What Does Slot Volatility Mean?

If you've been browsing our online slots here at Virgin Games, you might have noticed terms like "low volatility" or "high volatility" popping up in game descriptions or guides. But what does slot volatility actually mean, and how does it affect your experience when you spin the reels? 

Understanding volatility can help you find the slot that suits your style, so let's dive in.

What Is Slot Volatility?

In simple terms, slot volatility refers to the level of reward you can expect from a slot game over time. It's a way of describing how often - and how much - an online slot tends to pay out.  

• Low volatility slots tend to pay out smaller wins, but they happen more often. 
• High volatility slots usually pay out less often, but the wins, when they land, are often larger. 
• Medium volatility slots sit somewhere in between, balancing frequency and payout size. 

Volatility doesn't affect the overall RTP (Return to Player) - that's a separate figure that shows the theoretical percentage of stakes a slot pays back over time. Instead, volatility gives you a sense of the slot's winning patterns within that RTP. 

So, if you're the kind of player who enjoys steady, regular payouts to keep the slot reels spinning longer, you might lean towards lower volatility. But if you're looking for the excitement of a bigger potential prize and don't mind a few dry spells, high volatility slots might be more your thing.

Why Does Slot Volatility Matter?

When you play a slot, the experience can feel very different depending on its volatility. 

• On low volatility slots, you might see wins come in more regularly, which can help stretch your casino bankroll over a longer session. Many classic casino slots, like fruit machine-style games, fall into this category. 
• On high volatility slots, you could go through longer streaks without a win, but there's the chance of hitting a much larger prize. 
• Medium volatility slots offer a compromise; some moderate wins fairly often but still have the potential for a big hit. 

Knowing the volatility of a game helps you set your expectations and pick an online slot machine that suits your appetite, budget, and style of play.

How Can You Tell A Slot's Volatility?

Most slot games will indicate their volatility somewhere in the game information. If you're not sure, you can also get a feel for it by looking at: 

The slot's paytable: Games with very large jackpots or top symbol payouts and fewer mid-level prizes tend to be high volatility. 

The game theme and features: Some high-octane, feature-packed slots are designed to be high risk/high reward, while simpler, more traditional slots are often lower volatility. 

Game reviews and guides: If you're looking for more insights into online slots' volatility, alongside payout percentages and features, you can check our detailed guide. We've also highlighted some of the top Playtech slots where you can see how different slot games compare. 

If you're unsure, you can always try out a few different slots and see which style you enjoy.

Examples of Different Slot Volatilities 

Here are some examples of what you might find in each category: 

• Low volatility: Games like the thrilling Starburst slot are known for frequent, smaller wins and a smooth, steady experience. Generally, the maximum award on low-volatility machines will be around 500x a stake. 
• Medium volatility: Titles like Buffalo Blitz, a Playtech title with 4,096 ways to win, Wild multipliers, and free spins, offer a mix of mid-sized payouts and bonus features. 
• High volatility: Games like Age of the Gods and progressive jackpot titles - these include Daily Jackpot and Jackpot King games, offering major prizes (up to 5,000× stake and progressive pools), though wins might not come as often.  

There's no right or wrong choice; it's all about what kind of experience you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Slot Style

Slot volatility is just one part of what makes a game fun to play. Some players love the steady rhythm of a low volatility game, while others prefer high volatility slots. 

At Virgin Games, we've got a wide selection of slots and other casino games to suit all tastes. If you'd like to explore more about RTP and payout potential, check out which slots have the highest payout for more tips and insights. 

Ready to explore? Head to our slots section and discover your next favourite game today!

Ready to find your perfect slot? Sign up at Virgin Games today and explore a world of low, medium, and high volatility slots, with fair, exciting gameplay you can trust.

 All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.