What Does Volatility Mean in Slots?

How to choose the best casino slot game that is perfect for you.

Ever wondered why some casino slot games seem to reward players with frequent wins while other slot games seem to be all about take and no give? 

What keeps slot players in their seats and hitting that start button is the thought of a big win appearing on the screen and blasting out that winning jackpot melody. It’s that big jackpot carrot dangling over your slots gaming session that keeps you fixated. 

But not all casino slots are the same. Win frequency and payout amounts are regulated by slot volatility. In this article, I’m going to unpack what volatility means in slots so you can choose the casino slot game that works for you.

Slot volatility, or slot variance, is a major factor that forms certain kinds of gaming experiences for slot players. Understanding slot volatility can steer you towards casino slot games that complement your risk tolerance and goals. Whether you’re hoping for a big win or happy with frequent payouts, understanding volatility is key.

Knowing a slot’s volatility helps you manage your bankroll and expectations. From players new to slots to those who’ve been watching those reels spin for a donkey’s years, this knowledge ensures an enjoyable and strategic gaming session.

What is Slot Volatility?

Slot volatility concerns the degree of risk within a slot game. It dictates how often you can expect to win and the size of those payouts.

• Low volatility slots: These offer frequent but smaller wins, helping to keep your bankroll lasting longer — fluctuating below and above your starting bankroll balance. 
• High volatility slots: In contrast, these casino slot games provide less frequent wins, but could produce big wins.

For example, a low-volatility slots game might reward you with a stream of (hypothetical example) £5 wins, whereas a session of playing high-volatility slot games could result in no wins, but then “Voilà”!!—suddenly drop a nice (hypothetical example) £500 win onto your slots balance.

Types of Slot Volatility

Each type of slot game is designed to stand out from the rest, and they function in different ways too. Slot volatility, also known as slot variance, selects how a game operates in terms of payouts. 

Low Volatility Slots

Low-volatility slots are ideal for slot players who prefer a string of frequent wins during a session. However, it should be noted that such games reward players with smaller payouts.

Here are the characteristics of low-volatility slot games:

• Frequent payouts on the whole, ranging from small to moderate amounts.
• Less risk, more suited to beginners or occasional slot players. For instance, groups of birthday party goers on visits to casinos. 
• Slot players experience longer playing sessions and their bankrolls tend to last longer.

Are low-volatility slot games the best?

You can find classic slot games or low jackpot slots in most land-based casinos as well as in your favorite online casino. You may not win big playing low-volatility slots, but given sessions are likely to last longer, the entertainment value alone makes the experience worth it.

Medium Volatility Slots

Medium-volatility slot games allow you a fair chance at winning big, but while you’re trying to land a big slots jackpot, smaller frequent wins should keep you amused.  

Here are the characteristics of Medium-volatility slot games:

• You can expect a lower frequency of payouts compared to low-volatility slot games. And payment amounts are mostly small with the occasional big win landing. 
• Medium-volatility slot games cater for semi-professional players. There’s entertainment value, but if a big win doesn’t land the smaller wins won’t keep a player in a prolonged session. 
• Players will need larger bankrolls to extend sessions hoping bigger wins will drop. Thus, there’s more risk to reward. 

Are medium-volatility slot games the best?

If you’re looking for slot games that pay big jackpots but only keep sessions exciting with smaller wins, then look for the newer video slot games in online casinos. 

 High Volatility Slots

High-volatility slots are for die hard players, and high rollers. High-volatility slots are best suited to the type of people who can sit through a session of watching spinning reels deliver brutal results. But if a jackpot lands it will be a mega amount.  

Here are the characteristics of high-volatility slot games:

• Potentially huge jackpots, but you can feel like you’re feeding the slot game with a large bankroll with little to no rewards along the way.
• You’re most likely going to need a big bankroll since huge progressive slot jackpots don’t tend to payout that often.
• You’ve got to have nerves of steel and hope that you’re playing the right slot games at just the right time.

Are high-volatility slot games the best?

If you win a progressive slots jackpot the thrill should be amazing. But a bit like playing the lottery—it could be years before you win or not win at all. 

At the time of writing (January 2025), of the many slot games on 888casino.com I picked two examples with the following progressive jackpot amounts: Crabbin for Cash Extra Big Catch: Jackpot King £3 Million Plus and Jingle Bells Bonanza £316K Plus.

What level of slot volatility is the best to play? It all comes down to risk and reward and the type of personality looking for slot games to play. 

1. Risk a lot to stand a chance of winning a huge slots jackpot or; 
2. Risking less to stay in the game longer and maybe winning a sizable jackpot, albeit not a life changing amount.   

Slot Volatility vs RTP (Return to Player)

As well as slot volatility the term “RTP” (Return to Player) is going to play a role in your gaming experience. 

What is RTP in slots?

RTP is the percentage of total staked funds a slot game is programmed to return to players over time. The higher the RTP is (for example 95%) the less the house gains as profit.

This means that in the short-term of playing slot games, players are not guaranteed to experience a full—or nowhere near—the RTP advertised percentage.  

How volatility and RTP work together

The function of RTP is to pay back a percentage to players overtime and the function of volatility is to regulate what slot games payout what amounts and how frequently. See some examples in the table below:

What Does Volatility Mean in Slots? Conclusion

To make every spin more transformative to your gaming experience, decide what slot volatility preferences align with your budget, and are likely to meet your expectations. Choosing the right slot volatility can reward you with enjoyment when playing future slot games.