The world has seen a rise in terms of options and popularity when it comes to online slots. There are more options than ever before wih almost every sportsbook getting in on the action as well. However, what the casual player likely doesn’t realize is that there are two hidden numbers that can have a much bigger impact on the game than they realize.
RTP (return to player) and volatility are two factors that heavily affect the fun of the game and likelihood of success. Understanding the ins-and-outs and the key difference can not only help you have more success, but more fun as well.
Come check out these tips for improving your odds in online slots and remember to always bet responsibly.
RTP vs. Volatility: What Every Slot Player Should Know
What is RTP?
The RTP of all regulated slot games at online casinos is a number that is available to the public. You can typically click on a “Learn More” button or a question mark in the corner to find information regarding RTP. The number show, which is a percentage lower than 100%, shows the theoretical return over millions of spins. If the RTP is 95%, than after playing for a while, a $100 bankroll is most likely to return $95 – netting the house a $5 profit. These numbers are not guarantees, but an average so that the player knows the risk going in.
The industry standard for a online slot sits just short of 96%. However, some offer much lower numbers, as well as some that are a bit higher. However, RTP isn’t the end-all, be-all of understanding online slots.
What Is Volatility?
Volatility, which is also sometimes referred to as variance, doesn’t describe how much money is returned, but rather how often it is returned. Unlike RTP, this is not a number that is given to players through the game information. Instead, most casinos opt to inform players using terms like “High Volatility” or “Medium Volatility” in the description of the game.
When a slot is labelled as “High Volatility”, that means that it hits at a lower frequency. There are often long dry spells before a hit, but the winnings on those hits is typically much higher. The “Low Volatility” games may have frequent wins, but for very little payouts.
Chosing Between the Options
There is no right or wrong way to play slots online. However, it’s more important to tailor the game to what you enjoy. For instance, if you are a casual player who enjoys a longer session, you might prefer to play games with “Low Volatility” and a high RTP. This way you would minimize the losses that might occur, but also enjoy the frequent reinforcement of the wins. Higher rollers with jackpot aspirations may take a different path. They may be looking for games with “High Volatility” and be willing to sacrifice a bit in the way of RTP to achieve that.
While the path is up to you, understanding your goals and the ways to achieve them can increase your enjoyment and success.
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If you’d like even more info on online casino games, be sure to check out the Sports Gambling Podcast and all of the casino articles over on SGPN.
