Can/Should New Slot Players Ignore RTP and Focus Only on Gameplay?

Slot games, also known as "slot machines", arrived in Brazil in the 1980s, causing frisson among players and despair among the authorities. At the time, of course, they were physical slot machines, like those featured in casino films. Since then, it has been banned and released a few times, although its popularity has remained intact.

Decades later, although the ban on physical slot machines remains, the scenario is quite different. The Betting Law, passed earlier this year, authorises and regulates online betting, including casino games such as slots. In other words, it's now possible to bet much more safely and on the right side of the law.

It's undoubtedly the best time for gambling fans to enjoy all the possibilities. And there are many! There's no shortage of casino sites offering hundreds and even thousands of titles with the most diverse themes. However, when choosing a game, should players be more concerned with the RTP or the gameplay?

Casino Slots - Luck and Numbers

You'll be hard-pressed to find a casino site that doesn't have a wide selection of slots. You can find the best ones at casinos.com, where players can also find out about the latest offers. Slots are games of pure chance, where it's impossible to influence the final outcome in any way.

They are simple to play, requiring no prior knowledge or training, and have an absurd variety of themes, mechanics and gameplay. The fast pace of the game adds to the adrenaline rush. It's no wonder that a large part of casino sites' revenue comes from slots. Last year, these games accounted for more than 50 per cent of the sector's global revenue, which reached USD 66.5 billion.

Although it's not a competitive game, some casino sites promote "slots races", with prizes and benefits for those who win the championship. Although they are games of pure chance, where the player can do little more than enter credits and hope for the best, slots can be very different from each other. For this reason, players often choose their titles based on two factors: RTP and gameplay.

What is RTP?

The return to player (RTP) rate is possibly the most important piece of information about a slot game. As the name suggests, this rate defines the percentage of the amount wagered that can be returned to the player in the form of prizes. For example, a title with an RTP of 95% could return R$95 out of every R$100 wagered.

However, this is not an exact calculation and does not refer to the rounds of just one player. It is a statistical estimate calculated on the basis of thousands of spins. In other words, there is no guarantee that a specific player will win any prize. Even so, the RTP says a lot about the chances of winning in the game, although it doesn't say everything.

More experienced players also pay attention to the volatility of the securities. RTP and volatility are different concepts, although they are related. While the former talks about the chances of winning, the latter tells you how often those wins should occur.

Games with high volatility pay out less frequently, but pay out larger amounts at once. On the other hand, titles with low volatility offer smaller and more frequent prizes. In other words, games with the same RTP can have a different pace of play, with many spins without any winnings until a big prize appears, or with several small winnings throughout the game.

Gameplay

If, in terms of game control, the player can't do much more than press play, the gameplay options can vary greatly from one title to the next. It all depends on the betting options and game mechanics. In some cases, it's possible to "buy" access to the bonus phase by placing a bigger bet.

The format has also evolved considerably and is no longer restricted to a 3x3 or 5x5 grid, but has several rows and even irregular patterns. It's possible to find adventures with features such as "Cascading Reels", where winning combinations collapse, giving way to new combinations and winning possibilities in the same round.

Another popular option is the so-called "cluster pays", where there are no paying lines. Instead, the symbols can cluster in any direction. You can also choose a game for its bonus features: free spins, wheel of fortune, minigames, etc.

It's important to note that the operation of physical slot machines was banned in 2004, during President Lula's first term in office.

Two in one

It's not necessary, or even advisable, to ignore RTP or gameplay when choosing your next adventure. Players can choose their favourite theme, filter by bonus features and choose the option with the most attractive RTP. Above all, it is essential to choose a site that is reliable and in-house. Since October of this year, casino sites registered and authorised by the Bet Law have had the bet.br domain.