What Is Volatility In Slots
Every slot machine in an online casino possesses a number of important characteristics that, in one way or another, affect the gaming process. Besides the most crucial indicator, RTP, all slot machines have another parameter. This time, we will talk about volatility in slots—a critically important characteristic that allows assessing the frequency and sizes of wins.
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What is Volatility in Slots
Volatility in slots (or variance) is a special characteristic that shows the relationship between the frequency of wins and the bets placed. As with RTP, this parameter is fixed and set by the game developer. Moreover, it is theoretical—nothing stops you from frequently winning in slots with high volatility, or losing in games with low volatility. Only over a very long gaming distance will the actual indicators of all players tend to match those declared by the developer.
Besides, volatility in slots directly depends on another indicator—Hit Frequency, which we discussed on this page.
Volatility in slots determines the size of payouts. Thus, playing machines with low dispersion, you will win often, but only small amounts. At the same time, slots with high volatility won’t allow you to win with every spin. Instead, you will have chances for large prizes. Naturally, the chance is very low.
It’s also worth noting that the level of volatility often correlates with the size of the maximum multiplier provided in a particular slot. Thus, in games with low dispersion, you won’t be able to win more than 1,000 bets of the current denomination. Conversely, slot machines with the maximum indicator allow winning staggering amounts, up to 300,000 bets!
Types of Volatility
Each provider independently chooses the volatility in slots, as it depends on the mathematical model of the game used. There is no standardized system of levels, and each developer displays dispersion differently. Having examined any game, the volatility indicator used in it can be classified into one of six categories.
Low
Slot machines with low volatility allow winning very often. However, the size of winnings is severely limited, making it impossible to hit the jackpot no matter how much one might wish. Such slots are designed to entertain the player with frequent payouts.
Low-Medium
Slots with this level of dispersion have an increased frequency of wins, and the size of the average prize is slightly larger.
Medium
Medium volatility in slots maintains a balance between the frequency of wins and their sizes. That is, you will receive payouts from time to time, and sometimes they can be quite large.
Medium-High
Slot machines with medium-high dispersion pay out prizes significantly less often. However, the player’s likelihood of receiving a large prize is significantly increased.
High
Such slots will not allow you to win every second or third spin. Moreover, the average win in them is low, which is why it is recommended to choose small bets. At the same time, if you are lucky, you can win a very large prize.
Very High
This is a small category of slot machines in which you will hardly win noticeable sums for a long time. However, in the case of special luck, you can hit incredibly large prizes.
Examples of Slots with Different Volatility
Before choosing a particular slot machine, determine your goal. If you wish to spend time gambling and extend the pleasure for as long as possible, we recommend choosing slots with volatility below average. Obviously, if you are ready to take risks and test your luck, feel free to choose games with high and very high dispersion. Note that in this case, we are not considering progressive jackpots, as they are paid out differently. More about them can be found here.
Today, nearly all developers of slot machines have in their assortment slots with various indicators. However, there are exceptions. Let’s consider the 5 most interesting providers from this perspective, as well as highlight certain slots and their maximum multipliers.
Play’n Go
One of the most popular software developers for online casinos. The portfolio of this company includes over 350 slots, each with its own set of characteristics, including volatility. The vast majority of Play’n Go slots have a medium level of variance, with a margin to either side.
For familiarization with the provider, we recommend trying such games as Book of Dead (x5000), Ankh of Anubis (x15,000), and Rise of Olympus 100 (x15,000).
Nolimit City
This provider is known to players for its games with the highest volatility. It is this company that introduced to the public slot machines that allow winning up to 300,000 bets in a single bonus game! Moreover, no other online casino game developer can boast such an achievement.
Thrill-seekers can try their luck in slots like Tombstone RIP (x300,000), San Quentin (x150,000), and Mental (x66,666).
Hacksaw Gaming
The company releases slot machines with medium to high volatility. Among the more than 130 slots developed to date, you will not find machines with low dispersion. It is worth mentioning separately the presence of buy-in features in each game, allowing you to try your luck here and now, bypassing the agonizing wait for the activation of bonus games and special modes.
We strongly recommend trying the following exciting games from Hacksaw Gaming: Wanted Dead or a Wild (x12,500), Pug Life (x7500), Benny The Beer (x10,000).
NetEnt
One of the most well-known providers, with a rich history. Emerging in the early 2010s, it quickly attracted the attention of online casino players. This was largely due to visually appealing slots, as well as their low and medium levels of volatility. If you’re looking for a relaxed game without surprises and the agonizing wait for wins, this is an excellent choice.
We advise paying attention to the slot machines Starburst (x500), Jack and the Beanstalk Remastered (x7181), Space Wars (x1000).
Quickspin
This provider is much like NetEnt, having appeared around the same time. The older games of this company often had low and medium-low levels of volatility, but modern slots have significantly expanded this range. Today, Quickspin’s products include all existing levels of dispersion.
Our team recommends Sakura Fortune (x400), Golden Glyph 3 (x10,000), and Book of Duat (x32,760).
Conclusion
Volatility in slots is one of the most important technical characteristics of slot machines, on par with RTP. By knowing the level of dispersion set by the provider, you gain information not only about the frequency of wins but also about the maximum possible multipliers. The higher the volatility, the higher the risk, and the larger the sums that can be won!
Frequently Asked Questions
Volatility (or dispersion) is the theoretical relationship of all players’ bets to the frequency and size of wins.
Each provider defines this characteristic in its own way. However, all existing slot machines can be categorized into one of six volatility categories: low, low-medium, medium, medium-high, high, and very high.
Definitely. In the vast majority of cases, the higher the level of dispersion, the larger the maximum multipliers provided in the game.
Practically every developer of online casino games has in its arsenal slots with different levels of volatility, but there are exceptions. For example, the vast majority of machines from Nolimit City utilize high and very high levels, whereas the opposite is true for games from NetEnt.
