Whether you’re interested in financial spread betting, day trading, or long-term investing, all experienced traders will tell you that getting the full picture in terms of fees and commissions is paramount. An extra 1% here or there can make all the difference between a profit and a loss.
But should you take that level of scrutiny to other financial engagements? We often do, yet there are scenarios where we can overlook certain advantages and disadvantages. Take casino games, for example. Most people are aware that American roulette has inferior odds to European roulette due to the extra double-zero pocket. There’s little reason to choose the American version as it is; put simply, it is disadvantageous to play compared to its European cousin.
Experienced Players Research
The roulette example is well known, and one that every experienced and discerning casino player comes to learn quite quickly, yet what about games like slots? Their randomness tends to make players put more emphasis on luck than other games – you’ll either win or you won’t – but there is a metric that tells us how and to what extent slots pay over time, and it’s called RTP (Return to Player).
Now, to be absolutely clear: RTP will not tell you if a slot will pay you on any given spin or session. There is no cheat code for slots, and anyone who tells you otherwise is bluffing. Yet, RTP is a kind of digital house edge for slot games, basically the reverse of house edge. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, that basically tells you that the game will pay back $95 for every $100 wagered over time. That “over time” is an important term, as we are talking about millions of spins, so it does not tell you anything about an individual gaming session.
Bloodsuckers has a Famously High RTP
Nonetheless, some players will do their research before playing and choose high RTP slots. A good example is Blood Suckers slot from NetEnt, which has a high RTP that clocks in at 98%. The game, which is available at DraftKings Casino, has been famous for years due to that RTP rate. Typically, slots have RTPs around 93-95%, so coming in at 98% means the margins are pretty tight for the casino.
So, if this is the case, can we say that you should always check RTP before playing? Well, yes, but there are a few caveats. First of all, consider the difference between a game, like Blood Suckers, and a low RTP slot, such as Mega Moolah, which has an RTP that ranges between 88-90%. On paper, Blood Suckers is the better choice because, over time, it will pay back 10% more.
However, it’s not just as simple as that. Mega Moolah is a progressive jackpot slot, with a headline prize that is usually worth several million dollars. Much of the RTP calculation overlooks the fact that the differential goes to fund the jackpots on that game.
Moreover, there is the question of variance, i.e., the behaviors of slot games. Some are programmed to pay small amounts quite frequently, whereas others are more volatile, paying larger amounts but less frequently. This is arguably a more important metric to understand than RTP, as it tells you the characteristics of the slot and not how much it will pay back over millions of spins.
Still, RTP should not be ignored fully, and even if you are playing offline, it’s worth considering that it can vary from establishment to establishment. The information is readily available online as iGaming platforms and slot developers are obliged by regulations to audit and publish the information. So, a quick Google before you play can help you find that potentially useful information.
