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Variance, or volatility, is not typically among many players’ criteria when choosing a slot. Most will look for a high RTP, bonus features, bet size, or just a theme that they like, but not that many will consider the slot’s variance. However, there is a good reason they should, especially if they’re playing for the win rather than just for fun.
A slot’s variance can be considered to be a combination of several aspects: how often it pays, i.e. how often symbols form a winning combination, the size of the payouts in the base game and bonus rounds, and its RTP (return to player). Variance is not measured in percentages like RTP so it may not seem that tangible. The standard categorization of slots based on their variance is high, medium, and low.
Typically, a slot is considered to be highly volatile (or high variance) if it pays big but not frequent rewards. They’re typically preferred by high rollers who have the bankroll to play through enough spins and ultimately scoop the big prize.
High variance slots utilize the same mechanics and themes as other slots – they can be classic fruit machines, elaborate level-up video slots with cascading reels, or standard five-reel setups with conventional paylines.
They just offer more dynamic gameplay with fewer but bigger wins between rounds. That’s why they appeal to the thrill-seeking advanced players who don’t mind waiting (and betting) for that huge payout.
Variance is not as easy to pinpoint as RTP, so you may need to do some research in order to establish it. Some developers like Play’n GO describe their slots’ volatility simply as low, medium, and high, while others like Pragmatic Play measure it on a 1 – 5 scale.
If you’re not sure whether a slot is highly volatile, look at its paytable. Whereas a low variance slot will have a top payout of something like 500x the bet size, high variance slots will offer winnings of 10, even 100 times that. These payouts of 5,000x or even 50,000x bet size might come from fixed jackpots, progressive jackpots, a feature like a modifier or a multiplier, or a bonus round specific to the slot.
It’s also a good idea to read slot reviews as most will mention how volatile the game is. Take a look at our list of the best high variance slots and make sure to read the reviews where we discuss their volatility and other features. Of course, you can also try these high volatility slots for free with the demo versions we’ve provided and build your own strategy.
