Figuring out RTP – the formula
To figure out RTP, you need to stick to a very simple formula that will help you determine the theoretical return. It follows the following logic:
Just like this, you now know what the RTP is, but not so fast – let’s look at what the expanded formula looks like when we actually start calibrating the individual parameters to arrive at the same results as d in the table above. First, we need to understand the House Edge formula, so let’s have a quick look at it.
The full formula for crunching the RTP metric will, as a result, look like this, and yes, it will factor the house edge as we explained above:
Alright, enough theory – let’s get cracking and start working with real-world examples, the kind that you will encounter when you play roulette yourself. We are playing European roulette, and we have placed a dozen bet, covering 12 numbers out of 37 possible numbers, and we have also placed a 5 AUD wager. Here is what our formula looks like:
So, what we have right here matches our table’s value – in other words, we have been able to calculate the RTP ourselves, all by looking at the formula and applying it. What do we know as a result? By knowing how many numbers a wager covers, what its payout and bet amount is, and also the total numbers available in a version of roulette, we can crunch the numbers using the formula and calculate the RTP ourselves.
You can also tinker around with the bet amount as much as you like, and you will still get 97.3% RTP for European roulette. OK, but let’s try and see if this is true for any other selection in a game of European roulette – we bet 15 AUD on a split bet with a 17:1 payout, and this is what happens:
As you can see, even though we have changed the metrics, the RTP is still 97.30%. Now, the RTP would change if we changed the version of the game, which is pretty standard. Let’s try it out. So, let’s try American roulette first and see how it behaves. Let’s bet on a street bet that covers three numbers for 10 AUD – the payout is 11:1, and the formula is as follows, slightly changed, of course (because of the 38 numbers in total):
Once again, our formula arrived at the exact same conclusion that the table had listed as the game’s RTP.
What about exceptions?
Basket Bet in American Roulette
The Basket Bet in American Roulette is a good example of the discrepancies between the game's overall stated rate and the true RTP. The bet consists of 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It is paid 6 to 1, but has an RTP less than the standard 94.74% offered for American Roulette. It’s 92.11%. If you doubt us, let’s put this to the test:
The RTP of the Basket Bet differs from the RTP d in the game of roulette.
Straight-up bets in roulette with multipliers
Next up, we have multiplier roulettes, and they are quite interesting. Why? Because they add a very special mechanic to the whole experience called the multiplier. Because of the multiplier values, which will vary from one game to the next but be something like 500x to 2000x, the straight-up bets will get a slightly different house edge when you bet on them!
Right, but what is that house edge? Well, it depends on the payout of the straight-up number and the version of the game. Straight-up numbers may vary in of payout, from 19:1 to 29:1. So, let’s say that we are betting on Lightning Roulette by Evolution Gaming. This is the better version, which pays 29:1 with a 500x multiplier. We bet a 10 AUD wager on the straight-up selection and realized the following formula:
Hold on, 81.09% RTP on a straight-up bet? Yes, this is precisely correct. The game may itself as 97.01% RTP, but the truth is that when you look into the straight-up bets and consider their specific metrics, they tell you a different story. The game is still fun, of course – the fact that you can now turn around a massive multiplier is tempting, but the RTP is much lower than you would normally expect from a single-zero roulette!
Even-money bets in French roulette
The next exception to pay attention to is the French Roulette rule called La Partage. In the game, you get back half of your wager if you bet on even-money bets, but the table lands on a zero. The even-money bets are red/black, even/odd, or high/low. This means that the RTP in French roulette for even-money bets is going to be better than what you may expect from a standard single-zero game, at 98.65%. This is because the same formula as before applies here.
To sum it up, French Roulette does offer a 98.65% RTP—but there’s a key detail. That rate only applies to even-money bets, and only when the La Partage rule is in effect. If you look at the French straight-up bets, they will also give you a 97.30% theoretical return, so please keep this in mind.
Alright, but what about some good versions of the game where you can test the La Partage yourself? Well, there are some, as it turns out! French Roulette Gold and Auto Roulette La Partage by Evolution are both worth it, and so is Live French Roulette by Playtech.
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