If you’re a fan of slots and have gambled at least once, chances are you’ve heard of the acronym RTP. RTP, or Return to Player, is a percentage that indicates how much of the wagered money a casino game or slot will pay back to players over a long period.
The larger the RTP, the better the chances a player has to win over time. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 100%, the player and the casino have equal chances of winning. In rare cases, an RTP above 100% means the casino loses money to the players.
Suppose you play a slot and make 100 $1 bets, and the RTP is 95%. You might expect to win back about $95. However, RTP is calculated over the long term, meaning it reflects the entire life of the slot machine. In the short term, anything can happen. Therefore, only bet money you can afford to lose.
RTP is the opposite of another casino term, House Advantage. While RTP focuses on the player’s potential winnings, House Advantage shows the casino’s edge over the player. In simpler terms, RTP is the inverse of House Advantage.
RTP Value Location
Online casinos are required by law to display the RTP of their slots and other games. Finding the RTP value for any game offered by an online casino should be quick and easy. Most RTP information can be found in the Help Section of the slot or casino game. You can find RTP on Bovada slots under each description.
Some Site Examples:
Ladbrokes: To find the RTP for any slot or game, click on the icon that looks like a small tool in one of the screen’s corners. This will open a new window with various options. Click on the guide for the game and then find and click on the RTP ratio. The ratio should be displayed instantly.
Betfair: Similar to Ladbrokes, on Betfair, there is also a tool-shaped icon in one of the corners of the gameplay window, usually in the top right-hand corner. Click on it, navigate to the Help menu, and you should easily see the RTP ratio displayed.
Going deeper: RTP and EV
Now that we understand RTP mechanics and how to find the Return to Player value for any given slot, we can explore how to use this information to increase our chances of beating the house. This involves calculating the Expected Value (EV).
To calculate EV, subtract the product of the wagering amount and House Edge from the bonus value:
EV=B−(W×HE)EV=B−(W×HE)
You need to gather three pieces of information before starting the calculations:
- Bonus Value (B)
- Wagering Requirement (W)
- RTP of the game or slot
Example Calculation:
Imagine a casino that offers a new player promotion: deposit $10 and get $50 with a 24x wagering requirement for the bonus. Here’s the breakdown:
- Bonus (B): $50
- Wagering Requirement (W): $50 ×× 24 = $1200
- RTP: Let’s consider a slot game, Pirate Princess, with an RTP of 93.88%. The House Edge (HE) is calculated as 100%−RTP100%−RTP.
For Pirate Princess:
HE=100%−93.88%=6.12%HE=100%−93.88%=6.12%
Using the EV formula:
EV=50−(1200×0.0612)EV=50−(1200×0.0612)
EV=50−73.44EV=50−73.44
EV=−23.44EV=−23.44
This negative EV indicates that playing this slot would lead to a loss of $23.44 before you can complete the wagering requirement and withdraw any winnings. Therefore, this offer is not worth pursuing.
General Rule:
Aim for games with an RTP of 95% or higher, as they are more likely to yield a positive EV in bonus schemes. Use the method described above to find the RTP and calculate the EV. If the EV is positive, the game is worth your time and money.
By understanding and applying these concepts and scatters, you can make informed decisions and maximize your chances of winning while minimizing potential losses.
Make The Best Outcome
As mentioned earlier, RTP is calculated over long periods, so always bet only what you can afford to lose. Calculate the Expected Value (EV) to determine if a game is worth your time and money, looking for a positive EV if you’re serious about gambling.
Remember, responsible gambling is crucial. If you feel your gambling is becoming addictive, seek professional help immediately.
