What is volatility in online slots, and what's the best volatility?
Slot games are usually based on luck, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to influence your odds of winning big, and one way to pursue the biggest wins is playing online slots with high volatility.
Volatility, along with a slot’s RTP, prizing structure, and bet limits, all work together to influence a slot’s potential for payouts. In basic terms, the higher a slot’s volatility level, the potentially lower its payout frequency, but the higher the potential individual payouts. So while a high-volatility slot may mean winning less often, it could also mean winning much bigger if your luck strikes true. Meanwhile, low-volatility slots typically allow for wins more often, but smaller prizes and payouts. Players will need to pick the volatility that is right for their personal playing style.
It’s important to remember volatility levels do not guarantee anything. No matter which online betting site you use, a slot’s volatility is calculated based on a great numbers of spins, and that doesn’t mean each individual player will have the same experience or an experience that will exactly align with a game’s broad volatility.
Which volatility is best in slots?
The volatility level that players choose should be based on their preferred style of play, as it’s that individual preference that will determine which volatility is best for you. Players who want greater risk with the potential for higher rewards should choose to play high volatility slots online—though it may require a greater investment to find that killer jackpot. Someone who wants to lower their risk and doesn’t mind lower resulting rewards might prefer to choose lower volatility games—more frequent wins means the potential losses could be lower, but the payouts won’t be as lucrative when they hit.
The volatility players choose and which is best to pick can also be very situational. If you’re just looking to make smaller bets without much room for losses, low-volatility slots may be your best option. But if you’re ready to go for a big win, a high-volatility slot might be the preferred choice, and could certainly lead to some exciting results.
Best high volatility online slot
Madame Destiny is a great example of a high volatility slot. This is a Megaways slot with tons of chances to win, spiking up to over 200,000, and an RTP of well over 96.5%.
Focused on a clairvoyant fortune teller and featuring whimsical related symbols, Madame Destiny has a lot of fun bonus features on top of it potential for big and impressive wins. The tumble system removes winning combinations from the reel, dropping more into the blank spaces to fill those gaps. This can chain multiple wins in a row. A crystal ball Scatter symbol rewards players with free spins and a cash prize of up to 100x the stake, making this one of the best high-volatility slots on the market.
Best low volatility online slot
Starmania is a classic five-reel slot that features explosive stars and the chance to win up to 500x a player’s bet, and it stands out among the best low volatility slot choices. While its low volatility means the prizes are not typically massive, players will enjoy getting rewarded more frequently than on many other slots. The game also has a 97.87% RTP, meaning the value of the winnings over time are almost equal to the amount of the funds players bet.
Starmania doesn’t get bogged down by a prevalence of bonus features, instead focusing on keeping the experience straightforward and simple. There’s a free spin mechanic that can be unlocked as well as Wilds that increase jackpots. It’s not as intense as many high-volatility slots, as Starmania keeps things simple and easy for players that want lower risks without losing out on any of the fun.
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
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