Slot machines are the easiest casino games to play. From simplistic graphics to unlimited rules, these titles allow players to enjoy fast-paced gameplay and a quick turnaround on their wagers. But the fun aside, how can one tell the probability of them securing a win or how big it could be?

This brought about the invention of RTPs (return to player), a percentage-based game feature that tells the player what they could win after their gameplay. This is more common for those playing slots online who seek their potential win and the casino’s return before launching a game. Now that you know a little about this casino game feature, you may wonder which came first, the slot machine or the concept of RTP. Let’s find out!

The Evolution of Slot Machines

Slot machines made it to the gambling scene as far back as 1894. The first machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented by Charles Fey in San Francisco and featured classics such as card suits, bells, and horseshoes as symbols. You may still see these icons and standard ones like the bar, 777, and fruits like cherries, grapes, plums, and watermelons. As the years passed, more slot machines came to light with more exciting features.

The plot thickened, and online gambling became a thing. Slot games were the first on the scene, with Microgaming releasing them in the mid-1900s and WMS following quickly with Reel’ Em In’ in 1996. Not long after, Microgaming also released a jackpot, Cash Splash. 

The Emergence of RTPs

With all this excitement underway, more people began to use these fun methods to play. The only thing missing was the predicted win. Everyone loves the potential outcome of anything that takes their money, slot players included. The return to player (RTP) percentage was created to proffer a solution. This tool tells players their theoretical win rate after long-term gameplay. 

With RTPs, you can know your expected return relative to the amount you spend gambling. For instance, you play a fun slot machine with a 99% return to player rate, and your total bet amount is NZ$100. You can expect NZ$99 back following gameplay over a period. The mistake players make is assuming that this means how much they can collect back into the bankroll, but that is not true. 

RTPs are a way of sharing the slots’ winning history. So, the projected payout over a period is counted for all the gameplay on that machine. It’ll record gameplay from all players, telling you how well the slot has performed in the past. So, you can tell that players will earn less over time when a game’s RTP is low. The lowest possible return-to-player percentage is 85%, which you would rarely get, but you can play many titles that offer up to 99% payback. 

Whatever number is left from a total of hundred is the house edge. Like with a 96% RTP, the gambling house has 4% left. That’s the casino’s probability of winning the odds or guaranteed profit of the gaming hall.

RTP’s Impact

With the return to player percentages implemented in gameplay, players can now make informed decisions about the slots they wish to play. This brings us to the next thing: nerfed slots. Some providers offer a range for the casino to select. When these sites pick the lowest limit, the time spent gambling reduces, and so do your winning chances in the long term.

Shaping Player Expectations

RTPs have influenced slot gameplay, making it more enjoyable for players to launch their favourite titles. Before starting to play, they can tell the house edge and the potential win. The interest in this feature is its relation to the house edge. Knowing the RTP automatically tells you the casino’s chances of winning over you. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge.

Here’s how having this knowledge can impact your gameplay:

• You’ll make better and more informed decisions, increasing your potential win over time;
• You’ll win more often, extending your gameplay without stripping your budget, by playing games with a higher RTP;
• You’ll enjoy mitigated risks knowing that the higher the return to player percentage is, the lower the volatility and vice versa. As lowly volatile games offer small but frequent payouts, while highly volatile games offer bigger, infrequent payouts.

Navigating Slot Gameplay

Trying to discover the predecessor: the slot or RTPs, is just like entering a discussion about whether the egg or the chicken came first. The only difference is that there is no confusion with these. Slots have been here for a long time, innovating and exciting players loudly and quietly, while RTPs came way after. So, what new things did you learn about this game feature? Would you start checking a game’s RTP before you play, or do you think it is a waste of time? Let us know in the comments.