With hundreds upon hundreds of online slots available at the click of the button, there are plenty of games that lure players for a variety of reasons. Be it the theme, bonus features or payouts, players opt for the casino game that best suits their needs. However, many players don’t realise that both variance and volatility play a pivotal role in slot games. Read on to learn more.
What is Volatility?
When it comes to online slots, volatility is considered as the element of risk a game has. If you have played slot machines before, then you have realised that some casino game payout wins on a regular basis, while others can go long periods without winning at all. This isn’t solely due to luck, but also due to volatility.
A high volatility machine has fewer payouts but when they do happen, expect massive wins. One perfect example is a progressive jackpot game which is a high volatility slot. This type of casino game does not match most players’ tastes since it requires a certain degree of patience and a fat bankroll to sit through the spins until potentially hitting a jackpot. However, one should point out that the wins are so impressive that it can be worth your while.
On the other hand, low volatility games pay out regular wins on the base game reels with bonus games being activated quite frequently.
What is RTP?
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage is another vital factor that comes into play when determining which slot games best suit your bankroll. Most slot games now use Random Number Generators to add an element of randomness and fair play. It is also in place to pre-set an amount to the casino, also known as the ‘house edge’.
For example, if a slot game has a RTP of 95%, then that means that for every €1 spent, the casino receives €0.05 and the player gets €0.95 provided he has hit a winning payline.
The RTP tends to vary from one casino game to another and various percentages. It obviously would make more sense to go with a game that has a high RTP percentage, as you are more likely to receive a payout more regularly.
What are Volatility and Variance?
In the online casino world, volatility and variance mean the same thing. A game with high variance is one that pays out rarely but has the potential of giving you big wins, while a low variance game is one that pays little but more regularly.
It is not that clear which games have high or low variance straight away, but if you look at each game’s pay table then you are given a good indication of the volatility for every game. It would also be recommended to look at the difference in payouts for matching 4 or 5 symbols. If there is a huge difference between 4 and 5 symbols, then it’s a clear indication of a high variance slot.
Check back our news section to learn more about the best Quickspin games for both high and low variance. In the meantime, why don’t you snatch an exclusive welcome offer from one of our recommended casinos.
