When you’re at your favourite online casino, browsing through the game options, you’ve probably come across the term RTP. But what does it actually mean and how can it benefit you as a player in the long run?
RTP, or Return To Player to give it its full title, basically relates to how much money you can expect to get back from the casino on a particular game. Each online casino game will have an RTP and each one will be different. But to put it simply, it tells you what the potential payout will be.
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If you understand RTP you’re basically giving yourself a leg up, getting a step closer to understanding how the game works and once you know this, you can make better gambling choices and choose games that have the best chances of a payout.
Learning all about RTP is useful because it will add lots of value to your casino game playing experience. Once you’ve got to grips with its meaning and how it works, you can do some research and pick games that offer better odds of winning. It’s a savvy approach to increase your enjoyment and potentially boost your winnings while having a great time at the casino.
How Is RTP Calculated?
You might think that working out how to make the calculation would be difficult but actually, it’s pretty simple. To do it you need to know the total amount of money placed as bets and the total amount of money received as winnings from those bets.
Here’s how the calculation works.
(Total Amount Returned to Players / Total Amount Wagered) x 100
To make it clearer, let’s go through an example together.
Total Amount Wagered
Total Amount Returned to Players
RTP Calculation
RTP Percentage
€50,000
€47,500
(€47,500 / €50,000) x 100 = 0.95 x 100
95%
In this example, the RTP of the game is 95%. So on average, players can expect to get back 95% of their wagers over a certain period of time.
It’s important to remember that RTP calculations are based on probability and they are here to give you an idea of what the payouts on games ‘might’ be. They are not set in stone but they can help you estimate your potential winnings and help you make informed decisions.
To determine the RTP, computer algorithms simulate numerous rounds of a game within a short period of time. However, keep in mind that short-term outcomes can vary because casino games are designed to be random. So, while RTP provides a useful indicator, please remember that your personal results may differ due to the inherent unpredictability of the games.
More detail can go into calculating RTP for dealer casino games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, video poker and craps. The reason for this is RTP for these games will depend on things such as betting strategies and betting amounts.
To provide you with an overview, here are the approximate RTP percentages for some popular casino games.
Game
RTP Percentage Range
Online Slot Games
93% – 99%
European Roulette
97.30%
American Roulette
94.74%
Classic Blackjack
99.40%
What Is A Normal RTP
When considering normal RTP, there is no one size fits all answer. RTP is different for each game although you can look at RTP values for game categories to set yourself reasonable expectations.
Let’s explore the general guidelines for common types of casino games.
Slot Machines
It is important to understand that when it comes to slot games found at online casinos, the typical TRP values will range anywhere from 93% up to 99%. All the games are different so remember to check the RTP before you decide to play because the higher the RTP, the greater the chance of a return on your money. Knowing the RTP of a slot game can make a big difference to your winnings in the long run so understanding them is important.
Table Games
You will find that popular table games such as Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat will most of the time have higher RTPs in comparison to slot games. Table game RTP are very often higher than 95% and at times can even reach 99%. It is important to understand the elements that can affect the RTP for these games as each game has a different set of rules and even within the same games, you will find that variations of poker for example, will have different RTP. All of these factors should be considered when choosing a table game based on RTP.
Video Poker
If you play video poker on a regular basis, you will already know that this game type is known for its generous RTP rates and it is not uncommon for them to have a higher RTP than lots of other casino games. You will find the more common video poker games found at online casinos will have an RTP of at least 95%
It’s important for us to mention at this point that any RTP % mentioned here, are only general examples and to check the actual RTP of casino games, you will need to read up on each one. Every casino and every game is different, so the RTP values will change.
It is also important to know that the RTP value is theoretical and it is calculated over a long period using a large number of bets placed. So if you play a game for a brief time then the RTP value offered for that game might not be correct.
Top 5 Tips For RTP On Slots And Casinos
1
Check the game’s RTP percentage by reading the info related to the game. Mostly, the RTP is easy to find but in some cases, you might have to go digging.
2
Consider the RTP value and understand what your potential return rate will be.
3
Don’t just settle on one game. Hunt around and find those with the best RTP.
4
Always look for new games, especially when it comes to slots and also check out live casino games too.
5
Remember to play within your budget limits and place bets responsibly.
How Do You Find RTP For Slots?
If you want to know what the RTP percentage is for a game then you will need to know where to find it. It’s not always clearly marked but there are a few different places where it can be found.
Game Information
When you find a game you want to play, reading the game description is a good place to start when looking for the RTP rate. It is usually clearly presented there, making it easy for players to make a decision.
Game Developers
If you can’t find the RTP in the game description then you can head to the website of the software provider that makes the game. Providers like NetEnt, Microgaming or Playtech usually list this information.
Slot Reviews and Forums
There are many online forums and casino game review sites that list this information. You can do a Google search and easily find the RTP of most games you are thinking of playing. When googling, however, remember to only take information from reputable sources and make sure what you are reading is current and up to date.
Whilst we’ve mentioned already that RTP can be different from game to game, especially when it comes to slot machines. Games that are found at multiple online casinos can also have different RTP percentages. It all depends on the casino you are visiting and also the game developer, so please keep this in mind.
RTP For Roulette Games
European Roulette
European roulette is often a preferred choice by players due to its better RTP percentages compared to other variants such as American roulette. In European roulette, which has a single zero pocket, the house edge is approximately 2.7% for most bets. This means that on average, the casino can expect to retain 2.7% of the total amount wagered by players in the long run. The RTP for European roulette is 97.30%.
American Roulette
American roulette has both a single zero and a double zero pocket, which increases the house edge to around 5.26% for most bets. The additional double zero pocket gives the casino a higher advantage, resulting in a lower RTP of 94.74%.
French Roulette
French roulette, often considered the most player-friendly variant, offers the highest RTP among the three main variants. With a single zero pocket and additional rules like “En Prison” and “La Partage,” French roulette has an RTP of 98.65%.
As mentioned above, the is a house edge when playing roulette and this is the percentage the casino gets to keep. It’s typically only a small amount and to calculate the RTP for a roulette game, all you have to do is take away the house edge from 100. So if the house edge was 2% then the RTP for that roulette game would be 98%
Let’s also remember that although the concept of roulette is simple and straightforward, there are lots of different elements that make the game. For instance, roulette is made up of several different bets and they all have their own odds. So whilst understanding the RTP of roulette is important, it also pays to understand how the game works and the many elements that make up roulette.
FAQ on RTP
Q: What is RTP?
A: RTP stands for Return to Player. RTP is the amount of wagered money a game is expected to pay back to players over a set period of time.
Q: How is RTP calculated?
A: The formula for calculating RTP is: RTP = (Total Amount Returned to Players / Total Amount Wagered) x 100
Q: What does an RTP percentage mean?
A: An RTP percentage is the theoretical payout, displayed as a percentage, for a specific online casino game. For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, on average, players can expect to receive €95 for every €100 they bet on that particular game.
Q: How can RTP be used to make informed decisions?
A: if you know the RTP of a game and you understand what it means, then you can use it to budget your casino game playing. Knowing how RTP is valuable knowledge when it comes to choosing the right casino games for you.
Q: Is RTP the only factor to consider when playing casino games?
A: No, it’s not the only thing you should consider but it definitely helps. Odds, luck, budget and personal preferences all also play a part in choosing the casino games you want to play.
Q: What is a normal RTP?
A: Whilst there isn’t a standard RTP across the board, there is a range that the majority of casino games for into. That range is around 93% to 99%. Table games like blackjack, roulette and baccarat often have higher RTPs that are higher than 95% and sometimes close to 99%. Video poker games are probably the casino game with the best RTP as it is more often than not 99% or higher.
Q: How can I find the RTP of a slot machine?
A: Look inside the game’s description and you will usually find it there. This information is usually very easy to find and if you dip deeper and head to the game developer’s website, you will find the RTP information there also.
Q: How can understanding roulette odds help to become a better player?
A: It’s important to understand the odds when playing roulette so you make better decisions taking into account your betting limits. If you understand the odds, you know what your potential wins and losses will be and your overall roulette playing experience will be improved.
