Volatility: Steady wins or rare big
1) Determination of volatility
Volatility in slots and pokies is a measure of the distribution of winnings:
This is not RTP: volatility is responsible for the payout structure, while RTP is responsible for the theoretical long-distance return.
2) Low volatility: Frequent small payouts
Characteristic: many combinations "in plus," payments are close to the size of the bet or a little more.
Gaming experience: the session is smooth, bankroll is consumed slowly, there are fewer "empty" episodes.
Bankroll: 150-250 bets are enough for a comfortable game.
Who fits: beginners, players who want to stay in the game longer and get frequent feedback.
Minus: the chance of a major skid is limited (maximum multipliers are low).
3) Average Volatility: Balance Sheet
Characteristics: payments less often, but more tangible; there are still frequent "supporting" wins.
Gaming experience: alternation of "empty" series and average level of winnings; bonuses give a significant portion of the return.
Bankroll: optimal 250-400 bets.
To whom it suits: those who want a balance between a long game and the chance of a noticeable win.
Minus: with a short distance, both "empty" sessions and successful jerks are possible - the result is less predictable.
4) High volatility: rare but large drifts
Characteristics: many "empty" spins, bonuses are rare, but can bring multipliers × 500, × 1000 and higher.
Gaming experience: "sawtooth" sessions - long periods without events and sharp jumps when hit by a bonus.
Bankroll: it takes ≥400 -600 bets to withstand drawdowns.
Who fits: players with a large bankroll, ready to wait for rare winnings and risk for a major result.
Minus: Most short sessions will be minus without skidding.
5) How volatility is measured
Manufacturers indicate the level (Low/Medium/High) in the specifications.
Indirect markers:
6) Practical selection scenarios
A. Long and even game
Low volatility, all lines at minimum rate.
Goal: retention in the game, minimal drawdowns, more game events.
B. Balance pleasure + chance of medium skid
Average volatility.
Purpose: session with alternating empty and "average" payments, bonuses as a driver of emotions.
C. Hunt for jackpot or large multiplier
High volatility, Megaways, hold-and-spin, link-jackpots.
The goal: to catch a rare event, to accept the risk of long empty episodes.
7) Mini formulas and landmarks
Bankroll for the session:
8) Player errors
Confuse RTP and volatility: RTP determines the average return, not the payout.
Play high-volatility slots without a sufficient bankroll → fast drain.
Wait for "frequent drifts" in slots with max exposure × 10000.
Consider a low-volatility slot "greedy" if the payments are small.
9) The bottom line
Low volatility = frequent small winnings, long sessions, less risk.
Average = balance: moderate payments, alternating between "empty" and successful series.
High = rare large drifts, high dispersion, need a large bankroll.
The choice depends on the goal: if a long game is important, take stable slots; if you need a chance for a big win - highly volatile, but taking into account risk and distance.
Volatility in slots and pokies is a measure of the distribution of winnings:
- low → winnings occur often, but the amounts are small,
- high → winnings are rare, but can be tens or hundreds of times higher than the bet,
- average → balance of the two approaches.
This is not RTP: volatility is responsible for the payout structure, while RTP is responsible for the theoretical long-distance return.
2) Low volatility: Frequent small payouts
Characteristic: many combinations "in plus," payments are close to the size of the bet or a little more.
Gaming experience: the session is smooth, bankroll is consumed slowly, there are fewer "empty" episodes.
Bankroll: 150-250 bets are enough for a comfortable game.
Who fits: beginners, players who want to stay in the game longer and get frequent feedback.
Minus: the chance of a major skid is limited (maximum multipliers are low).
3) Average Volatility: Balance Sheet
Characteristics: payments less often, but more tangible; there are still frequent "supporting" wins.
Gaming experience: alternation of "empty" series and average level of winnings; bonuses give a significant portion of the return.
Bankroll: optimal 250-400 bets.
To whom it suits: those who want a balance between a long game and the chance of a noticeable win.
Minus: with a short distance, both "empty" sessions and successful jerks are possible - the result is less predictable.
4) High volatility: rare but large drifts
Characteristics: many "empty" spins, bonuses are rare, but can bring multipliers × 500, × 1000 and higher.
Gaming experience: "sawtooth" sessions - long periods without events and sharp jumps when hit by a bonus.
Bankroll: it takes ≥400 -600 bets to withstand drawdowns.
Who fits: players with a large bankroll, ready to wait for rare winnings and risk for a major result.
Minus: Most short sessions will be minus without skidding.
5) How volatility is measured
Manufacturers indicate the level (Low/Medium/High) in the specifications.
Indirect markers:
- win rate (Hit Rate),
- Max Exposure,
- distribution of payments by table (many small = low, rare large = high).
- Actual experience: if the slot gives frequent mini-wins, this is low volatility; if dozens of spins are "silent," but produces a × of 200 +, then it is high.
6) Practical selection scenarios
A. Long and even game
Low volatility, all lines at minimum rate.
Goal: retention in the game, minimal drawdowns, more game events.
B. Balance pleasure + chance of medium skid
Average volatility.
Purpose: session with alternating empty and "average" payments, bonuses as a driver of emotions.
C. Hunt for jackpot or large multiplier
High volatility, Megaways, hold-and-spin, link-jackpots.
The goal: to catch a rare event, to accept the risk of long empty episodes.
7) Mini formulas and landmarks
Bankroll for the session:
- low volatility → ≥150 -250 rates,
- average → ≥250 -400 bets,
- high → ≥400 -600 bets.
- Waiting (EV) is the same when RTP is equal: 'EV = × rate (RTP − 100%)'.
- The only difference is how the winnings are distributed over the distance.
8) Player errors
Confuse RTP and volatility: RTP determines the average return, not the payout.
Play high-volatility slots without a sufficient bankroll → fast drain.
Wait for "frequent drifts" in slots with max exposure × 10000.
Consider a low-volatility slot "greedy" if the payments are small.
9) The bottom line
Low volatility = frequent small winnings, long sessions, less risk.
Average = balance: moderate payments, alternating between "empty" and successful series.
High = rare large drifts, high dispersion, need a large bankroll.
The choice depends on the goal: if a long game is important, take stable slots; if you need a chance for a big win - highly volatile, but taking into account risk and distance.
