RTP: What it is and what it means for the player

RTP stands for Return to Player and it is the term used to described how much a slot game pays back to a player, on average, over time and it’s perhaps the most important metric that you need to know when you’re spinning the reels.

If you’re looking to play at an online casino Canada , knowing exactly what RTP is and understanding how to make sense of it will help you to make informed decisions. Which is why we have put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know about RTP. 

What RTP actually tells you

It is telling you roughly how much money you can expect to get back on average when you wager $100. Naturally, this isn’t accurate to the cent for every $100 you wager, sometimes you’ll win absolutely nothing and other times you could win $10,000 from your $100 wager.

On average though, over millions of spins, the RTP percentage is accurate and represents the house edge. So, whilst a 96% RTP doesn’t mean that every $100 wager is going to see you lose $4, it does mean that in the long-run, the slot machine will keep 4% of all the money that it sees.

Why RTP matters for players

You might well be thinking that you’re never going to spin the reels on one slot machine a million times, so the RTP doesn’t matter, but it does and is important for a number of reasons:

• It helps to set realistic expectations – over the long-term, you will lose money playing slots


• It serves as a good way to compare slots with one another


• Can be used as a tool to help players manage their bankrolls effectively

No-one is going to sit there and work out their lifetime RTP - OK, there will be some people out there who have done just that – instead most people use RTP as a way to work out whether they should play a game or totally avoid it.

In general, games with a low RTP should be avoided at all costs and those with a higher RTP should be sought out. Here’s a brief guide of RTP percentages to be aware of:

• Below 94%: Incredibly low return, avoid like the plague!


• 94-96%: The average range for most slots, but don’t just accept average.


• 96-97%: Above average and generally a good choice of slot.


• 97-98%: Excellent quality and value.


• Over 98%: The Holy Grail and not to be sniffed at.

Some slots use features like progressive jackpots as a way to reduce the RTP and entice players in. Whilst it is of course possible to win these jackpots, it’s not probable, so don’t get drawn in to playing low RTPs by big jackpots.

Hit Frequency: What is it?

This is another important statistic that players should be aware of. It describes how often a slot produces winning combinations on average. A high hit frequency would be one of 25%, which would mean that 1 in every 4 spins would result, on average in a win.

Typically, those with a lower hit frequency pay out less frequently but, they pay out larger amounts. Conversely slots with a high hit frequency pay out small amounts at more frequent intervals. Finding out the hit frequency of a slot can help to match you up to a game that suits your unique playing style.

Where to find RTP and Hit Frequency data?

If you’re playing a slot machine in a physical venue, the RTP and hit frequency have to be shown somewhere on the machine itself by law. If, however, you’re playing online you might have to hunt around a bit more.

Typically, most reputable slot providers carry this information in the game description, but some others hide it in the terms and condition or in the most difficult to find place on the web page. But, as everything we have covered above hopefully demonstrates, finding that information is key to maximising your fun, so don’t forget about it!