If you are looking into slot gaming or you’ve been playing for a while, you’ve probably come across the terms RTP, volatility, and paylines. Due to the thrill of spinning wheels and hoping for lucky symbols to align, it’s easy to brush past them when choosing a game.

However, they are the mechanics behind how a slot game works, and, more importantly, how likely you are to win. If you understand them, you can then play around with the three to increase your chances of winning.

In this guide, we’ll take you through each and show you how they work together to determine your payout. And if you’d like to see them in action, you can play Cash Eruption [demo here] to get a feel.

What Is RTP (Return to Player)?

RTP, or Return to Player, is the most significant of these, and easily, the only factor that most people consider (which shouldn’t be the case). In simple terms, the figure expressed as the RTP is the percentage that a slot game pays back over time when bets are placed.

Let’s say a game is indicated as having a 97% RTP. This means that of all bets placed, it will pay 97% of this amount back to players. The remaining 3% is the house edge.

That said, it’s important to note that RTP is based on long-term averages, not short-term gaming sessions. The average is taken after thousands or even millions of spins, so it’s essentially a benchmark and not a guarantee.

Most modern slots usually offer an RTP value between 94% and 97%. The higher the percentage, the more times the game is programmed to pay out to players. It doesn’t mean you’ll win more often, but it may give you more play for your money in the long run.

When choosing a game, ensure you look at the RTP percentage. Some jurisdictions, such as the UK and Malta, require operators to display these percentages clearly, but others may not.

However, while RTP is the strongest consideration, it isn’t enough to determine whether a slot game is suited to your game style.

What Is Volatility (Variance)?

Now, Volatility, or Variance, tells you the risk level of each game. While RTP tells you how much a game might pay back over time, volatility tells you the frequency and size of those payouts.

Are you looking for small, frequent wins, or are you willing to go on a dry run with a chance at bigger wins? That’s what volatility is about.

There are three basic levels of volatility:

• Low volatility – These slots pay out smaller amounts, but the frequency is higher. They work best when you want to play longer sessions but not get frustrated.
• High volatility – These are riskier as they pay out less often, but when they do, the wins can be much larger.
• Medium – These try to strike a balance between the first two, but they aren’t as common as the first two.

So which one should you choose?

Essentially, choosing between these depends on your playing style. If you have a small bankroll and you just want to play for as long as possible, it makes sense to choose a low-volatility game. But if you are a risk taker and don’t mind going through a dry streak, a high-volatility game can give you the thrill you are looking for.

Understanding Paylines: The Framework of Slot Wins

Paylines are a bit different from RTP and Variance, but they are also key in choosing a game and determining how much you can win.

Essentially, they are the patterns you see when you choose a slot game, and they determine how you win the game. You can think of them as the virtual lines across the reels where you need matching symbols to land for you to win. If a symbol combination lands in an active line, that’s a win.

In traditional slots, there was just a single payline, which was running horizontally through the center. However, modern slots have taken the concept much further. Today, slots can have 10, 25, 50, or even hundreds of paylines. Winning patterns no longer have to be horizontals as you can win with diagonals, zig-zags, and even custom shapes.

So what should you consider when choosing paylines?

Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• The number of paylines affects your bet. The more there are, the more the chances of winning, but it also means you need a higher bet.
• Some slots let you choose the number of lines you want to play. This gives you more control.

Understanding how these work will help you make better decisions when choosing games and placing bets. Find a game that fits both your style and expectations.

How RTP, Volatility, and Paylines Work Together

While they may seem like different parts of a game, they actually work together to determine the experience you’ll have in a game.

Here’s how:

• RTP sets your long-term expectations.
• Volatility determines how you get there.
• Paylines affect the actual bet with every spin.

When choosing a game, you should consider all three. For example, a high RTP, low volatility game with 25 paylines is likely to give you steady wins, allowing you to play for longer – perfect for beginners. On the other hand, a high volatility, lower-payline game can give you the thrill of a big win, but you’ll need a bigger budget as you can run out fast.

When choosing a game, balance all three by considering your budget, how long you want to play, and your style of play (expectations). This will help make your gaming more strategic.