Introduction to Volatility
Have you come across the words “Volatility” or “Variance” in casino games and are you wondering what they mean? We’ve got the answers for you.
Volatility, or variance, is a term used in casino slot games to describe the level of risk involved in playing a particular game. They both mean the same thing.
Volatility can be a major determinant of how often, and how much, slots will payout. Let’s jump right into it, and provide you with all the details you need to know about volatility.
High Volatility vs. Low Volatility Slots
When you are choosing a slot to play, you should try to find out its volatility. Is a high or low volatility slot good or bad?
The truth is that volatility is neither bad nor good, but it depends on what you are looking for in the game. High volatility slots are very risky to play.
This is because they offer fewer winning chances. However, high volatility slots are known to give big rewards. If you get lucky and hit the jackpot, you can take home a lot of money.
Low volatility slots, on the other hand, promise you frequent wins on casinos on and not on Gamstop. As you’ve probably guessed, the payout is not as big as those of high volatility games.
So if you don’t have a huge bankroll or you are not comfortable with long dry spells full of misses, then you should probably go for low volatility slots.
Due to the frequent wins they promise, low volatility slots are a good choice for new players. One thing that is common to low volatility slots is that bonus games are activated more often.
Volatility and RTP rate
Apart from the high and low volatility slots, there are also medium volatility slots that fit right in the middle of the other two.
Medium volatility slots allow players to win frequently, but not as often as in low volatility games. They also promise quite large winnings (jackpot) that are higher than low volatility slots.
So, if you are someone that wants a mix of frequent, small wins along with the chance to win a huge jackpot prize, then you should try medium volatility slots.
Regardless of how often, or how much, a slot pays out, it’s also useful to consider its Return to Player (RTP) rate.
This will help you determine the theoretical percentage of money that slot will return, compared to the amount used to play it. So, an RTP of 96% means you could theoretically expect to win £96 for every £100 wagered.
However the key word is theoretical. RTP values have been calculated from thousands of spins, so the actual RTP will depend on how long you play for.
Slot Volatility and Betting Strategies
How volatile is the slot game?
The volatility of a game cannot be altered. To find out what volatility a game has, you can check that game’s information.
Alternatively, take a look at the game’s paytable. For example, if a slot pays say 10x more when 5-symbols are matched compared to when 4-symbols are matched, then the slot is probably going to be a highly volatile one.
However, if the difference between matching symbols in the pay-table is small, then the slot can be considered a low variance one.
Betting Strategies
Whether you prefer high or low volatility slots, there are some betting strategies you can adopt to increase your winning chances.
First, set a budget for betting and stick to it. Next, decide whether you want the big win or frequent small wins. Third, manage your bankroll. Low volatility games are best if you have a small budget.
For high volatility games, bet low to start so you can live through those dry spells. Lastly, always quit while you are ahead or when it is no longer fun to play.
Final Thoughts on volatility
Determining slot volatility is essential when choosing a slot game. Slot volatility can be used to ascertain the risk and possible benefits of playing a particular slot.
While high volatility slots do not pay out frequently, they offer players the chance to win considerable amounts.
Low volatility slots, on the other hand, offer more frequent, but much lower, payouts. RTP is also important when choosing which game to play, as it gives an indication of how much a slot is likely to return.