There are many different reasons why people enjoy playing casino games. Some people like the thrill that is involved with having money on the line and potentially profiting instead of watching dramacool. Others just enjoy the games themselves for what they are and are not overly concerned with the stakes. Then there are people who are looking to maximize their returns at all costs.
To put yourself in a position to optimize the returns you get from online casino gameplay you need to understand how the house edge works. This is how casinos make their money, by building into every game an edge so that they will come out on top in the long run. This article will look at how the house edge is incorporated in both physical casinos and online casinos.
What is RTP?
To figure out the expected return of a given casino game; a metric called the return to player (RTP) is used. This is a very useful tool as you can instantly see what the house edge will be for a given casino title. If a slot machine has an RTP value of 96%, this will mean that you will expect to get a return of £96 for every £100 of bets that you make.
The house edge will be 100% minus the RTP value. Therefore, in the above example, the house edge for the slot machine will be 4%. Just because there is a house edge built into a casino game doesn’t mean that you are not able to profit by playing a given title.
These RTP values will be based on the long-term playing of games. However, there can be a lot of short-term variabilities which means that you can in fact get some big wins even if there is an unfavourable house edge built into a game.
RTP and Slots
You will come across slot machines at physical casinos as well as on online casinos. These are usually the main type of game that makes up the game libraries. However, there will be more of a house edge built into slot machines than the likes of table games.
The average RTP for a slot machine will usually be around the 96% mark, while table game RTPs will be closer to the 99% mark. There are a few different ways in which you can figure out the RTP of a given slot.
If you are in a physical casino, you will usually be able to see the RTP in the game’s menu system. For an online slot machine, you can look at the game information and you can see what the RTP for that title on that platform is. This allows you to be fully aware of the specifics of the game that you are going to be playing.
Variance and RTP
Another key metric involved with judging the merits of a given slot machine is going to be variance. The variance of a slot will indicate how often you can expect to have a winning spin. For a low variance game, you will be expecting to win on a regular basis. However, the payouts are usually not going to be the biggest for these types of slots. Therefore, you can expect more consistent small returns which will be enough for ordering food online.
For a high variance slot, you will be getting winning spins on a much rarer basis, but you will usually get bigger wins when you do have a successful spin. A lot of people will prefer one approach or the other. If you want to have a blend of both types of approaches, then a medium variance slot will likely be a good fit for your situation.
Land-Based vs Online RTP
There are often major differences between the RTPs that you will come across for slot machines to physical casinos and the RTPs that you will come across for online slots. Land-based casinos will have a lot more costs to deal with than online casinos. There are different expenses like rent and wages that need to be paid.
The physical slot machines also must be cleaned regularly due to COVID-19 protocols and there is a lot of upkeep involved with having these physical machines as opposed to just running an online casino system. Therefore, the RTP for a lot of slots found at physical casinos can be more in the 70%-90% range. This is opposed to online slots which will generally have an RTP range of between 93% and 97%.
Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but this is a good general analysis of the RTPs that you can expect when it comes to different types of slot machines. This is why a lot of people prefer to play slots through online casinos, as they will be getting a better bang for their buck. They will also get access to a much wider range of slots and can play from the comfort of their own home rather than having to go to a physical facility.
UK vs Non GamStop Casinos
Online casinos are extremely popular in the UK as people enjoy playing casino games without having to physically go to a casino. There are countless platforms that hold a license with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
As a result of the scrutiny from the UKGC, a lot of restrictions have come into place on these platforms in recent years. This includes the UKGC banning the use of credit cards to fund gambling accounts, as well as introducing strict bet limits on slot games, as well as restrictive features like spin timers.
This is why a lot of people are now looking at non-GamStop casinos like those listed here to get a more freeing experience. On these types of platforms, you will often find more innovative slots, as well as a greater quantity of games. You can access bigger bonuses, more payment options, and have an overall more freeing experience when you are looking to play online slots at casinos not on GamStp.
Ethan Turner
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