The banner at the top of this page is a graphic from one of slots specialist, NetEnt’s most popular slots, Bloodsuckers. One of the reasons for the games popularity is its high return to player (RTP) figure which stands at 98%.
But what does that figure mean and why is it important to understand when you play online slots? In this guide we will explain what RTP is and why it affects your experience on the reels. We’ll also pick out 10 slot games with high RTP for you to try next time you visit an online casino in Canada.
THE DEFINITION OF RETURN TO PLAYER
Return to Player (normally abbreviated to RTP) is the amount of money paid out by a slot expressed as a percentage of all the money wagered on that game. For example, if you wager $100 on a slot machine with an RTP of 96% then, on average, you will get $96 back in prizes.
It’s important to know that RTP is a theoretical figure. You won’t always experience the same percentage when you play the same slot. Sometimes a game will pay out more than 96% and sometimes less. That is what makes slots play unpredictable and thrilling.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RTP OF A SLOT GAME?
Most online slots in Canada pay have an RTP of around 96%, though some may be higher and some lower. The highest RTP slots pay out as much as 99% of the money wagered as prizes, whilst the lowest RTP slots may only pay out as much as 94% or less.
You can find the RTP of a slot by checking the paytable published within the game. Normally it will be accessible via an ‘I’ for Info icon at the foot of the game screen. You can also find listings of high RTP slots on websites like ours.
SHOULD YOU ALWAYS PLAY HIGH RTP SLOTS?
Slots games that have a high RTP sound like a better deal than those with a low RTP and you might be more tempted to play them. But before you dive in, there are other factors to consider. It’s not all just about RTP.
Slot games also operate at different variances or volatility. You can find out more about that in this guide. However, we can say in simple terms that variance affects slot play in another way. Slots with high variance will stray far from the advertised RTP, creating a very uneven distribution of wins. Whereas slots with low variance will offer more balanced gameplay which means a more even distribution of wins.
It is possible to play a high RTP slot with a high variance and find you spin a lot of times before you get anything back. So, keep that in mind too.
We should also consider the paytable of the slot game. This tells you the maximum amount that a game can payout out on one spin as well as all the payouts relating to each available combination of symbols.
So, in conclusion we can say that when choosing a slot game you should take into account not just the RTP of the game but also the variance and the payout potential.
TOP 10 SLOTS WITH HIGH RTP
Now, here are 10 of our favourite slot games with a high RTP.
Ugga Bugga by Playtech – 99.07% RTP
This retro video-poker style slot machine has an unbeatable RTP of 99.07% (the highest we know of) and is hugely popular thanks to its simple gameplay and great value maths model. It is short on features but includes holds that can spread across all 10 paylines.
Bloodsuckers by NetEnt – 98%
This 25 payline slot is one of NetEnt’s finest creations and one of the best vampire slots on the market, up against classics like Immortal Romance from Microgaming. There are free spins and plenty of wilds as well as a coffin ‘pick me’ game!
Bloodsuckers Slot by NetEnt
Mega Joker by NetEnt – 99% RTP
Another NetEnt classic with a highly favourable RTP is Mega Joker. Like many high RTP slots it has a retro feel with just 3 reels and a classic Joker symbol. Things get interesting in the bonus round with a SuperMeter feature and Progressive Jackpot.
Jackpot 6000 by Netent – 98.9% RTP
Like a sister game to Mega Joker, Jackpot 6000 once again plays out on three reels with the option to trigger the SuperMeter bonus feature with enough scatters. A high RTP and a retro video game styling make this another popular NetEnt slot.
1429 Unchartered Seas by Thunderkick – 98.6% RTP
Swedish slots innovators, Thunderkick, have a wealth of experience under their belts with slots like Birds on a Wire and Fruit Warp. 1429 Unchartered Seas is an early favourite with an ancient mariner feel, cool graphics and a super-high RTP of 98.6%.
Joker Strike by Quickspin – 98.11% RTP
One of the brightest slots in our list is Joker Strike by Quickspin, a Vegas-themed retro slot with an RTP that just caps 98%. The Joker Strike feature includes an array of lights around the reel that trigger extra high value symbols added to the game. Slick fun indeed!
Starmania by NextGen – 97.87% RTP
NextGen take us to outer-space in their 97.87% RTP slot with one of the noisiest soundtracks we’ve heard. The wins are increased by a ‘pays both ways’ model in which lines can be completed left to right and right to left. Watch out for stacked wilds and free spins too.
Starmania Slot by NextGen
Jokerizer by Yggdrasil – 98% RTP
Better known for their Vikings Go To … series, Yggdrasil go big on the RTP AND variance in this 10 payline game with 5 reels and 3 rows. It’s more retro fun just like the NetEnt games in this list. It has a 6,000 coin max win and a Jokerizer mode with mystery wins.
Nemo’s Voyage by WMS – 99% RTP
WMS take us underwater with a staggering 99% RTP in this aquatic-themed slot with plenty of whales, squids and other sea-faring creatures. It’s bursting with Wilds, Clumped Wilds and Wild Reels and offers a top prize of 1,000 coins.
Ocean Princess by Playtech – 99.1% RTP
Finally, we return to the start and another Playtech game in the mould of Ugga Bugga. This slot has 3 reels, each with 5 rows, making it a little different to other high RTP games from this developer. Watch out for Wilds and Crown Symbols that can boost your wins up to 1,000x.
Play any of these games at the sites in our list of real money casinos.
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