In most online casino games, the outcomes and results are produced by frequently tested and highly sophisticated mathematical algorithm programs called Random Number Generators (RNGs). These programs are designed to mimic the true randomness of real life as closely as possible and be as fair and realistic as possible.
In other words, understanding math won’t help you win in games of chance. However, understanding how odds and implied probability rates work can help you decide which bets to place.
Knowing the RTP% (return to player) payout rate can help you decide which games to play and which to avoid. Understanding basic statistical data can also help you make more informed decisions.
With that said, let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at what all of this means to find out if math can sometimes help you at online casinos.
How can math help me at online casinos?
As mentioned, having a good understanding of math won’t guarantee you will win more money at online casinos. However, basic math skills can help you gamble more responsibly by knowing how likely an outcome will occur and your potential winnings based on how much you wager.
For example, in a typical game of live casino roulette, a straight up bet pays 35:1, and a red/black bet only pays 1:1. In other words, the implied probability rate of you winning a Straight Up bet is just 2.80%. 35:1 is the same as saying 35/1 in fractional odds, 36.00 in decimal odds, and +3,500 in American/moneyline odds.
The implied probability rate of landing on red or black is much higher at 50.00%. 1:1 odds in roulette are the same as saying 1/1 (or EVENS) in fractional odds, 2.00 in decimal odds, and +100 in American/moneyline odds.
Although it’s tempting to place straight up bets because you would win 35x times your initial stake, the critical thing to remember is that it’s far less likely to occur than a red/black, odd/even, numbers 1-18 or numbers 19-36 bet, but these outcomes only pay 1x times your initial stake.
What does RTP mean in online casino games, and why does it matter for some players?
The average RTP% payout rate tells us the expected payback amount a game should pay after a certain amount of money has been wagered. For example, if an online slot machine has an average 98.79% RTP payout rate (which is considered high or above-average), then for every $/€/£100 wagered on that game, it should, theoretically speaking, pay back at least $/€/£98.79 in winnings.
The casino’s profit would be the remaining 1.21% [house edge] or $/€/£1.21. Some online casino games may only have a 91.00% to 93.00% expected payout rate, whereas others might have a 96.00% to 98.00% average payout rate.
Some players will only ever play high or above-average RTP payout rate slots and avoid low or below-average RTP payout rate slots, whereas others don’t mind.
It’s important to know that just because an online casino game has an average 98.00% payout rate, it doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed to win $/€/£98.00 back for every $/€/£100 that you wager.
This is because millions of people could be playing the same online casino game at the same time as you, so the total amount wagered includes everyone, not just you.
Therefore, winning and losing are still down to randomness. You might only wager $/€/£5.00 and end up winning $/€/£100.00, whereas the next play might wager $/€/£50.00 and not win a penny. Sometimes, you will win, and other times you will lose. That’s just the nature of online casino games.
How can statistics help?
Some players find that using in-game statistics can help them improve their betting strategies, but again, using stats doesn’t guarantee you will win. For example, just because the green zero hasn’t shown up in roulette for the past 100 spins doesn’t mean it will show up in the next few spins.
A basic understanding of math can also help you devise a more sensible spending budget. For example, as your bankroll increases or decreases, you can use your basic math skills to adjust your stake accordingly to better correspond with your bankroll.
In games like blackjack, where specific betting/gameplay strategies can be applied, grasping basic math can help you make quicker and more logical decisions. However, it still won’t guarantee a winning outcome.
It’s all about balance
To sum it up, you don’t need to be a math genius to play at online casinos, and even if you do have excellent math skills, it won’t guarantee you will win more.
The most important thing online casino players can do to ensure they never spend more than they can afford is to devise a sensible spending budget. Then, take advantage of things like deposit limits, spending caps, win/loss limits, and session time reminders.
Safer gambling tools like these can be manually set in under a minute, and they are a great way to ensure you remain within your budget.
