Slots guide: Volatility and why it’s important
There are many factors to think about if you want to optimize your experience when playing slot games. Most prudent players include checking RTPs before playing for real money. Plenty of data can be found about it online and it can be a good tool to decide the average win and loss rate of a game.
Another useful information to consider is the slot’s volatility. Unlike with RTPs, very few game developers provide volatility info to players. Thus, the lack of knowledge about slot volatility can lead to playing games that do not suit your play style.
Are you curious to know more about volatility and how it works? Learn more about it as you read through the article.
What is volatility in slots?
Volatility is often used to assess the risk in terms of a game’s level of unpredictability. You will often hear volatility be interchanged with variance. Though it means very different things in a real-life context, it refers to the same thing when it comes to slot games. The key difference is that variance is not limited by time in measuring results. Volatility determines the frequency of how big or small the rewards will be while you’re playing.
Despite this minor difference, both weigh how often a player can expect to win. It also determines the supposed payout one can receive upon winning.
There are distinct levels of volatility. It can be grouped into three levels: High volatility, medium volatility, and low volatility.
What do the three levels of volatility mean?
The difference between the three levels of volatility is helpful for players to know whether a specific slot game suits them or not. The three of them are:
High volatility
Slots with high volatility have higher risks but less frequent payouts. Usually, this slot type is perfect for daring players with big bankrolls and high-risk tolerance.
Additionally, high volatility slots rarely trigger a win but when they do, the jackpot is bigger. If you have the cash to spare and you like to play the long game, then high volatility slot games are perfect for you.
Low volatility
Those who choose to play low volatility slots tend to be satisfied with small but steady payouts. It also offers the lowest risk among the three. Because of this, players can play more spins on low volatility slots for a long time without suffering big losses.
Medium volatility
To those looking for a middle ground between high volatility slots and low volatility slots, then this is the option for you. Medium volatility, as the name implies, has a balanced win-loss ratio. It is inviting to those who do not want to take big risks but still enjoy a decent payout.
This type of volatility is very well-rounded as well; although payout tends to be on the smaller side, it comes fairly frequent. It also offers plenty of bonus features that give players more substantial gains.
What is more important to consider: Volatility or RTP?
Before this can be answered, it is vital to first understand what RTP means. For starters, it is short for ‘Return to Player’. In general terms, it outlines the amount a player can receive as a payout over a large number of spins.
As an example, if a game is stated to have a 90% RTP, it means you can expect the game to give back €90 for every €100 that goes into the game.
To sum it up: although RTP and volatility are measured for different reasons, they are interlinked. It is better to take both into account when choosing the best online slots to play because one affects the other.
How can you find a slot’s volatility?
Not many developers readily disclose a game’s volatility. That said, there are various ways to identify the volatility of your chosen game.
Look at the prizes offered
There is a correlation between the volatility of the game and the varying amount of cash prizes offered. When used to identify volatility, games that give frequent but minimal payouts tend to have low volatility. Inversely, games with a bigger cash prize and infrequent payouts usually have high volatility.
Read slot game reviews
Online review sites come in handy when trying to decide what slot games to play. These often provide plenty of insight into the game you intend to try. More than just the volatility, you can make use of reviews to better understand the format of the game.
Take the RTP score into consideration
RTPs are commonly displayed on online casino sites for the players to check. It is useful in determining a game’s volatility since RTP measures the frequency of winning. Thus, games with high RTP scores tend to be more on the low volatility side.
You can find a game’s RTP in several ways. As mentioned, most online casinos will provide the RTP percentage for their games. You can access it through the game interface. Developers will also usually provide information about the game. Another way to find it is by reading game reviews for the specific game you want to play. Reviewers generally provide key details about the game, including the RTP percentage, to help you decide.
Which slot variance is best for you?
If you like taking risks and making bold moves, then games with high volatility will be suitable for you. These types of games often attract players with a large bankroll at their disposal.
On the flip side, if you find more enjoyment when playing games with consistent payout, then low volatility slot games are more suitable. Though it pays less, you can maximize your money and play more.
Alternatively, if you cannot decide on the two, then medium volatility games where you can enjoy the best features of the two other options that suit your preference.
Understanding slot volatility plays a large role in finding what games are best for you. Knowing the risk and possible rewards will help you make an informed decision on where to place your bets and how much you should risk. Additionally, it becomes more entertaining when the games you play are geared more towards your playstyle.