What is Volatility in Slots?

by Ed Miller
February 24, 2023

Ed had dived into the cryptocurrency market before everyone got on the bandwagon. Therefore, his blockchain & crypto expertise can boast of both retrospective and prospective analyses, as well as their level-headed and well-targeted peer reviews. Ed has long realized that the online crypto gambling market would soon evolve into another investment sector for those willing to not only have some fun playing but to scale up crypto assets, too. He did online gambling market research, tested tens of crypto casinos, got a fix on trends and target users’ feedback, and is ready with his insights and recommendations on how to combine crypto business with gambling pleasure.


Slot volatility levels
Volatility in Slots

Gamblers must understand slot machine volatility to choose a high-quality and reliable slot. That will help you choose the right slot machine and get the desired result. But how does that work? How much does that affect the gambler’s game process and their winnings? It all depends on the individual experience of the player and what kind of winnings they prefer to receive, and how often. 

So what is slot machine volatility? The term volatility refers to the performance of a slot during play. Knowing the type of slot machine volatility, you can understand how often the slot gives out a winning combination and how much you can hope for a win. There are 3 types of volatility in slot machines: high, medium, and low volatility slots.

1. High Volatility Slots

Functioning principle: High rewards, but rarely 

High volatility slots offer a high level of risk, but their rewards are stellar — especially when the probable max win can be over X5000. Using such slot machines, players can get winning combinations infrequently. However, if you win a slot with high volatility, then its amount of money will pleasantly surprise you (and probably cover your rent expenses for over six months). If you have chosen a slot with that volatility type, it is always wise to be patient and use your bankroll bit by bit. 

These games also have bonus features for players. However, a gambler wanting to try high-volatility slots must have a good experience. With proper budget planning and choosing the right tactics, such slot machines can bring deep emotions and a big win to the players.

Please note that aggressively volatile slots are not necessarily those with progressive jackpot features. Most jackpot slots are highly volatile, but not every high-volatility slot is a jackpot one. Hence, please always research if this or that particular game has a progressive jackpot feature. 

2. Low Volatility Slots

Functioning principle: Small rewards often 

Low volatility slots are fundamentally different from high volatility slots. You can get small winnings by playing low-volatility slot machines quite often. That is perfect for gamblers who do not chase big jackpots and want to enjoy small wins. That is also the #1 choice for gamblers who are learning and need guarantees they will only spend a little money on a game.

Low-volatility slots are ideal if you do not have much gambling experience and are just starting to explore the world of crypto casino games. In slot machines with low volatility, you can get winnings faster. When spinning the reels on your favorite low-volatility slots, you should expect many winning combinations. On average, gamblers receive winnings every 3-10 spins in such games. 

Small wins can still bring you good profit if a low-volatility slot has a good max win potential and a high RTP significative. Still, do not expect to make less than thousands out of such slots. 

3. Medium Volatility Slots

Functioning principle: Good rewards sometimes (not too often, but not too rare)

Medium volatility slots combine the best features of slot machines with high and low volatility. A stable frequency of winnings and decent amounts attract them. They offer not very big but discounted payouts. However, you can get more winnings in medium volatility slots than in low volatility slots. That is why that type of slot is popular among gamblers.

High Volatility VS Low Volatility Slots: The Type That Suits Your Playing Style

The type of volatility that suits you depends entirely on your playing style and priorities. Certain gamblers feel comfortable playing slots with high volatility and waiting for a big win for a long time. On the other hand, some gamblers prefer the constant payouts they can find in low-volatility slots.

It all depends on the risk indicator most suitable for a particular player. Of course, if a player plays a slot with a significant level of risk, you can expect a large probable win and many chances to hit a combination that gives you thousands. That is exactly what slots with high volatility offer. If spinning reels is a way to have fun, and you do not plan to spend big money and take risks, then you need something else. In that case, low-volatility slots will be an ideal option for you.

3 Best Slots of All Volatility Types

Here you can get examples of the perfect slots of different volatility levels. That is a great opportunity for gamblers to choose a slot machine that will fully meet their expectations. By choosing the right slot for your gambling style, you can have a good time and win the amount you expect without losing the money you cannot afford to lose!

Book of Dead

Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead slot game cover 
The Book of Dead is quite a popular game with aggressive volatility

Provider: Play’n Go

RTP: 94.25%

Volatility: High ⚡⚡⚡

Book of Dead, the gambling game development masterpiece by one of the top providers, became available in 2014 and is still rather popular among gamblers. That slot machine has 5 reels, 10 paylines, and some interesting bonus features. It also boasts great graphics, symbols, and backgrounds that match the theme of ancient Egypt. 

That slot is great for high rollers and those waiting for worthwhile winnings. But also, several other games featuring Rich Wilde have the same technical peculiarities. 

The second-best highly volatile slot of the series is Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness. Some other games you might like are Rich Wilde and the Wandering City, and also games with Cat Wilde. 

Starburst

Starburst slot machine cover 
Starburst is a great choice for novices and casual players 

Provider: Net Ent 

RTP: 98%

Volatility: Low ⚡

Starburst is one of the best examples of low-volatility slot machines. That slot is a simple classic slot that does not have a specific plot. A distinctive feature of the Starburst video slot is that its winning combinations are both from left to right and right to left. Its biggest advantage is the formation of winning combinations in both directions. 

Re-spins are also quite profitable for the player. If you are a novice gambler, winning in that slot will take little time.

Jumanji

Jumanji video slot cover 
Jumanji is perfect for advanced gamblers but can also be good for novices 

Provider: NetEnt

RTP: 96.33%

Volatility: Medium ⚡⚡

Jumanji is a branded slot that shares the theme of the original Hollywood blockbuster 1995 best-loved film of the same name. That slot machine has 5 reels and 36 fixed paylines, and you can wager both small and large bets. 

It has many different bonus features that will be useful during the game. That is the best option if you are looking for a slot to have fun and get impressive winnings. 

Final Word

Now that you know more about the volatility of slots, you can decide which type suits you best. Different types of volatility are suitable for players individually. It depends on your preferences and experience.

It is wise to choose slots of suitable volatility from quality software providers. It can positively affect your game process and make your gambling experience better. The ORDB team hopes your next session brings you great wins, given that now you can find slots with optimal volatility levels! Best of luck!

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