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Read Full BioVolatility is a characteristic of casino slots that determines how they pay. This guide explains exactly what the term means and how it all works. We’ll also reveal some of the most popular high and low volatility slots
Key Beats
- Volatility means unpredictability. In slots, volatility is an indicator of how winnings are distributed, ranging from smaller and more frequent wins to bigger and less frequent wins.
- You can’t measure, change, or interfere with slot volatility. To know how volatile a machine is, simply conduct an online search or look for a slot volatility chart. Additionally, the maximum win can reveal the volatility of a slot machine.
- Slot machines are categorized into three groups based on volatility. There are high-volatility slots, medium-volatility slots, and low-volatility slots.
What Is Volatility?
Volatility is a measure of unpredictability or risk. Sometimes called “variance,” it describes how much something is likely to fluctuate, such as the price of stocks and commodities.
Cryptocurrency is the perfect example of a highly volatile asset. Bitcoin often loses 5% of its value in a few hours before surging back up in price just days later.
When investing, low-volatility assets are considered safe. They might not yield as much profit in the long term, but they’re predictable, and you’re unlikely to lose everything.
Highly volatile investments, however, are seen as more of a gamble. You could make a lot, but the risk of losing your capital is far greater.
What Does Volatility Mean in Slots?
Volatility’s meaning in slots describes how real money slots pay out over time. If the return-to-player rate (RTP) reveals the amount we can expect to win, slot machine volatility indicates how it’s paid out.
Slots Volatility Example
Imagine spending $100 on a slot at $1 per spin. Your first 99 turns all lose, but you win $96 on the 100th spin. That’s a 96% return-to-player rate for the session.
Now let’s try a different machine. This time, your 100 spins produce a relatively even mixture of 52 losing spins, with 48 prizes of $2 each. That’s a total payout of $96, also a 96% RTP.
Although both slots paid the same amount, the second produced a consistent string of smaller wins. This is how low-volatility slots work.
The first game was highly volatile, with long losing streaks and bigger-than-average prizes.
Calculating Volatility
Unfortunately, there’s no consistent way to measure the volatility of slots, and each game developer uses its own scale and terminology.
Pragmatic Play, for instance, rates games numerically out of five. But Nolimit City uses terms like “extreme” and “insane” to rate the volatility of its slots.
However, all developers employ third-party testing agencies, such as GLI or eCOGRA, to audit their games and prove their fairness. As part of the process, millions of spins are simulated to determine key statistics, such as the RTP and maximum potential payout.
This also gives an indication of a slot’s volatility, measuring the percentage of spins that produced a win.
Types of Volatility in Slots
Although the industry uses inconsistent terms, the volatility of individual slots can still be categorized into three broad groups: low, medium, and high. You may also see the intermediate terms ‘low-medium’ and ‘medium-high’ volatility.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from slots within each category.
Low Volatility Slots
A plentiful supply of small wins is the main characteristic of low-volatility slots. The emphasis is on fun, and those chasing big wins should look elsewhere.
You won’t have to absorb long losing streaks with low-variance slots. Expect hit rates of around 30% to 50%, for example. However, the top prize will be relatively low, typically less than 2,000 times your stake and commonly around 500 times.
If your risk tolerance threshold is low and you’re easily upset by losing streaks, you’ll be much more comfortable with these games.
Medium Volatility Slots
These offer a nice balance between risk and reward, promising greater potential returns without the long dry spells associated with higher volatility slots. As such, they’re ideally suited to a wide range of players.
They still offer an entertaining experience with engaging themes, consistent payouts, and decent potential wins. Don’t be surprised if you endure the occasional dry streak, but hit rates are typically around 15% to 30%.
Expect maximum potential wins of around 5,000x to 10,000x. A figure of 2,000x to 5,000x is consistent with low-medium volatility slots. While 10,000x to 20,000x would be considered medium-high these days.
High Volatility Slots
In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the production of high-volatility slots. Creative developers like Relax Gaming, Nolimit City, and NetEnt continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Games now promise increasingly impressive wins. Starburst XXXtreme boasts a 200,000x maximum potential payout, for instance. While Tombstone RIP and Tombstone Slaughter: El Gordo’s Revenge offer 300,000x and 500,000x each.
The downside of highly volatile slots is the lack of smaller wins – hit rates are typically less than 15%. These games are not for the faint of heart, and you’ll need a sizable bankroll to endure their variance.
Difference Between High Volatility & Low Volatility
The table below provides a quick comparison between low volatility vs high volatility slots.
| Low volatility | High volatility |
|---|---|
| More frequent wins | Longer losing streaks |
| Smaller than average payouts | Large potential payouts |
| Much more predictable | Far less predictable |
| Lesser excitement | More thrilling |
| Smaller bankroll risk | Higher risk to your bankroll |
| Ideal for casual players | Best for the big bag chasers |
High Volatility Slots
The best online casinos offer hundreds, if not thousands, of slot machines, covering a wide range of volatility levels. Those at the higher end of the scale share many similar features. Expect bigger maximum potential payouts, fewer frequent prizes, and the possibility of long losing streaks, for instance.
On the other hand, these games are among the most popular among thrill seekers, who chase big wins. Let’s take a look at some of the best slots with high volatility.
Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt)
Ten years after the 2009 release of Dead or Alive, NetEnt dropped a sequel to its smash hit slot. Dead or Alive 2 has proven just as successful, thanks to a healthy RTP of 96.80% and three unique bonus rounds.
Its high volatility level, which produces a maximum potential win of 111,111x, is also popular with those who enjoy chasing big payouts.
Tombstone RIP
In January 2022, Nolimit City released Tombstone RIP, the follow-up to the studio’s earlier game, Tombstone. After initial controversy due to the game’s gruesome imagery, it became a firm favorite with slots fans.
Its RTP is a solid 96.08%, but the maximum possible win is an impressive 300,000 times your bet. However, the game is one of the most volatile slots and is renowned for its ability to quickly deplete your bankroll.
Max Megaways 2
This 2023 Big Time Gaming release is another sequel that went down well with the slots community. Both Max Megaways and Max Megaways 2 are highly volatile affairs, offering maximum potential wins of 139,200x and 147,620x, respectively.
The two games use the developer’s dynamic Megaways engine, which only adds to the unpredictability. Expect as many as 117,649 ways to win, with a different number every spin.
Low Volatility Slots
In contrast to their high volatility counterparts, low-variance slots are far more predictable. You can expect a fairly steady flow of smaller prizes without enduring stressful dry spells.
As a result, they’re some of the best slot machines to play if you’re new to gambling or have a smaller bankroll. However, you won’t see the enormous potential wins offered by higher variance games. Here are some of the most popular low-volatility slots.
Starburst
One of the best-known and most beloved slots ever created, Starburst was first introduced to casinos in 2012. Yet it remains a firm favorite today. That’s partly due to its simplicity – the game lacks complex features and mechanics, making it very easy to pick up and play.
However, its solid 96.01% RTP and low volatility combination also offer a satisfying stream of steady wins.
1429 Uncharted Seas
This April 2014 release is another all-time classic, partly due to its impressive RTP of 98.60%. Another key feature is the simple bonus game, which offers up to 50 free spins – far more than most slots.
The maximum possible win is just 670x your stake. But you’re compensated with lots of small prizes, keeping even the most impatient of players occupied.
Blood Suckers
Another high RTP slot, the original Blood Suckers, featured a 98.00% payout. Watch out, though – modern casinos offer a version that pays much less. RTP aside, this NetEnt classic is renowned for its low volatility, which ensures numerous payouts, with a maximum of 1,015x.
To achieve that, you must trigger the free spins round. However, this engaging slot also features a second bonus, with cash prizes hidden in coffins.
Top Tips on Slot Volatility
When selecting the best slot machine to play at the casino, volatility is one of the most crucial factors to consider. Keep the following tips in mind.
💡 Understand what volatility means: There’s no point even thinking about volatility until you know what it means. Highly volatile games pay less often, with hit rates lower than 15%. Low-volatility games could pay out on up to 50% of spins.
💡 Look for volatility clues. Many developers don’t announce the volatility of games. If they do, it’ll be with vague terms that aren’t consistent across the industry. However, low maximum wins and RTPs typically indicate low volatility. The reverse is also true. You can also search online for a slot machine volatility chart to get information.
💡 Manage your bankroll. Volatility dictates the bankroll required. You might get away with smaller sums when playing low-volatility slots. However, the riskier a game is to play, the more carefully you must manage your bet sizing and budget.
Conclusion
It’s hugely important to look into the differences between low-volatility and high-volatility slots, as they can have an impact on the potential money you might win. High-volatility slots are particularly risky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Read this guide on slot volatility explained in simple terms carefully, and understand what volatility means before playing. Then, choose a slot whose volatility aligns with your level of risk tolerance and bankroll.
Struggling to stay on top of your gameplay? Don’t hesitate to use the many tools available. All good slots sites allow you to set limits and even temporary timeouts. Head over to our dedicated page on responsible gambling for further information, or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for additional resources if you feel like things are getting out of control.
FAQs
Volatility is subjective. If you’re a thrill-seeker who loves chasing big wins, high-volatility games will be the best slots for you. But if you’re risk-averse and prefer smaller, more predictable returns, low-volatility slots offer a better experience.
Low-volatility slots are great for anyone with a relatively small bankroll, as there’s significantly less risk involved. They also provide the perfect introduction for new players who don’t yet have much experience with slots. However, they’re not good if you’re chasing massive payouts.
Slot volatility refers to the frequency and how a slot machine pays out, while RTP refers to how much a machine pays out to winners over a period of time.
A simple online search can reveal the volatility of a slot machine. Likewise, you can check the maximum win for an indicator. Low maximum wins typically indicate low volatility, and vice versa.
Volatility, often referred to as “variance”, reveals how slots pay their prizes. Low-volatility slot machines provide frequent payouts – up to 50% of spins – but prizes tend to be small. Higher volatility games promise large potential wins, but you may need to be patient.
High volatility slots are riskier to play, as they’re unpredictable. They can produce long runs without a win, before suddenly dropping a sizeable prize. In contrast, low-volatility games are much more predictable, paying smaller returns more consistently.
References
- Home (NCPgambling)
