Casino Game RTP and Volatility – All You Need To Know

RTP and volatility are two important components of casino slots which determine the expected payout structure. When you have claimed a bonus, understanding how they work provides a great advantage when completing the wagering requirements. This in-depth guide will address how each mechanism can be used to positively affect your betting strategy.

RTP Explained

All casino games rely on a metric known as ‘return-to-player’, or its more common acronym RTP. It determines how much a game is expected to pay out over long term play, taking into account every single legacy bet placed by all participants.

RTP is the underlying element which drives all types of slots through to online scratchcards, slingo, keno and 2D table games. It is expressed as a percentage, typically set somewhere just below 100%, where the remainder signifies the house edge.

Because RTP is a theoretical metric, the chances of it coinciding exactly with the outcome of your individual game session is very small. Instead, it’s calculated over an extensive number of gamerounds which stretch into the hundreds of thousands, or even millions.

The following examples give a better of how RTP dictates outcomes:

RTP Example 1

You are credited a $100 bonus and play a 95% RTP slot game.
You play 50 spins at $2 per spin.
It would be incorrect to assume your remaining balance will end up on $95 exactly.

RTP Example 2

You are credited a $1,000,000 bonus and play a 95% RTP slot game.
You play 500,000 spins at $2 per spin.
Your balance has a much better chance of being closer to $950,000.

As another visualisation tool, the following graph displays a highly typical set of returns over 10 separate gaming sessions. It shows that your actual returns are prone to fluctuation early on, but will gradually average out towards the 97.8% theoretical figure over time.

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Using RTP to Your Advantage

Because you know that RTP is a driving force behind all casino games, you should use this knowledge to make more rational decisions. For example, if you achieve a win well above the stated RTP, it may be time to move onto a new slot or cash out your winnings.

What Is Volatility?

Where the return-to-player percentage is found with all types of casino game, volatility is a rating exclusive to slots. It signifies two metrics that are used in conjunction with each other; the frequency and magnitude of payouts.

To put it another way, it can be defined as how often you will hit a winning combination in relation to the payout size.

There are three main categories of volatility you will encounter:

High Volatility – These slots pay out on a sporadic basis, although will award relatively high wins once they do arrive.
Medium Volatility – The most common volatility rating, these slots offer a balanced gameplay experience combining both smaller and larger wins.
Low Volatility – Low volatility slots offer a higher chance of hitting a winning combination, albeit with lesser returns.

The following graph shows how volatility can impact slots across numerous spins. The steeper gradient represents the more erratic results found with highly volatile games, whilst the flatter line indicates consistent returns found with lower volatile versions. Both will converge towards the RTP in their own distinct way when approaching an infinite number of spins.

Key Takeaways

RTP measures the average amount players can expect to receive back from a casino game over an endless series of rounds. While it offers valuable insight into anticipated payouts, it’s important to note that RTP doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes within a single gaming session.
Volatility is an indicator of the risk-level associated with slot games. Low volatility games are designed to provide a steady stream of smaller wins, whilst high volatility games don’t pay out as often but when they do, provide more substantial wins.

Using RTP and Volatility To Your Advantage

With a basic understanding of how RTP and volatility works, you can apply this knowledge when it comes to pursuing a gaming strategy and improving your chances of making a profit. However, much depends on your personal style of play and discipline, as well as having an effective exit strategy.

Likewise, RTP and volatility metrics are vital when it comes to completing the wagering requirements of a casino bonus. To learn more about what this involves, our full wagering requirements guide is the place to start.

Completing Wagering Requirements

All casino bonuses come with terms and conditions to adhere to, with wagering requirements being the key aspect. You need to fulfil these in order to convert the bonus into real winnings – notably when it comes to no deposit offers.

In order to complete these requirements, you must both increase and then sustain your balance so you can wager enough to hit your target. Therefore, a game with a high RTP is recommended as it provides the best chance of achieving a win over a consistent number of gamerounds.

Likewise, choosing a slot with a low-medium volatility is also a good option in this regard. If you can gain returns on a high proportion of spins, this should provide a modest chain of wins that can allow you to reach the wagering requirement target.

Going Gung-Ho

Some players believe their best chance of walking away in profit is to get in and out of the casino as quickly as possible. Effectively, they want to hit a lucky batch of spins within a short timeframe and withdraw their winnings straight away.

As an example, you may set aside a conservative gambling pot of $20. You hope to turn this into a substantial win – perhaps by unlocking an exciting bonus round or hitting a lucrative jackpot payout.

Therefore, your best bet here is to pick a highly volatile game, regardless of the RTP. You can designate 40 spins at $0.50 each in the hope of hitting a sizeable win in a short space of time, far exceeding the initial $20 you started with. However, you must be willing to accept all may be lost by taking this approach.

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RTP… How Can I Trust The Rating?

We get you… over short-term play, how can you be certain a casino game actually pays out its advertised RTP rate? Well, licensed casinos aren’t allowed to interfere with the game mechanics designed by their suppliers. Luckily for you, we only list casinos that are fully licensed and thus provide a fair environment for all its players. You can check out how we test casinos in our featured article.

RTP and Volatility Gaming Tactics

Low RTP Games

If you are wondering why people would play low RTP games, the answer lies in their big payout potential. For example, this model is used in network progressive jackpots where one spin could gift you a life-changing payout. However, the longer you stick with these games, the less chance you have of making a consistent profit if this big win doesn’t arrive.

High RTP Games

For players who wish to keep playing in the long run, high RTP games such as those found in the live casino are your best bet. They should provide a nice ratio of winning bets, as long as you stick to sensible gaming strategies and stay within your budget. Short-term profit can then be used on more volatile games with a higher payout potential.

Low Volatility Slots

If you want to prolong your gaming experience, low volatility slots are ideal. But of course, the aim is to also score a significant win, which means you need to find a game with high-paying bonus features. Although base game wins may be moderate, you can (hopefully) prolong your balance until these exciting features are unlocked.

High Volatility Slots

High volatility slots often require a degree of patience, simply because this is what the game model dictates. However, if and when you encounter a profitable spin, it may be time to switch games or cash out before enduring another series of losing gamerounds.

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How To Spot A Good RTP Rating

Naturally, games with an RTP as close to 100% are where to begin your search. Classic table games are great in this sense, not least because they offer a very high RTP over short-term play. In terms of slots, we’d say avoid anything below 95% as it’s a bit stingy – especially if you’re looking to play for an extended period!

Conclusion

RTP and volatility play a significant role in determining your experience while playing casino games online. RTP sets the groundwork for your anticipated returns and represents the house edge, while volatility indicates the probability and magnitude of potential payouts.

Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that these factors are also influenced by your budget, gameplay choices and even just pure luck. By acknowledging this relationship between your individual approach and RTP/volatility, you’ll be equipped to approach casino games with a more strategic mindset.

Published on: 2023/07/18

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Hi, I'm Courtney, the Webmaster at No Deposit Kings - We provide visitors with free and easy access to real money casino gaming thanks to no deposit casino bonuses offered by our hand-picked selection of online casinos.