RTP or Return To Player is one of the most important factors to consider when gambling either in person or online. Even the most experienced and successful of gamblers will tell you that it’s important to know what your odds are before you jump into playing any game in a casino.
However, there has been quite a lot of debate around whether RTP in online casinos is really what it is advertised as. The average RTP for most reputable casinos is set at around 93 – 99% across all games. This essentially means that for every iteration of the game you’re playing, you stand a 93% to 99% chance of winning.
However, things aren’t always as they seem, and there are a number of different things to take into account when considering RTP. And, it’s not based on you spending $10 on 10 hands—it’s calculated based on thousands, if not million of spins, hands, or rounds. So, it’s not uncommon for the RTP not to play out after just a handful of games.
How To Calculate RTP for Different Games
FIrstly, it’s important to know how to calculate RTP by yourself. Even though casinos are ordered to make RTP data on their games available to both governing authorities and the general public, knowing how to determine the odds for yourself will give you a better idea of how to calculate your chances of success.
RTP differs from game to game, so here we’ll give you the details on how to calculate RTP for some of the most played games in online casinos. These formulas can be utilized for other games as well. They’re really reliable and will work every time, for different variations of the game.
1. RTP for Slots
This is probably the most straightforward RTP formula of the lot. In essence, the slot’s RTP formula is (Total Payouts/Total Bets) * 100. You can use a social casino to work out your odds of winning before spending any cash, but make sure you play a lot of rounds to get an accurate picture of how the game performs. As mentioned, the theoretical RTP is based on a massive number of spins.
However, you often don’t have to do the math, as the slot game will usually have its RTP stated before you start playing. Always look for the highest RTP before choosing a new slot game to play—anything over 95% is considered ‘good’ for slots.
2. RTP for Blackjack
This one is a little more complicated. Thankfully the RTP calculation is more fixed, making it a lot easier to work out. In essence, you want to subtract the house ‘edge’ (the house’s chance of winning over the long term) from 100. The house edge for most casinos (real or online) for Blackjack is anywhere from 0.5% – 2%. This means that on average you should have an RTP of around 98% – 99.05%.
3. RTP for Roulette Numbers
European roulette is the variation we’re going to discuss here, because it’s the most commonly played version of the game. Essentially, the formula for calculating RTP for Roulette is (Payout * Probability of Winning) – (Loss * Probability of Losing). It’s important to remember that your probability of winning in Roulette is 1/31 and the probability of losing is 36/37.
4. RTP for Roulette Red or Black
We’re still talking about European roulette here, it’s just a different form of betting. Essentially the formula is the same as betting on the number in roulette, it’s just the odds that change. When betting on a color, the probability of winning is 18/37 and the probability of losing is 19/37 (because of the green 0, which doesn’t fall under either red or black bets).
The Role Of Regulatory Authorities
Thankfully online gambling is a pretty strictly regulated market in most parts of the world. This means that gambling authorities like the IAGR (International Authority of Gaming Regulators) regularly check up on casinos to ensure that they’re fulfilling the various rules and laws that govern the industry.
This ranges on everything from checking the casino’s RTP game by game, to doing security protocol checks and ensuring other regional laws are being upheld by the establishment. Casinos that fail to meet these checks and balances are often fined and forced to make amends or face closure or even more fines! So, by choosing a trusted platform, you can feel confident that the RTP is as advertised.
The Role of RTP in Game Selection
Always consider the RTP before choosing any game in any casino. It’s important to calculate your odds before playing and every pro-gambler will confirm this with you. There’s no point in playing a game that offers a low RTP in the hopes of striking it lucky. Playing low-RTP games doesn’t mean that you’ll win more money if you get lucky, like betting against the odds. It just means that the game is fundamentally biased towards the house winning, no matter how interesting the technology behind it might seem.
When doing your research, be sure to choose only games and casinos that offer a fair RTP. On top of that, be sure to spend a little time calculating the RTP on a specific game you’d like to play, before you spend cash on it. This is a good way to double down on the fact that the game gives you some chance of winning, rather than just being a black hole for your money.
Conclusion
RTP should definitely be the deciding factor when determining your strategy for gambling anywhere. It’s the most useful tool in any player’s arsenal and can make the difference between a string of losses and a nice profit. Don’t make the mistake of playing blindly; using a good strategy is always more fun!
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