If you have ever wondered why some slots offer wins more frequently than others, know that it all comes down to volatility. This slot factor determines how often a slot provides wins and the potential amount you can receive from your gameplay. Understanding how it works can help you pick better games. Read on, as this article answers the question “what does volatility mean in slots” and also covers how to choose the right levels.
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What Is Volatility in Slots?
Volatility is the win variance in a slot game. In simpler terms, it tells you how often you can expect to win and how big those wins will be. There are two primary types of volatility:
- High Volatility: In such games, you can go for long stretches without hitting big wins, but when these winnings come, they can be massive.
- Low Volatility: You’ll win more frequently, but the amounts are usually smaller.
Some games have medium volatility levels. Such slots strike a balance between the frequency of winning and the size of the win.
High Volatility vs. Low Volatility Slots: Key Differences
Here is a comparison of low volatility vs high volatility levels, so you can better understand how they differ from each other:
| High Volatility | Low Volatility |
| They offer more substantial progressive jackpots because their win amounts have a longer time frame to grow. | Progressive jackpots in these games are usually smaller because players win more often. This does not give the jackpot enough time to grow to a very large amount. |
| You form winning combinations less often. | Games in this category offer more consistent wins. |
| Each symbol has a better value, so every win amount is higher than what you’ll find in low-volatility games. | Symbols here offer smaller amounts for winning combinations, so your wins are lower than those in high-volatility games. |
| These are best for thrill seekers who do not mind going for a longer period without winning. | These are best for casual players or those who prefer consistent wins. |
Popular High and Low Volatility Slot Examples
Every online slot has its volatility level. Since there are thousands of these games, you have multiple options from which you can select, regardless of your preference. The table below highlights a few of both high and low variance games you can check out:
| Game Title | Provider | Volatility | Key Features | Why it Fits the Category |
| Strength of Hercules | Hacksaw Gaming | High | RotoGrid, connecting wilds, and bonus games | Not frequent, but potential for big wins of up to 10,000x |
| Big Buffalo Badlands | Skywind | High | Cascading reels, wilds with multipliers, and free games | Strong bonus round and wins of up to 5,000x |
| 3 Coin Volcanoes | 3 Oaks Gaming | Low | Sticky coins, jackpots, and a bonus game | Decent wins and a jackpot of 2,000x your play amount |
| Epic Joker | Relax Gaming | Low | Super Mode free spins, Joker re-spin | Offers a maximum win of 500x your play amount |
| Erik the Red | Relax Gaming | Low | Free spins, expanding wilds | Maximum win of 1,254 times your play amount |
How to Choose the Right Volatility for You
When deciding between low vs high volatility slots, consider the following:
- The thrill: If you’re mainly after the thrill of landing massive amounts and not steady wins, high volatility slots are excellent options.
- Your experience: If you’re after a more relaxed gameplay session, opt for low volatility slots. Games in the high category are suited best for thrill seekers and can often be fast-paced.
- Coin balance: Always consider the number of coins you have. When there’s enough in your balance, you can play high volatility slots where you use more coins per spin. However, low volatility games are best if you have a limited coin balance and want to extend your gaming session.
Volatility Awareness = Better Slot Strategy
Although the volatility level tells you a lot about the slot, note that it does not affect the return-to-player percentage. The RTP only gives you the potential amount you can expect from playing that game in the long run.
However, you can combine the RTP and the knowledge of the game’s volatility and use this to develop a working strategy. For instance, it’s best to choose a high RTP and low volatility game if you want to play with a smaller coin balance but still get decent returns.
When building a strategy, ensure you also consider your personal preferences. Pick games with themes and features you enjoy. If you’re unsure about what to expect from a slot, try it out first with Gold Coins. You can easily switch to playing with Sweepstakes Coins once you see how the game works.
Conclusion: Understanding Slot Volatility
Understanding volatility is a good starting point for learning more about online slots. With this information, you can make smarter decisions about the games to play and how many coins to use for your gaming sessions. Remember that low volatility slots offer more winning combinations but lesser win amounts, while the reverse is the case in high volatility games.
Regardless of your volatility preference, you will find enough titles to suit you at American Luck. The best part of using the sweepstakes casino is that you play for free. You only have to register on the platform to get started.
