Understanding the differences between low, medium, and high variance slots helps you pick the games that best fit your bankroll and playing style. Slot volatility describes how often and how much a slot pays out. It’s also referred to as variance. Lower variance slots provide smaller but more frequent payouts, while higher variance slots offer less frequent but potentially bigger wins.
Low volatility slots
Low volatility slots, also known as tight slots, offer lower risk and lower rewards. They pay out frequently but usually in smaller amounts. With low-variance games, you’ll rarely go too long without hitting some kind of win to keep your bankroll ticking over. The main advantages of low volatility slots are.
- Lower risk – Your money tends to last longer as you are likely to get more small wins rather than rely on landing a big jackpot. It makes them ideal for players on a tight budget.
- Smoother gameplay – The smaller but more frequent payouts create more consistent gameplay, avoiding huge dry spells between wins.
- Better for beginners – Lower variance slots provide more winning spins to keep novice players engaged.
Some examples of low-volatility online slots include Starburst, Book of Dead, Fire Joker, and Bonanza. These games often have RTPs (return to player) of 96% and above.
Medium volatility slots
Medium or moderate variance slots sit in between low and high-volatility games. They balance risk versus reward, offering a compromise between smaller regular payouts and less frequent but larger wins. The size of the wins is usually somewhere in the middle.
- Balanced risk/reward – There is still the potential for larger wins without such long gaps between payouts.
- Sustained interest – Frequent small or mid-sized payouts keep things interesting by breaking up long losing streaks.
- Reasonable bankroll – These slots are playable across a wider range of budgets compared to very low or high variance.
Some medium volatility slot examples include Reactoonz, Legacy of Dead, 300 Shields, and Bonus Buy games like Gates of Olympus. The RTP tends to fall around the 94-96% mark.
High volatility slots
They offer maximum risk and maximum reward potential. Payouts are much less frequent but are huge when they hit. A big jackpot hunter will be drawn to the thrill of chasing that life-changing win.
- Massive payout potential – The less frequent but much larger wins result in jaw-dropping amounts.
- Excitement factor – The thrill comes from waiting to see if you land a big payout.
- Chance for free spins – Many feature bonus rounds with free spins that can lead to big wins.
Examples of high volatility australia best online casino are Dead or Alive 2, Money Train 2, Sweet Bonanza, and Gates of Olympus Pragmatic Play. These games tend to have a lower RTP of around 92-95%. If playing with a smaller budget, lower variance slots allow you to spin for longer. Higher variance games require a bigger bankroll to ride out dry spells. High volatility slots suit players happy to risk longer gaps between payouts for a chance at a big jackpot. Lower variance is better for those wanting a slow and steady approach. Lower variance slots tend to offer a more consistent gaming session, while higher variance provides more excitement.
