The best licensed online casinos in the UK offer a diverse selection of live games from major software brands, as well as hundreds (if not thousands) of releases powered by random number generators (RNGs).
While they use different technologies, both game types share some of the same elements, including a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) rate. But is there any difference in the RTP between live-dealer and RNG games?
We’ll answer this question below. But first, let’s define RTP and RNG.
What is RTP?
RTP is one of the most important components of any game. This refers to the theoretical percentage of your bets that will be returned over time. A slot with a 96.50% RTP may pay out £96.50 for each £100 wagered across a long period of time — not just in an individual gaming session.
Software providers calculate RTP based on millions of simulated plays, and casinos may have a selection of RTP options to choose from when hosting a game.
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What are RNG Games?
RNG games use a random number generator to determine the outcome of each action, whether that’s spinning a roulette wheel or dealing cards at a blackjack table. The RNG produces a huge amount of numbers and assigns each one to a specific outcome.
These numbers create unpredictable results to ensure that the game remains fair to all participants. This is crucial for maintaining a theoretical RTP within a specific range.
However, RNG games at online casinos use pseudo-random number generators (PRNG) to create outcomes that appear totally random, even though they aren’t.
Why not? Because PRNGs start from seed values, unlike true random number generators (TRNGs) that hinge on genuinely unpredictable physical triggers (such as a sound).
But despite this difference, results caused by PRNGs are still almost impossible to predict, so they keep games fair to all players.
RTP in Live Games vs RTP in RNG Games
While live-dealer and RNG titles function differently, their RTPs may still be the same. The RTP in virtual and live blackjack games, for example, is usually around 99%.
But while the theoretical return rate can remain the same across the different game types, the way in which those returns are created is different.
In live casino games, most results stem from human action. In blackjack, for example, a dealer is responsible for placing cards in front of occupied seats. They draw these from a shuffled deck and have no way of knowing their rank.
The combination of the shuffled cards and the dealer drawing them on behalf of players creates an unpredictable result each time. As a result, live games at online casinos provide the same random and fair betting experience you would expect at a land-based venue.
But in RNG-driven blackjack games, there is no dealer — only software. The RNG must determine the outcome to minimise the risk of any potential repetition or patterns that could provide players with an unfair advantage.
As a result, the RTP across both game types remains at an even level. Both forms of blackjack must align with the RTP that players expect, and they do so in different ways. The dealer’s actions and the equipment used help maintain a consistent RTP level. And in RNG games, the algorithm balances results to be fair and aligned with the expected return rate.
Do Player Experience and Skill Impact RTP?
In live games, some players may be more experienced than others. An individual who has played countless blackjack games will have a better understanding of the process than a novice. This gives them an advantage in that they may make faster and more informed decisions.
Still, a seasoned player can’t know exactly what will happen with every spin of the roulette wheel or poker deal. As a result, they can’t manipulate games to improve their chances of winning.
However, using a strong basic strategy may give players a chance to maximise their potential returns. They will be able to make careful betting choices and understand the different possible outcomes that may occur.
Ultimately, though, casino games are based on chance. And a novice may still receive a better outcome than a more strategic player.
Conclusion
Understanding RTP and how it works can help you choose games that offer solid potential returns. RTP may differ between live games and RNG games, but the impact on players is the same.
While choosing games with a higher RTP may lead to stronger returns, always remember that they’re only theoretical — no RTP is a guarantee of success.
