What Does Volatility Mean in Slots?

Slot volatility (variance) is an indicator that gives a person an abstract idea of how often and what size winnings he or she will receive during the game. If you are an experienced player, you are probably already well familiar with this concept, but if you are just starting your way of getting to know slots, this article will definitely help you understand.

Different Types of Slot Machine Volatility

Slots with low, medium and high volatility are the most common, while slots with medium-high and low-medium volatility are less common. Next, I will go into detail about each type of volatility.

High Volatility Slots

High volatility slots offer the opportunity to get large payouts, but these winnings are quite rare. This type of slots is ideal for players who prefer to take risks in the hope of hitting the big jackpot.

Medium-High Volatility

These slots strike a balance between high and medium volatility. While wins may not be as large as in high volatility games, they are somewhat more frequent, providing a mix of excitement and reward.

Medium Volatility

Medium volatility slots offer a balanced experience, with moderate-sized wins that occur with regular frequency. They are suitable for players looking for a steady gameplay experience without extreme highs or lows.

Low-Medium Volatility

These slots lean towards more frequent wins with lower payouts. They are perfect for players who enjoy regular, smaller rewards and prefer a less risky gaming experience.

Low Volatility

Low volatility slots offer frequent payouts but fairly small payouts. These games are ideal for players who enjoy long sessions with stable payouts and minimal risk.

Examples of High-, Medium- and Low- Volatility Slots

Here we will give you examples of famous slots with high, medium and low volatility. All of them are time-tested and I am sure they deserve the attention of our readers. In this article you will see a brief description of each slot. If you go to the review pages, you can get to know each game in more detail and if you want, play in demo mode – it’s a great way to get used to the game before betting real money.

Examples of High Volatility Slots

Dead or Alive II by NetEnt – This slot is famous for its massive payout potential, especially during the free spins feature where multipliers can significantly boost winnings.

Book of Dead by Play’n GO – A fan favorite, this slot features an expanding symbol bonus that can lead to substantial payouts, especially if high-value symbols are involved.

Razor Shark by Push Gaming – With its unique Nudge & Reveal feature, Razor Shark offers the potential for big wins, particularly during the free spins where multipliers can climb to impressive heights.

Immortal Romance by Microgaming – This vampire-themed slot has a high volatility level and offers various bonus features, including a free spins round with multipliers that can lead to big wins.

Examples of Medium Volatility Slots

Jack and the Beanstalk by NetEnt – This fairy tale-themed slot offers a good balance of frequent wins and larger payouts, especially during the Walking Wilds feature.

Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt – While often considered a low to medium volatility slot, Gonzo’s Quest strikes a balance between frequent payouts and the potential for bigger wins, especially with its Avalanche multipliers.

Thunderstruck II by Microgaming – This Norse mythology-themed slot offers a variety of bonus features that provide frequent wins and the chance for significant payouts, making it a solid medium volatility option.

Cleopatra by IGT – A classic slot with a strong following, Cleopatra offers steady payouts with the potential for bigger wins during its free spins feature.

Examples of Low Volatility Slots

Blood Suckers by NetEnt – This vampire-themed slot is known for its consistent payouts and low risk, making it a favorite among players who enjoy regular wins.

Aloha! Cluster Pays by NetEnt – With its cluster pay mechanic, Aloha! offers frequent payouts and a laid-back, tropical theme, perfect for players looking for a low-risk slot.

Jumanji by NetEnt – Inspired by the popular movie, Jumanji is a medium volatility slot that offers a variety of features, including wilds, free spins, and bonus games, providing a balanced mix of frequent wins and the potential for bigger payouts.

Blood Suckers by NetEnt – Although often recognized for its low volatility, Blood Suckers can also be categorized as a medium volatility slot due to its consistent payouts and potential for bigger wins during the bonus game and free spins.

How to Find the Volatility of a Slot

How do you know the volatility of a slot machine before you start playing, you ask? Next, I’ll show you a few options on how you can do this.

Game information: Most modern online slots contain detailed information about the mechanics of the game, including volatility, in the pay table or rules section of the game. You can find these sections in the slot, usually by clicking on the ‘info’ or ‘help’ copka in the slot interface.

Slot reviews and casino websites: Many casino and slot machine review sites, including the ‘Online Slots Games’ section of our site, offer detailed reviews of slot machines, including information about their volatility. To find this information, players can type the slot name into a search engine and then ‘volatility’.

Developers’ websites and promotional materials: You can often see that the information about the volatility of the slot, indicated by the developer himself. In this case, it is usually available on the official website of the developer, in the promotional materials of the slot or in the game interface.

User experience: You can estimate volatility based on your own experience or by reading forums and user reviews where other players talk about their experience. For example, a game that pays out small amounts frequently is likely to have low volatility, while a game that pays out less frequently but offers large winnings is likely to have high volatility.

Now you know how to determine the volatility of a particular slot that interests you.

How Volatility Helps in Risk Assessment

Above I have already detailed how the level of volatility affects the frequency and size of payouts. From this we can conclude that slots with high volatility are riskier but potentially more profitable. Conversely, slots with low to medium volatility are less risky but also less profitable. Understanding the volatility of a slot is very important for managing your bankroll and setting realistic expectations for your game.

Best Volatility for Bonus Hunting

When you’re looking for slot machine bonuses, my advice is to choose games with low to medium volatility. Such slots will give you more frequent payouts, which helps a lot when you need to fulfil wagering requirements without emptying your bankroll too quickly. Don’t forget that if you choose slots with high volatility, you will of course get bigger wins. But since they are usually rare, you can quickly lose your bankroll before you get the bonuses.

Best Volatility for Short Sessions

I believe that when a player plans a short session of slots play, they should consider their goals and risk tolerance in order to choose the optimal level of volatility. For a short gaming session, I recommend choosing slots with low to medium volatility. They will allow you to enjoy a steady stream of winnings and keep playing without putting most of your bankroll at risk. You can opt for slots with high volatility, but be prepared for sharp turns.

How Volatility and RTP are Related to Each Other

Although volatility and RTP are completely different concepts, together they complement each other and affect the player’s experience of a slot. RTP indicates the percentage of all wagered money a slot pays back to players over time, suggesting a game’s long-term payout likelihood. You can find out all the necessary information about RTP in our article ‘What is RTP (Return to Player)?’.

You already know about the influence of volatility on the nature of slot payouts from what has been written above. A slot can have any combination of RTP and volatility, but together these two metrics can help you assess the balance between win frequency, payout size and overall risk. This way, you can choose a slot according to your playing style and risk tolerance.

On a side note: Machines with a higher RTP (Return to Player) typically have lower volatility, meaning players are more likely to win smaller amounts more frequently. On the other hand, games that have a high level of payout variance usually offer a lower RTP, giving players fewer chances of winning consistently.

My Final Thoughts

I believe that volatility, is an important slot metric that significantly helps players navigate the modern variety of games. Now, knowing everything I have written above, it will be easier for you to make your own choice. Be sure to head over to the ‘Online Slots Games’ section and leave comments under the slots you’ve had a blast playing. This way you will help other players.