Volatility refers to how often a slot game pays out. Low volatility slots deliver more payouts than high volatility ones.
Every slot machine runs on an algorithm that determines how frequently a player can expect to win. So, before picking your next favourite slot game, look for two things: its volatility and RTP.
RTP, or return to player, will tell you how often a casino slot pays over thousands of spins, while its volatility will tell you how those winnings will be distributed.
For example, NetEnt’s Starburst has a 96% RTP and is a low-to medium-volatility slot. This means the game returns a profit 96% of the time, and you can expect frequent but smaller wins.
On the other hand, Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus also has a similar RTP but has higher volatility. You might not see a substantial win for lots of spins in this game, and will need a healthy bankroll to keep playing. However, it can lead to a big potential payout when a win finally lands.
Below, we tell you how to choose between low volatility vs high volatility slots.
Volatility (also called variance) tells you how a slot pays. Not how much it can pay, but how it behaves while you’re playing. It affects how often you win and how big those wins are.
This algorithm is fixed by the developer, not the casino. No matter which online betting site you choose, a slot’s volatility will remain the same throughout. Casinos can’t tweak it.
You’ll find three types of volatilities in slot games:
Here’s how they compare:
| Volatility Level | Win Frequency | Payout Size | Bankroll Impact | Example |
| Low | Frequent wins | Small | Steady balance | Starburst |
| Medium | Moderate | Medium | Moderate swings | Cleopatra |
| High | Low | High | Big swings | Book of Dead, Big Bass Bonanza |
If you compare low volatility vs high volatility, the former is good for longer sessions or if you’re tight on budget. They will extend your gameplay by returning £1-£2 every now and then.
Medium to high volatility games can have dry spells before giving out a big win. Progressive slots are often high volatility for this reason. The higher the prize, the more difficult it will be to land.
RTP (Return to Player) shows the theoretical percentage a slot pays back over thousands (maybe millions) of spins. For example, a 97% RTP means £97 is returned for every £100 wagered. But this does not mean you’ll win £97 for every £100 wagered. This RTP is calculated over long term payout of the slot.
Volatility is different. It tells you how that money is paid back to players. Some slots give you frequent small wins, while others hold off for a big payout.
Volatility affects how a slot pays while you’re playing. And that makes a big difference. Here’s how to think about it: If you’re playing for fun, with a smaller capital, don’t expect to land massive wins. Low-volatility slots are better for you. You won’t have a chance to win big, but your balance won’t swing wildly either. You can expect steady gameplay.
If your risk tolerance is low, medium volatility is a good choice. You’ll get some smaller base-game wins, plus an occasional bonus round. If your goal is to chase a big win, high volatility slot games are the best choice, especially progressive jackpots. Be prepared with a large budget, though, because you’ll see long dry spells. You may not land any wins at all.
Here’s a quick summary:
| Playing Style | Best Choice | What to expect |
| Casual/small budget | Low volatility games | A few small wins |
| Regular player | Medium volatility slots | Moderate swing in your budget. |
| High roller | High volatility online games | High payout, but be mentally prepared for a big hit to your budget as these slot games are unpredictable. |
Pro tip: If you’re a beginner, stick to low volatility slots. Small payouts are better than wild swings in your budget.
Free spins are one of the most common casino bonuses. You make a small first deposit, and in return, the casino gives you a welcome gift. Sometimes for as low as a £1 minimum deposit.
These welcome gifts include:
Let’s focus on the free spins because that’s the most common (and lucrative) casino bonus.
Casinos give new players a chance to try out popular slots with free spins. This means you don’t have to use your own balance for those spins. All winnings from these games are credited to your bonus funds. But there’s a catch: wagering requirements. You’ll need to bet those winnings anywhere between 10x and 40x, depending on the casino’s terms. Only after that, you become eligible to withdraw the remaining profit.
So, which free spins bonus to choose? Usually, they are tied to a specific slot. Look for four things when considering the free spins: name of the slot, number of spins available, volatility, and wagering requirements.
For example, several casinos offer 20–100 FS on Big Bass Bonanza as it’s a quite popular online slot game. It’s a feature-rich game, which will definitely make the free spins more enjoyable. This is a high-volatility slot, so make sure to pick a bonus that offers the highest spins on this game (100+) along with a low wagering requirement.
Here are five great games to consider, as per our GambleMind experts:
What we like: This fishing-theme slot has medium volatility. The bonus round is triggered by landing three or more scatter icons. Once you get to the in-game FS, you unlock multipliers and retriggers.
What we like: This classic 3-reel game has high RTP and medium volatility. Big prizes (up to 800x the bet) are triggered by landing the Wheel of Multiplier.
What we like: This game is one of Playtech’s biggest hits. You can earn 9–20 FS from the bonus round, depending on the Greek gods you encounter. It also has a progressive jackpot, which can trigger randomly on any spin.
What we like: Landing three or more scatters activates the Free Falls bonus game. This is where the slot’s biggest wins can be unlocked. Ten FS are triggered in this bonus round, which can be re-triggered with scatters. The multiplier can go up to 15x.
What we like: This is a popular slot, and you’ll find plenty of casinos offering FS on this game. Landing three or more scatters (book symbols) triggers 10 in-game FS. This bonus can be retriggered by landing more scatters during the round.
Volatility refers to how often a slot game pays out. Low volatility slots deliver more payouts than high volatility ones.
Low volatility slots are ideal for players with a small budget. These games pay smaller wins more often, which will help stretch your bankroll.
High-volatility slots are known for large payouts. However, these games can go through long periods without wins, so you’ll need a big budget and lots of patience to land a win.
Games like Dead or Alive II, Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, and Sweet Bonanza are some of the most popular high-volatility slots.
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