Players of online casino games have many different reasons for betting on their preferred titles. One significant factor that can affect a player’s decision to play online slots or online casino table games is the return-to-player (RTP). In this guide, players will learn all about RTP, what it is, how it differs between different types of games, and other factors that may also affect the player’s choice of play, so that they can have a clear understanding of slot RTP vs table games RTP.
What is the Return to Player?
Here is how RTP works in online casino games. Return to player, or RTP, is the casino payout percentage a game is designed to pay back over a long period of time. If a player subtracts the value of the RTP from 100, the game’s house edge (what the casino expects to keep) is revealed.
For example, a 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge. This means the game will, on average, retain four cents of every dollar wagered across a large sample of games.
However, the RTP in online casino games varies from game to game and title to title. Here’s a closer look at the RTP in online slots and the RTP in online table games.
RTP in Online Slots
The average RTP of most online slots across most regions is 96%, with games offering a range of RTPs between 88% and 98%. The RTP in online slots is defined by each game’s software, with different regions and even different casinos offering different RTP ranges. There are (typically) no actions that a player can take in an online slot that will affect the game’s return to player.
To have a clear understanding of RTP in slots, check the online casino’s game resources, such as help files, the help files in the game itself, or a review of the online slot.
Why Do Two Slot Games With the Same RTP Feel Different During Play?
However, slots players may have noticed that two games with the same RTP can offer wildly different payout frequencies.
This is due to the slot game’s volatility, which is generally categorized as low, medium, or high. A low volatility game pays more frequently, but the wagers are smaller. A medium volatility game offers a mix of frequent and less frequent wagers that are smaller and larger in size. A high volatility game pays less frequently, but when a win appears, the value is higher.
For example, a 96% RTP game with a low volatility will pay smaller rewards more often, while a 96% RTP game with a high volatility will pay larger rewards far less often. This could result in the two games feeling incredibly different to play, even if the RTP of each game is the same.
The RTP could also be affected by features that may have a slightly different volatility or RTP compared to the base spins, depending on the game. Finally, some games could also allow you to adjust the volatility, so be sure to keep all of these elements in mind.
RTP in Online Table Games
Table games typically have higher RTPs; however, some games have variable RTPs that are affected by player decisions. Also, when taking a closer look at specific bets within specific games, the RTP may be much lower than other bets because of their odds of landing. However, with these less-likely-to-win bets, players have larger rewards to look forward to.
Here’s a closer look at how RTP can change when comparing different table games using the craps, blackjack, and roulette RTPs as an example:
- Craps: A Pass bet has an RTP of 98.59 % and payout odds of +100 (1:1) while a Place 5 and 9 bet has an RTP of 96% and payout odds of +140 (7:5).
- Blackjack: With a 3:2 payout for a blackjack hand and perfect basic strategy, the RTP hovers around 99.5%, but a 6:5 blackjack hand payout or mistake in executing good blackjack strategy will reduce the RTP. Multiple decks can also lessen the RTP.
- Roulette: European wheels (single zero) return 97.3 % while American wheels (double zero) drop to 94.74 %.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Slots vs. Table Games
Here is a head-to-head comparison between the average RTP of various games and the elements that can affect a player’s wins:
| Game | Average RTP | Impact of Skill | Volatility |
| Online slots | 96% | None | Can be low, medium, or high |
| Baccarat | 98.84% | Low impact | – |
| Blackjack | 98% / 99.5% | No impact / Moderate impact | – |
| American Roulette | 94.74% | None | – |
| European Roulette | 97.3% | None | – |
If a player is looking for the best overall average RTP, they should pick online casino table games and the right wagers in those games over online slots. However, players can also look for online slot games with high RTPs, with some titles offering RTPs as high as 99% if that is their primary concern. If they prioritize other factors, players should always pick the game that gives them the most fun and entertainment.
