What Does Slot Volatility Mean?
What Is Slot Volatility and Why Does It Matter? - Low vs. High Volatility in Slot Machines
Before playing an online slot game at Stake Casino, it’s important to consider its volatility. This is a key factor in how often the game pays out, so you should keep it in mind. Read on to understand what slot volatility means, how to check the volatility rating, and why it’s important.
What Does Volatility Mean in Slot Games?
Slot machine volatility indicates how often a slot machine game pays out. It can also affect the potential payout and the frequency of wins. Game options are typically categorised as low, medium, or high volatility. You can find the level of volatility of each casino game that you play in the description provided by Stake.com.
How Does Slot Volatility Work & Why is it Important?
Online slot machine games are powered by random number generators (RNGs), and developers build volatility into the game. Low-volatility games tend to pay out smaller amounts more frequently, while high-volatility games tend to pay out bigger amounts less frequently. Medium volatility slot games are somewhere in between.
You can determine a slot’s volatility by reading the game description and checking out the paytable. Alternatively, you can play the demo version of a slot to get a feel for how regularly it pays out and how each symbol works. If payouts are regular and fairly low, there’s a good chance that you’re playing a low-volatility game.
Understanding the volatility of slot machines is important because it lets you select games that best suit your budget and payout expectations.
If you’re keen to land big wins with bigger bet sizes, highly volatile slots may be the best option for you. But if you’re a low-budget recreational player, you might be better suited to low-volatility games that tend to offer frequent payouts, but at smaller amounts.
You can also opt for medium-high volatility slots if you’re looking for games that give you a chance at more frequent wins at a steady pace. It’s all about balancing your budget with your chances of being a winner!
How Many Types Of Volatility Exist?
The good news is that you’ll find a wide selection of low, medium, and high-volatility slot games at Stake Casino. Below, we introduce you to these games in more detail.
Low Volatility Slots
Low-volatility slot games pay out smaller amounts of money more frequently. You might not win a life-changing sum of money on low-volatility games, but the high hit frequency can make online slots fun, particularly for recreational and casual players.
Best Low Volatility Slots
NetEnt’s Starburst is one of the most popular slot games ever made, and it’s a low-volatility gem-themed game that serves up regular wins and several enticing bonus features.
Wild Scarabs by Games Global is an Egyptian-themed slot with low volatility and plenty of action on the 243 paylines. Every spin will give you the chance to win up to 1733x your bet.
Super Cash Boost: Hold and Win is a Penguin King slot with a high-energy soundtrack. You can win up to 5500x your bet while playing this fruity jackpot slot!
Blood Suckers is one of the most popular games created by NetEnt. It has a high RTP of 98% coupled with its low volatility. The horror theme adds an extra edge of excitement while playing.
Blazing Mammoth was created by Pear Fiction as part of the Games Global group. It’s filled with fun bonus features like instant jackpots and up to 30 free spins!
Medium Volatility Slots
Medium variance slots are pitched between low and high-volatility games. They pay out frequently enough, and there’s a mixture of high and low payouts. They’re a step up from low-volatility games and offer you the chance to land some sizable payouts. These slots are all about finding a balance between risk tolerance and reward.
Best Medium Volatility Slots
Prepare for a heist like never before with Jack Hammer 3: Diamond Affair by NetEnt. Featuring a sleek comic book theme, you can enjoy respins, bonus buy features, and the chance to win up to 1332x your bet. Be sure to check out another slot in this series, Jack Hammer 4: Chasing the Dragon.
Pragmatic Play’s excellent fruit-themed slot Fruit Party is a popular medium-volatility game, offering wins of up to 5,000x your stake.
The animal-themed Le Bandit slot from Hacksaw Gaming is another popular medium volatility game, and it features various free spins, bonus rounds and wins of up to 10,000x the bet.
Immortal Romance by NetEnt is the perfect fit for those who love a touch of horror with their romance-themed online slots. This popular title has free spins and exciting multipliers!
Unleash your inner jester with the Fire Joker slot by Play’n GO. The 3 reels and fun Joker theme make the slot feel like a classic creation with a modern twist.
Travel to Africa, where the 9 Masks of Fire by Games Global will lead you on a new adventure. Collect piles of money and unlock bonus features with every spin.
High Volatility Slots
High volatility slots are suited to those who don’t mind higher risk levels and enjoy the biggest payouts. Patience is required when playing high-volatility games, as you may need to wait for payouts to land. But high-volatility games are for you if you’re chasing the biggest payouts when playing slots.
Best High Volatility Slots
Dead or Alive is a well-known NetEnt slot that is known for having high volatility. It’s a gritty Wild West casino game with 5 reels, 3 rows, and 9 paylines. Grab your gun and cowboy boots for a chance to win up to 12,000x your bet.
Gonzo’s Quest is a popular high-volatility slot featuring a legendary adventurer in search of Aztec gold. Travel through ancient ruins and enjoy cascading reels while exploring this slot saga. Other games in the series include Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Gonzo's Quest II: Return to El Dorado, and Gonzo's Gold.
Pragmatic Play’s legendary Greek Empire-inspired slot game, Gates of Olympus, is a super-popular high-volatility slot game at Stake Casino.
If sky-high volatility is your thing, check out Push Gaming’s Razor Returns, a 5-reel sea-themed slot game that dishes out wins up to 100,000x your bet with sea-style symbols.
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is one of the most popular slots in the world. Created by Play’n GO, you can win up to 5000x your bet while adventuring through Egypt. You can also explore the many other games in the slot saga featuring Rich and his many travels.
Fire in the Hole 2 by Nolimit City is an explosive bonus buy game with a fun mining theme. Get your hands on cash rewards and piles of gold. Learn how to trigger the bonus feature round with our guide.
Bonanza by Big Time Gaming is not only the original Megaways slot, but it’s a high volatility creation with exciting rewards! Grab shiny gems as you enjoy the nature-filled backdrop, as symbols cascade onto the reels.
Slot Volatility vs. Return to Play Percentage (RTP)?
Alongside volatility, you should always check the game’s expected player return rate (RTP). This indicates how much the slot game pays out over a period of time. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge, which is good for players, especially as this could lead to larger payouts on popular slot machines. Read our guide on house edges to learn more.
When you understand RTP and volatility, you have a reasonable idea of how much and how often a slot game pays out, which should help you choose the best games to play.
Slot Volatility in Online vs. Physical Slot Machines
Playing slots online or when visiting a land-based casino can be very different experiences, but when it comes to volatility, they remain much the same.
When comparing online and offline slot machines, the volatility of each game is essentially the same, but the real difference is having access to that information. While you can easily access the information table when playing online, the same isn’t possible when playing a physical slot machine.
One of the best ways to counter this is by doing some research before you visit the casino. Find land-based slot machines with the volatility level you prefer and then look for them on the casino floor.
How to Choose the Best Slot Machine Based on Volatility?
The best slot volatility is down to personal preference. You can choose a game based on the types of payouts you’re looking for. Some games even offer a volatility switch mechanism, which lets you adjust the level of volatility within the game itself. Like scatters and bonus features, this is an attractive proposition for many players.
Tips & Strategies for Choosing Slot Volatility Levels
Here are some slot strategy tips that will help you get started with slots of varying volatilities on the Stake Casino:
No matter the type of variance you choose, online slot machine gambling is all about chance, and you can win or lose each time you spin the reels. Bear this in mind as you prepare your budget and set your limits.
Try different types of slot games from a wide range of casino providers to mix things up. As well as those introduced above, you can enjoy brilliant games with various slot themes from developers like VoltEnt, Games Global, Play’n GO, and Relax Gaming, among others. Stake Original games and those available Only on Stake are also great options as they tend to have low RTPs.
You can also look for slots with various features, such as Megaways games, bonus-buy slots, and titles with in-game progressive jackpots.
Refer to our guide that explains how to play slots to get started. You can also read up on how slot paylines work for more helpful tips, or our general online casino guide is another helpful online resource.
Visit our Stake Community player forums or check out our wide range of guides on interesting slot strategies. Learn all about the Kelly Criterion Betting System, the Oscar’s Grind Betting System, D’Alembert Betting System, and more.
Casino Promotions, Stake VIP Club & Responsible Gambling
Game promotions and casino bonuses are available to new and current players at Stake.com to boost your bankroll. You can also learn about the different levels associated with the Stake VIP Club to earn exclusive rewards as you play your favourite online slot machines. These rewards include rakeback bonuses, reload offers, and even a VIP host at higher levels. Check out our VIP FAQs for more information.
Please always remember to bet within your means and gamble responsibly. You can find out how to stay in control with our Stake Smart guidelines and our budget calculator.

