Slot machines are a great way for beginner gamblers to start their journey at an online casino. While slots are widely considered purely luck-based casino games, there are actually quite a few aspects that can affect how often you win while playing slots. For this reason, it’s incredibly important that players consider aspects such as slot variance or slot volatility and RTP percentages.
While low volatility slots are usually assigned to less experienced gamblers, even old hands find themselves playing low variance slots and for good reason too. High volatility slots may provide a more thrilling experience through a greater variety of outcomes, however, you’ll certainly find more frequent payouts from low variance slots.
In this guide, newcasinos.io will delve deeper into the often overlooked slot machines. Handing both beginner and experienced gamblers valuable information surrounding slot variance, why it should be considered and a list of the best low volatility slot machines.
A List Of The Best Low Variance Slot Machines in 2022
Before we cover all the nitty gritty information regarding low variance slots. If you’re pressed for time you can simply take a look at the list of best low variance high RTP slots the newcasinos.io team could find.
Starburst – NetEnt
NetEnt’s Starburst is possibly the most popular online slot game of all time. This classic slot machine has kept players satisfied with a stunning cosmic atmosphere. The backdrop of this slot machine sees a shooting star zoom across a space setting. With Starburst, the action is non-stop, offering a 96.09% RTP, 5 reels and 10 pay lines! It’s really no wonder Starbust has been a firm favourite among gamblers for so many years, wait for that mythical star to hit your screen and you’ll know exactly why!
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
1429 Uncharted Seas – Thunderkick
1429 The Uncharted Seas is one of the most underrated virtual slot machines, in our opinion of course. If you love a slightly more serious theme, the nautical map in 1429 Uncharted Seas will leave you with pure satisfaction. Drawing you into its atmosphere isn’t the only thing this Thunder kick slot does well, with 5 reels, 25 pay lines and a whopping 98.6% you’re sure to stack wins while you enjoy the captivating middle-age marine theme!
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Scatter symbols
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
Holmes and The Stolen Stones – Yggdrasil
Join the infamous detective Sherlock Holmes and his companion, Mr Watson, on a journey full of suspense and mystery. In this famed Yggdrasil virtual slot, you are tasked with solving the case of the missing stones as you search through a warehouse with 5 different locations, each providing you with a different progressive jackpot.
With a great variety of jackpots to be won, and aplenty bonus features. One of the bonus games has players searching for clues as they break open crates for shards of the missing stones, landing five bonus symbols awards players 10,000 coins. Truly one of the most exciting low variance, high RTP slots with an RTP of 96.8%.
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Scatter symbols
- Progressive jackpots (x5)
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
BloodSuckers II – NetEnt
BloodSuckers 2 is the follow-up to the infamous original game created by NetEnt. The original BloodSuckers had become widely known as the best vampire-themed virtual slot in the industry. BlockSuckers 2 is no different. Featuring a bonus game that sees players in a hidden treasure room where they must decide between a coffin or chest, reaching the final level will defeat the demon and award players with 670x their original stake. BlockSuckers 2 will leave you in awe with its eery backdrop, 25 pay lines, and an enormous RTP of 97%.
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Scatter symbols
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
The Mummy – Playtech
The next of our low volatility high RTP slots is based on the cult classic film starring Brendan Frasier as Rick O’Connell where he faces off against an ancient evil mummy that has been raised from its sarcophagus. This virtual slot machine is just as frantic and fast-paced if not more than the film! The Mummy slot game offers an enormous 6 bonus features. Managing to land 5 Rick O’Connell’s across the reels, will net players an astounding payout of 10,000 coins! Playtech’s The Mummy offers players an enticing RTP of 95.5%.
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Scatter symbols
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
Thunderstruck II – Microgaming
This Microgaming virtual slot is a follow to the blockbuster slot ThunderStruck. Players are provided with a thrilling nordic themed virtual slot and an opportunity to land 4 different bonus features. ThunderStruck 2 has a 5 reel set up with an outstanding 243 pay lines. The graphics have had a complete overhaul from the original game and it wouldn’t be complete without featuring Thor’s bonus hammer!
Each bonus stage in this virtual slot will offer players a different number of free spins and multipliers with the first stage offering 5 free spins anda a 5x multiplier. ThunderStruck 2 provides players with an RTP of 96.6% making it another thrilling low variance high RTP slot.
Slot Machine Features:
- Free spins
- Bonus game
- Multipliers
- Scatter symbols
- Wild symbols
- Autoplay
Explaining Slot Variance
The variance of a slot is simply a reference to the overall outcomes that a slot machine provides. High variance or high volatility slots will provide a much wider range of outcomes as opposed to low variance or low volatility slots. Low variance slots will produce more similar outcomes between each spin. The overall slot variance or volatility will affect how often the slot machine will pay out and how much the maximum payout will be.
While high volatility slots offer players a less frequent payout, the overall maximum payout will be much higher than low volatility slots. In essence, high volatility slots hold a greater risk factor while low volatility slots offer smaller more frequent payouts and are therefore less risky.
Slot volatility can be ranged in high, medium, or low risk and as gambling goes the higher the risk the higher the reward. It really comes down to the type of gambler you are. If you have a high-risk tolerance and a bigger budget, high variance slots may be your best bet. If you prefer a less risky gambling experience and wish to accrue frequent small wins, low volatility slots are your better option.
What Is a Low Variance Slot?
The basic principle of a low volatility slot is that it will award players with small wins frequently. This however doesn’t mean that every win players accrue will be small, it simply means the payout will be smaller and less volatile than high variance slots. For example, low volatility slots may award players with a win every 5 or 10 spins while a high volatility slot may take anywhere between 1, 10, and 100 spins.
This makes low variance slots great for new players who are just learning the ropes and mechanics of slot machines. Low variance slots can also be a good way for experienced players to complete wagering requirements as they provide wins regularly and are usually not restricted within wagering requirement conditions.
What Is a Medium Variance Slot?
A medium variance slot essentially offers players the best of both worlds, payouts come more frequently than high variance slots and the payout is higher than low variance slots. This has made medium variance slots the most popular option among online gamblers.
With a medium variance slot players are also offered a more diverse range of bonus rounds and even jackpots, however, the payout multipliers aren’t nearly as high as the high variance slot payouts. Here it’s important to not only gamble with the appropriate budget, however, you should also arrive with the right mindset too as medium variance slots can become rather frustrating.
What Is a High Variance Slot?
A high volatility slot is simply the exact opposite of a low variance slot! While low variance slots pay out frequently, high variance slots pay out massive wins and only so often. High volatility slots are not for the faint of heart, it’s important to note that the majority of players lose the most money when playing high variance slots.
Where high volatility slots make up for it, however, is in the large multipliers and bonus rounds offered to players. Here some players might hit multipliers between x1,000 and x5,000 and even higher on their original bet, which is rather enticing. The added bonus features possess some profitable opportunities, which make high variance slots an extremely thrilling experience.
How To Measure Slot Volatility
The question finally arises, can you measure slot volatility? The answer is yes, however it’s extremely difficult for a number of reasons. The variance or volatility of the results within a particular slot game are based on the random number generator or RNG engine. Virtual casino operators won’t readily share the details of the workings within an RNG.
Therefore the best way to decipher the variance of slot games would be to place many spins in a demo version of the slot machine. In order to get an accurate estimation of the slot variance players would need to place more than 100 spins. Today software developers are extremely diligent in the preparations of their RNG programs, the majority of these games will produce a high volume of randomly generated outcomes within a single second. This essentially means it’s extremely difficult to make an accurate estimation.
There can however be other clues within the virtual slot machine, looking at the paytable, comparing your highest wins to the maximum bet, and the greater the difference between the outcomes decides the volatility. The only exception lies within progressive slot games, usually, a large win means higher volatility however a slot machine may provide a progressive jackpot which offers a big win yet the core game may only provide small payouts.
Slot Variance & RTP
The return to player or RTP percentage is another decisive factor in the overall payout ratio of a slot machine. It’s important to note that the RTP and slot variance of a particular slot machine have no correlation to each other. This means a high variance slot and a low variance slot can both have the same RTP percentage.
RTP percentages will determine how much a casino game pays back to a player in return. As an example, a slot machine with an RTP percentage of 95% will theoretically reward players with $95 for every $100 they wager. Of course, this isn’t exactly how your gambling experience will go as the more bets you place the more accurate this estimate will be.
While the RTP percentage will determine how much is returned to a player, in the long run, the slot variance decides how similar each wager will be. With high variance slots, each spin will have a radically different outcome while each spin of a low variance slot will provide similar outcomes.
It’s also extremely important to note that slot machines with higher RTP percentages are often restricted from completing wagering requirements. Generally speaking, games that have RTP percentages of 95% and higher are restricted from contributing to wagering requirements or contribute very little to wagering requirements.
Why Gamblers Should Consider Slot Volatility
Slot machines may seem rather simple, hit the spin wait for a good reel, and that’s all there is to it? However, this isn’t exactly the case. Each slot game is inherently different due to its level of risk. Essentially, the risk level or slot volatility will decide how frequently you are paid out and this is a great indication of whether or not you will enjoy playing a certain slot game.
More experienced gamblers often have a higher tolerance to risk and usually seek those exciting big wins. This is generally the reason for more experienced players opting for high volatility slots. This isn’t to say that experienced gamblers never play low variance slots. Low variance or low volatility slots are a fantastic way to accrue small frequent wins and therefore can be used to complete wagering requirements and increase your bankroll.
Online casinos provide slot machines with different volatilities in order to accommodate a wider range of gamblers. Oftentimes, the selection of slot machines provided by an online casino will hold the widest variety of gaming options. This means that whether you prefer a high medium or low volatility slot game you’ll certainly find a slot that fits this criterion.
Altogether, this means players shouldn’t simply look for slot games with the best payout ratios. In order to fully maximize their use of a slot machine, they should rather consider what they are looking to achieve by playing a certain slot machine. Are you seeking a surefire way to complete wagering requirements or are you looking for absolute thrill and big wins?
A Conclusion To Low Variance Slots
The volatility of a slot game can indeed be a decisive factor in considering its worth, however, calculating the volatility of a slot game isn’t an exact science as online casinos don’t share this information with gamblers. Oftentimes the only surefire way to discover the volatility of a slot machine is by playing the demo version and placing many spins. The more spins you place the more accurate your estimation will be.
Deciding whether to play high variance or low variance slots is an age-old question. However, there’s no straightforward answer; it all depends on what you wish to achieve from that particular gaming experience. At the end of the day, your main focus should be to enjoy your experience and remember to gamble responsibly.