Slot Volatility Explained: How Risk Levels Impact Your Slot Play

In low volatility slots, winning mixes take place often. However, the payouts are usually smaller. These video games are ideal for players seeking more extended playing sessions, constant wins, and reduced threat of significant losses. Low volatility slots are a popular choice for casual gamers and those checking out the world of online gambling 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 video 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 payments, Starburst Wilds expand on the 3 middle reels to give you wild reels and complimentary re-spins. With approximately 3 wild reels and 3 re-spins, max wins can reach 500 x wager per spin/re-spin.


If you wish to attempt the very best low volatility slots, take a look at my guide to the top 10:


Best Low Volatility Slots in the UK


⚖ Medium Volatility Slots


- Balanced payout frequency and size.

- Suitable for a mix of excitement and sustain.

- Popular amongst routine gamers.


Medium volatility slots strike a balance in between low and high volatility video games. They offer a blend of moderate payments and fairly frequent wins. Players who delight in a mix of enjoyment and a chance at more substantial benefits typically discover 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 launched online in 2012 and has an ancient Egyptian theme. With 5 reels and 20 paylines, you can spin far from 20p a spin. It focuses on the Cleopatra Bonus Game where you start with 15 complimentary spins and a 3x multiplier. With more free spins to be won (as much as 180 in total), a win including a Cleopatra Wild will see the win doubled. Max wins can reach 10,000 x bet.


High Volatility Slots


- Rare wins.

win capacity.

- 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 video games provide infrequent but considerable payouts. They are designed to accommodate risk-takers and thrill-seekers, along with those who have actually established advanced gaming strategies. Playing high-volatility slots can cause longer durations without wins, however landing a big win can be profoundly gratifying.


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 perhaps the most popular online slot video game ever. With 5 reels and 10 paylines, you join traveler Rich Wilde on quest for covert Egyptian riches. Playable from 10p a spin, it's everything about the Free Spins function where you begin with 10 totally free spins and a randomly-chosen special broadening symbol. When it lands, it expands to take control of all reels it appears on. With unlimited totally free spins up for grabs, a screen filled with Rich Wilde symbols will offer you 5,000 x wager max wins. Due to the excitement of chasing after big wins, Book of Dead is the subject of many complimentary spins no wagering offers.


Wish to play the very best high volatility slots? My article highlights the top 10 (which likewise include severe and ridiculous volatility choices):


Best High Volatility Slots in the UK


Extreme Volatility Slots


- Designed for big wins and swings.

- Big droughts are regular.

- Not for the faint-hearted.


Introduced by Nolimit City with the Tombstone slot video game in May 2019, extreme volatility slots are a step above high volatility levels. With the capacity for big wins, expect baron spells and your bankroll to be decimated typically. Extreme difference slot video games are for more skilled players chasing after 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 ways to win, you can play from 20p a spin. There are great deals of bonus features including a conveyor belt that provides you stacked symbols, wild improvements and split signs for more ways to win. Scatters open a fifth reel and there are 2 free spins features where Mr Split & Chainsaw and Benzo Bears modifiers come into play. It features 57,000 x bet max wins.


☠ Insane Volatility Slots


- A Nolimit City principle.

- Huge max wins (approximately 500,000 x bet).

- Brutal variation: many wins will be lower than your bet.


Rather outside of the spectrum of 'normal' volatility ratings for online slots, crazy volatility slots were presented 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 launched 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)


Tombstone Slaughter 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 ultimate outrageous volatility slot video game. Embed in the Wild West and based upon El Gordo's daughter's mission for revenge, it features 16 reward functions, a 9.39% hit frequency rate (a win every 10.65 spins) and an xRIP function where wins lower than your bet are discarded! More importantly, it uses the highest win capacity of any online slot game: a mind-blowing 500,000 x your overall bet.