IF the terms RTP and volatility sound confusing to you, then don’t worry, you are not alone. Online slots are one of the most popular forms of gambling among the UK public, but if you are new to them, some of the information you are greeted with can be a little daunting.
In this online slot guide, we will take a look at how online slots work, what phrases like RTP and volatility mean, and if there is any way you can maximise your potential returns when playing slots online.
Online slots work much in the same way as their land-based counterparts. A set of reels spins, each displaying a selection of symbols. To win, the symbols must land a specific way on the reels, creating winning combinations. The mechanics will vary from slot to slot, with some using traditional paylines, where winning combinations need to land on the leftmost reel and appear in certain patterns, and others using more complex payment systems, like ways to win or Megaways. Regardless of the gameplay mechanics, the principles remain the same.
RTP stands for return to player. This is displayed as a percentage, and it shows players the amount of their stake they could expect to see returned over a period of time. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 96% and you staked £100 over a prolonged period, you could expect roughly £96 returned. It is important to remember that RTP is not an exact science and should be used as an estimate.
Whereas RTP tells you how much you are likely to see over a period of time, volatility can give you an indication of how often you are likely to win and what kind of prizes you could win. Slots with low volatility will pay out smaller prizes more often, while higher volatility slots require longer gameplay but will pay out bigger when they do.