In online slot reviews, volatility is a game stat listed along with RTP, payout potential, reels, and paylines. Most players tend to focus on payouts and reel setups, completely overlooking variance and RTP.
However, volatility is one of the key ingredients that shows the nature of the game, or better yet, the temperament. In this guide, we will break down what slot volatility really means and how it works. We will also list the main categories of slot variance and give famous examples of slots with specific volatility levels.
Key Takeaways 65a4f
- Slot variance, or volatility, is the game’s ‘temperament’
- It’s expressed in three levels – low, medium and high
- Volatility shows the frequency vs size of wins
- High-variance slots are typically games with jackpots
What Is Slot Volatility? 2l1q5j
Volatility in slots refers to how often and how much a slot game pays out.
Every online slot game has a certain volatility level. The variance, or volatility, affects the frequency and size of payouts. It’s not a stat that gives insight into one specific session, but rather the frequency vs win size over time.
Typically, there are three levels of volatility:
- Low volatility
- Medium volatility
- High volatility
Low volatility slots could potentially yield frequent wins, but they are smaller in size. Medium-level games have slightly less frequent wins, but they are also slightly bigger in size. Finally, high volatility slot games produce wins the rarest, but they also tend to have the highest payouts.
In short, volatility shows the payout pattern of a game, but it is not a single factor that determines if players are going to win or not. Instead, it must be looked at together with RTP and hit frequency.
Volatility vs RTP: Is It the Same? 4c1z5u
Volatility and RTP are not the same. RTP (Return to Player) is the average percentage of wagered money that players can expect as pay back in the form of winnings. Again, RTP does not consider one single round, but rather all rounds played in the game over time.
It’s expressed in percentages.
For example, a 96% RTP means that the game will approximately pay back around 96% of what was wagered in total over time – like if the game was played for 100 spins with a $1 stake, the pay back would be close to $96.
Volatility tells how that RTP is delivered. For instance, a game with high volatility and a 96% RTP means that the game will return close to $96 in only a handful of wins, or even pay it all out in one big jackpot win.
On the other hand, low volatility games may return the same amount (if we follow this same hypothetical example) over a spread of spins, in dozens or hundreds of smaller wins.
Randomness – governed by the Random Number Generator – ties both together.
Another important detail is that RTP can be altered and affected over time, but the pattern – how often and how big the wins are going to be – tends to stay the same.
Are Slot Games Really Random? 3r1q16
RNG and randomness are a necessary element in every casino game ensuring fairness.
In fact, all modern online slots use RNG to make sure each spin is independent from other rounds and is 100% unpredictable. In other words, the outcome of every slot is always random, and has nothing to do with previous rounds.
Volatility more or less serves as a guide for the range and likelihood of outcomes, but it can in no way give you predictability – as that is impossible in provably fair games. So, it’s all statistical probability, nothing more.
Still, it’s an incredibly helpful tool for players choosing what games to play. It’s important to choose games that match your expectations and tolerance for risk.
Low Volatility Slots 625d11
Low variance means the games pay less but more frequently.
Classic casino slots, such as Vegas-style or fruit slots are largely low volatility games. Theme does not affect volatility, to be clear. It’s just that the typical fruit slots tend to have lower variance than not, which is not surprising considering they are trying to emulate the old-school slot machines found at gambling venues.
Low volatility slots are perfect for casual players and low rollers. Players looking for relaxing sessions without much stress that can also last longer should go for low volatility slots.
The most famous examples of low volatility are:
It’s also perfect for players with a tighter budget; players who want to play for entertainment rather than profits. Ultimately, even players who simply like the idea of winning often – no matter how much – are more likely to chose low-variance slots than other types.
Medium Volatility Slots 2g47o
The medium level of volatility brings medium-sized wins with a moderately frequent pace. It’s a pattern that occurs the least, as not many games are medium volatility. In fact, most games tend to have a medium-high volatility, which means they are technically medium but can easily fluctuate towards high variance.
In other words, although wins are expected to be relatively frequent, they sometimes can be rare, but the size of the win can also be bigger than expected.
Slots that are mid are perfect for balanced players who like the blend of excitement and consistency. It’s also great for punters who like occasional big wins but without too much risk.
Here are some examples of medium volatility slots:
All in all, it’s a great compromise for everyone who cannot decide between big wins and frequent wins, as it marries the two together to maximize enjoyment. Sadly, they are not too common.
High Volatility Slots 4t3g1u
High volatility slots are common nowadays. In fact, the majority of new releases feature high volatility because they offer drastically higher payouts than the two other levels.
High variance slots are characterized by very rare wins. Also, most game producers tend to attach progressive jackpots to only high volatility slots, so if jackpots are something you are looking for, high variance slots are what you are looking for.
Slots with this type of variance are perfect for high rollers who enjoy seeking thrills. They are very risky – so risky that they are not for beginners – but that risk can pay off – at some point. In most cases, it’s just going to be a fun session with a couple of wins that technically pay back what you already invested through stakes before the win hits.
Here are some examples of high variance slots:
Players with limited budgets unused on spending big bucks on games should avoid these.
How to Check a Slot’s Volatility 4q3a6u
Volatility is a standard piece of info included in most slot game reviews. However, not always – some providers choose not to disclose that information openly.
But there are ways to find out:
- Check out the game info section. While inside the game, open the info and search for info there. Some suppliers provide volatility ratings, or a number on a scale 1-5 (1 is low, 5 the highest).
- Read slot game reviews. Game reviews are typically full of information players can rarely get by themselves or just don’t have to search on their own. Our site – and many other sites – deliver comprehensive and unbiased reviews to make it easier for you.
- Play games for free. If there is no info about slot volatility, playing the game might be of help. That’s the easiest way to confirm what the level is all on your own. But if you play, try the demo first – playing for free avoids the risk of losing money unnecessarily.
- Look at the paytable. When everything else fails, the paytable may provide some insights. High winning potential and a low RTP are generally indicative of a high variance, while lower maximum payouts and a very high RTP (over 96.20%) might mean the game’s medium to low volatility.
Can Volatility Affect Your Strategy? 5r2lc
There’s no surefire slot strategy as it’s not a game of skill like blackjack or poker. Still, there are tactics slot players use to gauge how much they can win or lose in a round, and they try to maximize wins and minimize losses.
Knowing a game’s volatility may help you make smarter decisions.
Variance helps you with:
- Adjusting the bet size
- Setting the length of the session
- Bonus features
With high volatility slots, smaller bets help can extend the session while you wait to hit something bigger. On the other hand, if you want to increase the stake, low variance games are the safer choice.
The bet size affects also the length of the session, because if you lose your balance quickly you are not going to play for much longer.
There is also the fact that high and medium slots tend to have various bonus features, most of which are appetizing – think progressive jackpots and wild Free Spins rounds – while low variance games have one feature, if any at all.
Final Thoughts 405f16
Volatility might not be high on your list of priorities, but it’s a great tool to have in your slot-playing toolkit.
Sure, it won’t guarantee wins, as nothing can; but it can help you pick the games that suit your style the most. Knowing what you like and gravitate towards is key in protecting assets and ensuring slot playing is as enjoyable as it can be with minimal risks.
So, the next time you go choosing a slot, try to look beyond the theme and payouts. Look at how the game pays by checking out the hit rate, RTP, and volatility. It might not guarantee anything, but you are at least going in with a little more knowledge than before.
Do you want to try your hand at different volatility levels? Explore our game reviews and discover games tailored to every style and preference.
