The return-to-player (abbreviated “RTP”) is one of the most important terms in connection with casino games . Every player who not only wants to have fun while playing, but also wants to win money, should therefore know what is behind it. The return-to-player is the payout ratio of a casino game or slot machine. It thus expresses how much of the money is that is paid back to the players. A simple example best illustrates the definition of the term: In a slot machine with an RTP of 95%, for every 100 francs wagered, 95 francs are paid out to the players as a profit. Of course, the RTP has to be below 100%, otherwise the online casino would make losses.

Basically, the higher the return-to-player, the better the chances of winning for the individual player. Nevertheless, the RTP cannot be converted one to one into the actual profit of a player. The RTP is a statistical key figure with a theoretical character. The payout ratio is ultimately calculated over a very long period of time. In practice, a player can experience more or less large deviations in the RTP in a single day or even in the course of a month. Even after thousands of rounds of online roulette or at an online slot, a player can consequently have a better or worse payout rate. Put simply, with an RTP of 95 percent, you can have a payout ratio of 50% one day, but 150% the next. In the long term, however, the practical payout ratio comes closer and closer to the theoretical RTP value. In this respect, the value is of particular interest to players who pursue their hobby over a longer period of time.

How is the RTP calculated?

Online casinos calculate the return-to-player in two ways. In games such as online roulette, the RTP is already specified by the game rules. In other games, such as online slots, the payout amount is determined by how often certain symbols appear on the reels. The casino can determine the respective return-to-player via the probability of all winning combinations. Online casinos thus have the option of changing the payout ratio by changing the settings. Incidentally, many casino operators publish the RTP percentages of their online slots transparently in the online slots menu.

Which games have the best RTP values?

The return-to-player values ​​of different games differ from one another. In online roulette, the eternal classic among casino games, the RTP values ​​in online casinos are usually between 94 and 98 percent. With European Roulette, the return-to-player is usually slightly higher than with the American variant. An interesting case in terms of return-to-player is blackjack, which is probably the most popular casino game alongside roulette. In blackjack, players can increase their chances of winning significantly through their experience and skills. With a well-engineered strategy, players can definitely increase their RTP to more than 99%.