High volatility means a slot pays out less often, but a single win can be large. The games in this category suit players who accept long dry spells and quick swings in their balance.
Alongside RTP, volatility is one of the most useful figures for comparing slots. Below we explain how the two differ, how to recognise a high-volatility game and how to approach one.
Volatility, also called variance, describes how a slot's return is spread across spins. A low-volatility game pays small wins often, so your balance moves steadily. In a high-volatility game a large share of the return comes from rare big wins, usually in bonus rounds or from high multipliers. Two slots can share a 96% RTP and still feel completely different. Volatility is not better or worse than RTP; it is a different kind of risk.
In our catalogue, more than 80% of the slots from Nolimit City and Big Time Gaming are rated high or very high, as are about three quarters of Pragmatic Play's. High volatility can also go with a high RTP: NetEnt's Jackpot 6000 is listed at 98.90% and Red Tiger's World Football Fortunes at 98.80%, both with high volatility, and the Habanero and Red Tiger games below are also high-volatility slots above 98%.
Because dry spells can be long, size your stake so your budget covers plenty of spins. Decide in advance how much you will spend and do not raise your stake to chase losses. No staking method changes a game's RTP.
Your balance swings more and long runs without a win are normal. The long-run return still depends on the RTP, not on volatility.
Many studios show it in the game's info panel, either on a scale or in words. A very large maximum win is usually a sign of high volatility too.
No. Volatility only describes how the return is spread. Two games with the same RTP return the same share over the long run, whatever their volatility.