RTP Explained: The Difference Between Slots, Table Games, and PvP

RTP is the single most important number in gambling that most players never check.

Return to Player (RTP) tells you exactly how much money flows back to players over time. If a game has 96% RTP, players collectively receive $96 back for every $100 wagered. The casino keeps the remaining $4. That $4 is called the house edge, and it's the inverse of RTP.

Simple formula: RTP + House Edge = 100%

A 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge. A 99% RTP game has a 1% house edge. This difference sounds small, but it determines whether your players last 20 minutes or 20 hours.

How RTP Actually Works (With Real Math)

Let's walk through what RTP means in practice with actual calculations.

The Long-Term Average

RTP is a statistical average across millions of bets. It doesn't mean you'll get back exactly 96% of your money in a single session. Some players win big, some lose everything, but across all players and all bets, the percentages hold.

Example calculation:

A slot machine has 96% RTP. You bet $1 per spin for 1,000 spins.

• Total wagered: $1,000
• Expected return: $1,000 x 0.96 = $960
• Expected loss: $1,000 - $960 = $40

You'd expect to lose about $40 over those 1,000 spins. But here's the critical insight: your actual results will vary dramatically due to variance. You might win $500. You might lose $300. Short-term, anything can happen. Long-term, the math wins.

The Compounding Effect

Here's where RTP gets interesting. When you gamble, you typically don't bet once and leave. You recycle your bankroll, betting your winnings again and again.

The recycling calculation:

Starting bankroll: $100 RTP: 96% Average bet: $1

Round 1: You bet through your $100. Expected return: $96. Round 2: You bet through your $96. Expected return: $92.16. Round 3: You bet through your $92.16. Expected return: $88.47.

Each round, you lose 4% of whatever you're playing with. After just 10 rounds of recycling:

$100 x (0.96)^10 = $66.48 remaining

After 20 rounds: $44.20 remaining After 50 rounds: $13.03 remaining After 100 rounds: $1.69 remaining

This is why RTP matters so much. The house edge compounds every time you recycle your bankroll.

RTP By Game Type: The Complete Breakdown

Different games have wildly different RTP percentages. Understanding these ranges helps you set realistic expectations for your audience.

Slot Machines: 88-97% RTP

Slots have the widest RTP range and typically the worst odds in any casino.

Land-based casino slots: 88-92% RTP The worst odds you'll find. Vegas floor slots are notoriously tight.

Online casino slots: 94-97% RTP Better than land-based, but still among the worst online options.

Specific examples:

• Mega Joker (NetEnt): 99% RTP (highest in industry)
• Blood Suckers (NetEnt): 98% RTP
• Starburst (NetEnt): 96.1% RTP
• Book of Dead (Play'n GO): 96.21% RTP
• Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic): 96.5% RTP
• Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic): 96.48% RTP

Why slots have lower RTP: Slots are expensive to develop, license, and operate. The lower RTP covers costs and generates profit. They also offer higher variance with life-changing jackpot potential, which attracts players despite the poor odds.

The hidden issue: Many casinos run slots at even lower RTP than advertised. A game might have a "96% theoretical RTP" but the casino configures it to 94%. Always check the game info screen for the actual RTP.

Table Games: 97-99.5% RTP

Table games offer dramatically better odds than slots.

Blackjack (basic strategy): 99.5% RTP The best odds in any casino when played correctly. The 0.5% house edge only applies if you use perfect basic strategy. Most players make mistakes, effectively lowering their RTP to 95-97%.

Baccarat (banker bet): 98.94% RTP Simple game, great odds. Banker bet has 1.06% edge, player bet has 1.24% edge. Tie bet has terrible 14.36% edge (avoid it).

Craps (pass/don't pass): 98.59% RTP Pass line bet has 1.41% edge. Odds bets behind pass line have 0% edge (best bet in any casino).

Roulette:

• European (single zero): 97.3% RTP
• American (double zero): 94.74% RTP Never play American roulette. The double zero nearly doubles the house edge for no player benefit.

Why table games have better RTP: Lower operating costs (no complex software, fewer licensing fees), more skilled player base who would leave bad odds, and tradition/competition keeping edges low.

PvP and Poker: 95-99%+ RTP

Player-versus-player games have a fundamentally different model. The casino doesn't gamble against you. They take a small percentage (rake) from each pot or tournament.

Cash game poker rake: Typically 2.5-5% of each pot, capped at $3-5 Your effective RTP depends on your win rate against other players minus the rake. A skilled player can have positive expected value despite the rake.

Tournament poker rake: Usually 5-10% of buy-in A $100 tournament might put $90 in the prize pool and $10 to the house.

Sports betting: 95-97% RTP (varies by sport and market) The "vig" or "juice" creates the edge. Standard -110 odds on both sides of a bet gives the sportsbook about 4.5% edge.

Crypto Casino Originals: 98-99%+ RTP

Provably fair casino games typically offer the best RTP in online gambling.

Dice/Limbo: 99% RTP (1% house edge) Simple games with transparent math. You can see the exact edge before every bet.

Crash: 96-99% RTP Varies by casino. Better casinos run 99% RTP.

Plinko: 97-99% RTP Depends on risk level selected.

Mines: 97-99% RTP Depends on configuration.

Why crypto originals have better RTP: Lower overhead (no licensing fees to game providers), competition forcing lower edges, and transparency requirements of provably fair systems making it hard to hide poor odds.

How RTP Affects Your Bankroll: Real Scenarios

Let's compare how the same player fares at different RTP levels.

Scenario: $1,000 Bankroll, $10 Average Bet

Player at 94% RTP slot:

Expected bets before bankroll depleted: ~167 bets

Calculation: With 6% edge, you lose an average of $0.60 per $10 bet. $1,000 / $0.60 = 1,667 bets if you never recycled. But you recycle winnings, so actual gameplay is much shorter.

More accurate model: After recycling through your bankroll once ($1,000 in bets), you have $940. After twice, $883.60. You run out of meaningful bankroll after roughly 15-20 cycles, meaning 1,500-2,000 total spins.

At 3 seconds per spin, that's 75-100 minutes of play.

Player at 99% RTP blackjack:

Expected bets before bankroll depleted: ~1,000+ hands

With only 1% edge, you lose $0.10 per $10 hand on average. After one cycle ($1,000 in bets), you have $990. After 10 cycles, you still have $904.

You can play for 4-6 hours before your bankroll erodes significantly.

The difference: Same deposit, same bet size. The slot player is done in under 2 hours. The blackjack player is still going after dinner.

What This Means for Affiliates

This directly impacts your earnings.

RevShare math: If you're on RevShare, you earn a percentage of what the casino wins from your players.

Player deposits $1,000:

• At 94% RTP: Casino wins ~$60/day from this player. Your 40% RevShare = $24/day.
• At 99% RTP: Casino wins ~$10/day from this player. Your 40% RevShare = $4/day.

Wait, doesn't that mean low RTP is better for you?

No. Here's why: Player retention.

The slot player loses their $1,000 in a day and never comes back. They feel cheated, even if the game was fair.

The blackjack player loses their $1,000 over a month of casual play. They deposit again because they had fun. They tell friends. They become a loyal player generating lifetime value.

Low RTP = fast player burn = one-time revenue High RTP = slow player burn = recurring revenue + referrals

The affiliates who earn the most long-term promote casinos where players last.

How to Find and Verify RTP

Not all games make their RTP easy to find. Here's how to check.

For Slots

Method 1: Game info screen Most online slots have an "i" or menu button. Look for "RTP" or "Return to Player" in the game rules. This shows the theoretical maximum RTP.

Method 2: Casino game library Some casinos list RTP in their game selection interface. Filter by RTP if available.

Method 3: Game provider website Check the game provider's official site (NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, etc.) for official RTP figures.

Method 4: Third-party databases Sites like Slot Catalog maintain RTP databases for thousands of games.

Warning: The RTP you find might not be the RTP you're getting. Many games have configurable RTP, and casinos can choose lower settings. Ask support: "What RTP setting are you running for [Game Name]?" Reputable casinos will tell you.

For Table Games

Table game RTP is determined by rules, not configuration. Calculate it yourself:

Blackjack: Use a house edge calculator. Input the exact rules (number of decks, dealer stands on soft 17, doubling rules, etc.) to get precise RTP.

Roulette: Count zeros. One zero = 97.3% RTP. Two zeros = 94.74% RTP.

Baccarat: Standard rules = 98.94% on banker, 98.76% on player, 85.64% on tie.

For Provably Fair Games

Provably fair games show the house edge explicitly before you bet. The game interface typically displays "House Edge: 1%" or similar. Calculate RTP: 100% - house edge = RTP.

This transparency is a major advantage of crypto casinos. No guessing, no hidden configurations.

Using RTP as a Selling Point

Smart affiliates use RTP education to convert and retain players.

Content Ideas

Comparison articles: "Highest RTP Slots in 2024" lists games where players get better odds. Readers searching for this are educated players who appreciate value.

Game reviews: Include RTP prominently. "This slot has 96.5% RTP, which is above average for the category."

Casino reviews: Highlight casinos with transparent RTP. "This casino displays RTP for every game in their library."

Educational content: Explain why RTP matters. Players who understand the math make better decisions and trust you more.

The Trust Angle

When promoting, be honest:

Bad approach: "You can win big at this casino!"

Good approach: "This casino runs 99% RTP on their original games, so your money lasts longer. Here's how to verify the odds yourself."

The second approach builds trust. Players appreciate honesty about the math. They know gambling has a house edge. They want to play where that edge is reasonable.

Targeting the Right Players

High RTP appeals to specific player types:

Value players: Actively seek the best odds. Will leave low-RTP casinos for better options.

Grinders: Play frequently, care about long-term results. High RTP is essential for their model.

Educated players: Understand probability, appreciate transparency.

These are excellent audiences for affiliates because they're engaged, loyal when treated well, and often have higher lifetime value.

Common RTP Misconceptions

Let's clear up confusion your audience might have.

"Hot" and "Cold" Machines

Myth: "This machine hasn't paid out in hours, so it's due for a win."

Reality: Each spin is independent. RTP doesn't mean the game "owes" you wins. A 96% RTP slot could theoretically lose 1,000 spins in a row (unlikely but possible). Past results don't affect future outcomes.

"The Casino Changed My Odds"

Myth: "I was winning, then suddenly started losing. They rigged it."

Reality: This is variance. Win streaks and loss streaks are normal. RTP is a long-term average, not a guarantee of consistent results. Provably fair casinos let you verify every bet to confirm no manipulation.

"Higher Bets = Better RTP"

Myth: "Betting max gives you better odds."

Reality: RTP is the same regardless of bet size on most games. The exception: some slots require max bet to qualify for jackpots, which affects effective RTP. But base game RTP stays constant.

"Online RTP is Fake"

Myth: "They can just show whatever numbers they want."

Reality: Licensed casinos are audited by regulators. They can't advertise 96% RTP and deliver 80%. However, casinos can legally run games at lower-than-maximum RTP. The solution: play at provably fair casinos where you verify everything cryptographically.

RTP and Variance: The Complete Picture

RTP tells you how much you lose over time. Variance tells you how wild the ride is.

High RTP + Low Variance: Steady, predictable. Small wins and losses. Money lasts longest. Example: Blackjack.

High RTP + High Variance: Money lasts long on average, but with huge swings. You might double your money or lose it all quickly. Example: Some crypto originals.

Low RTP + Low Variance: Steady bleeding. Few exciting wins, constant small losses. Example: American roulette.

Low RTP + High Variance: Worst combination for bankroll but offers jackpot potential. Big losing sessions punctuated by rare big wins. Example: Progressive jackpot slots.

For player retention, high RTP + moderate variance is ideal. Players last long enough to enjoy the experience, get some exciting wins, and come back for more.

Bottom Line

RTP determines how fast your players lose their money. It affects:

• Player experience: Higher RTP = more playtime per dollar
• Retention: Players who last longer come back more often
• Your earnings: Long-term player value beats one-time deposits
• Trust: Transparent RTP builds credibility

The best affiliates promote casinos with competitive RTP and educate their audience about the math. This builds trust, improves retention, and generates sustainable revenue.

Understanding RTP is fundamental to gambling math. When comparing crypto vs fiat casinos, original games often have better RTP than traditional slots. Platforms like PureOdds offer 99% RTP (1% house edge) on all original games with full verification.

The question isn't whether the house has an edge. It always does. The question is whether that edge is reasonable and transparent. Choose casinos where it is, and your audience will thank you.