Key Takeaways
- Return-to-player (RTP) percentage is a crucial factor to consider when selecting slot titles
- Slots come in low, average, and high RTP
- Players prefer slots with higher returns
- In addition to RTP, you need to check volatility and personal play style before choosing a slot.
Introduction to RTP (Return to Player)
A slot game’s return-to-player (RTP) percentage is a crucial factor to consider before choosing it for gameplay. For new gamblers, this simply means the theoretical percentage indicating a slot’s long-term payout.
With this feature, you estimate how much to win back over time. Note that RTP doesn’t guarantee outcomes for individual sessions. It’s usually calculated over 100, 1,000, or 1 million spins. For context, a slot with a 98% return-to-player likely returns $98 for a $100 wagered over time.
Note that a game’s RTP is only calculated over a series of spins. Slots with higher return-to-player percentages are usually more sought after than others.
How RTP Works in Online Slots
Return-to-player is the amount a slot pays back to the player over a specific number of spins. RTP is calculated based on several factors, like millions of spins. For context, a slot with 96% RTP returns $96 for a $100 stake over time.
Also, game outcomes are random and vary widely in short-term play. Although some people think online casinos manipulate RTPs, that’s not true, as they don’t have a direct influence on this feature.
Game providers set RTPs for online slot games and they often come as low, average, or high. Experts consider slots with 90% to 93% RTP as low. As expected, average return-to-player games are titles with 94% to 96%.
97+ RTP is high, and that’s the one we prefer playing for a rewarding gambling experience at Casino Pearls.
Why Is RTP Important for Slot Players?
From experience, a slot’s RTP is one of the most important features to check before choosing a title to play. It gives you a sense of what to win back over time.
That way, you play slots with better potential returns. Games with higher RTPs are always the players’ favorites, as they have bigger returns than slots with low and average RTPs.
Hence, games with low RTP are usually unpopular compared to average and high return-to-player slots. Everybody wants a significant return while playing.
From experience, games with average RTP dominate the slot market. Popular titles like Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush, Book of Dead, and Gates of Olympus are in this category.
These games, along high RTP slots, offer better long-term value when played over time compared to titles with lower returns. Therefore, players seeking better odds enjoy betting on higher RTP games.
How to Find the RTP of an Online Slot Game
Finding a slot’s RTP is a piece of cake. Simply check the Help or Info section to see it. This is the quickest way to get this detail. Once you’ve signed up at your chosen online casino, move to the game lobby and select a slot title.
Then, click on it, and you’ll immediately see the Info or Help icon. Once you press it, you’ll see all the information, including volatility, RTP, and minimum bet.
Another way to discover a slot’s RTP is to read online reviews. Also, join sites like Reddit to see what others say about the title.
Most game providers include their slot’s RTP alongside other crucial details. Therefore, we recommend also checking their sites for confirmation, especially after searching on review platforms.
If you’re a new player looking for a decent RTP slot, it’s best to go for games with at least 96% returns, you can also train on free slot games. While considered average by many, these titles bring reasonable payouts over time compared to low RTP slots.
RTP vs. Other Factors: What Else Matters?
Although RTP is important when choosing slots, you still need to consider other factors, such as:
Volatility
Also called variance, volatility indicates how frequently a game hits a winning combination and the average payout size. Like RTP, variance comes in three parts: low, medium, and high.
Low volatility slots offer small but frequent payouts, while medium variance games deliver regular returns and substantial wins. Opt for high-variance slots if you prefer a title with a significant payout that occurs infrequently.
Game Features
Another important factor to consider while choosing a slot is features like bonus rounds and free spins. These additional elements make spinning reels interesting.
For context, depending on your chosen game, three or four scatters unlock free spins. You retrigger the free spin in games like Sweet Bonanza by landing more scatter during the bonus round.
Personal Play Style
Your chosen slot should reflect your play style. For instance, if you prefer smaller wins, go for low volatility slots with average RTP. However, a higher RTP slot is your best bet if you like playing high-risk, huge-reward games.
Our Best High-RTP Slot Demos
Finding high RTP slots from the sea of available options is often a herculean task. However, after extensively searching, here are our top four games:
Divine Fortune Megaways
Although the RTP is an average 96.06%, Divine Fortune Megaways is one of the few slots with 117649 paylines and 38,000x maximum win. You’ll find features like free spins, falling wild respins, wild on wild, and free spins bonus rounds on this title.
Divine Fortune Megaways is available for free in demo mode at Casino Pearls.
Starburst
While the general Starburst RTP is 96.09%, NetEnt offers settings ranging from 90.05% to 99.06%. Therefore, check the paytable for available returns.
Starburst has a low volatility and a few bonus features like wilds and respins. Sites like Casino Pearls feature Starburst in demo mode for players to test the RTP and variance.
Mega Joker
With a generous 99% RTP, it’s no wonder many players prefer this title since it was launched in 2011. Released by NetEnt, this 5-reel, 3-row slot with 5 paylines includes special symbols like Treasure Troves. Other icons on the grid are Three Jesters, cherries, and bells.
Mega Joker is a progressive jackpot, which is ideal as the game doesn’t have bonus features like free spins.
Ready to play this title in demo mode to learn its basics? Check Casino Pearls.
Lucky Lucky
From the stables of Habanero comes this Asian-themed slot with a moving landscape in the backdrop. Lucky Lucky has a remarkable 98.02% RTP, medium variance, and 500,000x max win.
This game is in demo mode at platforms like Casino Pearls.
Common Myths About RTP
Due to the technical nature of RTP, it’s a bit confusing to new players. Therefore, they’ll likely fall for myths spread at review sites. Some of these misguided conceptions include:
- RTP Guarantees Wins for Individual Sessions: Slot game results are randomized. Therefore, there’s no guaranteed win. An RTP only helps you estimate how much to win back over time.
- Higher RTP Slot Games Always Result in Profit: This is untrue, as you can play titles with higher returns like Mega Joker and still not win.
Note that randomness governs outcomes in short-term gambling. Lastly, online casinos have no direct influence on setting returns. They’re subject to the game providers. However, developers like NetEnt sometimes allow them to change RTP within a predetermined setting.