What is RTP? A visual guide to Return to Player percentages, casino payouts, slot games, and how RTP works.
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The Return to Player (RTP) rate tells you how much you can expect back from a casino game if your luck is average. Sticking to high RTP slots and table games can improve your theoretical returns at a crypto casino.
We’ve explained what RTP means in casino games and how to find the RTP on a game you’re interested in. You’ll also discover which games have the best RTP percentages and which games to avoid.
What Does RTP Mean in Casino Games?
The RTP tells you the percentage of your money that you’ll get back from a casino game if you have average luck. For example, let’s say a slot has a 96.24% RTP. That means the average player can expect to get $96.24 back for every $100 wagered on that game.
Of course, every spin is completely random. That means some players will enjoy a winning session, and others will endure a losing session. However, choosing a game with a high RTP rate will theoretically improve your chances of a winning session.
How is RTP Calculated?
RTP is calculated differently depending on the type of game. For table games like roulette and baccarat, the RTP is a direct product of the rules.
For example, a European roulette wheel has 37 pockets, and you’ll get paid out at 35:1 on a winning number. That results in an RTP of 97.3%. American roulette adds a second zero, which drops the RTP to 94.74%. Nobody sets this figure. It’s simply a result of the math.
Slots are different. The software provider sets a target and then designs the game’s math model – symbol weightings, paytable values, and bonus frequency – to achieve that RTP. The figure is then verified by running millions of simulated spins before the game is released.
In both cases, RTP describes the long-term average. Individual sessions are often completely different.
It’s also worth noting that independent auditors test online slots and table games to confirm the RTP figures are accurate. If you stick to games from large studios like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, BGaming, and Hacksaw Gaming, you can rely on their games to be certified for fairness and accuracy by top auditors like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and BMM Testlabs.
RTP vs. House Edge
The RTP indicates the house edge for any casino game. You simply need to subtract the number from 100 to calculate the casino’s edge.
For example, if a game has a 95.78% RTP, the house edge is 4.22%. If a game has a 99.51% RTP, the house edge is just 0.49%.
Every casino game has a house edge. That allows the casino to pay its overheads and operate a viable business. However, you can improve your expected return by choosing a game with a low house edge.
It’s also worth noting that the RTP – and by extension, the house edge – can vary depending on which bet you place when playing certain games. For example, a pass line bet has a 1.41% house edge when you play craps, whereas an Any 7 bet has a 16.67% house edge.
RTP and Volatility: What’s the Difference?
RTP and volatility are often confused, but they refer to two distinct features. The RTP tells you how much you can expect back with average luck, whereas volatility tells you how often you’re likely to win and how large those wins will be.
For example, online slots fall into three broad categories:
Low volatility: These games tend to deliver small, frequent wins.
Medium volatility: Slots with relatively frequent wins and reasonably large jackpots.
High volatility: These games tend to provide large, infrequent payouts.
If you’re patient and you like chasing big jackpots, you might enjoy volatile slots. On the other hand, low-volatility slots may appeal if you like grinding out lots of small wins.
You’ll find low-, medium-, and high-volatility slots with the same RTP. Here’s an example:
Babushkas by Thunderkick is a low-volatility slot. The max win is 390x.
Turning Totems has a medium volatility rate and a 998x max win.
Pink Elephants is a highly volatile slot with a max win of 8,200x your bet.
The RTP rate on all three games is 96.14%. Over the long term, you can expect to get $96.14 back for every $100 wagered if your luck is average. However, you’ll get to that figure in completely different ways when playing each game.
RTP by Game Type
We’ve explored the RTP rates of some of the most popular casino games. Table games tend to have higher RTP percentages than slots, but you’ll find high-RTP slots at the best crypto casinos.
Slots
Most online slots have an RTP of 94% to 96.5%. You’ll find some slots with lower RTP rates, but there are also plenty of slots with very strong RTP figures. Here are some of the best options to look out for:
Goblin’s Cave by Playtech (99.32%)
Ugga Bugga by Playtech (99.07%)
Book of 99 by Relax Gaming (99%)
Mega Joker by NetEnt (99%)
Ooh Aah Dracula by Barcrest (99%)
Jackpot 6000 by NetEnt (98.86%)
1429 Uncharted Seas by Thunderkick (98.6%)
Moonstone by Smartsoft (98.5%)
Blackjack
Blackjack typically has an RTP of around 99.5%, but only if you know when to hit, stand, split cards, and double down. It’s also important to choose a game with player-friendly rules, as that will increase the RTP. For example, if you’re allowed to double down on any two cards, it can increase the RTP by around 0.25%.
Single-deck blackjack games tend to have better RTP rates than classic blackjack. One game, Single Deck Desperado Blackjack, has a 99.96% RTP.
Roulette
The roulette RTP depends on the roulette variant you play:
European roulette: The wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 0-36. Each pocket pays 35:1, while outside bets like red/black and odd/even pay 1:1, but they lose if the ball lands on zero. That results in a 97.3% RTP.
French roulette: These games feature one of two rules: la partage (a 50% rebate if the ball lands on zero) or en prison (if the ball lands on zero, your stake goes in prison, and you can win it back on the following spin). Either rule cuts the house edge in half, increasing the RTP to 98.65%.
American roulette: This game features an additional pocket – the double zero. That increases the house edge, reducing the RTP to 94.74%.
Baccarat
The RTP on baccarat depends on which bet you place: 98.94% on the banker, 98.76% on the player, and 85.64% on the tie. It’s best to stick to the banker bet, as that has the lowest house edge. Also, avoid side bets, as they typically have low RTPs.
Video Poker
Lots of video poker games have an RTP of more than 99%. However, you only benefit from that high RTP if you know which cards to keep and which to discard when building your hand. The best online casinos let you practice for free in demo mode, and you can then switch to real money play when you’ve mastered the perfect strategy.
Crypto Games
Crypto games like Plinko, Dice, Crash, and Mines often have an RTP of 99%. The RTP will vary by provider, but games from BGaming and Stake Originals tend to have an RTP of 99%.
How to Find a Casino Game’s RTP
There are a few different ways to find a casino game’s RTP:
Arrange by RTP. Some crypto casinos let you arrange their slots and table games by RTP. You can then quickly see which games have the highest RTP.
Check the game rules. Open the game and select the information icon, the hamburger menu, or the question mark icon. You can then browse the game rules; the RTP is usually listed near the bottom of the document.
Visit the provider’s website. Search for the game on the software provider’s site. For example, NetEnt and BGaming clearly display the RTP on all of their games. Just bear in mind that these rates can vary from one casino to the next, so if you want to find a slot’s RTP, it’s best to source that information from the casino.
Why RTP Matters When Choosing a Casino Game
You’ll unlock several benefits by choosing casino games with high RTP rates. For example, a slot with a 98% RTP will stretch your bankroll further over time than a slot at 94%.
It’s also sensible to play high-RTP games when clearing the wagering requirements on casino bonuses. You’ll stand a much better chance of clearing the requirements if you play baccarat or French roulette instead of American roulette.
Searching for RTP rates can also help you choose a reliable casino. The best crypto casinos display the RTP figures clearly. They host games from certified providers and don’t quietly run reduced-RTP versions of popular slots. If a casino makes it hard for you to figure out what the RTP is on each game, it should set alarm bells ringing.
Conclusion
Now that you know what RTP is and where to find it, you can make smarter decisions about which games to play. Choose online slots with RTP above 96.5%, but also consider volatility when selecting a game.
If you prefer table games, the best options include single-deck blackjack, baccarat, and French roulette. Crypto games like Plinko and Dice often have high RTPs and simple rules. Just check the game rules to confirm the RTP before playing, as rates can vary across casinos.
FAQ
What is a good RTP for slots?
A good RTP for an online slot is 96.5% or higher. The average online slot has an RTP of around 96%, but some have much higher theoretical payout rates. High RTP slots include Ugga Bugga (99.07%), Book of 99 (99%), and 1429 Uncharted Seas (98.6%).
Does a higher RTP mean I’ll win more often?
No, a higher RTP rate doesn’t mean you’ll win more often. You can check out the game’s volatility to determine how often you’re likely to win rather than the RTP. Low volatility games tend to deliver small, frequent wins, whereas highly volatile games typically provide large, infrequent wins.
Is RTP the same at every casino?
No, you’ll sometimes find that the same game has a different RTP at two casinos. Certain software providers let online casinos choose their preferred RTP. For example, Book of Dead by Play’n GO has a standard 96.21% RTP, but it is just 94.25% or 91.97% at some casinos. Open the game rules to check the RTP before playing.
What is the difference between RTP and hit frequency?
RTP tells you how much you’d expect back if your luck is average, whereas hit frequency tells you how often you’re likely to win. A game with a low hit frequency will normally deliver larger payouts than a game with a high hit rate, although that’s not always the case.
Do crypto casinos have higher RTPs?
Crypto casinos often host games with higher RTP rates than standard online casinos. You’ll normally find crypto games like Plinko, Crash, and Dice, which can have RTPs of up to 99%. They often host high RTP slots like Book of 99 too. It’s also worth noting that crypto casinos generally have much larger libraries, so you’re more likely to find high RTP slots and table games if you dig around.
Which casino games have low RTPs?
Progressive jackpot slots tend to have the lowest RTPs. For example, the RTP on Mega Moolah is just 88.12%, as a slice of every bet feeds the jackpot pool. The tie bet in baccarat (85.64%), craps bets like Any 7 (83.33%) and Big 6 (90.91%), and American roulette (94.74%) also offer poor value. Finally, watch out for reduced-RTP versions of popular slots, which some casinos run quietly.
Who checks that RTP figures are accurate?
Independent testing labs such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI audit casino games to confirm their RTP figures are accurate. These auditors test millions of simulated spins to verify the game pays out as advertised. Reputable casinos display certification from these labs, so it’s worth checking for their logos before you play.
What is RTP? A visual guide to Return to Player percentages, casino payouts, slot games, and how RTP works.
Martin Green is an experienced writer who has covered online sports betting and casino gaming since 2011. His work has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Miami Herald, Detroit Free Press, Kansas City Star, The Independent, and The Sun. He holds a BA in English Literature, an MA in Creative Writing, and postgraduate journalism qualifications. Martin edited trade magazines before becoming a specialist crypto gambling writer. He primarily focuses on in-depth reviews and guides, but he is also a professional soccer handicapper for CBS.
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