What does volatility mean in slots? Slot Volatility Explained

What Is Slots Volatility?

Slot volatility refers to the level of risk associated with a specific slot game. It determines the frequency and size of potential winnings, which can range from small and frequent payouts in low volatility games to less frequent but larger wins in high volatility games.  

The Difference Between Slot Volatility and Slot Variance Explained

The difference between slot volatility and variance lies in their focus, where variance is more concerned with the spread from an average outcome, volatility simply relates to the risk factor associated with potential wins and losses.  

Different Levels of Volatility

Slot machine volatility comes in three distinct types: high, medium, and low. Each type carries its own risks and winning frequency, so deciding on your preferences before selecting a slot is key!  

High Volatility Slots

In a nutshell, high volatility slots are titles that offer larger payouts than medium and low volatility slots but typically award less frequently.  

They are riskier than the other two types mentioned below but can appeal to certain groups of bettors.  

Medium Volatility Slots

Slots with a medium volatility rating look to strike a balance, offering players potential winnings of various sizes without sacrificing hit frequency.   

These games present a moderate risk level, meaning you can expect payouts more frequently than high volatility slots, but with higher reward potential compared to low volatility options.  

Low Volatility

Online slots that come with a low volatility rating will often award frequently when compared to medium and high volatility games, but the potential winnings will be less.   

Low volatility slots also typically have a higher RTP rate, making them relatively easy to spot.  

Difference Between Slots Volatility and RTP

Slot volatility and RTP differ in their impact on gameplay. Volatility dictates the risk factor and payout frequency of a slot game, whereas RTP measures the percentage of wagered money returned to players over time.  

Difference Between Volatility and House Edge

Volatility in slots measures the level of risk for the player, while the house edge represents the casino’s advantage over players. The house edge of a slot simply indicates how much of your bets the casino is likely to keep over time. Interestingly, this house edge, shown as a percentage, is often larger with high volatility slots.  

How Do I See The Volatility of a Game?

There are a few different ways you can find the volatility of an online slot if it’s not included in the game rules:  

• Analyse The Game’s Paytable – Review the paytable to identify high-value symbols and how often they appear.  
• Research Online Resources – Look for reviews or forums where players discuss the volatility of specific games.  
• Check The Game’s RTP – Compare the Return to Player percentages of different slots to get an idea of their volatility.  
• Consider Bonus Features – Assess if bonus features affect the game’s volatility by changing the payout frequency and size.  
• Play The Slot – A direct experience playing the game can provide insights into its volatility.  

Play High Volatility Slots With Us

Looking to play high volatility slots online? Parimatch has got you covered with plenty of options:  

• Twin Spin Megaways – Created by NetEnt, the Twin Spin Megaways slot comes with a traditional theme and plenty of bonus features!  

• Buffalo King Megaways – This release is one of the most popular high volatility slots online, featuring tumbling symbols, win multipliers, and more. 

• Immortal Romance – With a vampire theme and a minimal user interface, Immortal Romance offers an immersive experience to players.  

• Age of the Gods King of Olympus Megaways – One of the standout features of Age of the Gods King of Olympus Megaways is the four progressive jackpots that span across all ‘Age of the God’ slots online.  

Are High Volatility Slots Better?

To find out whether high volatility slots are better than low volatility alternatives, players must take note of their preferences. Some may opt for games that pay out less frequently but with higher potential winnings, while others would rather be awarded on a more frequent basis.  

Overall, high volatility slots are very popular, with games such as Buffalo King Megaways being amongst the top games in many online catalogues.  

Play Medium volatility slots With Us

Some of the medium volatility slots in our catalogue include:  

• Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead – Set in Egypt, the Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead slot has a classic appearance and the signature expanding symbols that can be found in similar book-inspired titles.  

• The Goonies Megaways – With plenty of references being made to the popular 1985 film, The Goonies Megaways is packed with spin modifiers and dedicated bonus modes.  

Play Low Volatility Slots With Us

There are also plenty of low volatility slot options at Parimatch:  

• Starburst – The Starburst slot is well-known in the online casino space. It features a galaxy in the background, gemstone symbols, and clearly labelled paylines, alongside much more!  

• Age of the Gods God of Storms – Another release in the ‘Age of the Gods’ series makes our list, with this one being much less volatile. The jackpots remain in place and a unique spin modifier is thrown into the mix within Age of the Gods God of Storms. 

• Fishin Frenzy Jackpot King – For anyone who is looking for a low volatility fishing slot, Fishin Frenzy Jackpot King could be one to try. It’s played on a 5×3 board with 10 paylines and the Jackpot King round is active for all players, regardless of their stake.  

• Blood Suckers 2 – This vampire-inspired slot comes with an above average RTP and a ‘Pick Em’ style bonus round. Blood Suckers 2 has also been well-optimised by NetEnt for seamless mobile compatibility!  

How Does Slot Volatility Affect Payouts?

Slot volatility significantly impacts the size and frequency of payouts. For high volatility slots, the payout frequency is lower, but when a win occurs, it tends to be larger in size.  

On the other hand, low volatility slots offer more frequent payouts, albeit generally with smaller amounts.   

How To Choose The Right Volatility Slot

When deciding the right level of volatility for your next online slots session, consider the following:  

• Determine your risk tolerance – Assess what level of risk you are comfortable with.  

• Understand your preferred playing style – Decide if you prefer frequent small wins or occasional larger payouts. Keep in mind that potential winnings are never guaranteed, regardless of the volatility level.  

• Research the game’s volatility level – Look for information on a game’s volatility before playing. This can be done by checking reviews and forums for insights from other players.  

• Review the game’s RTP and house edge – Compare the Return to Player rates of different slots and analyse the house edge.  

• Experiment with different volatility levels – Try out various slots with different volatility levels and monitor your gaming experience to assess which type suits you best!  

Frequently Asked Questions About Slot Volatility

Can I Adjust The Volatility of a Slot?

The option to adjust the volatility of a slot is only available in select slots. This can be done by using special features, with the most obvious being the ‘Ante Bet’. Such bets allow players to wager more for an increased chance of triggering the main bonus.  

Is Higher or Lower Volatility Better?

Whether higher or lower volatility is better comes down to personal preference. Some players may enjoy slots that award large amounts less frequently, on average while others may prefer the opposite.