Slots Variance: High & Medium & Low Volatility slots

Slot variance is mostly ignored by casino players. Most slot players do not even know what slot variance is. However, variance slots selected correctly will allow you to manage your budget much more efficiently by determining your winning frequency. Variance slot information also shows what type of wins you should expect from that game. In other words, the knowledge of slot variance is one of the most valuable information for a professional gambler.

In this guide, we will talk about variance slots in more detail, explain this concept with examples, and give a list of the best variance slot games in different categories. If you want to play like a pro at slot machines, keep reading.

What Does Slot Variance Mean?

All online slots have various technical characteristics. Some of these features show you how much of your investment you can win back by playing games like free online poker machines. Return to player info, for example, gives you this information. Others show how often the slot machine will pay. Likewise, it is also possible to have an idea of ​​whether the payment will be low or a big win. You can obtain all this information by learning the variance type of slot machines. In other words, the variance of the slot gives you information about two things:

  1. How often will online slots pay off?
  2. Will the online slot payouts be big or small?

At this point, it is important to note that the variance slot information does not specify 100% accuracy. In other words, it is not possible to know exactly how many spins will be needed to win in slot games that you know are high variance. High variance information only indicates that the payment frequency will be low.

Likewise, you cannot know exactly how much the payout size of a low variance slot will be, for example. Low variance information only indicates that the payment amounts will be low. While it is not possible to achieve 100% certainty, variance slot information is still invaluable as it allows you to make choices that fit your budget and your playing habits.

After this preliminary information, we can now move on to the answer to the question of what is slot variance. Here’s what you need to know about this feature, which is divided into three categories: high variance, medium variance, and low variance:

  • High variance slots have low payout frequency but high payout amounts.
  • Low variance slots payout frequency is high, but the payout amounts are low.
  • The payment frequency and the payment amounts of medium variance slot games are average.

While there are various sub-variance categories like low medium, basically, these are your options. You can be sure that you will encounter high variance slots and low variance slots the most. These options include the largest number of games for which, by the way, you can get casino bonuses online. Before continuing with the variance slot topic, let’s answer an important question. Is there a difference between variance and volatility? Do high variance and high volatility mean the same?

Variance Slots vs Volatility Slots: Is There a Difference?

Volatility and variance are financial terms. In the financial sector, they have completely different meanings. The variance shows how the risk will be distributed. Volatility represents the size of the risk. In other words, they are terms that indicate the size of the risk you take and what the return of your investment will be, and they are especially important in stock investments. To put it simply, high variance investments yield results in the long run and pay high. High volatility investments refer to transactions whose prices vary greatly in a short time. For example, Bitcoin is a volatile investment type.

This distinction is also valid for slot games to some extent, but we do not need to point out that slots are different from financial investments. For slot players, these two terms have practically the same meaning. So, for example, high variance slots and high volatility slots are the same things. Low variance slots and low volatility slots mean the same too. Slot players can only focus on the high-medium-low distinction. They do not need to think about the distinction between variance slots and volatility slots because, in practice, the two are the same thing.

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Slot Variance Types

We have briefly listed the variance slot types above, but now it’s time to explain them in a little more detail. With this information, you can easily choose the slots that best suit your budget and expectations.

  • High Variance Slots: Progressive jackpots are the best example of high variance slots. High variance games do not pay off in the short term: You have to make a large number of spins to get a win. However, when they pay, the amount will be quite big. Progressive jackpots work exactly this way. You have to make countless spins to win the big prize, but the payout is worth the money and time spent. High variance slots are suitable for slot players without budget issues.
  • Low Variance Slots: Low variance games pay frequently, but the amount of these payouts is low. In other words, you cannot (mostly) earn numbers that will make you a millionaire. However, you will start getting your investment back faster, and winning regularly can provide a more enjoyable gaming experience. Low variance games are suitable for players with limited budgets. Even with a small amount of bankroll, you can play low variance games for hours.
  • Medium Variance Slots: Unlike high variance and low variance slot games, these literally represent the average. Frequencies and amounts of payments are neither high nor low, but satisfactory in any case. They are a better choice than high variance and low variance games for casual players who care about the experience itself and do not want to deal with issues such as payment frequency.

Which one to choose is a decision you have to make according to your budget and expectations. In terms of entertainment, there is no difference between slot variance types. High variance and low variance games offer the same thrill. Therefore, choose the one that suits you best. As we will explain in more detail below, the variance type has nothing to do with the winning chance.

Top High Variance Slots

We explained what high variance is. Now it is time to give some examples. We prepared a list of the best high variance slots for you. You can find them at our recommended online casinos, start playing right away and win real money in pokies apps.

  • White King: Developed by Playtech, this high variance slot contains 5 reels and 40 bet lines. The wild symbol is stacked on all reels, and you can win 5 free spins when the game logo lands on reels 2, 3, and 4 at the same time.
  • Buffalo Blitz: This high variance game is also developed by Playtech and offers 5 reels & 4.096 betways. You can win up to 200 free spins with a 5x multiplier. The maximum payout is 250.000 coins.

There are other high variance slot games too, of course, but we recommend starting with these two. They offer fun and big wins.

Top Low Variance Slots

A list of high variance slot games is not enough. We need to give you a list of the best low variance slots too. Because, as explained above, not all players ask for a high variance. Sometimes, low but frequent payouts are much better.

  • Gonzo’s Quest: Developed by NetEnt, this video slot introduced us to the “Avalanche Reels” mechanic. When you win a prize, all symbols that are part of that payout will disappear from the reels, and new ones will drop down from above.
  • Dead or Alive: This is another hidden gem from Netent. It contains 5 reels and 9 bet lines. The wilds are sticky during the free spins round, and they do not disappear from the reels between spins.

Top Medium Variance Slots

High variance slot games are fun, low variance slots pay faster, but there is still an option in between – medium variance slots. These are not high variance slot games, but they will still offer you fun and winnings.

  • Piggy Riches: The slot has 5 reels, 15 paylines, and lots of hungry piggies. This game offers the chance to win up to 100x total bet and 22 spins with a 2x multiplier.
  • Koi Princess: If you like manga girls and a chance to win up to 1.000x total bet, you will like Koi Princess too. It has 5 reels, 20 paylines, and two different free spin features.
  • Game of Thrones: Developed by Microgaming, this video slot is adapted from the TV show with the same name. It contains 243 bet lines and four different free spin features. You can get 18 free spins with a 2x multiplier and 6 stacked symbols, for example.

How Can Slot Variance Help You?

First of all, let’s say that variance type has nothing to do with winning chances. For example, it is not possible to say that your chances of winning are higher or lower in high variance slot games. High variance slot games pay high but with low frequency. This is the only conclusion one can draw from this data. Truth be told, there is no healthy way to measure winning chances in slot games. You can just see how much you can earn in the long run by looking at the RTP values. For example, low variance high RTP slots will pay less but will also allow you to lose less.

Variance knowledge allows you to understand what to expect from that game and whether the game is within your budget. For example, high variance games are not a good choice if you have a tight budget. Likewise, if you only care about winning big and don’t have a budget problem, you shouldn’t go for low variance games. In short, knowledge of variance allows you to choose the online pokies in Australia that suit you best.

Internet Slots FAQ’s

What is the difference between slot variance and volatility?

In terms of online slot games, there is no difference. They mean the same thing. Both these terms define how big the payout of a slot machine will be and how frequent it will pay.

What is a high variance slot game?

A high variance slot is a game that pays big but also pays less frequently. In other words, you need to make more spins to win, but the payout will be big enough.

What is a low variance slot game?

A low variance slot is a game that pays low but very frequently. In other words, you can start winning after a couple of spins, but the payout won’t be that big.

What is a medium variance slot?

Medium variance slots represent the “in-between”: Their payouts and payment frequencies are just neither low nor high, just average.

How can you measure slot variance?

You need to check two things. How often the slot game pays and how much it pays. It is possible to detect the variance type using these two data.

Is a higher or lower variance better?

This depends on your budget and expectations. We can say that high variance games are better for players who do not have a budget problem. But if you are on a limited bankroll, low variance games will be the better choice.

Where can I find the best slot sites for winning?

On our website, of course. We check all online casinos, play all the latest releases, and find out the best places to play slot games, whether they are high variance or low variance.