RTP and volatility are the 2 most important mathematical characteristics of an online slot machine. Basically, they tell the player how much and how often they can win on a particular slot machine.
- RTP of an Online Slots
The RTP (rate of return to player) is a percentage value that represents the probability that the player will get back the money he has bet. It is calculated by dividing the amount won by the amount bet, on a long-term perspective. In other words, the more rounds you play, the more likely you are to get close to the slot’s statistical RTP.
As an example, let’s assume that a player places hundreds of bets worth €1 each on a slot with an RTP of 90%. In this case, he could expect to get back around €90.
RTP is a very popular feature of online slots because it is expressed as a single number, and therefore, easier to compare. Most game providers state the RTP of each slot game.
The RTP value of a game is always the same no matter which casino you play at. This is because the games are developed by companies that give the rights to online casinos.
The most common RTP of online slots is around 96%. Some slots like Blood Suckers have an RTP of up to 98%.
- Online Slots Volatility
Slot machine volatility is a very tricky concept, since it cannot be expressed as a single number, as there can be thousands of different winning amounts as a result of the many different winning combinations.
Therefore, game providers typically classify slot volatility as “low”, “medium”, or “high”. These categories cannot be effectively compared, nor used in any calculations, but they can give you at least a basic idea about the volatility of the game you are about to play.
In high volatility games you can win higher amounts with lower bets. And lower bets mean you will lose statistically less. This effect can easily compensate for a slightly lower RTP.
Slots are the most volatile game type in an online casino.