We understand that when you are new to crypto casino gaming, slot volatility and RTP may seem complicated. That’s why we are here to answer the question: What does volatility mean in slots?
Our beginner’s guide will share knowledge that will help you learn the difference between volatility and Return to Player percentage in slot games. We’ll also break down the different volatility levels and how they can impact the gameplay. We will then share what you should factor in when choosing slot machines to play based on their variance.
All the games you’ll find in crypto slot sites and Rocket casinos come with varying volatility. We’ll shed light on volatility in slots because it’s essential when you are looking for a title that suits your playing style.
Variance or volatility is a feature in slots that tells you how often you are likely to form winning combinations and the size of the potential wins, helping you determine the level of risk involved in playing the game.
Before we go any further, we would like to point out that the volatility of slots is often based on thousands of spins. As such, you may not be able to gauge the frequency of a game after playing a few rounds. And nothing is set in stone, since the outcome of slots is completely random. Below, we have provided the four levels of volatility.
Let’s start with what high volatility means in slots. Unlike low-volatility, high-volatility indicates that you should expect a crypto slot to deliver winning combos less regularly. However, when you land wins, they can be significant. Given that these games are known to have long dry spells, you need to be patient when playing. Just know that it may take a while before you can trigger the main bonus feature. When playing, we have experienced games going for more than 30 spins without landing a win.
To understand what a low-volatility slot machine is, consider it as the opposite of high-volatility titles. When playing slot games with low volatility, you’ll form winning combinations at a more frequent rate. Expect the wins that you’ll land to be smaller in size. The slots we gave a spin test delivered wins after every 5 to 10 spins. These types of slots are the way to go when you are looking for long play sessions. They allow you to – on average – enjoy longer gaming sessions at online crypto casinos.
Medium volatility slot games are – as the name implies – the middle road between low and high volatility titles. These games balance hit frequency (hit rate) with the prize. They can offer sizable prizes that land more frequently when compared to high-volatility slot machines. While still generally delivering better payouts than low-volatity games.
Some games allow players to choose the volatility they want. Or they have multiple variants where the gameplay stays the same but the volatility changes. These are a great option if you enjoy the gameplay or theme of a given slot machine, but want to set your own volatility to suit your needs. That said, it’s not very common for slot titles to let players choose their volatility. This is more common on arcade titles like crash or mines, where you can get lower volatility by cashing out earlier or playing with fewer mines respectively. Plinko casinos also offer this feature.
We’ve noticed that slot RTP and volatility are often put in one group, but they measure two different things. So, what is RTP in slots? If this question is echoing in your mind, we’ll explain this in the table below to help you understand what it means and how it differs from volatility:
| Difference | Volatility | RTP |
| Definition | Volatility tracks how much you get per win and how often you’ll achieve a potential win. | RTP or Return to Player indicates how much a crypto slot will return to you in the long run. RTP is measured over millions of spins. |
| How it affects players | Low-volatility slots generally feel calmer and more constant. High volatility slots can lead to long dry spells, but more exciting wins when they do hit. | The lower a slot’s RTP, the higher the house edge of a given slot. In general, a higher RTP is always better for players. |
Finding the volatility of a slot game that you would like to play shouldn’t be hard. You can read our review on different crypto slots to learn about their variance. Here are other ways that can help you find this information:
Before you start playing slots or other crypto casino games online, the following factors will help you pick the volatility that suits you.
If you want to enjoy long play sessions while playing at online crypto casinos, we recommend you go for slots with low or medium variance. With these games, you can play more rounds, and the frequent potential wins can help extend your playtime.
For that reason, these slot types are also our go-to choice when we want to complete wagering requirements to withdraw bonus funds. Just remember that RTP also plays a big role in how long your funds will last on average.
Most VIP programs at crypto casinos that we have tested calculate loyalty points based on your total wager amount. Since volatility isn’t taken into account, playing low volatility slots will – often – allow you to get more VIP points from the same initial deposit.
If you want to play slots with jackpots, you should be prepared for some high-volatility action. This is because most slots that offer jackpots are highly volatile.
Choosing a volatility that matches your playing style will help you have an enjoyable slot experience. Whether you pick low or high-volatility slot machines, it all boils down to your preferences.
If you’re ready to start playing, sign up with any of the online crypto casinos on the on-page banners. They are all available in your country and offer slots with different volatility levels.
Volatility and RTP represent two different things. Volatility doesn’t directly impact the Return to Player rate. As such, low volatility doesn’t necessarily result in a slot having high RTP.
No. In most cases, you cannot change the volatility level of any slot because the software provider has already set it.
If it’s your first time playing slots, we recommend starting with a low-volatility slot. This will often allow you to enjoy longer sessions, which will help you learn how slots work at online crypto casinos.
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