This article is a guide to help you understand the Volatility of Slot Machines. We will explain what slot volatility means and how to determine it.
Every casino, either land-based or online, contains slot machines. Online casinos appeal to millions of people worldwide, and the classic casino game is as popular as ever. Online slots are available in many variations. Playing slot games using your mobile device means that games that contain multipliers, free spins and multi-pay lines, and progressive jackpots are all available whilst on the go.
But whatever type of slot machine online casino lovers choose to play, there is one major factor influencing a player’s decision before committing any real money: slot volatility.
Table of Contents
Volatility Games Explained
In online casinos, volatility is a term used by players. It assesses the risk of losing a bet or wager. The volatility of a slot machine will give the player an idea of how often they might win or how rarely they might win. It also indicates how big or small real money prizes they might win.
Online casino slot machines have three (usually) levels of volatility. In some online slots, there is an “in-between” level of volatility between medium and high and medium and low.
- The high volatility slot
- Low volatility slots
- Medium volatility slots
The Ratings for Slot Volatility
Low Volatility slot games are a good choice of slot game for players who have a small bankroll. Low volatility online slots suit players who don’t value big wins as much as they do immersive gameplay, including special bonus features. These slot games suit beginners, and slot machines that have low volatility are ideal when playing to fulfil a bonus wagering requirement.
Low Volatility/Medium Volatility Slots
Low/Medium volatility slots are also a good choice for a small bankroll. This type of slot machine offers the possibility to trigger special bonus features that can lead to exciting real money wins.
Medium Volatility Slots
Medium volatility slots are a mix between risk and return. These slot machines are a good choice for intermediate players playing with a moderately sized bankroll and can take on greater risk.
Medium Volatility Slots/High Volatility Slots
Online casino slot machines with medium/high volatility are for players looking to have higher than average wins with lower risk. These online slots require players to have a larger budget.
High Volatility Slots
Online casino slot machines of higher volatility pay out large (sometimes life-changing amounts) real money prizes less often than low volatility slots. Players require a large bankroll and need to be risk takers. These online slots suit experienced players.
The Difference Between Variance Slots and Volatility Games
Simply put, there is no difference between high variance slots and higher volatility slot games. The volatility and variance of slots determine the size of a real money win and how often it will occur.
For instance, Book of Dead slot game is a popular Ancient Egyptian-themed with free spins offered by some casinos as part of the welcome offer. The Book of Dead casino game is higher volatility (or high variance slots), containing a mix of big and small wins and the potential of a higher maximum winning amount of real money.
How to Find The Casino Game That Suits Your Style
Slot machines vary in volatility (variance) from one game to another. Check out a game’s return to player (RTP) to determine the odds. The Return to Player percentage shows how much you can expect to win from a game played over a longer time.
Unfortunately, volatility isn’t easily accessible as most games don’t offer a volatility rating like they do payout percentages. Online casino slot machines offer a wide range of real money prizes. They give small prizes, jackpots and bonuses that include free spins.
Online casinos sometimes show a game’s volatility rate 2 out of 5 stars. This rating means that the game falls somewhere in the low volatility spectrum. Knowing what type of volatility you are comfortable with when playing slot games and checking out what the jackpot is can help to choose the game.
- If a slot machine offers a $3000 progressive (real money) jackpot, it is likely a low volatility slot.
- If a slot machine offers a $3 million progressive (real money) jackpot, it is likely a high volatility game.
Even though this method is rudimentary, the jackpot can provide quick information on a slot machine’s volatility.
Always check the starting amount when dealing with progressive jackpots, as this amount represents what game providers put into the game. If one slot machine starts at $10,000 and another at $4,000, the former is a high variance slot.
Some slot machines feature substantial real money prizes beyond the jackpot. If a casino game (online slots in this case) has three or four real money prizes, it is a higher volatility game. Those online slots that don’t feature many payouts worth 500 coins or more will pay more often are low volatility games.
Bonus rounds like free spins, random features within a game, cascading reels and the number of winning ways also have a bearing on slot machines’ volatility.
In Conclusion
The higher volatility (or high variance slots) boast big jackpots and other special features. The low volatility games are less exciting and pay smaller real money prizes more frequently. You must be able to choose between waiting for a payout against chasing big jackpots and real money bonus prizes. If the latter excites you more, you must remember that you can quickly lose your bankroll, so everything comes down to personal preference when choosing which slot machine to play.
