What Is Slot Variance?
In maths, variance is a term that refers to how far from the mean or expected result something will deviate.
In gambling, variance or volatility is an indicator of the frequency and volume in which a slot game is likely to pay out. Low variance slots typically generate small, regular payouts, whereas high variance or high volatility slots produce irregular but bigger payouts, with long lean spells of dry spins punctuated by big, blockbuster wins.
When choosing a game to play variance can help a player by showing the likely risk level. High variance online slots carry more risk because the payouts are less frequent and it is possible to burn through a bankroll before seeing any return.
When deciding on your next slot bear in mind then that the kind of games you want may therefore depend upon your preferred risk level – if you are prepared to spend money chasing down a massive win then high variance games are for you. If, however, you want to enjoy some less stressful gameplay, with smaller, more frequent wins, then low variance games should appeal to you.
In almost all cases, high volatility slot machines are built with bonus rounds in which a combination of features like free spins, re-spins and re-triggers, multipliers, sticky and stacked wilds contrive to create moments of sheer adrenaline-pumping excitement as the win balance shoots through the roof. The payoff, of course, is that these moments are rare and generally follow a period where much money is wagered with little in the way of wins.
For this reason, high variance games are preferred by big gamblers and the slot streaming community where players are looking for the high levels of excitement that are produced when a lucrative bonus round is in play when compared to playing a low variance slot.
These games are not for the faint-hearted! But if you’re up for the challenge, they offer some of the most exciting online gambling anywhere!
How to find the Best Casino with High Variance Slots
A quick way to remind yourself of how to measure the frequency of online or mobile slots is to remember that low variance slots are low risk and low rewards. Medium variance slots award average rewards and risk. High variance slots are what excites those who demand high rewards, regardless of how high the risk is. Patience and accepting the fact that wins are less frequent can result in brilliant payouts.
Volatility levels make it easier for players to choose or find the most suited games for their playing style according to different levels of intensity, often measured by degrees of fun and extremity. Conservative players are mostly fans of low to medium variance slots and prefer a high degree of fun while sticking to a set amount of cash funds budget. High volatility slot enthusiasts want both a high degree of fun and the thrill of the risk that enables big spenders and high rollers to enjoy a challenge in every spin.
The Slot Buzz UK casinos offer slots of all volatility levels, whether you like high, medium or low variance slots, there is always the risk of losing, which means playing responsibly is key to a great online experience.
Best High Variance Casinos in the UK
Understanding slots variance and volatility helps you select the slots that make it easier to manage your bankroll. It may sound like it is best to avoid high variance slots if you’re on a strict budget, but higher variance slots have an appeal that is not easy to ignore. The reason why the best high variance casinos in the UK are the most popular is that there are a whole lot of aspects regarding high variance slots that are very attractive. The best high variance slots offer interesting themes, high-paying symbols, big jackpots and stacks of bonus features.
The best high variance slots created by the top software providers can be found at the best high variance casinos. Here is an example of what’s to come once you know how to determine if you’ve found a winner in terms of high variance slots. Activating features such as bonus games and free spin rounds not only take longer but usually have incredible winning potential and impressive rewards. It is not unusual for high variance slots to offer payouts of 5,000x bet up to 20,000x or more.
How To Identify A High Variance Slot at UK Casinos
Online game developers do not always indicate the volatility of a slot, luckily there is a way to figure it out for yourself by heading straight to the paytable. It is important to understand and recognize slot variance and the impact it has on your online slots experience.
Slots at the best UK casino often display max payout in coins, it allows you to determine the variance by working backwards. Divide the maximum payout by the total coin bet to reach a multiplier, it is around 500x or lower, it is a low volatility slot.
If the multiplier value is about 3.000x or higher it is a high volatility slot, and any multiplier in between is most likely to be a medium variance slot. The bet multiplier determines how volatile the slot is, the higher the bet x, the more volatile is the slot machine.
Putting Your High Variance Knowledge to Great Use
It is important to gather enough information to feel confident with your understanding of the differences between high, medium and low variance slots. Explore via free slot machines and decide which feels perfect, and then select the slot perfect for you at the best online casinos that offer high variance slots. TheSlotBuzz hopes our three best high-variance UKGC casino choices to help you match your reward and risk appetite and brings hours of enjoyable play to the table.
All British Casino
Operated by L and L Europe, All British Casino is regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Focussed on providing a safe, fair, and highly entertaining experience to UK players, member benefits include support via email, telephone and live chat. Payment methods include all the most trustworthy options such as Trustly, Paysafecard, and PayPal.
High Variance Slots Variety
Playing high variance slots at All British Casino starts with a 100% welcome bonus plus 10% lifetime cashback bonuses. The huge variety of games includes a mix of low variance games, medium variance slots and high variance slot machines by NetEnt, Microgaming, Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Thunderkick and many others.
Best Microgaming High Variance Slots Casino in the UK
High variance Microgaming slots at All British Casino include Masters of Valhalla, Jungle Jim and the Lost Sphinx, Immortal Glory, Couch Potato, and Immortal Romance. The selection also includes the high variance progressive slot game, Mega Moolah.
The extensive range of high variance slots available on desktops, tablets, and smartphones also include Pragmatic Play titles including Wild Walker, Phoenix Forge, Eye of Cleopatra, and Yum Yum Powerways. It is a great casino to play your favourite high variance slots by BluePrint Gaming such as Fishin Frenzy, Irish Frenzy, and Legacy of Ra Megaways.
Casino Lab
Operated by Genesis Global, Casino Lab is a newer casino catering to players from Great Britain via the best services. Regulated and licensed by the MGA and UKGC, a great range of safe and secure payment methods ensure fast transactions via Paysafecard, PayPal, and Trustly. Multiple languages are supported and members can contact support via telephone, email and live chat.
Exceptional High Variance Slot Game Variety
Casino Lab loves welcoming newcomers and offers a welcome package consisting of a 100% welcome bonus and 300 Reactoonz spins. The extra funds ensure beginner slot players can explore more in terms of slot volatility. High variance game developers in partnership with the Casino Lab include Big Time Gaming, Play N Go, iSoftbet, Push Gaming, Yggdrasil Gaming and Thunderkick.
Best Yggdrasil Gaming High Variance Slots Casino
Casino Lab offers one of the best selections of high variance online slots by Yggdrasil Gaming. Some of the steampunk-themed high variance titles such as Cazino Zeppelin, Cazino Zeppelin Reloaded, and Avatars Gateway Guardians. Brilliant choices also include Gem Rocks, Valley of the Gods, Lightning Joker, and Rainbow Ryan.
All games at Casino Lab are mobile-friendly and some of the top titles also include NetEnt slots such as Gonzo’s Quest, Dead or Alive, Knight Rider, and Starburst XXXTreme. Big Time Gaming high variance megaways slot machines include Gold Megaways, Extra Chilli Megaways, and Star Cluster Megaways.
Barz Casino
Operated by White Hat Gaming, Barz Casino is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. All members enjoy fair gaming in a highly secure and safe online and mobile environment. Banking choices include all the most trusted payment service suppliers including PayPal, Trustly, and Paysafecard. Customer support is offered via email and live chat.
Exciting Range of High Variance Slots
The Barz Casino welcome package including a huge bonus of up to £500 and 50 bonus spins ensure new players have loads of additional funds to enjoy the impressive variety of high variance slots. The sensational array of choices includes the highly volatile slots by Play ‘n Go, Playtech, Push Gaming, ELK Studios, and Red Tiger Gaming.
Best Thunderkick High Variance Slots Casino
Barz is the best casino to play high variance slots by Thunderkick such as Gods of Rock, 1429 Uncharted Seas and Odin’s Gamble. Great slot machine titles offering high variance play also include Baron Bloodmore, Lava Lava, Big Fin Bay, and Dragon Horn. The Beat The Beast series of slots offers highly volatile play and includes five super exciting titles.
Big Time Gaming is known for creating some of the most volatile slots even more popular for payouts reaching around 25,000x to 50,000x. Play the best and the latest release available across all platforms including Wild Portals, Slot Vegas Megaways, White Rabit and The Final Countdown.
What are your Favourite High Variance slots?
We hope this list of high variance online slots has been insightful and that we have covered some of your favourites with a bit of slot variance too. Playing high variance slots is fun and exciting and we love to hear from online slots players about your favourite online slots. With such a variety of higher variance slots with high paying symbols, bonus rounds and bonus features allowing for further free spins and massive wins we are always on the lookout to see what high RTP slots our readers are playing.
Let us know if we have missed any of your favourite casino games with a high variance! Slot Buzz takes pride in writing about online gambling and popular slots of all shapes and sizes, from huge wins on high-risk slots, to low variance games and all the different ways to win and maximise your experience. Tell us what your favourite high variance slots are so that we can see the different features they offer to see what the bigger winner is to determine your next big win potential!
HIGH VARIANCE SLOTS – THE FINAL WORD
This selection of high variance slot machine games is only a drop in the ocean of what is available for casino players right now. There are lots of slots to choose from, and more new slot games on release every month that have high volatility – check out our new online slots page for regular updates.
The important thing to remember when playing these games is to adjust your mentality and stake to suit them. You will most likely need to play with smaller stakes than you normally would if you want to make your bankroll last. Games like Dead or Alive and 300 Shields can eat through a £50 budget at 50p a spin in no time, so choose to play at the lower end of the scale if that’s what you’re playing with.
But above all, game responsibly, and have fun! Good luck!
Contributors
Liam is a veteran in the online slots industry, on both sides of the reels. As Editor-in-Chief of The Slot Buzz, he puts his iGaming passion into every article. In his own words "finding reputable online slot sites can be difficult at the best of times, I want to ensure players can uncover the most trusted sites and top-rated games with ease."
FAQ’s
CAN I RECEIVE A WELCOME BONUS WHEN PLAYING HIGH VARIANCE SLOTS?
Yes. All of the online casinos mentioned in this article provide welcome packages with bonus funds, bonus spins, and even a first deposit bonus to beginner slot players and new customers.
WHAT BONUS FEATURES CAN BE FOUND IN HIGHER VARIANCE SLOTS?
There are plenty of bonus features found in high variance slot games. Additional features include high paying symbols, expanding symbols like expanding wilds, a scatter symbol, bonus spin rounds, and many more that add to the gameplay of a video slot. Oftentimes the bonus features found in high variance slots are similar to those found in medium variance slots and low variance slot games.
SHOULD I AVOID HIGH VARIANCE SLOTS?
High variance slots rarely award medium or even small-sized payouts and are therefore well-suited for anyone with a reasonably sized budget loving the thrill part of taking risks. In the event that a win occurs via the fewer high paying symbols in such slots, it's mega win time.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE VOLATILITY OF AN ONLINE SLOT MACHINE?
In most cases, the slot machine volatility is added by the software developer in the paytable or rules section. Another way to determine the volatility of the slot is to view the jackpot size, those with massive jackpot payouts pay infrequently. It's not possible to rely on the size of the jackpot only, some slots are highly volatile due to large bonus payouts, random features, cascading reels or megaways.
IS IT SAFE TO SAY HIGH LIMIT SLOT MACHINES HAS MUCH BETTER ODDS?
Slots with more paylines are often less volatile since your odds of hitting payouts are higher. Therefore, high limit slots are less volatile mostly, can offer a higher payback overall, although these are often not as volatile.
