Online casinos have become a widely popular form of digital entertainment. The bright colors, engaging sounds, and captivating themes of online slots make them a go-to choice for many players. It is enough to keep someone busy for hours on end hoping for a huge win.
What most players don’t realize going in is that there is a value to be calculated on each machine. Known as “return to player,” or RTP for short, this is one of the most important factors when choosing a slot game to play. Read on to find out more about RTP and why it is so important when determining which online slots are worth playing.
What is RTP?
In the simplest terms, RTP is used to describe the percentage of winnings that a slot machine or casino game will pay back over time. Basically, it’s how much a player can expect to get back from playing that game long term. It’s also why so many players look for the highest RTP slots out there.
Though it is important to remember that online gaming is meant to be fun, it is also important to get back as much as you can. By choosing higher RTP slots, it is more likely that smaller wins will keep you sustained and mitigate losses over a long period of gaming time.
RTP vs. Hit Frequency
When it comes to online slots, hit frequency is another important metric. You may not be able to find the hit frequency with most online slots, but it can be easy to calculate. Simply divide the total number of winning combinations on the slot by the total number of outcomes. Basically, it means how often a player will hit one of the winning combinations.
For a slot that has a 96% RTP, the house edge is then 4%. If you spend $100, you will on average get $96 of it back while the casino takes the other $4. If you have a slot that has 10 winning combos and 3,125 ways to win, the hit frequency would be 0.32%. The higher the frequency, the more often you can expect to win on that slot.
Value of High RTP
Choosing an online slot with a high RTP is critical for players. This provides a better idea of what the potential wins (or losses) could be over a certain period of time. This information is critical when it comes to bankroll management, an important part of playing online casino games.
More importantly, it helps players remain selective about what games to play. Games that have a higher RTP percentage come with a bigger chance of winning. It also means having more time to play, and online casino games are a form of entertainment. Getting the most out of your entertainment dollar is important, especially in something that is designed to try to take your money over time.
RNGs and Their Impact on RTP
The final factor to consider as it relates to RTP is the random number generator (RTG). Every gaming website with games of chance use RTGs in order to provide completely fair, random results. These are an essential part of any online casino and are often mandated by law.
Regardless of the RTP percentage of a particular game, there is some reassurance of fairness thanks to the RNG. Casinos are legally prohibited from altering the RNG or impacting it any way. That is a good thing to know as a player and at least provides a chance at a potential win without interference from the gaming site.
