The variance of a slot is a familiar term to many players. They use this term to predict the performance of online slots in order to plan their budget accordingly. Slot variance can be used to describe both land-based and online slots, but it is a little easier to measure it online.
There is no significant difference between variance and volatility, in most cases the two terms are used as synonyms. Which one you choose depends entirely on you. The most important difference has to do with the level of variance (low-medium-high). In this guide, we will analyze the importance of variance in online slots and how you can choose the right slots regarding their variance.
What does Variance mean?
Variance is a statistical term often used in poker and has been transferred to the online slots. It shows the deviation from a specific expectation. In this case, the “expectation” is usually the RTP (Return To Player). Many players only pay attention to the Payout, but the variance is more important as it shows how much the results of your spins can vary in the short term. Volatility, which is very similar to variance, expresses how often and how much you will win!
The right slot strategy takes time, effort, and a lot of testing as you will have to find the most profitable games. Best50Casino team has taken care of that as well, as in this article it has compiled the most profitable slots in 2025. Most players search only the RTP of slots but believe me, volatility is much more important.
How to measure the variance of a slot?
Many players are wondering: Can I calculate the slot variance? The answer is that it is not that easy. The volatility of the slot is pre-programmed by the RNG generator of both online and land-based slots. However, software developers and legitimate casinos rarely reveal details about how their software works.
→ Try free slots and practice lots of spins
If you want to get an idea of how a slot fluctuates on its own, you need to measure it according to the spins you make. The only sure thing is that you will need many spins to have an accurate idea, ideally, I would say around 200-300. It is not a bad idea to try the free slots offered on our site first. However, even with many tests, we can never be 100% sure. Providers are increasingly complicating RNG programs by increasing the number of random numbers generated per second.
→ Read the slot paytable
The paytable contains some important clues. You must pay attention to the jackpot prices and the difference between the combinations of four (4) and five (5) symbols. You compare the maximum payout with the maximum bet level. If the maximum payout is 40 to 50 times greater than the maximum bet, then you probably have a slot with medium to high variation. If the difference between them is small, then the slot is low variation. The only exception to this rule is progressive jackpot slots, as a high jackpot usually involves high volatility.
High variance slot: Offers big wins, but not very often.
Low variance slot: Offer smaller wins, but very often.
High variance slots
As already mentioned, understanding the variance of a slot is quite difficult and requires a lot of spinning. This is why there are specific items (paylines, reels, functions, Scatter-Wild symbols, Payout) given in the paytable.
High volatility slots are suitable for players who want big winnings. The greater the variation of a game, the greater the difference between a regular and a big win. This means that the chances of hitting a big win are significantly lower. In fact, high variance slots can be quite boring if you do not have the necessary luck. You can do a lot of spins without achieving a big win. This is why in these games it is important to calculate your bankroll before you start.
High-volatility slots require a great bankroll and lots of patience. If you do not have these two, just stay away from them.
If you do not try something you can not form a complete view. The slots need testing. Youtube videos give you an overview of the gameplay. They can not give you detailed information such as RTP, variability and variance. You have to find these yourself. So that’s why we present to you some high variance slots we found after a few hours of real play and not with virtual money.
Age of the Gods
Playtech, one of the leading software companies, has released a new series of slots, Age of Gods based in Greece and more specifically in Greek mythology. Age of Gods is a very neat slot machine with amazing graphics and sounds. In the Bonus round if you are lucky and achieve the Pantheon of Power on Reels function if the 5 gods appear in succession on the reels starting from the first one you win 10X your bet! You can start playing with just 0.10 euros while the maximum bet is 25 euros. Of course, if you choose all 20 pay lines then the maximum bet reaches up to 500 euros.
Rise of Olympus
The Play n ’Go video slot is impressive both in appearance and in the way it is played. With the three gods (Zeus, Hades, and Apollo) starring and the choice in the hands of the player as to who will help him, the adrenaline hits the max. Obviously, everything peaks in the Bonus rounds. There you can earn endless free spins and launch your bankroll. The Rise of Olympus is gaining more and more popularity, constantly increasing its fans thanks to the dynamic and at the same time user-friendly environment it offers.
Medium variance slots
The majority of online slots are medium variance. Determining exactly the meaning of variance is very difficult. When it is difficult to determine the exact odds of a slot, we consider it to be an average variation. There are many games that are closer to low or high volatility but are considered medium.
This makes slots with medium volatility both unpredictable and low risk. There is usually a balance between the size of the winnings and their frequency. However, unlike low volatility slots, mediums can give an occasional big win, but keep in mind that they are not the most suitable way to increase your bankroll. Again we present you two popular medium variance slots you can try.
Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest is one of Netent’s most popular slots thanks to its exciting graphics and fun sound effects that come mainly from explorer Gonzo who stars in the slot. Gonzo is an explorer looking for a lost city of the Aztec tribe. The symbols are directly related to the setting as they consist of drawings from objects and portraits of the Aztecs. The symbol we are looking for is the Wild symbol, which is the English question mark. When it appears on the reels, all other symbols become wild except the Scatter symbol. Scatter is a golden mural that we must achieve 3 times. Then we enter a bonus round which with a little luck will multiply our winnings!
Bonanza Megaways
Megaways slots have gained huge fans in a short time. The slot that stands out in this category is the Bonanza Megaways of Big Time Gaming. The game has 5 reels and 117,649 paylines. Its theme comes from precious stones. The original music that frames it and its graphics create a great game. The big winnings are in the special mode of the slot. To enter it you need to display the word G-o-l-d on the board. Once this happens the scene of the game changes as you are transported inside a mine and 12 spins are also offered.
Low variance slots
Low volatility slots are the right choice for players who want more stability. A low-slot slot has more winning combinations, but the wins are not much bigger than the total bet. The chances of your life-changing from low volatility games are clearly less than those of high volatility. However, your budget for a long period of time will remain almost the same.
The low variation slots are ideal for those who want to enjoy the game. Slots that have very good graphics and great sound effects are usually low variation. Even if you do not manage to increase your bankroll, be sure that you are not going to get bored at all, as frequent wins are a fact of low-stakes slots.
To the question of how you will understand that this is low volatility, the answer is that you just check the paytable. There you will see that they offer lower payouts and minimal variations between the 4 and 5 symbol combinations. A game with low volatility should give you an average of one win every 3-5 spins. Let’s see the most popular low variance slots:
Starburst
NetEnt has created a video slot, which has met with a huge response. Starburst is among the top choices of players, based on the classic star symbol. We notice an excellent appearance, without excessive effects and impressive moves. Interesting is the choice of the Swedish company to add the Win Both Ways function (the slot machine pays from left to right and vice versa). It is also important to know that bets range from €0.10 to €100.
Voodoo Gold
While browsing the adventure category slots you can find an Elk Studios game that makes the difference. Although its category can vary from casino to casino the game is a great choice. Voodoo Gold has 6 columns and 262,144 paylines. Soft music in country rhythms is heard faintly from behind creating a unique user experience. With each successful combination, you expand the board in order to display the 3 bombs that are your ticket for the special function of the game.
Variation and RTP: What is the difference?
Slot fans should be familiar with the concept of RTP, i.e. the rate of return to the player. RTP shows the percentage of total bets you will get behind each slot in the form of winnings. The higher the RTP rate, the more generous the slot is.
Since many provders officially mention their RTP, most players use it to search for their next game. This is wrong. They forget something very important: RTP is measured in the long run. The fact that a slot gives better odds over 1000 spins is not ideal information for a player with a limit of 50-100 spins. This is why slot variation plays a key role. It actually has a greater impact on results. The variance has a significant impact on how big the profits will be and how fast you will lose or increase your bankroll.
Our verdict: What we should pay attention to while choosing a slot? It is wiser to use volatility and RTP at the same time when choosing a game. Both will help you make the best choice. RTP will help you identify the right slots, while volatility will help you adjust your bankroll and follow a specific strategy. The classic questions players get after learning about variation are: Which slots are better? Which should I choose? This is a completely wrong approach. Slots with high and low variation have both their advantages and disadvantages. The most important question is: Which slots are most suitable for you and your bankroll? If you are looking for a quiet night, a fun game without stress, and some steady winnings, then low variance slots are perfect for you. However, if you are in a hurry, knowing that the big win can change your life forever, you should take more risks and choose the high variance slots.
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