What is Volatility in slots
Volatility in the context of slot machines gauges the degree of risk a game presents to the player. All slot machines have a certain risk of financial loss, although some of them are less predictable than others.
High Volatility slots
Risk is higher when volatility is higher. Payouts, while bigger, are rarer and farther between, so you can find yourself pushing the "spin" button while watching your balance decrease and getting little in return. Up until everything falls into place exactly and then—bam! The big compensation you received made the protracted dry spell worthwhile. They are well-liked by players who choose games with large potential payouts.
It's recommended to only play high volatility games when you have a lot of free time and money to spend. While you wait for the significant bonus features to appear at precisely the correct time to replenish your bankroll, you must be quite patient and content with not seeing much action.
It's also advantageous if your budget includes a large safety net and you don't mind quitting the game once you've spent the sum you had planned. Many people find that the excitement of going after the big gain is worth the gratification of really getting it, even though this demands patience. Games with high volatility were created specifically for that kind of slot experience.
Low Volatility Slots
On the other hand, games with lesser volatility have lower risk. Low volatility slots provide lower but far more frequent payouts, and the games don't get very boring. Every few spins, small prizes appear, and the time passes quickly since you're so engrossed in the bonus features and animations that keep you interested. Large wins on these games are still feasible and do occur, so this is not to argue that they are impossible. It's just not comparable to the wins offered on games with higher volatility.
How to Determine Volatility
The creators of casino games are hesitant to disclose this information, but after playing a certain slot machine for a while, volatility typically becomes clear. One sort of slot machine isn't necessarily "good" while the other is "bad" because most slot machine fans find that they prefer one type over the other. Your own preference and gambling style will ultimately determine whether you choose high or low volatility slots.
While volatility may be assessed through play, it is advised to try it out without risking any real money. Looking at the game's paytable is another technique to get at least a general understanding of volatility. Given that such huge rewards are almost certainly not going to be awarded, if they are, the game is likely to have a medium to high level of volatility.
Top 5 Highest Volatility slots
We have compiled the short collection of the most volatile slots.
- Book of Shadows from Nolimit City
- Folsom Prison from Nolimit City
- Big Bass Bonanza from Pragmatic Play
- Razor Shark from Push Gaming
- Dead or Alive II from NetEnt
Book of Shadows is an online video slot game developed by Nolimit City. It is based on the theme of magic and witchcraft and features five reels, three rows, and ten paylines. The game is set in a dark and eerie atmosphere with mysterious symbols and a haunting soundtrack.
The game features a "Buy Bonus" option, allowing players to instantly trigger the free spins feature by paying a certain amount. With a high maximum payout of up to 30,338x the stake, Book of Shadows is a popular choice among players looking for high-risk, high-reward gameplay. It has a high volatility 10 out of 10.
Folsom Prison is a slot game inspired by the famous American prison located in California. The game features symbols related to prison life such as handcuffs, prison bars, and mugshots of inmates. It is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot with 20 paylines and an RTP of around 96%.
The game includes several bonus features, including a wild symbol that can substitute for any other symbol to create winning combinations. There is also a free spins feature that can be triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. During the free spins feature, all wins are multiplied by a set amount. Volatility 10 out of 10.
Big Bass Bonanza is a video slot game that takes place on a 5x3 grid with 10 paylines. The game is designed to look like a fishing trip, with a lake and a boat as the background. The symbols on the reels include fishing gear, fish, and playing card values.
The game's main feature is the Big Bass Bonanza free spins round, triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols. During the free spins, each fish symbol that lands on the reels will have a random value attached to it, which will be added to the player's total winnings at the end of the round. Volatility is 10 out of 10.
Razor Shark is an online video slot game developed by Push Gaming. The game has a deep-sea exploration theme and features various underwater creatures as symbols, such as sharks, sea turtles, and jellyfish. The game is played on a 5x4 grid and has 20 fixed paylines.
The game's main feature is the Razor Reveal feature, which can be triggered randomly on any spin. During this feature, a set of mystery symbols will appear on the reels, and a razor will move across the grid to reveal the hidden symbols, potentially resulting in big wins. Volatility of the slot is 10 out of 10.
Dead or Alive II is an online video slot game developed by NetEnt, which is a sequel to the popular Dead or Alive game. The game has a Wild West theme and features various symbols related to cowboys and outlaws, such as guns, hats, and boots.
The Train Heist Free Spins mode has an increasing multiplier that increases with each winning spin, and players can earn additional free spins by landing wild symbols. The Old Saloon Free Spins mode has a 2x multiplier for all wins and sticky wild symbols that remain on the reels for the duration of the bonus. The Volatility of the slot is 10 out of 10.
Our Conclusion
Even though personal choice matters, one's slot bankroll should be the deciding factor when selecting high or low volatility slots. Play the riskier slots if you have more cash to spare. However, those with lesser bankrolls who want to play for longer while spending less money should definitely stick to the rapid wins of a lower-variance slot.
Amanda Shimmer is the Chief Editor at CasinosInCanada and an experienced casino expert who ensures all guides, reviews, and industry investigations remain accurate, transparent, and helpful for players.
Volatility in slots refers to the risk level associated with a slot game's payouts. High volatility slots offer larger payouts less frequently, while low volatility slots provide smaller, more frequent wins. Understanding volatility helps players choose games that match their risk tolerance and gameplay preferences!
Hi! Thanks for the recommendations, I will have to try it! :) I recommend the Relax Gaming slot Ancient Tumble or The Aviator slot, I´ve had big fun in there, something very useful is to follow slot streamers, I follow to DiceGirl Egle She's a pro slots streamer on Twitch and really passionate about these games. Trainwreckstv and Ac7ionMan are also worth watching. Have a nice day and big wins! ;)
Hello friends! As a mom of two, I don't have much time or budget for gambling. But I found a solution — low volatility slots! This is the perfect option for me, fun and without unnecessary losses. When the kids are sleeping, I can relax with my favorite slots, which is great
That 's an article! I always knew that volatility plays a role, but no one has ever explained it in such detail! Now I understand what I need - high volatility for big wins, well, or chances for them! Tired of wasting time on small prizes. Onward to high variance slots!
Yo guys! I just tore the book of Shadows ! My nerves are on edge, but patience and luck helped! The feeling when you get a huge win, like on top of the world!
Hello friends! As a mom of two, I don't have much time or budget for gambling. But I found a solution — low volatility slots! This is the perfect option for me, fun and without unnecessary losses. When the kids are sleeping, I can relax with my favorite slots, which is great