How To Tell If A Casino Slot Machine Is Volatile

While Return to Player (RTP) is important, another metric called 'volatility' dictates exactly how your gaming session will feel.


Understanding a game's volatility is the absolute key to choosing a machine that matches your budget and your expectations.

Decoding High Risk vs. Low Risk Slots

If a machine constantly gives you back half your bet or small profits every few spins, it is a low volatility game.


High variance games are incredibly risky; they will drain your budget rapidly, but offer the chance for life-changing payouts.

High volatility slots often feature incredibly complex bonus rounds that are very difficult to triggerLow volatility games are the absolute best choice if you are trying to clear a casino bonus wagering requirementMegaways slots are notoriously high variance, offering thousands of ways to win but long periods of 'dead spins'
Spotting the Signs of High Variance

The fastest way to determine a machine's behavior is to look at the maximum possible win multiplier.


Furthermore, if the lowest-paying symbols don't even cover the cost of your spin, the machine is highly volatile.

Volatility LevelPayout FrequencyWin SizeLowVery Frequent (Almost every few spins)Very Small (Keeps you playing)HighVery Rare (Long dry spells)Massive (Huge multipliers)

Matching the game's mathematical profile to your personal bankroll is the secret to a successful casino session.