Slot Volatility Explained: What It Means for Your Slot Game
In this guide, we break down volatility, how it affects slot outcomes, and how to use it to your advantage.
Whenever you feel like a slot machine isn't paying or wonder why it is showering you with coins flying toward you on your screen, did you ever consider that slot volatility might be the cause?
No? Well, then, you are right here! We'll have the slot volatility explained, breaking down its essence, what influence it has on the video slots, and how you can take advantage of your game sessions from it!
Slots volatility in action here at Slots Capital Casino! Understanding volatility can help you pick the right game for your playstyle and maximize your bankroll and enjoyment during your casino game time!
What is Slot Volatility?
Volatility in slot machines (sometimes called variance) determines how often and how much a game pays out. In simpler terms, volatility describes the risk factor of a slot game.
Let's break down the three major levels of volatility:
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Low Volatility Slots – the slot machine pays frequent but smaller wins. It's perfect for players who like steady gameplay without much risk.
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Medium Volatility Slots – they offer a balance between frequent and high payouts.
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High Volatility Slots – high volatility machines have fewer wins, but when they hit, they're massive! They are considered riskier, if not even high-risk but are a match for players loving the high-reward gameplay.
It is like choosing between a slow and steady jog, a balanced marathon, or an adrenaline-pumping speed run. Which pace do you prefer?
How Volatility Affects Your Slot Spins
Volatility measures risk you are taking, but you can take this information to your advantage. Understanding how it works you'll see clearly that it impacts also your spins on the reels.
Winning Frequency
Playing low volatility machines will keep the wins rolling in on a constant base. With each spin you have a chance of smaller payouts, compared to other volatility levels. Higher volatility means you may have long dry periods before the next big win hits your account.
Size of Winnings
The size and value of the rewards from a slot machine depends on its volatility. While you win smaller amounts at low volatility machines, you might achive big payouts on high volatility slots. However, the large payouts come after a longer dry period.
Bankroll Management
Depending on which thrill level you are seeking, you may decide which type of volatility you want to play. Players who want to play with a smaller bankroll often prefer playing low volatility games. To extend your gaming sessions, you might also want to play with a lower volatility.
The thrill seekers of the community prefer chasing high wins in the high volatility packed slot machines. However, this might require a higher balance to begin with.
Slot Volatility vs. RTP: What's the Connection?
A common misconception is that slot Return to Player (RTP) and volatility are the same. While they're related, they serve different purposes:
RTP refers to the expected return over time of wagered money on a slot given in percentage. Here's an example: A slot with 96% RTP will theoretically return $96 for every $100 wagered on a long term.
Volatility, however, only affects when and how that RTP is paid out.
For example, two slots may have the same 96% RTP, but one is high volatility and the other low. The high volatility slot may return big wins sporadically. In contrast, a low-volatility slot distributes its payouts more evenly.
The Right Variance x Your Playstyle!
Picking the right volatility depends on what kind of casino player you are. No, we aren't referring to the classy sassy or newbie rowdy. We rather refer to your gaming style. Let's break them down:
The Safe Spinners
Low Volatility slots are perfect for the Safe Spinners. They like a steady gameplay with smaller but more frequent ones. The sessions are played without a big risk and can lead to an extended spinning session! Why? Easy; with the smaller rewards added to your balance more often, you may have an almost constant cash flow without depositing much.
The best strategy: bet small to enjoy long sessions and winnigs!
Of course, we have games with low volatility in our lobby. If you want to play safe, you may want to try:
The Balanced Bettors
As the name Balanced Bettors might indicate is the middle way perfect for those who count towards this category. Slots with a medium volatility are a perfect match for those who want a mix of higher payouts and the thrilling feeling of being a winner! With a medium volatility players spin with a higher risk tolerance while not bursting their balance off too quickly.
The best strategy: adjust the bet size between your spins for maximum fun!
Here are some games with medium volatility, which you might enjoy:
The Risk-Taking Gamesters
Last but not least we have players who love high volatility slots at Slots Capital. Gamesters who seek the excitement and are willing to wait for the big jackpot find their match in the slots with a high volatility. Those slots may pay out fantasticly high (compared to slots with a lower volatility), however, until a players hits that, they have to wait rather long.
The best strategy: have patience and a good bankroll
If you want to feel the rush and thrill of seeing massive winnings on your screen, you may want to spin:
Are you a slow and steady grinder or an all-or-nothing high roller? Your slot choice should match your personality and risk tolerance for the ultimate casino fun.
How to Determine the Volatility of a Slot?
Since we covered what types of volatility are out there in the world of online slots, which volatility suits which game style and its effects, there's still more to mention. Many online casinos offer their players insights of the volatility in the main lobby overview, when hovering over the game tile. But what if that is not given? Here are some hints how to determine the slot machines volatility.
The Game Details May Give It Away
Inspecting the game's help section can either indicate the volatility directly or you have to read between the lines. What we mean with reading between the lines?
Analyze if the game has lots of features and bonus rounds. If it does, chances are it has a greater volatility than a game with less features. Whenver a game has a progressive Jackpot, you can almost be sure it has a high volatility!
Another factor in finding an implied volatility hint is checking out the paytable for the payout structure. Are there any rare icons? Are they paying out quite high compared to other icons? Then, once again, chances are the Slot is equipped with a higher volatility.
If the games offer to review your game history, then check there to get an overview of how often a game has paid out.
Do the Manual Check on Google
Does reviewing the game details sound rather confusing or overwhelming to you? No worries; with a few clicks, you can also get to your answer. Simply take the game name + "volatility" and put it on Google or any other search engine of your choice.
It would be recommended that you check more than just one search result for your answer. When the majority of answers do align, then the information is most likely correct. Double-checking is worth it!
How to Use Volatility to Your Advantage
Now that you we covered the basics, let's merge it all together. This will help you knowing how you can use volatility strategically. With the following we only cover the low and high volatility games, since the medium volatility slots are a balanced version of both.
Manage Your Bankroll Accordingly
For longer sessions with a steady vibe, the low volatility slots are your go-to! They are great for players with small bankrolls who are shy towards taking risks. For bigger bets, an increased risk but also much higher rewards, the high volatility slots offer all the thrill you may seek.
Adjust Your Bet Size
Some players prefer playing with always the same bet amount. However, we recommend to slightly increase it while playing games with low variance. Spinning the reels on a high volatility slot, you might lower your wagers to survive the dry periods until the next big win.
Bonuses and Volatility
You can use bonuses to your advantage! Not only do they give you more to play with, but utilizing them in your favor on the slots can help to extend your game sessions!
The low volatility slots are awesome for meeting and completing any outstanding wager requirements. They pay out more often in lower amounts thus you have a chance of finishing the bonus and cashing out faster as the playthrough is completed.
Deposit bonuses and freebies work well with the high volatility slots. The reason is that they let you ride out losing streaks. Once you hit a good amount of winnings, you can move over to games with lower volatility to completing the playthrough in a low risk enviroment.
Play for Fun First
Before wagering real money, test different volatility levels in free demo versions. See which game style fits your taste before committing.
Follow the High and Low - Go with Your Flow
Understanding slot volatility helps you tailor your gaming experience to your personality and goals. Whether you're a steady spinner, a balanced bettor, or a thrill-seeking jackpot hunter, choosing the right volatility ensures excitement and joy with every spin.
🎰 Ready to put your knowledge into action? Try out different volatility slots today and find your perfect match!
