The pros and cons of high volatility slots
Ever wondered what a higher volatility slot is? Well, there is no need to wonder any longer as we have written a short but informative article to answer the question.
We’ll find information that we need to know about high volatility slots, including the pros and cons.
First things first, there are three types of volatility: low, medium and high. A low volatility slot is one where we tend to win often, but the size of those winnings tends to be somewhere around the size of our wager. This is the least exciting type of win.
On the other hand, we tend to win a little less often playing a medium volatility slot, but when we do, the amounts tend to be a little larger.
Frequently, both of these types of slots will include bonus games, extra wilds, sticky wilds, and free spins bonuses. Mainly, these features will help to stretch our bankroll so we can play for longer.
We can typically identify a low or medium volatility slot because the stated maximum payouts are usually up to around 250x or 1,000x total bet respectively. The volatility of a slot is determined by its random number generator (RNG) which is designed to have specific odds.
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What does high volatility mean in slots?
High volatility, also known as high variance slot is one in which the payouts can involve huge wins compared to low or medium volatility slots.
It is essential to understand that higher volatility slots are unpredictable.
A high volatility slot has potential payouts that are much more significant, typically around 3,000x, 5,000x, 10,000x or even higher. There are also high variance slots such as Dead or Alive 2 and some of the Megaways slots that can reward prizes of somewhere around 50,000x to 100,000x bet!
| Variance | Types of wins | Win frecency | Risk-factor |
| Low | Small | High | Low |
| Medium | Small to medium | Medium | Medium |
| High | Large | Low | High |
How does a high volatility slot machine pay?
To answer this question, we will use Book of Dead from Play’n GO as an example. Book of Dead is a high volatility slot with a real money jackpot win of up to 250,000 coins.
The first thing to remember is that winning amounts on a high volatility slot anywhere near the maximum is extremely difficult.
For example, the probability of a Mega Win from 2,000x to 5,000x total bet is about one in 500,000 spins. The probability of a Mega Win of 5,000x total bet or more decreases to one in 2 million spins.
The probability of winning on the Book of Dead slot machine:
| Type of prizes | Size of the prizes | Win |
| No win | 0x | 1.5 |
| Small | Up to 10x | 3.2 |
| Small | 10x to 20x | 80 |
| Medium | 20x to 100x | 500 |
| Large | 100x to 250x | 1,000 |
| Very Large | 250x to 500x | 10,000 |
| Huge | 500x to 1,000x | 50,000 |
| Mega | 1,000x to 2,000x | 100,000 |
| Mega | 2,000x to 5,000x | 500,000 |
| Mega | 5,00x or more | 2,000,000 |
The low probability is why it is essential to understand that the maximum payout in a high volatility slot can be considered more a theoretical amount. Compare this to the probability of winning a small amount of up to 10x total bet, which is about 1 in 3.2 spins and 1 in 80 spins for wins from 10x to 20x.
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As one can see, the higher the volatility, the higher the potential payout but, the lower the probability of winning. This probability is not unlike a lottery draw.
Size of wins paid out by Book of Dead, Jumanji and Starburst:
The advantages of high volatility slots
It is no surprise that many players in Great Britain and around the world for that matter prefer to play very volatile slots simply because of the massive win potential, but let’s try to better understand the reasons
- Love the Big Wins: High volatility slots are all about the potential for massive payouts, even life-changing jackpots.
- Pure Thrill Ride: High volatility means intense highs! The adrenaline rush of a potential mega win is unmatched by low volatility slots.
- High Risk, High Reward: It’s a gamble, just like the lottery, but with a higher return to player (RTP).
The adrenaline rush is much more intense than a low volatility game offering relatively small wins.
Disadvantages of high volatility slot machines
One of the significant drawbacks of a high volatility game is that it will likely require a bankroll that’s higher to play it for longer. What are the other disadvantages of high volatility slots?
- Beware the Drain: High volatility slots can devour your bankroll faster due to less frequent wins. Expect your balance to potentially hit zero before experiencing a huge win.
- Small Wins Are Scarce: Forget frequent small wins to keep your balance afloat. Wins between 20x and 200x your bet are less common in these games.
- Not for Everyone: This risk makes high volatility slots a less popular choice for most players who prefer the steadier gameplay of lower volatility options.
The reality is that it is not unusual to drain a bankroll by playing a high volatility slot without even winning a single bonus round.
For these reasons, most players choose to play slots with low volatility or medium volatility instead.
| 🦿Feature | 🟢Pro | 🔴Con |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | High potential payouts | Wins occur less frequently |
| Jackpots | Often offer much larger jackpots | Smaller wins are less common |
| Thrill | Excitement of potentially big wins | Can be frustrating with long stretches of losses |
| Bankroll Management | Requires stricter bankroll management due to fewer wins | May not be suitable for casual players with smaller budgets |
| Gameplay | Can be more engaging with the potential for big wins | May feel slow or unrewarding with infrequent wins |
Conclusion
High volatility slots are a higher risk and higher reward proposition. The odds of winning large amounts, however, are small. Players who decide to play a high volatility slot should understand that they are just as likely to lose their money as they are to win a modest amount.
This reason is why high volatility is not for everyone. Of course, nothing can replicate the thrill of playing for the chance to win huge sums which is okay, provided that we follow the principle of responsible gambling.
Players prepared can find the best high volatility slots at the UK Gambling Commission licensed and regulated PlayOJO.
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