Slot game reviews often list several important game parameters, such as RTP, volatility, paylines, and hit frequency. While hit frequency is not always prioritized, most players overlook this detail. However, hit frequency might not explain the profitability of the slot on its own, but together with other data, it can help players form educated opinions and decisions about playing slot games.
In this guide, you will explore hit frequency in online slots, how it is calculated, and how it compares to RTP and volatility. You can also see different types of slot games based on hit frequency.
All machines have one thing in common – the longer the playing session, the closer the payout will be to the theoretical results. But in order to understand the theoretical odds it’s important to understand a little bit more about hit frequency, game odds and payback percentages.
What is Hit Frequency?
Hit frequency is a crucial metric in slot games that indicates how often a winning combination appears during gameplay. In other words, the hit frequency rate serves to show players how often they can expect a winning combination on the reels.
The value is typically expressed as a percentage, such as 20%, 25.40%, etc. The frequency is based on how many times each symbol appears as well as how often winning combination occurs.
For most slot machines, the hit frequency ranges from 15% to 40%. This turns out to be a hit average of 15-40 times for every 100 spins conducted. These hits could be anything from a marginal return to a huge payout.
In general, machines with high hit frequencies pay out small wins more frequently and machines with lower hit frequencies pay out less often, but with more money.
For instance, a slot with a hit frequency of 20% means that, on average, one in every five spins will result in a win. But it goes beyond that and there are other elements to factor in to calculate how much players stand to win from the game.
However, understanding hit frequency helps players make informed decisions about the type of slots they want to play. For example, deep-pocketed punters might look for larger payouts, while casual players will be more interested in frequent smaller wins.
How to Calculate Hit Frequency in Slots
To calculate hit frequency, the number of winning combinations is divided by the total possible outcomes. Then, to get the percentage, the outcome is multiplied by 100.
Here is an overview of the formula used to calculate hit frequency in slots:
Note that most online slot developers provide hit frequency information in the game’s specifications, so players often don’t need to calculate it manually.
Also, hit frequency is often expressed in percentages, but some providers, such as Pragmatic Play, express it as chances. Like, base game hit rates are 1 in 3.60, while free spins hit rate is 1 in 400. This is just an example, of course, but it is important to learn the ways in which the rates can be expressed.
Hit Frequency Vs RTP
While hit frequency determines how often players could potentially win, Return to Player (RTP) is a measure of the percentage of total bets a slot is designed to pay back to players over time.
In other words, a slot’s payback percentage shows how much the game is projected to ‘pay back’ to the player in the long run.
For example, a slot with a 96% RTP will, theoretically, return $96 for every $100 wagered in the long run. But that long run is not like 5 or 10 rounds.
The number of spins that will take to get that percentage back is not linear or uniform; it refers to all players who have played the game, not just a singular player.
Another thing to remember is that the relationship between hit frequency and RTP is not direct.
A slot can have a high RTP but a low hit frequency, offering infrequent but substantial payouts.
Conversely, a slot with a lower RTP rate but a high hit frequency provides more steady but smaller wins.
Understanding both of these metrics can considerably help players pick games that align with their preferences and budget strategies.
RTP in Slots
Most video games run a payback percentage somewhere between 75% and 99%. There are game studios that avoid listing rates for their games, but there are ways to learn how to calculate it on your own. Here’s the official way to calculate the RTP issued by the UKGC.
While choosing slots, it’s important to remember that high RTP and high hit frequency are not the same.
Think back on a random coin flip – you have a 50/50 chance of winning. In a totally just game where the casino has no advantage, players bet $100 and win $100. On the other hand, if it’s a loss, they lose $100. Theoretically, over enough time, the player and the casino would be even.
However, with a 95% return rate, the casino essentially pays the player $95 for the win but still takes the $100 when the player loses.
Therefore, it’s true that casino games are geared towards the house (all games have a house edge/advantage) so it’s not exactly easy to win against the casino in the long run.
Therefore, it is vital to choose the correct game as players are often misled by the game’s potential payouts.
Here’s an example. Imagine having two games, one with a lower and one with a higher hit rate. The one with the lower rate (let’s say 24%) has a 97% RTP. On the other hand, the other game has a higher hit rate of 29% but a lower RTP of 95%.
The first game has higher payouts but are rarer to see, while the second one pays out more frequently but the wins are smaller.
Hit Frequency Vs Volatility
Another detail frequently listed right beside RTP is volatility.
Volatility in slots measures risk of the game by telling players how often and how much the player can expect to win in the game.
Hit frequency and volatility are two very different things, but they are related in a way.
There are three types of slots in terms of volatility:
- Low Volatility Slots – frequent but small wins, higher hit rate
- Medium Volatility Slots – relatively frequent but medium wins, higher hit rate
- High Volatility Slots – very rare but higher payouts, lower hit rate
Low and high volatility slots are the most common, with medium levels fluctuating between these two opposites.
However, hit rate and volatility have an inverse correlation, meaning high volatility is associated with low hit rate and vice versa.
To sum it up, while hit frequency focuses solely on the likelihood of winning, volatility provides insight into the risk and reward balance of the slot game in question.
Hit Frequency Vs Game Odds
Modern slots are more complicated than old-school machines, meaning it’s much more difficult to mathematically predict the odds.
The numbers are theoretical and are essentially developed from a pool of infinite spins.
Moreover, modern slot games use a Random Number Generator (RNG), which is used to ensure fair and unpredictable outcomes for every spin.
That is why RNG are so important. These algorithms generate a sequence of numbers corresponding to the symbols on the slot reels. Each spin is independent of previous ones, meaning that past results do not influence future outcomes.
This ensures that all outcomes are random, making it impossible to predict or manipulate results.
How RNG Works in Casino Games
Slot technology might have changed when slots switched from machine cabinets to digital content, but game elements stayed the same. And while most old mechanical machines had three reels that held 20 symbols, most modern online slots come with 3-5 virtual reels with 22 stops – and a random number generator program.
For example, an old slot machine with 20 stops per reel would have 8,000 different combinations.
This number is produced by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel (20 x 20 x 20 = 8,000).
The 8,000 possible combinations represent the game’s mathematical cycle.
In theory, if you pulled the lever 8,000 times, you would see each combination of reels once.
To figure out the odds of hitting a particular combination of three reels, simply multiply your chances of landing one symbol by itself (1/20 x 1/20 x 1/20). This means your odds of pulling up any combination on a classic slot machine are 1/8,000 or 7999 to 1.
Just like with flipping a coin – the odds may be 50/50, but you are not likely to see exactly 50 heads and exactly 50 tails if you flip a coin 100 times.
However, with both a slot game and a coin flip, the higher the number of times you do it, the closer the odds would be to the actual probability. So, to actually get close to those odds, you’d have to flip the coins millions or billions of times.
RNG algorithms generate sequences of numbers or paying icons that are unrelated to the previous spins. The new combination is 100% unpredictable and fair, meaning the players have a fair playing chance to score a win.
Types of Slots According to Hit Frequency
Just like low and high volatility slots, games can be classified according to their hit frequency rate.
There are low, medium, and high-hit frequency games.
Low Hit Frequency
Slots with a low hit frequency (e.g., 5-20%) provide wins less often but typically offer larger payouts. These games are more suited for players with larger bankrolls who are willing to take higher risks for potentially bigger rewards. Low hit frequency is also related to variance. Hence, these games are also considered high volatility slots, as the low hit rate is reflected in highly volatile gameplay that can produce some huge wins (but also long dry streaks).
Best Game with Low Hit Frequency is Money Train 2 by Relax Gaming (19.55% hit rate)
Medium Hit Frequency
Medium hit frequency slots (e.g., 20-30%) strike a balance between win frequency and the size of the payout. These are mostly appealing to players who enjoy a mix of steady, regular wins and occasionally bigger prizes.
Medium hit frequency slots may have a low-medium or medium-high volatility, it all depends. They also attract a wide range of players, from casual players to high rollers.
Best Game with Medium Hit Frequency is Tiny Toads by Pragmatic Play (32.46% hit rate)
High Hit Frequency
Slots with a high hit frequency (e.g., 30% or higher) deliver frequent wins, but the payouts are usually smaller. These are most commonly classic slots that have small maximum payout caps, but produce wins more often.
These games are perfect for casual players or low rollers who want to emphasize fun and activity rather than payouts. High-hit-rate games also sport low volatility.
Best Game with High Hit Frequency is Mega Moolah by Gaming Global (45.32% hit rate)
Tips for Playing Slots with Different Hit Frequency Rates
Players often know what they want to play even before they enter the lobby. There might not be a clear idea about the exact game, but usually all players are well aware of their preferences and go-tos.
If you struggle to delineate your cup of tea and wish to try out different things, here are some tips on how to do it in a safe way. These tips for playing slots will especially come in handy to players trying out games with different hit rates and RTP rates.
- Pick a Suitable Game: If you want to play longer and enjoy frequent wins, opt for high-hit frequency slots. For larger jackpots, choose low-hit frequency games as they are rarer but bigger in size.
- Manage Your Bankroll: High-hit frequency slots require a smaller bankroll per session, while low-hit frequency games need a larger one to sustain dry spells. Before you play, make sure you have the appropriate budget.
- Try Playing Free Slots: Test games with different hit frequencies in demo mode to find what suits your style. Free slot games will show you how the games behave without breaking the bank.
- Learn the Payouts: Understand the payout structure to ensure you’re maximizing your chances of hitting winning combinations. The paytable, along with RTP and volatility info, is crucial to understanding what you are up against.
Checklist for Choosing the Best Slots Based on Hit Frequency
Picking games is far from being easy, especially when players have to take into consideration heaps of details that they are completely unfamiliar with.
Case in point, hit frequency.
The situation gets even stickier when you consider that not all game producers list hit rate info for their games. It’s not customary for all game producers, which considerably complicates the matter.
Therefore, here’s a checklist that can help players choose the right slot game depending on hit frequency, RTP, and other details.
- Game stats: Look for slots that display their hit frequency, volatility, and RTP in the game info. Other details such as payouts and paylines matter too.
- Bonus game features: Slots with modern features such as free spins or bonus rounds can potentially offset low hit frequencies by providing additional opportunities to win. Highly volatile games have many features but rarely produce wins.
- Game budget: Before playing, it’s important for players to familiarize themselves with their own bankroll, or more precisely, create a budget that is to be used for the games.
- Personal preferences: Another thing to consider is the personal style: while some players enjoy high-risk gameplay, others enjoy casual gameplay more. The choice of game should reflect that.
Conclusion
Hit frequency is one of the key factors that determine the overall experience of a slot game.
By understanding the differences between hit frequency, RTP, and volatility, players can choose games that align with their preferences and strategies. That in turn helps protect their assets, offer a better gameplay, and ultimately help players have an overall more enjoyable experience.
However, just like all the other factors, hit frequency is not a guarantee for any kind of outcome. That is why it is important to take it into account, but not base your entire impression of the game on that sole detail. Have fun, enjoy spinning reels, and gamble responsibly.
