Most players tend to disregard variance, also known as volatility, when looking to play slots or other online casino games. Instead, they will focus more on finding a game that appeals to them based on its theme, graphics and minimum bet. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, as these factors form part of why online slots are so popular. However, it might not be the best way to choose casino games.
When deciding to play online slots, you should also consider the science behind slots and the metrics that help you assess your risk every time you sit down to spin the reels. Variance, or volatility, is one such metric to take into account. But what exactly does variance mean, and should you be looking to play high or low-variance games? Find out everything you need to know in our guide.
What are high-variance slot machines?
Usually, you will find a diverse range of online casino slot games offering either low or medium volatility or even slots with high volatility. Highly volatile slot machines are one variety of slots that you can play at an online casino, with high variance referring to the risk inherent to the game. To give yourself a better chance at winning, it is essential to know the volatility of the online slots that you choose to play.
Understanding high-variance slots
Understanding online slot variance is important if you consider making the most of your gameplay. This is because it helps you determine the payout of a slot machine and its payout frequency. Variance is not to be confused with the Return to Player percentage (RTP), which is the amount a slot pays back over a large number of spins. Variance can be simply put as the payout ratio of a slot machine. Many high-variance slot games will have around the same RTP value as low and medium-volatility slots.
High-volatility vs. low-variance online slots
High-volatility slot machines rarely offer small and medium-sized wins and are mostly for players who are willing to take a risk and are on a good budget. This is because these slot games, sometimes referred to as jackpot slots, offer fewer high payout symbols, but in the event that these symbols appear, players are in for a mega win. Of course, every punter wants to win big, and these are the online slots to do so. However, players may experience many losses before they might get a big win.
If you are on a low bankroll, you may want to consider low-volatility slots. These offer the best casino odds as they pay out more frequently, even if the payouts are smaller. It’s better to win small than not to win at all, which is why some players start with low-variance games as a strategy to build up toward high-variance games. For instance, bet small, and if you score a bigger win, then you can increase your bet size and aim for a larger win, then switch to high-volatility slots once you are comfortable taking a bigger risk.
The amount of money you have on your bankroll will determine if you should play high, medium or low-variance slot machines. For instance, $100 may last for 60 minutes or less on high-variance slot machines, whereas the same amount could last over 240 minutes on low-variance slots. With low-variance games, there is a good chance that you would have made a lot of small wins in an hour. Whereas with high variance games, you would have either depleted your money by then or become a big winner.
The best low-bet slots at an online casino will also feature big wins while having you play for an extended period. While low-variance games may pay between 250x to 500x your bet, high-variance casino slots will pay from 3,000x to 10,000x your initial wager.
Medium-variance slots, on the other hand, fall somewhere between the two variants. They have the potential to offer players a mix of both low and high-jackpot prizes. These are great for players looking to enjoy the best of both worlds.
How to decide whether to play high or low-variance slots
Now that you understand the difference between the various levels of variance and volatility, you need to decide which suits you best.
Here is a slot machine volatility chart to help identify what type of player you are and what level of volatility or variance you should choose:
| Volatility/Variance | Who should play |
| High | High rollerBig risk-takerPatient players (will wait for the big wins and bonus features to be triggered)Don’t mind losing in the short term |
| Medium-High | High rollersMedium to big risk-takersSemi-patient (will wait for big wins but need a few smaller wins along the way)Experienced enough to withstand losses in the short term |
| Medium | Limited bankroll Medium risk-taker Slightly impatient (prepared to wait for the larger wins but need to make smaller wins to keep the bankroll going)Some experience but can’t afford to lose too much in the short term |
| Low-Medium | Very limited bankrollLow risk-takerImpatient (can’t wait too lonto offern because of limited bankroll but prepared to hold out a little for the odd big win)Newish players with a taste for more but constrained by low bankroll |
| Low | Small bankrollExtremely low risk-takerVery impatient (need immediate gratification to remain invested in the game)New players |
How to find high-variance slot machines
Finding high-variance slot machines is a simple task – if we should call it a task at all. Players can spot a high-volatility slot by simply looking at the paytable of the game they wish to play. The first sign of a high-variance game would be fewer winning symbols. At most, there will be nine of them or fewer. The amount that each symbol pays will be much higher than you would see in other online slot machines. More so, this type of game has bonus features like free spins, wilds and scatter symbols.
Action-packed high-variance online slots and new casino games get released all the time. This is because they are in high demand as they pay very well. Every self-respecting casino provider wants to have a wide range of such games on their portfolio.
Best high-variance slots list
Deciding on the best online slots you want to play has a very big impact on how much you stand to make at a casino. This is why you need to consider variance if you are looking to win big prizes when playing slots. Below is a list of some of the best high-RTP high-volatility slots.
- Pyramid: Quest for Immortality by NetEnt: Pays up to $8,870,000
- The Wish Master by NetEnt: Offers more than 900,000 coins
- Bonanza by Big Time Gaming: Has 117,649 ways to win
- Great Blue slot by Playtech: Pays 10,000x your bet
- Dead or Alive (Sticky Wilds) by NetEnt: Pays 8,000x your bet
- Book of the Dead by Play ‘n Go: Pays 5,000x your bet
- Immortal Romance by Microgaming: Pays up to 3,645,000 coins
- Spin Party by Play ‘n Go: Pays 5,000x your bet
- Raging Rhino by WMS: Offers 4,096 ways to win and multipliers up to 81x
- Viking Runecraft by Play ‘n Go: Pays 5,000x your bet
Winning strategy for high-volatility slots
Before attempting to play any game, it is essential to have some form of strategy to help you win – even if it means using general techniques. Luckily for you, we have some tips and tricks you can try when playing high-volatility slots, and they are as follows:
- Set a budget and stick to it: Bankroll management is the first thing that you need to master to have a successful gambling experience. This will help you play responsibly.
- Choose high-RTP high-variance games: If you want to enjoy your slot gaming to the max, then you want to play games that offer both high RTP as well as high volatility.
- Bet wisely: Start small and increase your wagers as you go. Also, do your research on the slot games that you wish to play and try out different strategies to see which one works for you.
- Prepare for no payouts: High-variance games won’t pay out in every spin – and neither will any other slot – so prepare for some dry spins.
- Take breaks: Slots are fast-paced games, which is why it’s okay to take breaks when you feel exhausted after playing for some time or when you are on a losing streak.
Enjoy exciting slots and more at Borgata Online
So now that you know how high-variance slots work, why not try your luck and give our range of high-variance online slot machines a try? All you need to do is register at Borgata Online casino so you can play slots online, as well as the many other exciting games, including online roulette, live dealer games, variety games, and even virtual sports!