The Difference Between Real and Theoretical RTP When Playing Slots

When playing a slot game, you want to maximize your winning potential. The best way to do this is by choosing a high RTP game. These games are designed to return a higher percentage of wagers to players than other slots, which gives them better value for their money over the long term. In addition, they also offer a more enjoyable gaming experience by allowing players to win more often.

RTP, or Return to Player, is a number that indicates how much of your total bet should be returned to the casino over the course of thousands or even millions of spins. It is determined by a process called simulated testing and is independent of the game’s hardware or software. In the online gaming industry, RTP is a key factor in determining which games are fair and which ones are not. It is important to understand the difference between real and theoretical RTP before you play a slot game.

In the long run, high-RTP slots will give you more winning spins than low-RTP slots, but this is unlikely to be visible in shorter sessions because of how random slot results are. However, you can still get a feel for the RTP by looking at the game’s payout percentage, which is displayed in the game info or paytable.

Some online casinos and land-based casinos will advertise the RTP of their slot machines, but this information may not be easily accessible. It is possible to find this information by consulting state gaming reports, which list the average payout rates for different coin denominations and games. Some websites will also provide this information, but you should keep in mind that the RTP can change over time.

Another important factor in determining the RTP of slot machines is their volatility or variance, which determines how often and how much a game pays out. Low-volatility games tend to have lower RTPs than high-volatility ones, but they also have lower risk. High-volatility slots, on the other hand, have a greater chance of paying out big prizes, but they also have a higher house edge.

The house edge of a slot machine is the amount that the casino will make from all the bets placed on it. This is not an inherently unfair advantage, but it is one that many players dislike. Nevertheless, this is a common practice in brick-and-mortar casinos, as they have limited floor space and must make a profit from all the physical machines they have on their premises. Online casinos, on the other hand, do not face this limitation and can afford to offer games with much more favorable RTPs. This is why they are able to compete more effectively with brick-and-mortar operators. In fact, some of the best slot machines have RTPs above 96%.