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Understanding Slot Volatility: From Low to High

27/02/2025 | Categories: Casino Blog - News & Tips | Published by: Mary Henderson
Online Slots Volatility

Last Updated on February 27, 2025 by Mary Henderson

Why do some slots bring you small but frequent wins while others don’t pay at all for a time, then hit with a life-changing jackpot? That’s slot volatility, my friend. Ready to find out more?

You can be a high-risk player or a gambler who enjoys steady wins, but if you don’t understand volatility, you won’t know how to choose the right slot for your gaming style. Find out what volatility is, how it affects the slot game, and how to choose between low, medium, and high-volatility games.

Let’s spill the tea, shall we?

What Slot Volatility Is: Breaking Down the Basics

In plain words, slot volatility is the level of risk of a slot game and how often it pays out. It’s important to pay attention to this factor, ‘cause it affects both your gaming style and bankroll. Ready to risk them both? That’s what I thought. Learn to choose the right volatility level for your slot.

So, slot volatility is the balance between the payout size and how often these payouts occur. As you might have guessed, there are three main types of slots by volatility:

Low Volatility Slots: Steady Small Wins

  • Frequent but small payouts.
  • Perfect for those who prefer steady payouts without much risk.

Slot games: Starburst (NetEnt) – one of the best known; Thunderstruck II (Microgaming); Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt); Aloha! Cluster Pays (NetEnt).

Classic fruit slots and basic video slots are most often low-volatility games.

Medium Volatility Slots: Risk and Reward

  • A mix of small and large wins that occur even less frequently.
  • A good choice for gamblers who want a blend of consistency and thrill.

Slot games: Immortal Romance (Microgaming); Book of Dead (Play’n Go); The Dog House (Pragmatic Play); Hotline (NetEnt).

These are usually themed video slots with bonus rounds.

High Volatility Slots: Big Wins, Big Risks

  • Rare but large payouts.
  • Ideal for high-stakes players who seek the thrill of significant risks and the chance to win big.

Slot games: Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming); Razor Shark (Push Gaming); Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play); The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play).

Progressive jackpots and high-stakes slots fall into this category.

How to Choose the Right Slot

Picking the right slot games in terms of volatility makes all the difference. From laid-back, steady games to high-risk, high-reward slots, let your gaming style guide your choice.

Let’s go through the key factors to consider when choosing the right slot if you’re not sure yet.

#1 Know Your Risk Level

Ask yourself: Do regular, frequent wins, even if they are small and have low risks, sound like the best scenario? If you answered yes, then low-volatility slots are definitely your choice.

Medium volatility slots offer the best of both sides – risk and reward. You can still get small payouts to keep your bankroll in check, with occasional massive rewards to keep the excitement in place.

If you’re ready to risk it all for a shot of large jackpots, welcome to high-volatility slots. Don’t bother going through low and medium slots. But get ready for long, losing streaks till you hit that jackpot.

#2 Consider Your Bankroll

I’d start with that part, though. Your budget will tell you what slot game is right for you. If you have a small budget but you want it to last, choose low or, last resort, medium volatility slots. They will keep you in the game for longer.

If you’re not ready to dive into high-volatility games, try medium-volatility slots for good payouts without risking all your funds at once. And if you’re ready to handle big swings with big risks at every corner, which can lead to huge payouts, you know the answer – high volatility slots.

#3 Game Features

Did you know that each slot type in part has unique game features? Pick the right slot game that suits your taste:

  • Bonuses and free spins: look for slot games with regular free spins and multipliers.
  • Progressive jackpots: these slots offer a chance to win really big, even if they come with higher volatility.
  • Megaways and cascading reels: these extra features keep slots moving in unexpected ways that offer more ways to win.

#4 RTP Percentage

Pay attention to the return rates of slot games. It means how much you’ll be paid back over time. If you want to increase your chances of winning in the long run, choose high RTP slots. I’d pay even more attention to RTP if I played for extended periods.

Manage Your Bankroll Based on Volatility

Regardless of what slot game you choose, it’s always the budget that says the last word. Consider these tips the next time you pick a low, medium, or high volatility slot:

Low-volatility slots: set a modest budget, play longer sessions, and use bonuses wisely. For instance, if you have $100, bet between $0.20 and $0.50 per spin, and you’ll keep your budget intact.

Medium-volatility slots: divide your bankroll, adjust your bet size, and know when to walk away. For example, with the same $100, bet between $0.50 and $1 per spin to score regular and big wins without taking much from your budget.

High-volatility slots: set a strict budget, place small bets, and use bonuses strategically. With a $100, you should bet between $0.25 and $0.50 per spin to stay in the game till you hit that jackpot.

Bottom Line

Slot volatility is one of the most essential factors to consider when choosing the right game that fits your style. You won’t convince me otherwise. That’s why doing your research before playing simple games like slots is key to managing your budget and increasing your chances of winning.

If you understand how risks and rewards work in slot games, you’ll make better decisions and play with confidence. After all, it’s time to unlock the rewarding side of slot games, and you can surely do that with the right tool at hand – slot volatility.

Mary Henderson
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