It’s important to consider the return to player (RTP) percentage when choosing online slots and table games. Playing games with high RTP rates will theoretically boost your chances of success. This guide explains what RTP actually means, how it works, and why it matters.
What is return to player (RTP)?
Every casino game has a return to player (RTP) rate. It tells you the long-term return you can expect if your luck is average.
For example, let’s say a slot has a 95.8% RTP. That means the average player can expect $95.80 back for every $100 wagered.
Of course, the results are completely random. Some players will win, and other players will lose. But choosing games with high RTP rates will boost your chances of success.
How is RTP calculated?
The software developers simulate billions of rounds. That allows them to calculate the return that an average player can expect. Here’s an example:
- Wanted Dead or a Wild, a popular video slot from Hacksaw Gaming, has a 96.38% RTP rate.
- That means you can expect $96.38 back from every $100 you wager if your luck is average.
- Hacksaw simulated 10 billion rounds of the game to work out that RTP percentage.
Of course, you aren’t going to spin the reels 10 billion times. You’d still be playing Wanted Dead or a Wild in the year 2350, aided by your robot butler.
For that reason, you’re unlikely to receive precisely $96.38 back from every $100 you wager on the game. The RTP simply highlights the average return. Choosing a game with a high RTP rate will – in theory – improve your chances of enjoying a winning session, but the results are still totally random.
Independent testing labs verify the games to guarantee fairness and accuracy. For example, a respected lab called eCOGRA has audited Hacksaw Gaming’s slots and certified them for fairness. That means you can trust the 96.38% RTP rate on Wanted Dead or a Wild.
What’s the difference between RTP and house edge
The RTP and the house edge are two sides of the same coin. You simply subtract the RTP from 100 to calculate the house edge. Here are a few examples:
| Game | RTP | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Classic blackjack | 99.5% | 0.5% |
| Book of 99 | 99% | 1% |
| French roulette | 98.65% | 1.35% |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | 96.38% | 3.62% |
| Starburst | 96.09% | 3.91% |
| American roulette | 94.74% | 5.26% |
The casinos take a house edge on every game. That allows them to cover their overheads (staff, energy, software etc.) and earn a small margin.
You just need to find games with a low house edge. If the house edge is close to zero, your chances of winning are almost 50/50. You can also claim sweepstake bonuses, as that will help you effectively reduce the house edge that the casinos build into their games.
How important is RTP?
- Why RTP mattersThe RTP rate helps you find games that have a low house edge. For example, let’s say you’re considering two similar slots. One has a 98% RTP and the other has a 93% RTP. That would be a simple choice. The first game has a slender 2% house edge, while the second has a much higher 7% house edge. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to play games with high RTP rates.
- Remember, RTP doesn’t guarantee anythingThe RTP is calculated after simulating billions of spins. It doesn’t guarantee a return during your 50-spin session. You could double your money, or you could lose everything. Think of a coin flip. Your chances of winning are 50/50 over a million flips, but you could flip seven heads in a row. That means you could hit a huge win on a game with a 92% RTP, or you could get crushed on a game with a 99% RTP. Short-term results can vary significantly.
RTP across different game types
Let’s explore the RTP rates on the most popular games at sweeps casinos.
Slots
The average online slot has an RTP of around 96%. That’s much better than the payout rates on physical slot machines in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
If possible, try to play slots with RTP rates of above 96%. Here are some of the best options:
- Book of 99 by Relax Gaming (99%)
- 1429 Uncharted Seas by Thunderkick (98.6%)
- The Big Deal Deluxe by Habanero (98.4%)
- Blood Suckers by NetEnt (98%)
- Money Cart by Relax Gaming (98%)
Table games
Table games tend to have much higher RTP rates than slots. These are the RTP rates on some of the most popular table games:
- Blackjack: Most classic blackjack games have an RTP of around 99.5%. Some games go up to 99.8% RTP if they have player-friendly rules. You’ll only benefit from that high RTP rate if you know when to hit, stand, split, and double down.
- Roulette: French roulette has a 98.65% RTP. That drops to 97.3% on European roulette and 94.74% on American roulette.
- Baccarat: Stick to the banker bet, which has a 98.94% RTP. That equates to a 1.06% house edge.
- Craps: Pass and come bets have a 98.59% RTP, while don’t pass and don’t come have a 98.64% RPT. You can bet at true odds behind those bets after a point is established. If you’re allowed to bet 6x your original stake, it increases the RTP to 99.81% on don’t pass or don’t come bets.
Video poker
Video poker games also tend to have a high RTP rate. It’s often 99.72% on Deuces Wild, 99.64% on Bonus Poker Deluxe, and 99.54% on Jacks or Better.
You need to know which cards to hold and which to discard. That’s the only way to benefit from those high RTP rates.
Casual games
Some casual games have very high RTP rates. It really depends on the provider. For example, you’ll often find Mines, Plinko, and Crash games with 99% RTP percentages. The RTP will often change as you adjust the risk level and the number of lines.
Avoid online scratchers, as they have poor RTP rates. Stick to casual games from top studios like Hacksaw and BGaming, but check the RTP before playing.
How to find the RTP information
Open a game and check the game rules to find the RTP rate. You normally just need to tap the “i” or “?” button, or open the hamburger menu and select “Game Rules.” The RTP should be displayed near the bottom of the rules, after the paytable and information about the bonus features.
When the return to player isn’t available
If the RTP is unavailable, visit the developer’s site to check. Studios like NetEnt and Hacksaw Gaming display the RTP rate clearly alongside their games.If you still can’t find the information, contact the casino’s customer support team. They should provide the details. If the casino refuses to send you the RTP information, it should set alarm bells ringing.Can casinos adjust the RTP?
Some game providers offer different versions of the same slot. This is common with BGaming, Booming Games, Gaming Corps, Swintt, and AvatarUX.For example, the Johnny Cash slot by BGaming usually has a 95.98% RTP. If you play the game at certain sweeps casinos, you’ll find an RTP of just 92.14%.That’s because the casino chose to host the version with the lowest RTP rate. For that reason, it’s important to check the RTP in the game rules before playing a slot.
WOW Vegas stands out by hosting slots with their top RTP rates. I’ve found that this sweeps casino doesn’t reduce the RTP on slots from studios like BGaming, Booming Games, and NetEnt. I’d recommend visiting WOW Vegas if you want to benefit from the best RTP rates on popular slots from renowned providers. The site hosts lots of high RTP table games too, including blackjack and baccarat.Volatility can have a significant impact on a game
A slot’s volatility can have a major impact on short-term results. These games fall into three broad categories:
- Low volatility: These slots tend to provide small, frequent wins.
- Medium volatility: Reasonably frequent wins, with some pretty high payouts.
- High volatility: These games deliver large, infrequent wins for players with average luck.
Our volatility guide explains how this impacts your session.
Real-world RTP examples
Here are a few hypothetical examples of the sessions you might experience:
Scenario 1:
The 30-Minute Session
- You play a 96% RTP slot
- Bet $1 per spin, 100 spins
- Total wagered: $100
- Expected return: $96 (theoretically)
- Reality: You might end with $120, $80, or $0
- RTP doesn’t dictate individual sessions
Scenario 2:
The Lucky Hit
- Same game, same 100 spins
- You hit the bonus round early
- End session with $250
- You got 250% return (way above RTP)
- This is balanced by others losing more
- Over millions of players, it averages to 96%
Scenario 3:
The Bad Run
- Play 200 spins on a 98% RTP slot
- End session with only $30 of your $100
- You got 30% return (way below RTP)
- Totally normal in short term
- RTP is a long-term statistical average
Most popular myths when it comes to RTP
Let’s bust some of the most common myths associated with RTP.
Myth #1: “The game has to pay out eventually”
This is false. Each spin is independent. It’s like flipping a coin. Just because tails landed three times in a row, it doesn’t mean heads is more likely to land next time.Myth #2: “After someone wins big, RTP drops”
Nope. The RTP is always the same, regardless of previous results. Past results have no bearing on future outcomes. Thinking otherwise is known as the gambler’s fallacy.Myth #3: “Time of day affects RTP”
False. It doesn’t matter if you play at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m.Myth #4: “Higher bets increase RTP”
This is usually false. There are a few exceptions. For example, the RTP can increase if you activate the “Big Bet” feature on certain Barcrest slots. You’ll often benefit from a higher RTP if you hit the bonus buy feature on certain slots too.Myth #5: “Low RTP games never pay”
That’s absolutely not the case. You could enjoy a long winning streak on a game with a 92% RTP, and then struggle on a game with a 98% RTP. It’s important to remember that RTP is about averages, not individual outcomes.
RTP should guide your choice when…
- You’re comparing two similar games.
- You want to preserve your bankroll.
- You’re working on playthrough requirements.
Should you only play high RTP games?
No, there are lots of other factors to consider when choosing a slot or table game. A high RTP rate is important, but it’s just one piece in the jigsaw.
The balanced view:
- RTP is ONE factor, not the only factor
- A fun 94% RTP game might be better than a boring 98% RTP game
- Entertainment value matters too
- Variance/volatility often matters more for your experience
When to prioritize RTP:
- You’re playing with limited bankroll
- You want maximum playtime
- You’re comparing nearly identical games
- You’re playing with Gold Coins (not redeemable)
When other factors matter more:
- You’re chasing jackpots (need high volatility)
- You love a particular game theme
- The game has features you enjoy
- You’re playing for fun, not profit
Final thoughts
You’ll boost your chances of success by sticking to games with high RTP rates. Check the RTP on any slot before playing, as the percentages can vary from one site to the next.
Remember that table games have better payout rates than slots. Blackjack and video poker offer the best rates, but only if you master the optimal strategy. You can use Gold Coins to practice, and then switch to SC when you’ve nailed it. Stick to the base game and avoid side bets, which tend to have poor RTP rates.
FAQ
No, RTP isn’t the same as hit frequency. The RTP rate tells you the return that you can expect if your luck is average. The hit frequency tells you how volatile the game is. It explains how often you will win if you have average luck. For example, if the hit frequency is 25%, you’ll win once every four spins if your luck is average.
No, casinos can’t change the RTP while you’re playing. The game will have a specific RTP rate, which is based on millions of spins. This RTP rate will be independently certified for fairness and accuracy. The provider won’t allow the casino to change the RTP rate.
No, the RTP doesn’t reset after a big win. Previous results have no bearing on future outcomes when you play slots and table games. Your chances of winning are always the same, regardless of what happened on the last spin. You could land two big wins in a row, or you could embark on a long losing streak.
Some software providers allow the casino to choose their preferred RTP rate. For example, Starburst by NetEnt can have an RTP of 96.09%, 94.05%, or 92.01%. The best sweeps casinos will offer the usual 96.09% RTP rate, but it may be lower at certain sites. It’s always best to check before playing.
A 96% RTP rate is average for an online slot. It’s not too bad, but you can easily find games with higher RTP percentages. For example, Book of 99 by Relax Gaming has a 99% RTP rate, while Blood Suckers by NetEnt has a 98% RTP.
Some sweepstakes casinos choose slots with lower RTP rates than real money casinos. For example, Snoop Dogg Dollars by BGaming often has a 96% or 97% RTP at traditional online casinos. It’s reduced to just 92% at some sweepstakes casinos. For that reason, it’s important to check the RTP before playing a game.
RTP tells you the house edge on a casino game, while volatility tells you how frequently you’re likely to win. The volatility can be low, which means you’re likely to secure small, frequent wins. It can also be high, which tends to deliver large, infrequent wins. That’s separate to the RTP, which tells you the return you can expect if your luck is average, regardless of volatility.
Yes, you can trust the RTP listed on a casino game. Just make sure you only play games from trusted software providers like Relax Gaming, Hacksaw, BGaming, NetEnt, and Playson. Their games are independently audited and certified to guarantee fairness, so you can trust the RTP on each game.