Rocket Multiplier

Crash and instant games, explained with the maths

RTP and house edge: the arithmetic of every game

RTP is the most quoted number in online gambling and the most misread. It is an average over a huge number of rounds, not a promise for your evening.

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The definition

RTP (return to player) is the share of all money wagered that a game pays back over a very large number of rounds. House edge is the rest: 100% minus RTP. A game with 97% RTP keeps about 3 of every 100 wagered, on average.

Averages hide variance. If you wager 100 on a 97% game, the average result is a 3 loss, but in practice you might finish with 0, with 60 or with 300. RTP describes the machine over millions of rounds, not one person on one night.

Expected loss per 1,000 wagered

Spaceman lists 95% and Aviamasters 97%, per the developers' pages.
RTPHouse edgeExpected loss
99%1%10
97%3%30
96%4%40
95%5%50

Reading RTP properly

  • It scales with turnover. Fast games like crash rounds produce a high turnover per hour, so a 3% edge costs more per hour than a slow game at the same RTP.
  • Versions differ. Operators can run certified variants. Check the info panel.
  • It is not a hit rate. A game can have a high RTP and still pay rarely.
  • Bonuses change the maths. Wagering requirements are separate from game RTP.

Variance, the other number

Volatility describes how spread out outcomes are. Aviamasters is listed as low volatility by BGaming; a crash game with a 100x target is high. Two games with the same RTP can feel completely different. When you pick a stake, plan for the swing, not just the average.

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Glossary: six terms worth knowing

TermMeaningExample
RTPShare of stakes returned to players over a very long runRTP 96% = on average 4 lost per 100 staked
VolatilityHow widely results scatter around the averageRare big wins = high volatility
House edge100% minus RTP3.5% at RTP 96.5%
TurnoverSum of all stakes in a session100 rounds of 5 = 500 turnover
WageringTimes a bonus must be played before withdrawal100 bonus at 35x = 3,500 turnover
Session budgetMoney you can lose without harmSet before play, never during

Set limits in five minutes

  1. AmountHow much per month can go to entertainment without touching bills.
  2. TimeSet an alarm when the session starts.
  3. Break ruleAfter a losing run, take 15 minutes before changing anything.
  4. Exit ruleWinning past your plan is also a signal to stop, not to raise stakes.

Myths and facts

MythFact
A game is "hot" after a losing runRounds are independent; the last result does not affect the next
A bigger stake improves your oddsIt raises the amount, not the probability
The demo shows when the game will payThe demo shows the mechanics, not future results
Predictors and signal groups workThey cannot know a random result
A bonus is free moneyIt carries wagering rules and limits
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RTP: questions

Is higher RTP always better?

For expected loss, yes. For fun or style, variance matters too.

Do casinos change RTP during play?

A game's RTP is set by its configuration, not changed per player in real time. Operators can choose among certified versions.

How do I find a game's RTP?

In the game's info or help panel, or on the developer's page.

Can I beat a 99% game?

A 1% edge is still an edge. Over enough rounds, it wins.