How Slot Volatility Determines Your Online Casino Experience

Slot machines come in a variety of volatility levels, referring to how often and how large the payouts tend to be. While all slots have an inherent house edge built into their payback percentages, understanding variance can help you pick the right games to match your style of play and bankroll. It also helps set realistic expectations so you don’t start playing with an overly optimistic mindset.

High Volatility Slots

High volatility (high variance) slots at Rocketspin Casino DE pay out less frequently than lower variance games. But when they do pay out, the wins tend to be bigger. These types of games appeal to players who have larger gambling budgets and prefer going on an exciting roller coaster ride, never knowing when the next big win may come.

Some examples of high volatility slot titles include:

• Dead or Alive 2
• Bonanza
• Legacy of Dead
• Book of Dead

Here’s an example paytable showing higher volatility slot payouts:

As you can see, you may need to get through hundreds of spins before landing a big multiplier on your bet. But when you do, it can lead to a euphoric rush and major bankroll boost. Just don’t expect these big wins to hit very often.

Low Volatility Slots

On the opposite end of the spectrum, low volatility (low variance) slot machines pay out more frequently. But the prize amounts tend to be much smaller. These games appeal to players with smaller budgets who still want plenty of entertainment value and the chance to slowly build up their bankroll over an extended gaming session.

Some classic low volatility slot examples include:

• Starburst
• Gonzo’s Quest
• Mega Moolah
• Double Diamond

Here’s a sample low volatility slot paytable:

You can expect to hit smaller winning combinations like this quite frequently. Even though the payout multipliers are smaller, landing lots of little wins along the way keeps things exciting. This also gives you many extra free spins to keep playing longer before your bankroll runs out.

Medium Volatility – The Best of Both Worlds

Medium or average volatility slots aim to provide the perfect compromise between the previous two extremes. The payouts aren’t as big as high variance games. But they hit more frequently than with lower variance slots.

Some of the most popular medium volatility online slots include:

• Book of Ra Deluxe
• Reactoonz
• Wolf Gold
• Sweet Bonanza

Here’s a sample medium volatility paytable:

So with medium variance slot machines, you get a nice combination of big wins and smaller payouts. This allows bankrolls of all sizes to play comfortably, while keeping things constantly interesting.

Matching Volatility to Your Goals

Understanding slot variance gives you the power to pick games that align with your budget and preferences. Those with smaller bankrolls should stick to low volatility games to maximize playtime. Big rollers can handle the dry spells between wins with high variance slots in exchange for those elating jackpot payouts.

Most slot fans will be best suited to medium level variance games. With payouts coming frequently enough to stay engaged, and the jackpots large enough to always have something to look forward to. Just be sure to set win expectations properly so you don’t start playing with unrealistic hopes that will be difficult to achieve.

Matching the volatility level to your own goals and play style ensures you select slot machines that will be the most enjoyable. This way you can avoid games that cause frustration and stick to ones that keep you happily entertained even during the inevitable downswings.