What does volatility mean in slots?

Aside from basic strategies, did you know that volatility is another gambling variable that highly affects your slot gaming or other online casino games? In essence, volatility refers to the frequency of wins and risk of your slot. How can you maximise it to improve your chances of getting higher returns for your bankroll? Learn more about it here at Bitcasino.

Online slot volatility: What is it?

Slot volatility determines your likelihood of landing winning combinations, the payout sizes and the level of risk when you’re playing an online slot or physical slot machine. It also measures the frequency at which a casino game rewards players with a winning payout over time. 

There are three variances ranging from low, medium and high. Knowing a game’s volatility allows players to choose which slot games fit their budget and risk tolerance. 

Slot variance vs slot volatility

Many people confuse online slots volatility with variance at first because both deal with slot gameplay and results. Here's a definition of slot variance to clarify and differentiate between the two. 

Variance refers to the distribution of winning combinations over the long term. Simply put, it measures how the average results can change instead of volatility, which shows players how often and big the payout is. 

Additionally, volatility measures the time the slot is played, while variance deals with the allocation of the rewards you can receive while playing.

To better understand slot variance, here’s a table which shows the levels of variance and their descriptions:

What are the different volatility level slots?

The different volatility levels range from low to high and can fit players with various risk appetites depending on their preferred gameplay styles. Knowing the levels of volatility also determines the games’ win-loss ratio, which helps players like you choose games to place bets on to get more wins.

Low volatility slots

This type of slot volatility is associated with a low-risk play style, with regular payouts and small wins throughout the game. Players who consider themselves more conservative and risk-averse are best for this type of slot. In addition, players with a tight bankroll can benefit greatly from low-volatility slots since they have more regular wins. 

Medium volatility slots

Medium volatility slots balance more game features and small to average winning combinations throughout the game. Usually, these games have more bonuses attached to their mechanics and have decent multipliers and free spins.

Players with a moderate risk appetite and a healthy bankroll will most benefit from playing medium volatility slots. 

High volatility slots

Players who are risk-takers will like high volatility slots since they are the riskiest but provide big jackpots. However, these are rarely triggered, so these slots are considered high-risk and unpredictable.

Typically, these games also have bonus features such as wilds or free spins that can impact the overall wins of a player. To better understand volatility, here’s a table which shows the levels of volatility and which types of players they suit best:

Why is slot game volatility essential to know?

Here are the benefits of knowing a game’s slot volatility:

1. Slot game volatility helps you make informed choices

Slot games were traditionally seen as a game of pure chance, where no amount of skill and technique can determine if you’re going to win or lose money. That perception has changed over recent years, with more players analysing their games and improving slot machine strategy. 

This doesn’t mean that slot games are predictable, but rather, it means that players can make better choices, like choosing when to play a maximum bet on slots or assessing their risk tolerance. 

2. Builds game provider credibility

Game providers are the ones that determine a game’s volatility because they design the mechanics of the game. For players, knowing that a slot game has volatility eases their concerns over fairness and lets them test the RTP to see how closely they match up. 

3. Setting your gaming budget

Knowing the game’s volatility is crucial to setting your gaming budget and determining your playing style. As mentioned, low volatility levels are best for those with a conservative style of play and a tight bankroll, while higher volatility slot levels are best for those who can afford to spend and risk more. 

Players of all experience levels should set their budget and how much they will spend in one night. This is especially true for pro casino players who must manage their bankroll during a tournament season.

4. It sets players’ expectations

Knowing the volatility allows players to gauge how much they can win or lose in a particular game and help them set their expectations and how much money they want to wager. 

What is RTP in Slots? 

Return-to-player, or RTP, is the ratio of a player’s wagers into a game to the amount they receive from it over time. Usually, a high slot game RTP means the player has a higher chance of returning their bet.

Since modern online slots accept crypto and fiat money for betting, it has made it easier for people to record their winnings and losses from a game to calculate return-to-player slots. 

Slots RTP and Volatility: What’s the difference?

We’ve established the difference between volatility and variance, and we’ll do the same with RTP and volatility because these terms are often confused. Many people interchangeably use RTP and volatility when referring to a slot game’s chances of paying out.

Players can often see the RTP and volatility together in a slot game's description alongside the features, paytable and available bonuses like free spins or multipliers. 

RTP is the figure expressed with a % sign and is the ratio of the bet size versus the amount received over time. In comparison, volatility refers to the risks involved in making a bet, the frequency of wins, and how big the payout will be. 

How to determine the volatility of a slot machine? 

Determining the volatility of slot games is easy! It is often provided in the game stats board at the online casino platform you are playing at. But if you can’t find it, you can try any of the options below: 

RTP average

RTP and volatility can be linked directly since RTP exhibits the amount of your wager you can win back while volatility is the risk or number of times you can win. 

The games that have a high RTP percentage often have a low volatility rating since the game pays out often and you can win back most of your bets. The same thing goes for high-volatility games who often have low RTP percentages since the game doesn’t payout as much. 

Fun mode 

Another thing you can do is observe the game. Switch the slot to fun mode and spin the reels. The game has low volatility if it often pays out, but if it pays out high rewards, then it’s high volatility. 

Fun and rewards in every volatility

Regardless of the volatility of a slot game, you’ll still have a fun and rewarding time in Slots.io. Find the perfect game for you below based on the volatility you prefer:

Best high volatility slots 

Take the risks and feel the thrill in every spin. Become the one who will finally land the win in these high-volatility slot games below: 

Wings of Ra by Red Tiger

The Wings of Ra has an RTP of 95.69% and a possible jackpot worth up to 3,000x your wager. It might be challenging to get past, but when you land the jackpot, you will experience a reward unlike any other. 

This slot game by Red Tiger is also equipped with fun features like Free Spins, Mystery Coins and more. The detailed and beautiful Egyptian-inspired design only adds to the charm of the game. Try out your luck and find the pharaoh’s treasure. 

Mysterious by Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play’s Mysterious has an RTP of 96.5% and a jackpot prize worth up to 5,000 coins. Play this game at Slots.io and experience huge wins as you unravel the mystery of the ghost town. 

Indulge in various features including the Random Spins, Wild, Free Spins, Locking Multiplier Free Spins and Resurrecting Roaming Wilds Free Spins to increase your wins. 

Best medium volatility slots 

Get the best of both worlds and experience huge and frequent wins with the games featured below: 

Rainbow Jackpots Power Lines by Red Tiger  

Red Tiger’s Rainbow Jackpots Power Lines is a medium-high volatility game with an RTP of 95.68% and a jackpot win 1,000x your wager. This colourful game will take you straight to the pot of gold with every spin. 

Play this leprechaun-themed slot game and claim the pot of gold when you spin the reels and land wins using your bonus features such as Free Spins and Bonus rounds.

Golden Beauty by Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play’s Golden Beauty is a medium volatility game with an RTP of 96.44% and a jackpot worth up to 210x your wager in a single spin. This wonderful ancient Chinese-inspired slot will take you to the place of a beautiful empress where you can receive wins worthy of royalty. 

As you spin the reels, you will encounter different features such as the Wild symbol, Bonus symbol, progressive wins and Free Spins. Behold the beauty of your jackpot and spin the reels of casino slot Golden Beauty today. 

Best low volatility slots 

Not much of a risk taker? Here are some of the games that will bring you frequent rewards as you spin the reels!

Neon City by Wazdan

Wazdan’s Neon City is a low-medium volatility game with an RTP of 96.25% and a possible win jackpot worth up to 1,250x your wager. Take a walk around Neon City and find all kinds of glamorous rewards as you spin the reels. 

Get a chance to win exciting payouts and light up your gameplay with bonus features such as the Mega Spins, Multipliers and Free Spins. Join the nightlife and experience fun like never before in the casino slot Neon City. 

Bubbles Bonanza by OneTouch

OneTouch’s Bubbles Bonanza has an RTP of 95.82% and a possible win that could go up to 200x your wager. This casino slot game will take you to the bottom of the sea to hit you with a current of wins. 

Despite not having a lot of features, Bubble Bonanza’s frequent payout makes it a fun and rewarding experience. 

What is the best volatility?

Different volatilities all have their quirks and disadvantages. When it comes to deciding which slot volatility is best for you, it pays to know what your goal is in play. If you are wagering for the thrill and the prospect of a huge win, then the perfect volatility for you is high. However, if you don’t see yourself as a risk-taker, selecting low-volatility games will do you better in your gameplay. 

Discover what drives you to play and find the perfect slot title based on the volatility level. Whatever your style of play, Slots.io has a game that can offer you a fun and rewarding experience!

Win big in Bitcasino’s wide selection of slot games

Slots have come a long way from being a simple game of luck to a game where players can choose their risk level, all while still enjoying the unpredictability of the game. 

Learning about volatility and other mechanics like RTP, slot machine algorithms, and variance can help you choose which games you want to play that best suit your play styles and bankroll. 

FAQs about slot volatility

1. Is variance the same as volatility?

No. Volatility refers to the frequency and size of a payout over any given time, while variance refers to the deviation of the prize amounts over a long period.

2. What is the volatility level in slot machines?

Volatility levels depend on a slot machine’s provider but usually range from 91% to 96%

3. How to determine the volatility of a slot machine?

Volatility can be determined on most slot machines in their features, mechanics, and description section.

Words by: Charlotte Kwan