Calculating Your Casino RTP

Whatever casino game you enjoy, you should be aware of the game’s RTP %. Return to Player (RTP) is a percentage that plays an important part in the online gaming industry. To put it simply, it determines the likelihood of a person winning money in a game. This proportion is used to distinguish between lucrative and non-profitable games. Knowing what makes a winning combination allows you to play with confidence. It even increases your chances of winning and helps you budget well. Therefore, knowing the RTP of an online game will assist you in making educated decisions while gambling online. In this post, we’ll look at what an RTP is and how it affects a game’s profitability.

What is a Casino RTP?

To explain in more detail what Return to Player means, it is a calculated percentage that measures the winning history of players in a casino game. Many RTP slot players will refer to the RTP of games to determine whether they have a viable chance of winning there. By knowing the RTP percentage of a game, you can then leverage that factor against your betting habits. The RTP percentage of a casino game is an accurate measure of probability. That equalizes the advantage the house has against players to some extent. When playing online slot games, the game’s odds are invariably stacked against the players. This is why Return to Player percentage is important – it helps to equalize those odds.

How to Calculate Return to Player (RTP) Percentages

Return to Player is determined by dividing the amount repaid to players by the total number of bets made. For instance, if there is a game with an RTP of 97% – for every $100 wagered, the player will get 97% back. That means, on average, for every $100 you bet in a game, you would get around $97 back, while the online gambling casino keeps the remaining 3%. If you are wagering $100 per spin across thousands, and although your winnings may vary, the RTP is programmed in such a way that the house always wins in the end. Once again, RTP is the opposite of the house edge. Keep in mind that the house edge is the amount the casino makes with every dollar bet on average. Below is how you can calculate a game’s RTP percentage:

Casino RTP Calculation = The Amount Returned to Players / Amount of Money Bet by Players

Bear in mind that RTP does not include how big or often a player may win in a game. Take European Roulette, for instance. While the game has an overall RTP of 97.5%, which means the house will keep 2.5% of bets. However, you can still make profitable bets. For instance, if you choose to bet on red, you will have (roughly) a 50% likelihood of winning that bet. You could also double your winnings with that bet. Hence, although you could make a wager that would double your winnings, ultimately, it would not happen as often. The house always keeps 2.5% of every dollar gambled. It is the same case with poker. Some poker games may have a 99.5% RTP, but you can still win substantial jackpots. In contrast, you could easily fritter away with 5 pence bets, knowing you will not lose money in the immediate future.

Why Is RTP Higher in Online Casinos Than Land-Based Casinos?

It is worth noting that online casinos have higher RTPs compared to land-based casinos (from 80% to 90%). This is because they are not restricted by factors such as physical surroundings and the overheads land-based casinos tend to accrue. Another reason for online casinos to have higher RTPs than land-based casinos is that they want to attract as many customers as possible.

Why is RTP Not Available for Physical Slots?

Contrary to how most online slot games work, you cannot find the RTP percentage for physical slot machines just by googling. The main issue with physical casinos is that they lack uniform payback throughout every casino out there. Rather, software providers let casinos choose their RTPs based on a variety of options. Different casinos order games at varying types of payback options, e.g., 92.5%, 93.5%, 94.5%, etc. Providing numbers for slot games can be challenging, so a casino website would just choose a middle ground. However, this figure is only applicable to casinos that have chosen this amount. It will be irrelevant across other casinos choosing a different pay schedule. Many online slots providers differ from each other because they offer games at a more uniform RTP throughout every casino. For instance, Rival Gaming will offer Spy Game with an RTP of 95.1% at every casino it partners with. Note that there are still exceptions. RTG lets its casino clients choose between 91.5%, 95%, and 97.5% for a game. You cannot find definite RTP percentages for RTG games either, but you can still find out the payout percentage for many online slot games.

Is Casino RTP the Same as Hit Frequency?

As a gambler, you might have heard of hit frequency being similar to RTP. Therefore, you might get the impression that the two are the same. However, hit frequency and RTP are completely different. Hit frequency refers to the rate at which a slot machine will end up on a winning combo. Similar to how RTPs work, hit frequency also appears as a percentage. For instance, a slot machine may show a hit frequency of 8%. This means it lands on a winning combination 8% of the time.

So Why Calculate an RTP?

RTP percentages act as signposts for the best possible betting value for playing slots and other casino games. If you want to play games longer without risking your bankroll, choose low volatility games with moderate returns. Then, you will know you are edging closer to your bankroll objective every minute you play.