Among all casino games made available in Australia, online pokies remain one of the most popular game choices among Aussies. These digital slot machines have become a staple in the country’s gambling culture, and gaming operators have started introducing new variations and themes of them to attract a wider audience.
One important factor that most online pokies gamers take into consideration is its RTP rate. This rate is deemed important as it dictates the expected average of the total amount of wagers made, which a casino gets back over a number of rounds playing online pokies. 
To most online pokies players, it is only proper to choose one that has a high RTP rate so that they get a higher percentage of return. Yet, most players realize that even if they get a similar high RTP rate to others, they get different payout amounts. Even with identical RTP rates for their online pokies game, some players experience substantial payouts, while others receive significantly less.
Below, we will get to know what RTP rates are and how various factors affect payout amounts from the online pokies game they play.
What Is RTP?
The RTP or Return to Player rate is a term that refers to the expected average of the total amount of wager that a player will get back after playing a certain number of rounds of online pokies. RTP represents the average deduction from the user’s total wager for each bet, calculated over the game cycle.
In Australian jurisdictions, the minimum RTP rate prescribed for online pokies machines generally ranges from 85% to 90%. With this RTP rate, Aussies strategize on how to maximize this rate to their advantage when they play on pokies gaming machines.
As pokies became accessible online on offshore online casinos, the more eager Aussie gamers became in finding ways to maximize the RTP rate in their favor. Accordingly, some gamers visit free online pokies sites where they can practice their pokies prowess before moving on to real money pokies. In these sites, you get to explore different variations of pokies games. You can try them all as many times as you want without financial commitment until you develop your gaming strategy and play style.
For beginners, it is advisable to practice on online pokies games that have a high RTP rate, especially when the player tries to transition into real money online pokies. This is to help them prevent huge losses while gaining valuable experience and understanding of the game mechanics.
Variables that Affect Payout Amounts
Interestingly, many pokies enthusiasts found out that even if they play the same pokies game with the same RTP rate, they end up having different payout amounts when they transition from freemium free-play pokies to their real money version.
One of the reasons why two pokies games can have the same RTP rate but different payouts is the variation in their payout structures. In most online casinos, each pokies game is created uniquely from each others. Each game offers differing combinations of paylines and bonus features.
As to payline count, even if two pokies games have the same RTP rate of let’s say 97%, their similar rate does not guarantee that they will have the same number of paylines offered. It could be that one pokies game may have 5 paylines while the other has 10. Therefore, the pokies game with more paylines can create more winning opportunities for its players as compared to the game that only offers five.
Of course, it does not mean that just because a pokies game only offers five paylines, it will automatically provide its players with a small amount during its wins. These games that offer fewer paylines usually pay out larger, but with less frequency. Therefore, as long as the player knows the right strategy to play, there is always a possibility of them getting a bigger payout than expected. 
Aside from paylines, the factor of bonus features and free spins also hugely affects the payout amounts. To use the same example, even if two pokies games have the same RTP rate of 97%, if one game offers more engaging bonus rounds, a lot of multipliers, and various free spins, it will definitely result in its player getting a larger payout.
Final Thoughts
As discussed above, two pokies games having the same RTP rate do not automatically result in the two games having the same payout amount.
Factors such as the varying number of paylines and the number of bonus features offered between the two games can affect the total payout amount, even if the two games have the same RTP rate. Ultimately, understanding these factors can help players improve their gaming strategy and skills instead of being fixated on the RTP rate. Doing so can lead to a more enjoyable gaming experience.
