Pokies Volatility Guide

Volatility or Variance are general terms used in the gambling industry, especially in online pokies games. We at Fruity King NZ decided to put this guide together as we know that the meaning behind pokies volatility can be confusing. 

We shall answer questions like;

• Is there a difference between volatility and variance?
• What is meant by high and low volatility poikes? 
• How does the volatility affect pokies games?

This guide will also help you choose the online pokies that suit your gameplay style. 

It is easier to talk about online casinos by mentioning pokies machines. As the most commonly played casino game, both online and off, pokies cover many themes, paylines, progressive jackpots, genres, and much more.

Even though there are so many online pokies machines to choose from whatever type of machine online casino lovers decide to play, there is one thing that will influence their decisions: pokies volatility. 

What is a Pokies Machine’s Volatility?

Within online gambling, volatility (sometimes called variance) is used to assess the risk of losing a bet. It suggests how regularly or irregularly you can expect to win or how large or small you can expect your prize money to be. 

Pokies Volatility represents how often a pokies game triggers a win and the typical size of the success. Of course, there is a risk of losing money in all pokies games, but some games are less predictable and player-friendly than others. 

Like any other casino games, all pokies give the house an edge, but as not all pokies are the same, the house edge does vary even though each pokies outcome is controlled by the same RNG (Random Number Generator*).  

*The Random Number Generator is software an online casino will use to determine the outcome of all of its games. In all quality online casinos, an independent RNG audit is regularly carried out to ensure that the software is accurate and fair, which means that each player has an equal chance of a win. 

The Different Types of Pokies’ Volatility

Pokies machines are categorised into three levels of volatility which are; 

• Low Volatility Pokies Games 
• Medium Volatility Pokies Games
• High Volatility Pokies Games

The Low Volatility Pokies Machines

This type of pokies game gives you far more chances of landing a win, but the jackpot sizes are smaller and range from around 250-500 times your bet. Low-volatility pokies tend not to be as exciting as those with higher volatility. Still, they deliver steady payouts and are popular amongst players with a smaller bankroll, who prefer to avoid taking a higher risk or are not interested in winning a big jackpot. 

The Medium Volatility Pokies Machines

Online pokies that offer a medium volatility rating are a good compromise between those with low volatility and those with high volatility. The wins with these games are good, and there is usually a full range of bonus features to enjoy. 

Entertaining and highly enjoyable, the medium volatility pokies games make an excellent choice for players who play for fun but also enjoy a decent win now and again. 

The High Volatility Pokies Machines

These pokies games are for players who dream of winning life-changing cash prizes. They rarely pay and are called ‘high risk’, but the lucky players can expect big jackpot cash prizes once they begin to pay out. 

High Volatility pokies games are preferred by users that do not mind taking a risk and have enough time and patience to chase the elusive prize. You also need a decently sized bankroll to play these pokies, as to win the big prizes, you are required to bet the maximum amount for each spin. 

You can expect to win 3,000 to 10,000 times your initial wager when you play high volatility pokies. 

Determining the Volatility of Pokies Machines

If you can determine the volatility of a pokies machine, you will only play a game with volatility that suits your style of play. Unfortunately, most online casinos do not disclose the volatility of their pokies machines. Instead, it is up to the player to find out, which can take time and money. 

One idea to combat the above is to try out the free or demo version of the online pokies you are considering. The game’s volatility remains the same whether you are using real cash or trying out the demo mode. 

How Does Determining the Games RTP Help?

The RTP (return to player percentage) is a long-term projection of how much you can expect to get back in winnings. The game’s developer determines the RTP, and all games have one. 

• Pokies games with a higher RTP offer higher chances of a win, which makes them less volatile. 
• Pokies with a lower RTP offer fewer wins and are, therefore, more volatile. 
• Another pointer towards pokies with higher volatility is the number of bonus features attached to the games. For instance, if you play a pokies game with a bonus once every half a million spins, it will pay out bigger cash prizes than those with a bonus after every hundred spins. 
• Progressive pokies games or those other pokies that let you put a percentage of your bet towards increasing the jackpot tend to be more volatile (pay out less often but with larger jackpot prizes). 

In Summary

With thousands of online pokies, deciding which to play can be confusing, so it makes sense to find out which pokies will play out the way you prefer—of course, deciding which genre and type of pokies is the first step.

Then once you have done that, remember to play at a fully licensed online casino that treats its customers fairly and where you can demo your chosen pokies before committing any of your hard-earned cash. 

Online Pokies are meant to be entertaining and exciting, so always know when to quit and walk away, and never try to chase your losses or spend money that you cannot afford to lose.