is an average number rather than an exact prediction.  For example, if a slot has an RTP of 98%, it means that, on average, for every $100 wagered, the game will pay out $98 in winnings, and the remaining $2 is kept by the house as its commission, profit, or, as we know it, edge.

In short, RTP helps you understand how likely you are to win over an extended period of play. But remember, it’s just a theoretical average and does not guarantee wins in individual sessions.

Why is RTP Important for Slot Players?

Understanding RTP is as essential as learning to play slots, as it helps you make informed decisions when choosing a game. 

Here is a breakdown of the most important benefits of using RTP while choosing your game to play:

1. Choosing the Right Slot Game

While slot machines depend on RNGs to determine the outcome of every spin, making them quite random, you can still improve your chances of winning by looking at the machine's RTP percentage. By looking at this number, you can identify which slots offer the best return to the player. Slots with a higher RTP (say 96% or more) are generally more favorable than those with a lower RTP (like 85% to 90%). In other words, 

2. Understanding the Slot Machine Payouts

RTP helps you understand how much a slot machine is designed to pay out over the long run. In other words, slots with high RTPs are more likely to return more money over time, while those with lower RTPs will keep more money wagered.

3. Bankroll Management

Knowing the RTP of a slot game is a crucial step in effective bankroll management. If you prefer games with a higher RTP, you may be able to stretch your playing time and reduce the risk of depleting your balance quickly. Understanding RTP allows you to set realistic expectations for how long you can play and how much you might win (or lose).

4. Improving Winning Strategies

Regardless of the types of machines, slots are ultimately games of chance. Still, understanding RTP percentage is crucial for winning slots by choosing the right strategy and making sound decisions. While you can’t directly influence the RTP of a game, knowing how it works can guide you in choosing games that offer better returns over time.

How Does RTP Work in Online Slots?

Essentially, the concept of RTP remains the same regardless of the types of slots.

This means RTP in online slots works the same way as in traditional slot machines and other casino games, but with the added benefit of being more transparent. Top online casinos and game developers assign the RTP% for each slot machine in the game info. Here is a wrap-up of how RTP works in online video slots:

RTP is calculated based on the theoretical long-term payout over millions of spins, not just one session. This means the RTP listed for the video slot does not reflect the amount of money you would win during a single session.

A slot’s payout percentage represents the amount paid out versus the amount wagered. A higher RTP promises more payouts over the long term, while a lower RTP suggests that the casino or house has an advantage in the game.

RTP is not the only factor to consider regarding online and video slots. A slot's volatility, or variance, also plays a significant role in the outcome of your bets, and I will be discussing it further in the next section.

RTP vs. Volatility: What’s the Difference?

While RTP is important, understanding volatility is equally crucial when selecting a player-friendly slot machine. Let’s break it down and see how the two factors are related:

RTP is the percentage indicating how much a slot is likely to return to players over the long term. Higher RTP slots are generally more player-friendly.

Volatility refers to the size and frequency of payouts. A slot with low volatility gives frequent, smaller payouts, while a high volatility slot promises larger but less frequent wins.

For instance, the popular Return of the Dead slot game has an RTP of 96.71% and is a high-volatility video slot. You can expect less frequent but bigger payouts while playing this historical-themed slot machine. On the other hand, a game with the same RTP but low volatility might give you frequent small wins. 

So, a change in volatility will not affect the RTP percentage, and it remains constant for a given machine.

The House Edge vs. RTP

The house edge, or casino advantage, is essentially the opposite of RTP. If a slot has an RTP of 97%, the house edge is 3%. The house edge reflects the casino's statistical advantage over players, an inherent characteristic of all casino games. Simply put, it’s how much the casino expects to keep from your total wagers. 

Why Is the House Edge Important?

The house edge can have a significant impact on your overall gaming experience. Selecting slots with a lower house edge (higher RTP) improves your chances of winning over time. The house edge might seem small but adds up during an extended play.

Best RTP Slots To Play

As a rule, you should always choose the slot machine with the highest RTP. Still, selecting the slot to play is more of a personal preference. 

That said, here are the 5 best video slots with the highest RTP% to play today:

Gates of Olympus

RTP: 96.50%

Volatility: High

Min Bet: $0.20

Hot Triple Sevens

RTP: 96,10%

Volatility: Medium-High

Min Bet: $0.10

Vegas Nights

RTP: 96.03%

Volatility: High

Min Bet: $0.25

Dazzle Me Megaways

RTP: 96.1%

Volatility: Medium

Min Bet: $0.20

Sweet Bonanza

RTP: 96.49%

Volatility: High

Min Bet: $0.20

Tips for Maximizing Winnings with High RTP Slots

As mentioned above, playing high RTP slot machines is the best way to improve your chances of winning. While no strategy can guarantee a win, slots with a higher RTP have a lower house advantage, making them more player-friendly.

Here are some proven tips for maximizing winnings with high RTP slots:

Choose Slots with RTP Above 95%.

High RTP doesn’t always mean high payouts. So, you should balance RTP with volatility. Also, factor in your risk tolerance. If you prefer frequent smaller wins, look for low volatility games with higher RTP%. High volatility slots with a solid RTP of 96 and more may be your go-to if you can tolerate risk for bigger payouts.

Many high RTP slots come with exciting bonus rounds, free spins, or other features that can boost your chances of winning. So, besides RTP and variance, always check the paytable and game info and look for special features. 

Manage your bankroll effectively. Even when playing high RTP slots, proper bankroll management is key. Set limits on how much you're willing to wager and stick to them. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose. 

Final Thoughts

I explained what RTP is and how you can use it to choose the best game. By choosing high RTP% slots, effectively managing your bankroll, and factoring in volatility, you can improve your chances of winning while minimizing risk. Remember that RTP is a long-term theoretical average, and individual outcomes can dramatically vary depending on the game. However, by using RTP as one of your primary tools, you'll make more informed decisions and improve your overall slot game strategy.

Now that you understand the importance of RTP in slots, choose the best RTP slots to maximize your online gambling experience.

FAQ

How to Find RTP for Slot Machines?

Check the game info section or read slot reviews to find each video slot's RTP%, variance, paylines, and max wins. 

Does a higher RTP guarantee a win?

No. RTP is a theoretical average of a slot payout over the long term, and it does not guarantee a win in any individual session. 

How is RTP calculated?

RTP is calculated by dividing the total amount of money won by players by the total amount wagered over many spins.

What does the RTP of a slot machine represent?

The RTP represents the theoretical percentage of total wagered money a slot machine will pay back to players over time.