Simply put, "return to player" is a percentage rate of all bets made in a casino game that is returned to the players over time. However, it isn’t quite that simple. There are different return to player rates depending on the game you are playing. There are also different return to player rates depending on whether you are playing at a land-based casino or at an online casino.
The return to player rates are directly connected to the random number generator. This is software that actually selects numbers or cards at random. It determines the outcomes of all games at an online casino except for live games. It determines the outcomes of all games that players play at a terminal at land-based casinos.
There is no random number generator at land-based casinos for games that are played at a table such as roulette, craps, bingo, keno, baccarat, and blackjack.
In this article, Jackpot Capital will explain how the return to player rate in slots differs from the rate in other games, and how you best can improve your return to player rate.
Let’s Start by Explaining the Different Return to Player Rates in Slots
These days, all slots are digital. Everything at an online casino such as Jackpot Capital, except for live games, is digital. Slots at land-based casinos used to be mechanical, but they aren’t any longer. That means that the random number generator determines all outcomes in slots at both online casinos and land-based casinos.
However, the random number generator can be calibrated in slots. Therefore, the slots at Jackpot Capital online casino have a return to player rate of about 97% while the return to player rate in slots at a land-based casino will be about 90% or less.
At this point we have to introduce the concept of volatility.
What is Volatility?
This term refers to how the winnings in a slot are distributed. High volatility means that there will be relatively fewer winning spins and each winning spin will pay out a relatively high amount of money. Low volatility means the exact opposite: relatively many winning spins with generally lower payouts per winning spin.
Medium volatility is in the middle.
The key point here is that two games might have the same return to player rate but very different volatility. If you play a slot with high volatility and you get lucky, you will win a substantial amount. But you have to get lucky.
Nowadays, gamers are playing slots with low or medium volatility. Our newest games generally have medium volatility.
Is there Volatility in Other Casino Games?
No, there isn’t.
In roulette, there are 36 numbers plus the 0 and 00 (if you play American Roulette). The random number generator determines which slot the ball will fall into. The RNG has no memory. It doesn’t know what happened in the previous spin or in the thousands of spins before it.
In craps, there are two dice. Once again, the RNG has no memory, so all outcomes are entirely random.
In blackjack, there are anywhere from one to six decks, and the RNG has no memory. So, each card that comes out is random.
What Casino Game Has the Highest Return to Player Rate?
For all practical purposes, it’s a tie between blackjack and video poker with a return to player rate of about 99.5%. To put that into perspective, if you bet $1000 on either of these games, you should “expect” to win back $995! This makes video poker and blackjack very inexpensive, fun, and entertaining games.
There are two main points we have to make here. First, in order to achieve that 99.5% return to player rate, you have to make the correct play on every hand. Fortunately, both games have been studied by computers, and we know exactly what the correct play is on every hand. A lot of players still play by what they call instinct. Doing so is a mistake because the return to player rate for people who play blackjack or video poker by instinct is lower than 99.5%.
The second point is that a lot of land-based casinos pay out less for certain hands in order to maximize the house’s take in these games. In blackjack, many land-based casinos pay out only 6-5 for a blackjack while Jackpot Capital and all reputable online casinos pay out the traditional 3-2.
In video poker, many land-based casinos pay out only 8-5 or 7-5 for a full house and a flush, while we pay out 9-6 for these hands.
Thus, the return to player rate in blackjack and video poker here at Jackpot Capital remains at about 99.5% with correct play, while the same games often pay out less at land-based casinos.
Are There Any Other Tips You Can Give Me Regarding the Return to Player Rate?
Sure.
- Always know the exact rules of any game you want to play.
- By setting time and money budgets for gaming, you will not be tempted to play longer if you are ahead or play longer if you are behind.
- Never follow a betting system, of which there are many. They don’t work, and they lower your return to player rate.
- Play European Roulette.
- Make use of our free play offer.
- Always bet the maximum in video poker and when you play a progressive jackpot slot.
- Travelling to a land-based casino costs money before you play a single game. This immediately reduces your return to player rate.
- Try to wait until after gaming to drink alcohol, as even a small amount of alcohol leads to gaming mistakes. That’s why land-based casinos offer free alcohol.
- Play only when you feel well and rested. If you feel unwell, the last thing you should be doing is making bets on casino games.
Jackpot Capital Tries to Help You Maximize Your Return to Player Rate
We offer excellent deposit bonuses. We have a fair and reasonable play-through requirement for bonuses. We have safe and secure banking. Possibly the most important way we help gamers get a better return to player rate is by publishing blog articles such as this one with helpful information and advice.