In this guide
Quick answer
- RTP is the average share of stakes a slot pays back over millions of spins.
- Volatility describes whether wins come small and often, or big and rarely.
- Two slots with the same RTP can feel completely different to play.
RTP: how much
RTP (return to player) is a long-run average. A 96% RTP slot pays back $96 of every $100 staked, across millions of spins. It tells you the average cost of playing, not what will happen tonight.
Volatility: how
Volatility (also called variance) describes the shape of the wins.
- Low volatility: frequent small wins. Your balance moves slowly in both directions.
- Medium volatility: a balance of the two.
- High volatility: long runs with little or nothing, broken by occasional big wins.
Putting them together
| Slot type | RTP | Volatility | What a session feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic fruit machine | 96% | low | Steady, small wins |
| Video slot with bonus round | 96% | medium | Quiet base game, bonus does the work |
| Megaways or “max win” slot | 96% | high | Most sessions lose, a few win big |
All three cost the same on average. The difference is how bumpy the ride is.
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