What Is Volatility In Slots & How Can You Tell The Volatility?

As online slot games continue to gain popularity, understanding the key terminologies used in this digital realm is essential to navigate the space more effectively. One important term that is worth learning is ‘volatility’. 

This post will walk you through what this term means in the context of online slots and how you can discern the volatility of a slot game. 

What Is Volatility In Slots?

Volatility – also referred to as variance – describes the theoretical behaviour of a specific slot game. It describes the frequency and the size of potential wins during a gaming session. 

In simpler terms, it gives you an indication of how often you may be likely to land a win and the size of said win. 

Slots are typically classified as high, medium, or low volatility. High-volatility slots are more likely to land wins less frequently than lower-volatility slots, but the wins are likely to be more substantial. On the other hand, low-volatility slots are more likely to land more frequent wins of a smaller size than higher-volatility slots. 

It’s crucial to bear in mind that these are theoretical indicators, and the actual results may vary in reality due to the random nature of online slots.

How Can I Tell The Volatility of a Slot Machine?

Identifying the volatility of a slot machine is relatively straightforward. Most slot games provide this information in their info or help section, where volatility is indicated as low, medium, or high. If it’s not directly stated in the game, you can check out the slot developer’s website or read reviews on the game. 

High Volatility vs Low Volatility: What’s Better?

The choice between high-volatility and low-volatility slots hinges on personal preference. 

High-volatility slots are often favoured by players who are prepared to possibly see wins less frequently for the chance to potentially land larger payouts. These slots may also appeal to players who enjoy complex bonus rounds and jackpot features, as they often go hand-in-hand. 

Low-volatility slots, on the other hand, are ideal for players who prefer the chance of landing more frequent smaller wins. They may be suitable for beginners or those who prefer more straightforward gameplay, as many retro-themed 3-reel slots with minimal features have low volatility. 

Remember, online slots are ultimately games of chance governed by Random Number Generators (RNGs), and volatility doesn’t guarantee outcomes. 

Medium Volatility Slots

Medium-volatility slots strike a balance between high and low-volatility games. They offer moderate win sizes at a fair frequency, providing a mix of small frequent wins and occasional large payouts. This makes them an excellent choice for players who prefer the potential for more balanced gameplay. 

Again, this is all theoretical, and results may differ in practice.

Play Slots Online at Red Casino

Whether you’re a fan of high, medium, or low volatility slots, Red Casino offers an extensive range of online slots catering to all preferences. 

We have slots covering a range of volatility ratings, Return To Player (RTP) rates, themes, and bonus features. We also have a wide variety of online casino games available, including casino classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more. 

Create an account to browse our full selection of online slots and casino games. 

Understanding a slot’s volatility can be a useful tool when trying to decide what slot game to play, but it’s important to remember that it is only a theoretical indicator, and due to the randomness of slots, winning is never guaranteed.