RTP and Volatility are the two most important factors determining how much you win from a slot and how frequently you will win. After testing, playing, analyzing, and reviewing different games across various UK casino sites, this is what BestCasino experts discovered about RTP and volatility. This guide also includes a few examples of popular games that offer favorable Return to Player and variance, which you can use in your gaming strategies.
This guide also includes a few examples of popular games that offer favourable Return to Player and Variance, which you can use in your gaming strategies.
What is RTP?
RTP or Return to Player, is the amount you receive from your bet when you win a game. A percentage figure usually represents Return to Player percentage, and it is different for each game. In table games, RTP is the exact amount you will win from a bet.
For example: Blackjack has a 99% RTP, making it one of the highest RTP paying games online. If you placed a £100 stake and won, you will likely get back £99. Many players ask what does RTP mean, or what is RTP, and this example clarifies it. For those wondering what does RTP mean in gambling, or what is RTP gambling, it’s essentially a measure of how much a game pays back to players over time.
What is volatility in casino games?
Most casino review experts in the UK usually include volatility in slots. Unfortunately, research proves that many slot players must pay more attention to game volatility rates. After all, it is one of the most crucial decisions players must make when choosing what to play. So, what is volatility? Volatility, also referred to as variance, is the frequency of wins in a game. Today, there are three major types of volatility:
High: A game whose wins happen less often but offer the highest payouts.
Medium: The game provides a fair share of small and occasional big wins. The frequency of payouts is moderate.
Low: In low-volatility games, the wins are frequent but in smaller amounts.
Here is a table showing how each type of variance affects a player’s risk and the size of your win.
| Variance/Volatility | Win Frequency | Player’s Risk On Stake | Amounts won per bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Low | Low |
| Medium | Moderate | Medium | Low/Medium |
| High | Low | High | High |
How does RTP and Volatility affect your odds or players’ risk?
Now that you understand the basics of Return to player and volatility, we can examine how variance and RTP can affect your gaming strategy and odds of winning.
If you don’t have a considerable bankroll
If you have a low bankroll and want to win more during your gaming session, it would be better if you played a low-volatility and high RTP slots game (with a 97% RTP or more). This strategy is used by seasoned players to spread their stake across multiple rounds and play longer. Also, it is advisable to choose high RTP games that allow a minimum bet of 0.10. Many ask what is a good RTP for slots, and generally, anything above 96% is considered good.
If you have a medium-big bankroll
Players with a larger bankroll can choose medium or high-volatility slots with a high RTP (any game with a 94% RTP or more). They can also pick games with max bet limits of 50 or more. This is a smart strategy that gives you big individual wins and a generous return to player over time. For those seeking best RTP slots, or highest RTP slots, looking for games in this range is a good starting point.
How to know a game’s RTP and volatility?
Some casino players might wonder if regular players can know a game’s volatility without using gambling mathematical calculations used by UK Gambling Commission and experts. Well, there are various ways of finding out what a game has to offer:
Check the game’s paytable
After launching a game, look for the Paytable icon and expand it. In most games, the paytable is represented by the (?), settings, or menu icon.
Play the games for free while analyzing the symbols paytable
If it is a slot, spin the slot for free in demo mode and keep an eye on the grid to see how often the highest symbols appear.
Read casino game reviews from trusted experts
Look for forums, platforms, or sites where specialists discuss games in detail.
Analyze the bonus features
Check how frequently high-paying symbols appear during active bonus rounds. Play in demo mode to calculate how many rounds in the free spins feature delivered a winning combination and the size of the win. To find where is the RTP on a slot machine, the paytable or game information section is usually the best place.
Examples of popular slots and their volatility
There are thousands of online slots, and hundreds are released every other day. Here are some of the most popular games, along with their RTP and bonus features.
| Slot | Volatility | RTP | Bonus features | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates of Olympus | Extremely High | 96.50% | Tumbling reels, multipliers, free spins, Drop & Wins. | 5000x your stake |
| Twin Spin Megaways | High | 96.04% | Avalanches, Twin reels, free spins, multipliers. | 38,000x your stake |
| Book of Dead | Medium-High | 96.21% | Unlimited free spins, special expanding symbol | 5000x your stake |
| Immortal Romance | Medium | 96.86% | Chamber of Spins, Multipliers, Free spins, Rolling reels, Wild vines. | 12,000x your stake |
| Starburst | Low | 96.09% | Starburst Wilds | 500x your stake |
| Blood Suckers | Low | 98% | Vampire slaying bonus, Free spins | 1,014x your stake |
When looking for slots with highest RTP, or slots with best RTP, these games are a great place to start. For players asking what slot has 99% RTP, Blood Suckers is a notable example.
We have reached the end of our volatility and RTP guide. Remember, whatever you choose depends on how much time and bankroll you want to spend on your gaming session. Above all, play responsibly and use the Stop Loss settings tool whenever you activate AutoPlay. For those interested in RTP calculator, or understanding how does RTP work, there are many online resources and guides available.
