You’ve heard of RTP and high RTP slots, but what exactly does it mean? This blog looks into the terminology and what it means for you as an online casino player.
RTP is an acronym for ‘return to player’ and every single online slot game has a return to player percentage. This will be visible for you to see in the game information sections. The RTP of a slot can result in completely different game-play, so it’s important to understand before you make your choice.
What is Return to Player?
The return to player percentage (RTP) is how much of overall wagering on a particular slot gets given back to the players. Most online slots range anywhere between 95% and 99%, however, there are a few that fall below that. It’s important to remember that a 98% RTP doesn’t mean that you as an individual is going to get £98 of your £100 back. The calculation is on cumulative wagering for all players on that slot, and the percentage that all players will win back.
For example, for £100,000 staked, the slot would return £98,000 back to its players, but you as an individual could have an RTP of 0% from that slot. But, you could win plenty and have an RTP of much higher than 99%.
Slots With a High RTP
A slot game with a high RTP would seem like the obvious choice, as you’re likely to win more frequently. There’s no set formula to casino games, and they’re all based on random number generators. That said, statistically, a higher RTP means a higher chance of winning.
We’ve compiled a list of the highest RTP slots on the web right now:
| Slot | RTP | Software |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Joker | 99% | NetEnt |
| Ugga Bugga | 99% | Playtech |
| Alchemist’s Lab | 97% | Playtech |
| Zombies | 97% | NetEnt |
| Couch Potato | 97% | Microgaming |
What’s Variance in Slots?
As well as RTP, another thing to consider is the variance of a slot. There are two slot variances, high and low. Another word for this is volatility. The volatility of a slot completely changes the gameplay, and so players have their preferences. These are the key differences between high and low variance:
| High Variance | Low Variance |
|---|---|
| Less frequent wins but bigger wins when they do happen | More frequent wins but much smaller amounts |
| High risk and high reward | Lower risks with smaller rewards |
| RTP can vary greatly | Play lasts longer |
It’s worth noting that there is technically a ‘medium’ variance variety of slot. Although they will almost ways fall into the higher or lower category. This is the same for online slots, and land-based, such as slots in Vegas.
Interactive v Classic Slots
More and more new slots launching have many bonus rounds as well as in-game mini bonuses such as a character waking up and giving the reels a boost. This can be great fun and adds an extra layer of excitement to your game.
On the other hand, there are also classic 3-reel slot machines with no frills that replicate a fruit machine in a pub. These suit the more seasoned casino player who doesn’t need the song and dance of a video slot. Think Vegas slot machines with the pull-down handle and you’ll know what we mean.
We personally enjoy the extra bonuses up for grabs in more interactive slots, but we appreciate why it’s not for everyone. The good thing is that most online casinos will offer a variety of both. The style of game does not dictate the return to player percentage, so one isn’t necessarily higher than the other. You can find classic slots with a higher RTP than the newest versions, and vice versa.
