RTP and volatility are two key concepts used to describe how pokies are designed and how they behave over time. This page explains these terms in an informational way, without offering gambling advice or strategies.
RTP (return to player): what it means
RTP (return to player) is a theoretical percentage that describes how much of the total stakes a game is designed to return over a very large number of spins. RTP is a long-term mathematical value and does not predict what will happen in a short session.
Important points about RTP:
- RTP is calculated over large sample sizes, not a few spins
- Short-term results can differ significantly from the theoretical value
- The displayed RTP may depend on the specific game version or configuration
Volatility (variance): what it describes
Volatility (sometimes called variance) describes the pattern of outcomes over time — how frequently outcomes may occur and how large they may be.
Typical volatility profiles:
- Low volatility: smaller, more frequent outcomes
- Medium volatility: a mixed distribution of smaller and occasional larger outcomes
- High volatility: less frequent outcomes with potentially larger outcomes when they occur
How RTP and volatility relate
RTP and volatility describe different aspects of a game. Two games can have the same RTP but feel very different because their volatility differs.
Common combinations include:
- Higher RTP + high volatility (less frequent outcomes, larger swings)
- Lower RTP + low volatility (more frequent outcomes, smaller swings)
- Similar RTP + different volatility (same long-term return, different distribution)
Where these values come from (game design and logic)
Both RTP and volatility are determined during the game design process and are implemented as fixed parameters within the game logic. They do not change based on player behaviour or individual sessions.
In practice, these metrics are driven by factors such as:
- Paytable values and symbol probabilities
- Reel or symbol distribution models
- Feature trigger rules and bonus frequency
- Multipliers and feature weighting
Technical summary
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RTP (Return to Player) | Theoretical long-term return percentage over many spins |
| Volatility (Variance) | Outcome distribution pattern (frequency and size of outcomes) |
| Short-term predictability | Not predictable from RTP |
| Changes per session | No (fixed in game logic) |
| Changes by player behaviour | No |
| Can two games share RTP but differ in feel? | Yes (different volatility) |
What you can do next
- Read how RNG keeps spins independent
- Learn how paylines and symbol rules shape outcomes
- Explore how bonus features affect volatility profiles
- Return to the pokies section to browse related topics
Informational disclaimer
PokiesHub Australia does not provide access to games and does not encourage gambling activity. This information is intended to help readers understand how RTP and volatility are used as descriptive metrics in the design of pokies within the Australian gaming industry.
This site is not a gambling operator, does not accept deposits, and does not provide gambling services.