RTP and Volatility at Online Casinos: Basic Explanation
When choosing slots at online casinos, two metrics often come up – RTP and volatility. These parameters are used to describe the overall behaviour of the game and help you understand how a slot typically performs over the long haul. They are not related to the outcome of a particular gaming session and do not guarantee a win.
Both metrics are used in most modern games and are stated in the help information or within the game interface.
What RTP means
RTP stands for Return to Player. This indicator reflects the proportion of funds that are returned to players over time. RTP is expressed as a percentage and is calculated based on a large number of game rounds.
Simply put, RTP shows what proportion of bets theoretically return back to the game. With a higher value, the balance is usually spent more slowly. At a lower value, the funds may decrease faster. The RTP does not affect the result of an individual spin and does not determine the outcome of a particular session.
‘RTP – this is an average indicator, which works only over a long distance and does not reflect the result of a short game,’ – say experts who analyse gaming algorithms.
It is important to take into account that RTP does not change during the game and remains the same for all users.
What is Volatility
Volatility describes the distribution of winnings within a game. It shows how often payouts occur and how big they are. Volatility is not directly related to RTP and can differ even between games with the same return percentage.
There are usually three levels of volatility. Low volatility means more frequent but small payouts. Medium volatility is considered an intermediate option. High volatility is characterised by infrequent but potentially larger payoffs.
‘Volatility does not affect the bottom line, but the rhythm of the game – how events are distributed within a session,’ point out gaming software experts.
This parameter helps to understand the general nature of the game, but does not allow you to predict the specific moment of payout.
How these indicators are used in practice
RTP and volatility are most often used for general comparison of games. These parameters help to form expectations of gameplay, but do not serve as a predictive tool.
Games with different characteristics can feel different during play. Some offer a smoother flow with frequent small events. Others offer more infrequent but noticeable changes in balance. These differences do not affect the mathematical advantage of the casino.
The choice of slot remains a matter of perception and convenience rather than a guaranteed result.
Relationship to the size of the game balance
The current balance in BDT is often taken into account when selecting a game. With a limited budget, slots with more evenly distributed payouts are more likely to be chosen. With a larger reserve of funds, games with less frequent events may be considered.
It should be noted that the size of the balance does not change the algorithm of the game. RTP and volatility remain the same regardless of the amount of bets and session duration.
Comparison of game types
| Game Type | Payout Frequency | Payout Size | Total Risk |
| Low Volatility | Often | Small | Lower |
| Medium Volatility | Moderate | Medium | Medium |
| High Volatility | Rarely | Large | Higher |
The table reflects generalised characteristics and does not describe specific game scenarios.
Additional points
- each game round is an independent event
- past results do not affect future results
- RTP and volatility do not change during play
- the same slot may show different results in different sessions
These features are related to the use of a random number generator and are considered standard for online casinos.
Final Insight
RTP and volatility are reference parameters that describe the overall behaviour of a slot. They help you navigate the characteristics of the game, but they do not provide an advantage or guarantee a certain outcome.