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Slot variance (or volatility) indicates how frequently the player is likely to win and how big the resulting payouts can be. Low variance slots pay more often but the rewards are relatively small. However, the risk of losing it all is also lower than when spinning for jackpots worth millions. If your priority is to make your balance last and enjoy extended gaming sessions, low volatility titles are the way to go. They may also be a better choice when playing with an active bonus because more frequent wins can help clear the wagering requirements.
Continue reading to learn more about what a low variance slot is, including its pros and cons. We will also show you how to identify low variance slots online and highlight some of the best slot games online that have low volatility.
Low volatility slots are low-risk and low-reward titles with frequently activated special features. Wins come in fairly regularly but none of them will make you rich. What you are likely to get is longer playing sessions and, providing you’ve chosen a high RTP slot, a fair chance of ending up with a small profit. This may be a good time to clarify that the theoretical return (RTP) and variance aren’t one and the same.
RTP represents the percentage of the amount wagered the game is likely to pay back. It’s calculated over a long period of time and many, many spins. Variance, on the other hand, indicates the risk stemming from win frequency and size. Both should be considered when one is deciding which slot to bet on. If the developer hasn’t provided variance info, check the game’s max win potential and how easily its special features are triggered. A massive top reward and difficult to enter bonus rounds are usually indicators of high variance.
Players wondering whether it’s better to play low or high variance slots should answer this question: would you rather receive instant gratification created by frequent, smaller payouts, or suffer long losing streaks in the hope of eventually hitting a jackpot?
Identifying low variance slots isn’t easy. If the developer doesn’t provide the information, you can either play the game or look for clues:
NetEnt’s Starburst has an RTP of 96.09%, 10 paylines and a maximum win of 50,000 coins. During the Starburst Wild feature, Wild icons expand to cover the entire reel and remain fixed while other reels re-spin.
Thunderstruck II from Microgaming pays 243 ways and offers an RTP of 96.65%. There’s one randomly activated feature and 4 bonus rounds. The max win potential is 2.4 million coins (however, achieving the maximum win potential is rare).
1429 Uncharted Seas by Thunderkick features extending Wilds and free spins triggered by 3+ bonus symbols. The game plays with 25 lines, has a theoretical return of 98.6% and offers a top prize of 67,000 coins.
Slot name | Software | Type | Reels | Paylines | RTP | Release year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starburst | NetEnt | Video Slot | 5 | 10 | 96.09% | 2013 |
Thunderstruck II | Microgaming | Video Slot | 5 | 243 | 96.65% | 2010 |
1429 Uncharted Sea | Thunderkick | Video Slot | 5 | 25 | 98.6% | 2014 |
Low variance slots are ideal for players with relatively small bankrolls and those eager to play as long as possible. Frequent small wins might not make them rich but will help keep the balance positive. One thing to watch out for are payouts smaller than bets; they might make one feel like a winner despite the negative impact on the bottom line. Having learned about potential pitfalls and advantages of low variance titles, use the newly acquired knowledge to improve your performance.
🎰 Is it better to play low or high variance slots?
It depends on your goals. Low variance slots are better if you want extended playtime, whereas high variance slots are suitable if you're aiming for large payouts.
🎰 Are Low Volatility Games Less Risky?
Overall, low volatility slot games are much less risky than high volatility options. This is because you are more likely to win when playing them. These games are low risk, low reward. Even if you were to bet the maximum amount on a low volatility game, you would still have a much greater chance of landing a win compared to a similar wager on high volatility games.
🎰 Is it impossible to receive big payouts when playing low variance slots?
It’s possible to score larger prizes in addition to small wins. However, because players are frequently rewarded with small payouts, big jackpots are even harder to score than in highly volatile games.
🎰 What Are Good Tips For Playing Low Volatility Slots?
A top tip is that there is no need to play multiple paylines as you can still trigger features without playing them all and it is during features where the most wins are made. Secondly, make sure that you stay away from the gamble feature as this can end your game in the quickest possible time.