How does the bonus affect actual RTP

When we talk about RTP (Return to Player) in the context of online slots, many players focus solely on the main return of the game. However, it is important to understand that bonus features such as freespins, multipliers, bonus rounds, and others can alter the actual RTP of a game, increasing or decreasing your probability of winning. In this article, we will analyze how bonuses affect the actual RTP of the slot and how these features can be used to increase your chances of winning.

What is RTP and how does it work?

RTP (Return to Player) is a theoretical quantity showing the percentage of total bets that a slot returns to players as long-distance winnings. For example, a slot with RTP of 96% means that an average of 96 are returned from every 100 units of money delivered. However, it is important to remember that RTP refers to a long-term game and does not guarantee the result for each individual session.

How can bonuses affect actual RTP?

1. Frispins and additional rotations:
  • One of the most common bonus features is freespins - free spins that give the player a chance to win without having to bet. These free spins often increase the actual RTP, as they provide additional chances to win without losing their own funds.

Example: If the slot has an RTP of 96%, and the freespin bonus includes high multipliers, the actual RTP during freespins can be much higher, especially if additional bonus features can be activated.

2. Bonus rounds and minigames:
  • Some slots offer bonus rounds in which you can win extra money or multiply current winnings. These rounds can increase the actual RTP of the game as they give players additional opportunities to win.

Example: A slot with 95% core RTP may include a bonus game where the chances of receiving large payouts are greatly increased, making the overall payoff of the game higher.

3. Multipliers and extended payouts:
  • In some slots, bonus features may include multipliers that increase the amount of winnings. These multipliers can significantly increase the actual RTP, since they increase the return amount for each win.

Example: In multiplier slots, if a player activates a bonus and wins with an x5 multiplier, it can significantly increase their profit margin, resulting in an increase in actual RTP in that session.

4. Progressive jackpots:
  • Some slots have progressive jackpots that can be won as part of bonus rounds or freespins. Although progressive jackpots are not always included in the RTP calculation, they can change the actual return if a player wins a large jackpot. In such cases, RTP can be significantly higher than expected.

Example: In progressive jackpot slots, RTP may be lower in the base game, but when a player wins the jackpot, their actual RTP can grow significantly, especially if the jackpot falls in the bonus round.

How do bonuses affect RTP in the long run?

1. Variable RTP with bonuses:
  • In some variable RTP slots, bonus features can affect the average refund. For example, a slot can have a base RTP of 94%, but when bonus features (such as freespins or bonus rounds) are activated, this figure can increase to 98%. In the long term, this can significantly affect the overall result of the game.

2. Increase in variability:
  • Bonus features may also increase the variability (volatility) of the game, meaning that winnings may be rarer but larger. This can create the feeling that RTP changes depending on how often players activate bonuses, but it is important to understand that in the long run bonus games often have higher RTP values.

3. Actual RTP versus theoretical RTP:
  • It is important to distinguish between actual RTP and theoretical RTP. Theoretical RTP is calculated based on long-term data and does not include the results of bonus rounds, while actual RTP reflects the player's actual winnings, including bonuses. During the game, bonuses can significantly increase this figure.

How to use bonuses to maximize RTP?

1. Play slots with frequent bonuses:
  • If you want to improve your chances of winning, opt for slots with frequent bonuses such as freespins and extra rounds. These bonus features will increase your chances of winning more and increase the actual RTP of the game.

2. Look for slots with multipliers:
  • Slots with multiplier-inclusive bonuses can significantly boost your bottom line. Multipliers can boost actual RTP, especially if they are activated in bonus games or freespins.

3. Use Casino Bonus Offers:
  • Many online casinos offer deposit bonuses or freespins as part of promotions. Use these suggestions to increase your actual RTP, gaining additional chances to win at no additional cost.

4. Explore volatility and RTP games:
  • Before you play for real money, check out volatility and RTP games. Choose slots that offer high RTP rates with not too high volatility to get more stable and frequent payouts.

Conclusion

Bonus features can significantly affect the actual RTP of a game, increasing your chances of making a profit. Knowing how freespins, multipliers and bonus rounds affect RTP will help you choose the slots that offer the best conditions for winning. Choose slots with bonuses that suit your style of play and use these opportunities to maximize your chances of success in online slots.