Loose Slot Machines: Is It RTP or Volatility that is Responsible?

What is Return To Player?

RTP and volatility in online slots

The term “Return To Player” refers to the amount of money a slot machine is programmed to pay out to the average player. For example, if a game's RTP is 95%, the typical gambler will receive €0.95 on €1.

Slot machines do not work like baccarat, where players get paid around half of the time. On the contrary, they do not have any such clear structures. They are among the most volatile casino games. With slots, you never know when your next prize will appear. As a result, you should consider RTP's short-term viability.

Payout percentages show how much a game is programmed to pay out over a long period of time. In a single session, you're unlikely to hit the exact payout % of a slot machine. Instead, you'll win or lose significantly more than the advertised RTP.

What is Volatility?

Volatility is a risk indicator. It determines how frequently a slot machine will pay out over a given length of time. In slot machine games, this phrase is commonly mistaken for variance. The latter likewise assess the risk of a slot machine, but a time limit does not constrain it.

When it comes to slots, both volatility and variance are important factors to consider. However, you're likely more worried about the amount of risk you're taking in each session.

Slot machines with the highest volatility pay out less frequently than the average game. They compensate for the low hit frequency by providing larger prizes. The most volatile slot games pay out more frequently than the average slot machine. They do, however, provide lesser jackpots and/or fewer incentives.

What Should The Measure of a Loose Slots Be?

When casinos use the term "loose slot machines," they don't explain what they mean. The players have been given the responsibility of filling in the blanks. Low volatility, rather than RTP, is a stronger indicator of loose slots. After all, people will be more concerned with how much money they can make in a single session rather than how much they can make over time.

While it's impossible to say exactly what casinos mean when they advertise loose slots, it's likely that they're talking about the RTP, which can play a tiny role in short-term gains. If a game features a huge jackpot or several bonuses, a game with 99% payback may not pay out much in a single session. A slot with a 90% RTP, on the other hand, may provide significantly more prizes in a single session.

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Conclusion

You can decide if RTP or volatility is a better metric for judging loose slot machines. The fact remains that with a low volatility slot machine, players have a better chance of winning more regularly. High volatility, on the other hand, reduces their chances of winning frequent rewards. Such are the facts of the matter, and we hope that our insights have proven enlightening.

Ella Houghton

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Ella is a professional content-writer with 8 years of experience in the casino sphere. She has broad knowledge of gambling related themes and is happy to share this with Slotsjudge.

Reviewed by Editor-in-Chief:
Aleksandra Andrishak
Updated: 30.11.2021

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