St.Lucia While Return to Player (RTP) is important, another metric called ‘volatility’ dictates exactly how your gaming session will feel.
Volatility, or variance, determines the risk level of the game, indicating how often and how much the machine pays out.
The Difference Between High and Low Variance
Low variance games are perfect for players who want to relax and play for hours without losing their money quickly.
Conversely, a high volatility slot might not pay out anything for fifty spins, but then suddenly award a massive 1000x multiplier.
- High volatility slots often feature incredibly complex bonus rounds that are very difficult to trigger
- Low volatility games are the absolute best choice if you are trying to clear a casino bonus wagering requirement
- Megaways 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.
If the top prize is only 500x your bet, the game is almost certainly a low-to-medium volatility machine.
| Volatility Level | Payout Frequency | Win Size |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Very Frequent (Almost every few spins) | Very Small (Keeps you playing) |
| High | Very 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.