Hit frequency counts paying rounds
When published, hit frequency estimates how often a round produces any credited win under the defined test. That can include a return smaller than the stake, so it is not the same as the chance of finishing ahead.
RTP measures value, not hit count
Theoretical RTP describes the proportion returned across a very large sample under the rules. A game can have frequent low-value hits or fewer concentrated hits while displaying a similar RTP.
Definitions can differ
Provider documentation may define a hit, feature hit or winning spin differently. Use the exact game help file and avoid comparing percentages that were calculated with different definitions.
Short sessions will vary
A personal history of dozens or hundreds of rounds is too small to reproduce the mathematical model reliably. Do not interpret a recent gap or streak as a signal about the next independent result.
Use the numbers for expectation setting
RTP and hit frequency can help explain why games feel different, but neither removes the house edge or supplies a strategy. Choose only within the fixed time and money limit already set.
Specification questions
Does every hit return more than the stake?
No. A hit can include a credited amount smaller than the wager, depending on the provider's definition.
Is hit frequency another name for RTP?
No. One concerns how often a defined hit occurs; the other concerns long-run theoretical value returned.
Can a recent dry spell predict a hit?
No. Independent random rounds do not become due because of previous results.