RTP and volatility in slots: essential information for casino players

Modern online casinos offer players a huge selection of slot machines. Among the gambling software, you can find games on any theme, with different sizes of playing fields, bonus symbols, additional rounds, and other pleasant surprises. It is easy to get lost in such an assortment, and choosing a game just for the picture is not worth it. If, in addition to the gameplay, you are interested in a high chance of winning, follow the method of experienced gamblers – choose an online slot for the RTP level and volatility. What these indicators are, what they depend on, what advantage they can give players – read our article.

What is RTP in slots?

RTP stands for Return To Player. It is the percentage of the amount that will be returned to the player from their bets over time. To explain this term, let’s take a simple example of the online slot Magic Target from the well-known provider Wazdan – the RTP of the game is 96.63%.

Playing this online slot will theoretically bring the player 96.63 PLN in winnings for every 100 PLN staked. In practice, it is not easy to get such money – you have to do over a thousand spins to achieve this. Remember that the winnings are not distributed evenly. You can stake 100 PLN and win only 10 – in this case the practical RTP is only 10%. You can stake 10 euros and receive a total payout of 30 euros, so the practical RTP is 300%.

Despite the unevenness of winning combinations, RTP gives the player specific information about how much he can get in the long run. The higher the RTP, the more profitable the game is for the player and unprofitable for the online casino. Experienced players prefer slot machines with an RTP of 96-97% and higher – such numbers are considered high. RTP 94-95% – average, these games also deserve attention. Slots with an RTP below 94% are better not to run – yes, you can win in them, but it is more difficult than in games with a high percentage.

How is RTP calculated? Let’s look at an example

Finding out what the RTP of a game is is quite simple. In some online casinos, each game has a short description and a payback percentage. After launching an online slot, you can click on the Info button. The developer often provides the value of the symbols and the RTP. You can also look for information on the provider’s official website. As a last resort, type the game’s name and the RTP abbreviation into the Google search engine – you will get dozens of reviews with this indicator.

You can calculate the RTP using the demo version if you can’t find the necessary information. Launch any online slot, spin at least 100 spins with the same bet, save all winnings and calculate the RTP using the formula:

For example, the official RTP of the online slot Starburst by NetEnt is 96.26%. After spinning 100 spins with a USD 1 bet (USD 100 in total), we received 82.40 euros in winnings. Now we divide and multiply this number by 100, so it is enough to add a percentage sign – the actual RTP of the game on these 100 spins was 82.40%. Of course, if we played longer and recorded more data, our number would be as close to the given one as possible – this proves that RTP guarantees payout only in the long term.

What is slot game volatility?

Volatility is a measure that determines the potential payout and how often it happens. In essence, this characteristic indicates the riskiness of an online slot and is expressed in terms that are understandable to the public – Low, Medium and High:

• Low volatility
  In these online slots, winning combinations will appear on almost every spin. However, their size will be negligible – in most cases, the payout is slightly less than or equal to the bet. Low volatility suits those who expect a long game with minimal risk.
• Medium volatility
  A golden mean, where winnings are not uncommon, and the amounts range from minimal to quite high. The game suits anyone with minimal experience who wants to increase their chances of getting big payouts.
• High volatility
  Such slots have a high level of risk – the player will receive infrequent payouts, but their amounts will most often exceed the bet several times. There are possible variants when 30-50 spins are lost to 0, and then the player will get all the money back in one spin, with an increase. Such games suit those ready to take risks and wait for the maximum winning spin.

In modern online slots, volatility can be Low-Medium and Medium-High, which are intermediate values. Low-Medium means the player can win well (like in Medium volatility slots), with frequent payouts. Medium-High means the player will have a chance to win quite big, like in High games, but with a slightly higher payout frequency.

So, what should you focus on when choosing a slot – RTP or volatility?

When choosing a slot machine, it is important to consider both indicators. In any case, it is better to give preference to games with a high RTP, but when choosing volatility, you should consider several parameters:

• The size of your bankroll. The bigger your gaming budget, the more you can risk. A small amount is better realized in a low-volatility game, where wins are more frequent, and the player can maintain a bankroll at about the same level.
• The objective of the game. If you play to win, it is better to choose an online slot with high volatility – there, you have a chance for a big payout. If you simply like the gameplay, choose Medium or Low.
• Experience. Playing high-volatility online slots means a long wait—winnings are rare. With little or no experience, it is better to choose low-volatility games.

By the way, medium volatility slots are suitable for most players, regardless of their budget – it is possible to receive payouts quite often while still having a chance to win big.

Can casinos change RTP and volatility?

The game parameters are set at the programming stage – it is during the creation that the RTP and variability of the game are determined. Before publication, the online slot is additionally tested by independent laboratories for compliance with the declared indicators, and if everything is OK – the game appears in the online casino.

If the gambling platform is licensed, then the software published on it is not launched from the casino’s side but from the provider’s side. There is no way for an online casino to influence these numbers. However, there is a nuance – the developer provides some slot machines with a different RTP. Online casinos can still adjust this number depending on their needs. However, the game must still meet certain standards (for example, the MGA license prohibits publishing games with an RTP below 92%).

In some games, volatility can change according to the player’s wishes. Wazdan, for example, develops software that allows the player to set the risk level. Volatility can also change depending on the size of the bet – in some games, volatility can be increased by increasing the cost of a spin.

You can expect anything in the games if the online casino is unlicensed and operates illegally. Such sites publish pirated software and set the rates themselves. Therefore, with a declared RTP of 99% and medium volatility, the actual game can only have a 50% return and high risk. Check how closely the actual rates correspond to the declared ones; in such online casinos, you can only play for real money, which will inevitably lead to loss.

Top-15 with the highest RTP

Final thoughts

If you plan on having the most positive experience possible when playing online slots – you need to understand the concepts of RTP and volatility. When choosing a game, you must understand how these numbers affect the payout dynamics. You can rely on your bankroll, your style and your experience, focusing on these basic metrics to find the slot that will give you the most fun and the best chances of winning. Launch the game with the highest RTP, automatically increasing payout chances. The volatility should be chosen based on the size of your bankroll. Remember, the higher the value, the bigger the payout.