20+ years in the gambling industry including 13+ years playing and reviewing slots.
If you’re new to slot sites, or even a regular spinner, understanding slot volatility is one of the smartest ways to take control of your gameplay. It’s not just a buzzword: it’s a key part of how slots behave, and why some games feel like a steady trickle of wins, while others are all about long dry spells punctuated by heart-racing big hits.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about volatility in slot games, from the technical bits to how it actually impacts your session. You’ll also find links to some of the best demo slots across all volatility levels.
What Is Slot Volatility?
What does volatility mean in slots? Well, slot volatility, all known as variance or risk level, defines how a slot game pays out over time: specifically, how often and how much you’re likely to win.
The spectrum of slots volatility extends from high to low. If the volatility is lower, your wins are more frequent, however with typically smaller payouts. Conversely, higher volatility leads to less frequent wins, but those wins are usually more substantial. However, slot games can be broadly classified into 5 volatility levels:
- Low Volatility Slots = frequent but smaller wins
- Medium Volatility Slots: balance between frequent and rare wins as well as smaller/big wins
- High Volatility Slots: rare but potentially large wins
- Extreme Volatility Slots: even rarer wins with the potential to be very big
- Insane Volatility Slots: this is the highest possible setting where wins are very rare but can be huge
It’s important to note that there are slot games that fall between these volatility levels such as low-to medium volatility slots and medium to high volatility games.
Slot providers set volatility levels to shape the playing experience. The same RTP (Return to Player) can apply to both a low and high volatility slot, but how that RTP plays out will feel very different.
Slot Volatility vs RTP: What's the Difference?
One of the most common misconceptions in online slots is that RTP and volatility are closely linked. They serve very different purposes:
- RTP (Return to Player): is a theoretical percentage that indicates how much a slot pays back to players over the long term. For example, a 96% RTP means the slot pays out £96 for every £100 wagered on average.
- Volatility: determines the pattern of payouts - how frequently and how big those wins are. A game with a 96% RTP can be low volatility (frequent small wins) or high volatility (occasional big wins).
Practical Example: 2 Slot Games have a 96% RTP
- Slot A (Low Volatility): You win often, but mostly 2 or 3 x your total bet.
- Slot B (High Volatility): You can go 50 spins with no win, then hit 5,000 x bet win.
RTP is long-term math. Volatility is how the game feels in a real session. Understanding the difference helps you manage your expectations, and your bankroll. The longer you play, the closer to the slot game’s RTP you’ll actually get.
If you’re curious about how RTP actually works (and why it can be misleading in short sessions), check out our full guide to RTP in slot games.
Slot Volatility Levels: A Clear Breakdown
Slot volatility isn’t always clearly labelled on games, but most fall into 1 of these 5 broad levels:
🎈 Low Volatility Slots
- Frequent Wins
- Smaller payouts
- Longer play sessions
- Ideal for casual players or those will smaller budgets
In low volatility slots, winning combinations occur frequently. However, the payouts are generally smaller. These games are ideal for players seeking more extended playing sessions, steady wins, and reduced risk of significant losses. Low volatility slots are a popular choice for casual players and those exploring the world of online gambling for the first time.
Featured Low Volatility Slot: Starburst (NetEnt)
- RTP: 96.09%
- Max Win: 500x
- Volatility: Low
- Stakes: 10p to £5
- Release Date: 20 June 2012
The most popular low volatility slot game is NetEnt’s iconic Starburst. Released in June 2012, this space-themed extravaganza has 5 reels and 10 paylines. Playable from 10p per spin, it comes with mesmerising graphics and animations. With Win Both Ways payouts, Starburst Wilds expand on the 3 middle reels to give you wild reels and free re-spins. With up to 3 wild reels and 3 re-spins, max wins can reach 500 x bet per spin/re-spin.
⚖️ Medium Volatility Slots
- Balanced payout frequency and size
- Suitable for a mix of thrill and sustain
- Popular among regular players
Medium volatility slots strike a balance between low and high volatility games. They offer a blend of moderate payouts and reasonably frequent wins. Players who enjoy a mix of excitement and a chance at more substantial rewards often find medium volatility slots most appealing.
Featured Medium Volatility Slot: Cleopatra (IGT)
- RTP: 95.02%
- Max Win: 10,000x
- Volatility: Medium
- Stakes: 20p to £5
- Release Date: 11 January 2012
One of the most popular medium volatility slots is Cleopatra from IGT. This land-based favourite was released online in 2012 and has an ancient Egyptian theme. With 5 reels and 20 paylines, you can spin away from 20p a spin. It focuses on the Cleopatra Bonus Game where you begin with 15 free spins and a 3x multiplier. With more free spins to be won (up to 180 in total), a win involving a Cleopatra Wild will see the win doubled. Max wins can reach 10,000 x bet.
🔥 High Volatility Slots
- Rare wins
- Bigger win potential
- Riskier, adrenaline-fuelled sessions
High volatility slots are where the action intensifies and is the most frequent level attributed to slot games these days. These games offer infrequent but substantial payouts. They are designed to cater to risk-takers and thrill-seekers, as well as those who have developed advanced gaming strategies. Playing high-volatility slots can lead to longer periods without wins, but landing a big win can be immensely rewarding.
Featured High Volatility Slot: Book of Dead (Play ‘n GO)
- RTP: 96.21%
- Max Win: 5,000x
- Volatility: High
- Stakes: 10p to £5
- Release Date: 14 January 2016
Released by Play ‘n GO in January 2016, Book of Dead is arguably the most popular online slot game ever. With 5 reels and 10 paylines, you join adventurer Rich Wilde on quest for hidden Egyptian riches. Playable from 10p a spin, it’s all about the Free Spins feature where you start with 10 free spins and a randomly-chosen special expanding symbol. When it lands, it expands to take over all reels it appears on. With unlimited free spins up for grabs, a screen full of Rich Wilde symbols will give you 5,000 x bet max wins. Due to the thrill of chasing big wins, Book of Dead is the subject of countless free spins no wagering offers.
💥 Extreme Volatility Slots
- Designed for huge wins and swings
- Big dry spells are frequent
- Not for the faint-hearted
Introduced by Nolimit City with the Tombstone slot game in May 2019, extreme volatility slots are a step above high volatility levels. With the potential for huge wins, expect baron spells and your bankroll to be decimated more often than not. Extreme variance slot games are for more seasoned players chasing the ultimate win.
Featured Extreme Volatility Slot: Land of the Free (Nolimit City)
- RTP: 96.08%
- Max Win: 57,000x
- Volatility: Extreme
- Stakes: 20p to £5
- Release Date: 23 January 2024
Released in January 2024, Land of the Free sees you join the Langford redneck trailer park family. With 4 reels and 256 ways to win, you can play from 20p a spin. There are lots of bonus features including a conveyor belt that gives you stacked symbols, wild transformations and split symbols for more ways to win. Scatters open a 5th reel and there are 2 free spins features where Mr Split & Chainsaw and Benzo Bears modifiers come into play. It comes with 57,000 x bet max wins.
☠️ Insane Volatility Slots
- A Nolimit City concept
- Huge max wins (up to 500,000 x bet)
- Brutal variance: most wins will be lower than your bet
Rather outside of the spectrum of 'normal' volatility ratings for online slots, insane volatility slots were introduced by Nolimit City in August 2021 with the release of Mental. Set inside a sinister asylum, it comes with 66,666 x bet max wins. Nolimit City then released Tombstone RIP in January 2022 which coincided with the biggest max win (at the time) of 300,000 x bet!
Featured Insane Volatility Slot: Tombstone Slaughter (Nolimit City)
- RTP: 96.01%
- Max Win: 500,000x
- Volatility: Insane
- Stakes: 20p to £5
- Release Date: 28 January 2025
Released in January 2025, Tombstone Slaughter is the ultimate insane volatility slot game. Set in the Wild West and based on El Gordo’s daughter’s quest for revenge, it comes with 16 bonus features, a 9.39% hit frequency rate (a win every 10.65 spins) and an xRIP feature where wins lower than your bet are discarded! More importantly, it offers the highest win potential of any online slot game: a mind-blowing 500,000 x your total bet.
The Impact of Volatility on Gameplay
The volatility of a slot game can really make a difference between one game to the next specifically in the value of wins. One aspect of high volatility slots is that many, in fact most wins, will be less than the bet of the spin: for example, a £1 bet may return lots of 40p 'wins', which, of course, actually 60p losses! This also means that when the big wins come along, very infrequently, they retain the potential of being huge.
Slot volatility can be the game changer! High volatility slots may often offer 'wins' smaller than your bet, while the infrequent big wins have the potential to be massive! Consider these factors in line with your bankroll. To summarise:
🎉Entertainment Value
- Low Volatility: constant action, good for relaxed sessions
- High Volatility: intense and suspenseful, with long dry spells
💼 Bankroll Strategy
- Low Volatility: ideal for smaller budgets
- High Volatility: demands a bigger bankroll to ride out losses
🎁 Bonus Rounds & Jackpots
- Low Volatility: easier to trigger bonus features, but lower max potential
- High Volatility: harder to trigger, but more explosive rewards
Choosing the Right Volatility Level for You
Selecting the ideal slot volatility level depends on your gaming preferences, risk appetite, and budget/bankroll size. To assist you further, you need to match volatility to your:
🎯 Goals
Do you want a shot at huge wins, or just some light fun without draining your balance? Risk-averse players should opt for low volatility games whilst more daring players should look at more volatile options.
💰 Budget
High, extreme or insane volatility slots can be unforgiving. If your bankroll is limited, consider lower-risk options.
🕹️ Personality
Some players thrive on high-stakes tension. Others prefer a steady flow of wins. Neither is wrong: just know what suits you.
Final Thoughts: Why Volatility Matters
Slot volatility shapes everything: from how often you win to how fun (or frustrating) a game feels. Whether you’re aiming for max wins in an insane volatility slot or just looking to extend a tenner over a chilled session, knowing your volatility level helps you:
- Manage risk
- Choose the right games
- Get more from your slot time
A slot game’s volatility level is an essential factor to consider when choosing what game to play, making it as influential as the provider who created it, mechanics used, slot theme, graphics, or bonus features.
The spectrum of slots volatility starts from 'Insane' and trickles down to low volatility. Insane and extreme volatility slots, brought to us by Nolimit City, possess immense potential for staggering wins albeit alongside higher risk levels.
High volatility slots, a common facet of present-day online slots, offer fewer yet noteworthy wins aimed at those fond of risk-taking and employing game strategies. Medium volatility slots strike a harmony between risk and reward, providing enticing rewards with frequent enough wins. Low volatility slots, meanwhile, focus on consistent smaller wins, reducing the risk of substantial losses and catering to casual players.
Volatility significantly impacts gameplay, differently influencing winning and losing sessions, bonus features, and jackpots, along with the overall thrill of the game. Hence, it is crucial in managing your bankroll, particularly when playing high volatility slots as they demand a larger bankroll to endure potential losing streaks.
Selecting the appropriate volatility requires careful consideration of your gaming preferences, risk appetite, and bankroll size so as to enhance your gaming experience and potentially boost your winnings. Therefore, choosing the right slot game is more than just zeroing into an appealing theme, it's about aligning the game's volatility with your personal gaming ambitions. Remember, every spin counts, make it work in your favour. Happy spinning!
Quick Recap
- Low volatility = steady, smaller wins
- High volatility = rare, big wins
- Volatility x RTP — both affect gameplay differently
- Match volatility to your budget, mindset and goals
