What is slot volatility?

22/10/2020 | Categories: Gambling Guides | Published by: BTCGOSU | Last updated: 01/04/2022

Online slots are a game of chance that don’t require any sort of skill or expertise. The amount you win is purely based on luck and random chance. However, there is still a certain amount of risk involved. Slot volatility helps you understand those risks, so you don’t end up needlessly losing money.

Volatility (also known as variance or dispersion) indicates the risk involved in playing a particular game. When the term is used with regards to slots, it signifies the frequency and amount of the payouts, as well as the level of risk involved. Depending on the type of volatility, you can determine whether you want to play a high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk slot game.

The rewards in a low volatility slot game are low to medium-size and more frequent. Whereas, high volatility slot games involve larger payouts that occur sporadically. If you have a small budget, the best option is usually a low volatility slot game, as it involves fewer risks and small, but frequent rewards. However, if you like taking risks and don’t mind spending a larger amount, medium to high volatility slot games might be a better choice, where you can win big, but irregularly.

Different types of volatility

Understanding the different types of volatility in slot games can prevent you from making wrong decisions and help you make the most out of your online gambling experience.

High volatility slots

High volatility slots have a huge difference between the minimum and maximum payout amounts. When the promised prize money is significantly big, the volatility is always high. This means that the bigger the reward, the higher the slot volatility. All jackpots that have millions of dollars in prize money generally have very high volatility.

It’s important to note that high volatility slots also involve a high level of risk since the returns are less frequent and you’ll be spending a lot more money. If taking risks is your specialty, or if you’re looking for a thrilling experience, high volatility might just be the right option for you. There’s a good possibility of fewer payouts and in some cases, you might not win anything, but when you do win, the rewards can be life-changing.

Most high volatility slots have a very high expected RTP (Return to Player). This means that in the short run you may not earn any rewards, but in the long run, you can expect a sumptuous payout. With patience and a large enough bankroll to keep spinning for long periods without significant rewards, you will likely win tremendous prize money. The returns often range between 1000x to 10000x of your investment.

You can win everything at once in a single spin or bonus game. It requires a mindset that focuses on long-term rewards. Just a single win or jackpot alone can compensate for long periods with no notable payouts. Many high volatility slots also include attractive bonus features that help you boost your bankroll. For example, Dead or Alive is a slot game that comes with three free spin bonus features.

Are high volatility slots worth the risk?

High volatility slots undoubtedly bring an element of excitement to online casinos. Furthermore, they include many bonus features like free spins with multipliers, stacked wilds, and huge jackpots. All these features are more than enough to satiate your hunger for thrill and exhilaration.

High volatility slots stand out from other slot games with their colossal payouts. Some of them offer jackpots that are a thousand times bigger than your initial bet. To add more, there are also progressive jackpots with high volatility slots that enable you to potentially win millions of dollars.

However, it’s better to stay clear of high volatility slots if you don’t see yourself taking huge risks. It’s not for players who are risk-averse, impatient, or squeamish. Given that the chances of a fat payout are rare, you may find yourself dejected after long periods of not winning. It’s best to go ahead with high volatility slots if you’re a thrill-seeker with a go big or go home mentality. Patience and luck are two major factors that will help you make the most out of high volatility slots.

Medium volatility slots

A medium volatility slot is like a goldilocks zone in terms of risk versus reward, situated between high and low volatility slots. A slot with medium volatility offers many low to medium-size rewards throughout the game. An added benefit is that you can potentially win large jackpots as well that are a thousand times bigger than the bet amount. This is the best option for players seeking huge rewards, but aren’t keen on risking too much of their bankroll in the process.

Slots with medium volatility are the most popular among casino players since they provide the best of both high and low volatility slots. The payouts are smaller but much more frequent compared to high volatility slots. When compared to low volatility slots, the medium volatility slots give much bigger rewards.

A medium volatility slot provides both fun and excitement without radically affecting your bankroll. It doesn’t take away the thrill factor as you also get the opportunity to potentially earn huge rewards.

One good example is Thunderstruck 2, wherein you can win up to 2.5 million and take advantage of four free spins bonus rounds. It requires smart budgeting and you could go on playing for hours with the possibility of unlocking more free spins as you go and potentially win big. No wonder medium volatility slots are the most desirable option among online casino players.

Low volatility slots

Low volatility slots don’t have a vast difference between the minimum and maximum win amounts. These slots generate many small and medium-size rewards that don’t diverge significantly from the promised RTP ratio set by the provider. It means that regardless of how long you play, you will usually manage to receive enough payouts that make your experience fruitful.

Slots with low volatility have low-risk levels and grant frequent payouts. This makes them an ideal option for players that are new and want to get the hang of slot games or for amateurs who want to play for long durations without having to deposit repeatedly. It’s a good way to just have fun playing slot games without worrying about losing loads of money.

Considering that low volatility slots give out frequent payouts and have negligible risk, you shouldn’t expect big rewards or jackpots. But the good news is that, unlike high volatility slots, you don’t have to spend long hours and large sums to earn rewards. Some low volatility slots also include lucrative features like a free spin bonus, although it may not be as often, you still stand a chance to win around 10 to 100 times your initial bet.

How is slot volatility calculated?

Slot machines have a volatility index rating that indicates the volatility of a particular slot game. Casino game developers aren’t keen on disclosing how slot volatility is determined, however, it becomes easy to figure out the volatility after you start spending time on a particular slot. There are a few tricks you can use to determine the volatility of the slot you wish to play.

Select the slots based on the volatility lists. This will help you check the slots that are the most favorable for each volatility type.

Check the difference between the payout of 4 identical symbols and 5 symbols in every pay line. In case the difference in payout is 3 to 5 times the amount, it most likely will be a low volatility slot. In medium volatility slots, it’s 5 to 10 times, and 10 to 15 times in case of high volatility slots.

You can also determine volatility by looking at the prizes on offer. If you find enormous rewards and jackpots, it means that the slot has medium or high volatility.

Lastly, the most effective way to figure out the volatility of slots, or any casino game for that matter, is to play. The more time you spend on a slot, the better you’ll understand the frequency of the payouts and how big each reward is.

Why should you care about volatility?

Playing online casino games requires patience and luck. These games are chance-based and don’t need any skill sets. But they involve a certain level of risk, which can influence your overall gaming experience. Volatility acts as an indicator that highlights the risks that come with playing a particular casino game.

Slot volatility shows the level of risk that you’ll be taking when you play a slot game. It also shows how big the rewards or jackpots will be and how frequent the payouts are. Each type of volatility comes with its own set of pros and cons. As a player, it’s in your best interests to be completely aware of them. You’ll undoubtedly get your dose of thrill and excitement from all three types of slot volatility but in varying degrees.

Based on your finances and tendency to take risks, you can select the slot with high, medium, and low volatility. For adrenaline junkies who thrive on huge risks and don’t mind spending large amounts of money, high volatility slots are the best option. Whereas, for players who are cautious about their bankroll, but don’t want to miss out on the thrill of winning huge rewards, slots with medium volatility are the suitable choice. Lastly, if you just want to have fun and gain some gambling experience, go for low volatility slots.