Return to Player (RTP) is the theoretical percentage of all wagered money that a casino game will pay back to players over time. An RTP of 96% means that for every $100 wagered, the game is expected to return $96 on average. The remaining 4% is the house edge. RTP is calculated over millions of spins, not individual sessions.
RTP is the most important metric for evaluating a game's long-term value. Online slots typically range from 92% to 98% RTP, with 96%+ considered above average. Table games generally have higher RTPs — blackjack with basic strategy can reach 99.5%, and video poker can exceed 99%. It is crucial to understand that RTP is a theoretical long-term average, not a guarantee for any single session. You can win big or lose everything in the short term regardless of RTP. Variance (volatility) determines how results are distributed around the expected return. Always check a game's RTP before playing — most reputable casinos publish this information in the game's info or help section.
A slot with 96.5% RTP is expected to return $96.50 for every $100 wagered over millions of spins. In a single session of 200 spins, your actual return could be anywhere from $0 to $5,000+.
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