Slot Volatility Explained: How Risk Levels Impact Your Slot Play
In low volatility slots, winning combinations take place frequently. However, the payouts are normally smaller. These games are ideal for gamers seeking more extended playing sessions, stable wins, and decreased risk of considerable losses. Low volatility slots are a popular option for casual gamers and those checking out the world of online gaming for the very first time.
Featured Low Volatility Slot: Starburst (NetEnt)
Starburst Slot
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 features mesmerising graphics and animations. With Win Both Ways payments, Starburst Wilds expand on the 3 middle reels to offer you wild reels and free re-spins. With up to 3 wild reels and 3 re-spins, max wins can reach 500 x wager per spin/re-spin.
If you want to try the very best low volatility slots, have a look at my guide to the leading 10:
Best Low Volatility Slots in the UK
⚖ Medium Volatility Slots
- Balanced payout frequency and size.
- Suitable for a mix of thrill and sustain.
- Popular among routine gamers.
Medium volatility slots strike a balance in between low and high volatility games. They provide a blend of moderate payments and fairly frequent wins. Players who delight in a mix of excitement and an opportunity at more substantial rewards often find medium volatility slots most attractive.
Featured Medium Volatility Slot: Cleopatra (IGT)
Cleopatra Slot
RTP: 95.02%.
Max Win: 10,000 x.
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 style. With 5 reels and 20 paylines, you can spin away from 20p a spin. It concentrates on the Cleopatra Bonus Game where you begin with 15 free spins and a 3x multiplier. With more complimentary spins to be won (approximately 180 in overall), 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 heightens and is the most frequent level associated to slot video games these days. These games provide irregular however considerable payments. They are created to accommodate risk-takers and thrill-seekers, in addition to those who have developed innovative gaming strategies. Playing high-volatility slots can lead to longer periods without wins, however landing a big win can be tremendously fulfilling.
Featured High Volatility Slot: Book of Dead (Play 'n GO)
Book of Dead Slot
RTP: 96.21%.
Max Win: 5,000 x.
Volatility: Very High.
Stakes: 10p to ₤ 5.
Release Date: 14 January 2016.
Released by Play 'n GO in January 2016, Book of Dead is probably the most popular online slot video 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 begin with 10 complimentary spins and a randomly-chosen unique expanding sign. When it lands, it expands to take over all reels it appears on. With limitless free spins up for grabs, a screen complete of Rich Wilde symbols will offer you 5,000 x bet max wins. Due to the adventure of chasing big wins, Book of Dead is the subject of numerous free spins no betting uses.
Want to play the best high volatility slots? My article highlights the leading 10 (which also include severe and ridiculous volatility options):
Best High Volatility Slots in the UK
Extreme Volatility Slots
- Designed for huge wins and swings.
- Big dry spells are regular.
- Not for the faint-hearted.
Introduced by Nolimit City with the Tombstone slot video game in May 2019, severe volatility slots are an action above high volatility levels. With the potential for big wins, expect baron spells and your bankroll to be annihilated typically. Extreme variance slot video games are for more skilled gamers chasing the supreme win.
Featured Extreme Volatility Slot: Land of the Free (Nolimit City)
RTP: 96.08%.
Max Win: 57,000 x.
Volatility: Extreme.
Stakes: 20p to ₤ 5.
Release Date: 23 January 2024.
Released in January 2024, Land of the Free sees you sign up with the Langford redneck trailer park family. With 4 reels and 256 methods to win, you can play from 20p a spin. There are great deals of bonus offer features consisting of a conveyor belt that offers you stacked signs, wild improvements and split signs 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 features 57,000 x wager max wins.
☠ Insane Volatility Slots
- A Nolimit City concept.
- Huge max wins (approximately 500,000 x bet).
- Brutal variance: a lot of wins will be lower than your bet.
Rather beyond the spectrum of 'regular' volatility scores for online slots, ridiculous volatility slots were introduced by Nolimit City in August 2021 with the release of Mental. Set inside a sinister asylum, it includes 66,666 x bet max wins. Nolimit City then released Tombstone RIP in January 2022 which accompanied the greatest max win (at the time) of 300,000 x wager!
Featured Insane Volatility Slot: Tombstone Slaughter (Nolimit City)
Slot
RTP: 96.01%.
Max Win: 500,000 x.
Volatility: Insane.
Stakes: 20p to ₤ 5.
Release Date: 28 January 2025.
Released in January 2025, Tombstone Slaughter is the supreme crazy volatility slot game. Set in the Wild West and based on El Gordo's child's quest for revenge, it includes 16 bonus offer functions, a 9.39% hit frequency rate (a win every 10.65 spins) and an xRIP function where wins lower than your bet are disposed of! More importantly, it uses the greatest win potential of any online slot game: a mind-blowing 500,000 x your total bet.
