Gameplay, RTP, and Variance
Before you play any slot you should understand the basics of two fundamental characteristics of these casino games: RTP and variance (also known as volatility). RTP is given as a percentage, indicating the average amount a slot pays out over an extended period of time. The average for slots is 96%, meaning £96 will be returned to players for every £100 spent. Of course, if these numbers were guaranteed, nobody would spin the reels, so bear in mind that your actual returns can be significantly higher or lower than the theoretical average.
Volatility is what makes slots worth playing, describing the size and frequency of payouts when players land a win on the reels. If a slot has high volatility, wins will tend to be less common but large; if a slot has low volatility, payouts tend to be the opposite – that is, small but frequent.
RTP and volatility are important when it comes to deciding which slots are suitable for players’ budgets. Gates of Olympus has a high volatility rating with an RTP of 96.5%, meaning that although the RTP is above average, those with a decent bankroll are more likely to be able to enjoy the spoils.
In Gates of Olympus, players aren’t looking for combinations across the reels, but for clusters of at least eight of the same symbols to land anywhere on the grid. This mechanic is known as cluster pays, first introduced to online casinos through NetEnt’s classic Aloha! Cluster Pays. When these clusters form, they’ll be removed from the grid and replaced with new symbols – this will continue until no winning combo is formed by the replacing symbols.
Zeus floats menacingly to the right of the grid, thundering down multipliers at random during the base game. These range between 2x and 500x the stake; if you land a win while one of the multipliers is in play, your winnings will be multiplied by that number. Bets range from 20p to £100 with a maximum win of 5,000x the stake.