View Slots by Volatility
In short: volatility (also called variance) is how risky a slot is. Low volatility means frequent small wins and steadier sessions. High volatility means long dry spells broken by the odd big hit. It does not change the RTP, it changes the shape of your session, so it is the single biggest factor in how a game actually feels to play.
Volatility is the risk involved for a slot game. Volatility helps form player expectations regarding how often and how much the player can expect to win. The higher the volatility means the higher the risk, the higher the reward. The lower the volatility means the lower the risk, but smaller payouts. It all boils down to risk. So next time you’re checking slot game volatility, ask yourself, do I want to take a high risk, medium risk, or low risk? Let’s look at five types of volatility slots, Very High Volatility Slots, High Volatility Slots, Medium Volatility Slots, Medium Low Volatility Slots, and Low Volatility Slots.
Very-High Volatility Slots
Very high volatility slots often have a massive jackpot amount. The greater the jackpot, the higher the volatility of the slot. Because the higher the volatility the higher the reward, these slots require patience and time. Don’t expect to win anything immediately. When playing a very high volatility slot game, be prepared to expect the lows and highs. Book of Dead and Bonanza are two of the most popular very high volatility games. Keep in mind that with such high volatility, you can spin for quite a bit of time and not see any winnings, but once you win, you’ll win big.
High Volatility Slots
Similar to very high volatility slots, high volatility slots have a high jackpot amount, with large payouts happening rather infrequently. Jackpots aren’t nearly as large as slots with a very high volatility, yet they are large enough to not pay out small winnings often. Nero’s Fortune and Temple Tumble are two of the best games of 2020 with high volatility. When you win in a high volatility slot game, you win big. High volatility games are great to play when you have time, cash, and patience. The higher the volatility the higher the reward, so you can expect a pretty big jackpot price for any slots with high volatility.
Medium Volatility Slots
Medium volatility slots are the perfect balance between high and low volatility. If you don’t have much cash but are looking to win big, medium volatility is the slot for you. Two of the most popular medium volatility slot games are Gonzo’s Quest and Gonzo’s Quest Megaway. Both of these games offer payouts lower and more often than the soaring jackpot prices of higher volatility slots, yet you can still expect to win a bit of cash from a medium volatility game if you play for a while. While Medium volatility slots don’t require quite the time and patience that high volatility needs, payouts are less frequent than lower volatility slots. You’ll find winning combinations more frequently than high volatility, but with less payout.
Medium-Low Volatility Slots
If you are looking for a balanced compromise between medium volatility and low volatility slots, medium-low volatility slots are your cup of tea. Medium-low volatility slots offer a mix of low and medium wins throughout the game. There is still a higher risk as well as a higher reward than low volatility, yet the payout is more frequent than medium to high volatility slots. Rainbow Riches and Fishing Frenzy are two of the most popular games with medium low volatility, offering frequent payouts and a slightly higher risk than low volatility slots.
Low Volatility Slots
Low volatility slots equal low risk. With smaller but much more frequent payouts, low volatility slot games are perfect with those short on cash and time. You’ll see small amounts of winnings coming in every few spins. You’ll still be able to win big in a low volatility game, but not on the same level as a high volatility slot. Starburst and Reel King Mega are two popular low volatility slot games, offering frequent payouts with very little risk involved. You don’t have to pay big in order to win money in these low volatility slot games.
How to pick a slot by volatility
Match the variance to your bankroll and your mood. If you have a small balance and want playtime, low or medium-low volatility keeps the reels turning with regular small wins. If you are hunting a big multiplier and can stomach cold runs, high or very high volatility is where the top wins live. Medium sits in the middle and suits most players most of the time. None of this changes the house edge, it just changes how bumpy the ride is.
Volatility and RTP are not the same thing
RTP is how much a slot pays back over time. Volatility is how that payback is spread out. Two games can share a 96% RTP and play completely differently, one trickling out wins, the other paying rarely but large. Read both together. Our RTP guide covers the other half.
Volatility FAQ
Is high volatility better than low?
Neither is better, they suit different goals. High volatility offers bigger top wins but burns through balances faster. Low volatility lasts longer with smaller wins. Pick the one that fits your budget and patience.
Does volatility affect my chances of winning?
It affects the pattern, not the long-run return. A high-variance slot wins less often but pays more when it does, while the RTP and the house edge stay the same either way.
How can I tell a slot’s volatility?
Many studios print it in the game info, and we list it on each slot’s review page. As a rule of thumb, a high max win (say 5,000x and up) paired with a tough bonus trigger usually means high volatility.