Volatility in online-casino games – what you need to know about the risks and odds

When you’re exploring an online-casino, you’ll run into terms like «volatility» and «variance». But what exactly do they mean for you specifically? This guide shows you how variance affects your chances of winning – and why choosing the right volatility makes the difference between excitement and frustration.

What is volatility?

Volatility refers to how frequently a casino game triggers a win, and the size of the wins. It therefore measures the risk and fluctuations of individual games. Simply put, it gives you an idea of whether a game is more likely to pay a lot of smaller wins (low variance) or pay out less often, but give bigger wins (high variance). The terms volatility and variance are used synonymously.

Here is an example of three different volatility levels:

• Low volatility: here, you can expect a large number of smaller winnings that appear regularly. Ideal if you want to play for a long time without your balance fluctuating too much.
• Medium volatility: these games offer a good balance between the frequency and the amount of winnings. You win less often than in games with low volatility, but the winnings are sometimes higher.
• High volatility: winnings are less common, but when they come, they’re often high. The risk is greater, but so are the potential rewards.

How does volatility affect your gaming experience?

Imagine you’re playing a slot with a high variance. In this case, it may take a while for a win to come, but when it does, it’s all the greater. A slot with low volatility, on the other hand, pays out smaller amounts more often – you play longer and with more stability.

So, volatility affects how the game feels to you and how your balance changes. If you only have a small budget or want to play for longer, a low variance game might be better for you. This means you’ll earn small winnings more often and keep your account balance more stable, which can help you enjoy playing for longer.

However, if you’re looking for thrills and the chance to win big, and are willing to take more risk, you’ll probably be attracted to high-volatility games. Because these games attract higher winnings, you’ll also need to be prepared to not win anything for a longer period of time.

This is also a factor that can help avoid frustration. Nothing is more annoying than having a long dry spell in a high-volatility game if you prefer more frequent and smaller wins. So think about what you expect from a game and look for one with the appropriate volatility. This will help you avoid frustration and have more fun playing.

What’s the right variance for me?

To find the right volatility for you, it’s best to ask yourself what king of gaming experience you prefer. Would you prefer frequent but small wins? Or do you prefer less frequent wins that are bigger, and are willing to risk going without any wins for a longer period of time?

If you answered yes to the first question, we recommend playing a low variance game. But if you answered yes to the second question, then you’ll prefer games with higher volatility. If you don’t lean strongly towards either of the two examples, it’s best to choose a game with a medium variance. At jackpots.ch, we rate the volatility of every game on a scale of 1 to 5, so there are enough increments to find the perfect level of volatility.

And if you’re unsure, give it a try! Start with a low-volatility game and see how playing it feels to you. If you find it’s not ideal for you, look for a game with a variance of two and so on. This will allow you to get to grips with the issue of volatility and find a good game for you.

How to determine the volatility of the games on jackpots.ch

At jackpots.ch, the variance for each game is shown in the game overview. We rate all games on a scale of 1 to 5 lightning bolts, with one bolt representing very low volatility and five bolts representing very high volatility.

Slot finder: how to find games with your preferred variance

You can easily find slots with your preferred volatility in our slot finder!

In the slot finder, choose your favorite theme and your desired volatility on a scale of 1 to 5 bolts. The slot finder instantly shows you which slots are right for you – just swipe, click and start playing!

Volatility vs. payout ratio – what’s the difference?

One aspect that is often misunderstood is the connection between variance and the return to player (RTP). Volatility determines the «when» and «how much» of your winnings. The RTP, on the other hand, shows the average percentage of your bets a game returns over the long term. Games with a high RTP can still have high volatility – both factors work independently of each other. That’s why it’s worth paying attention to both values when choosing your game.

Conclusion: find the right volatility for your style of play

Understanding variance will help you find the game that best suits your preferences. Do you want stable gaming without big fluctuations? Then take advantage of slots with low volatility. Are you looking for thrills and a chance to win big? Then a highly volatility game could offer exactly what you’re looking for.

No matter which variance you choose, it’s important that you keep an eye on your budget and make your choice consciously. You can find out more about responsible gambling on our responsible gambling page.