Although slots are popular for the simple premise and straightforward gameplay, there is some terminology that can be confusing to those new to them. One confusing topic that is worth trying to wrap your head around is something called "slot machine volatility".
Volatility is a crucial concept to understand for anyone who enjoys playing slots. It gives you an idea of how a slot may behave in terms of payout size and frequency. It’s a theoretical value that can help you know whether a slot is more likely to award smaller, more frequent wins or larger, less frequent ones.
It’s important to remember that volatility is only an indicator. It doesn't promise any particular outcomes or results. Each spin is random, and past results do not influence future spins.
In this blog post, we'll unravel what slot machine volatility means and how you can use this knowledge to help you choose the slot games that may better suit your personal preferences.
What Is Volatility On a Slot Machine?
Slot machine volatility refers to how the slot game is likely to behave, in theory, over time. It offers insight into the potential size and frequency of its payouts. Think of it as a clue about the slot game's personality.
A slot with high volatility is like a rollercoaster. It might not award wins frequently, but when it does, the wins are likely to be larger than those in smaller volatility slots. This can make the game exciting for those who don’t mind an increased likelihood of seeing fewer wins for the chance at potentially bigger payouts if they do win.
On the other hand, low volatility slots are steadier, often awarding smaller wins than higher volatility slots, but wins are likely to land more regularly. These games might be a good choice if you prefer the chance for more consistent sessions or to make your bankroll go further.
Medium volatility slots sit somewhere in the middle, typically offering more of a balance of win size and frequency.
It's crucial to understand that volatility ratings are theoretical values that only give you an indication of how a slot may act; there are no guarantees. Each spin of a slot machine is random and unpredictable, as well as an independent event, all due to the Random Number Generator (RNG) they operate on. This means that no matter the slot’s volatility, outcomes are purely random, and results can vary greatly in the short term - i.e. your session may not reflect the volatility rating.
Is Slot Volatility & Variance The Same?
When exploring slot machines, you might come across the terms "volatility" and "variance". You may wonder if they mean the same thing, and the answer is yes - mostly.
Volatility and variance both refer to a slot game’s payout size and the frequency of its wins, in theory. They are often used interchangeably.
However, these terms can sometimes be used slightly differently. Most often, the distinction is that volatility refers to the slot’s behaviour over a shorter period (but still a pretty large sample of spins and over a fair amount of time), while variance often refers to the slot’s behaviour in the longer term.
No matter which word you encounter, it's important to remember they are only indicators. They provide an idea of how the slot may act, but what each spin will bring is never set in stone. Each outcome remains random and unpredictable.
Are High Or Low Volatility Slots Better?
When it comes to choosing between high and low-volatility slots, neither is strictly better - it all depends on what you prefer, what you're looking for in a slots session, and whether your budget supports it.
High volatility slots might be appealing if you enjoy the chance for bigger wins and don't mind possibly seeing fewer wins over the course of playing in return. They can provide excitement in this respect, but remember that in any slot game, wins are never promised. It’s also important to understand that with the higher chance of longer streaks without a win, these slot games can potentially impact your budget more significantly.
Low volatility slots, on the other hand, may be better suited for players who prefer a chance at a steadier experience with a higher likelihood of more frequent albeit smaller wins. These games have the potential to make your bankroll last longer during a session than playing higher volatility slots because long losing streaks are less likely, theoretically.
Ultimately, deciding on high or low-volatility slots is about your personal preference and budget. Some players even enjoy switching between the two to keep their gaming experience varied.
However, it’s crucial to remember that volatility makes no promises of results of any kind. Long losing streaks on low-volatility slots are still a possibility, and so are winning streaks on high-volatility slots; it’s all part of the random nature of slot games.
How Do They Calculate Slot Volatility?
Calculating slot volatility involves analysing several factors that indicate how a slot machine might behave over a long period involving a very large sample of simulated spins - typically into the hundreds of millions.
One of the key elements considered is the payout frequency, which looks at how often a winning combination is landing on a slot game. This helps determine whether wins are spread out more evenly or come less frequently.
Another important factor is the size of the payouts. Slots with the potential for larger payouts tend to have higher volatility, while those with smaller, more regular payouts typically show lower volatility. This means that those that are paying out less frequently are typically awarding larger payouts than those that award wins more often.
Game developers take an average of these results over a very long period involving an extremely large sample of spins.
Although these calculations provide insights into a slot’s potential behaviour, it's crucial to remember they are theoretical. They indicate what the developers found from watching the slot over a very long period, but ultimately, slot outcomes are random, so your session may not reflect the volatility rating at all.
Slot Volatility FAQs
Do Slots With Higher Volatility Payout More?
Slots with higher volatility can potentially offer bigger payouts, but they are not likely to pay out more often than slots with lower volatility ratings. Remember, each spin is independent and random, so this is not a sure thing.
Do Slots With Lower Volatility Payout Less?
Lower volatility slots tend to provide more frequent, smaller payouts. This can be appealing if you enjoy steady wins and longer playtime. However, the payouts will likely not be as large as the potential big wins from higher volatility slots. But, again, this isn’t guaranteed; you could win more than the volatility rating suggests, but you could also win less.
How To Find The Slot Volatility Of a Game?
Finding the volatility of a slot game isn't always straightforward. Some slot games display this information in their game details or help section. Alternatively, you can look up the slot on the developer’s website. Failing that, online reviews or casinos' descriptions can be worth checking, as they often provide a slot game's volatility level.
Is Slot RTP More Important Than Volatility?
Both RTP (Return to Player) and volatility give an idea of how a slot machine may behave, but they measure different aspects. RTP indicates the theoretical percentage of money put into a slot game that is returned to players over time, while volatility tells you about a slot's potential payout size and frequency. Neither is more important than the other, and neither guarantees results of any kind. However, when considered together, they can be very helpful when you are trying to make informed choices based on which slots to play based on your budget and preferences.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.