With more than 470 online slot games to choose from at Bovada, you’ve got almost endless ways to play. So how do you choose? You could go by theme – from fantasy to ancient civilizations to old-school casino classics – there’s something for everyone. Or, pick by features, from games with multiple paylines to Hot Drop Jackpots, unlimited Free Spins, and more. Some serious players, aim for one thing only: High Volatility Slots.
Read on for a complete guide to understanding high volatility slots and how they affect you…
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WHAT IS VOLATILITY IN SLOTS?
Volatility measures the game potential for winning you money, in the form of how often it rewards wins on average, and how big those wins are.
Variance or risk level are other ways to describe it, but online enthusiasts use volatility as the main word. In short, volatility is how often and how much a slot game pays out over time.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH, MEDIUM, AND LOW VOLATILITY
You’ll want to decide on how you want to play on any given day. Some games use the Volatility Index (VI) to help players see what their chances will be:
- Low volatility: VI closer to 5
- Medium volatility: VI from 6-10
- High volatility: VI closer to 15
Some developers skip the VI and list only the RTP (Return to Player), but this is different from Volatility.
RTP is listed normally between 94% and 99%, with the games closer to 99% offering a more consistent payout. In the mood for a steady, regular rhythm of potential wins?
Low volatility slots pay out smaller amounts more often, which makes them better suited to people who want wins to possibly come their way more often. These are less risky, so you might be in the mood for some casual fun. The winnings can occasionally be pretty huge, but these games are more for smaller payouts.
Medium Volatility is just like it sounds – they strike a balance between the low and high volatility games.
And for High Volatility? Keep reading…
PROS AND CONS OF HIGH VOLATILITY GAMES
High volatility slots pay out less regularly but they come with bigger wins when you do hit a winning payline. This makes these games riskier – some might consider that a “con” along with the fact that you’ll need to be patient to keep the game going between wins.
The big “pro” of course, is that special sound when you hit a winning payline, because high volatility reels often mean a bigger payday.
Another downside is the unpredictable nature of online reels, which rely on a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine when the reels spin and stop randomly. That means, even if you pick a high-volatility title, you’re not guaranteed a big payout—unlike the steadier returns in lower-volatility titles.
However, on the pro side, high volatility means more strategic thinking is needed, including bankroll management. Some players prefer to be challenged and feel that they’ve outsmarted the system, versus the steady but smaller payouts and lower strategic thinking that comes with low volatility games.
VISUAL AND GAMEPLAY CLUES TO WATCH FOR
For games where the volatility isn’t listed, what’s the best way to find high‑variance reels?
There are several clues, starting with the paytables. When you see very high payouts or multipliers (say, 5,000X or more), that’s a great clue to begin with. These are usually paired with rare symbol combinations, another clue.
Next, you’ll want to keep an eye out for massive jackpots. To balance excitement and enjoyment, volatility is intentionally raised, making big jackpots less common but more thrilling when they do hit. These can also be listed as multipliers (think 10,000X or more) or as straight maximum win jackpot amounts, like $100,000 or sometimes much higher.
Feature-rich games and big adventure/fantasy games are often high volatility slots, where your playing strategy and bankroll management come into play.
TOP HIGH VOLATILITY SLOTS AT BOVADA
Total Overdrive
Zoom through a futuristic cityscape at night with this classic. The main features to watch for are the Overdrive Multipliers – they can produce big wins if they continue to ride your way.
Reel Fortune Wild Blaze
It channels a classic throwback with a modern twist. The $1.50 minimum bet means it’s for serious players who prefer high volatility games, packed with special features like respins to boost your shot at real fortune.
Hound of Hades
It immerses you in the fiery Underworld with breathtaking action and mythical creatures. Featuring 25 paylines, it combines high volatility with big win potential. The game’s key features include Cerberus Wilds, which transform middle-paying symbols into Wilds for bigger payouts, and Free Spins, which boost your winnings with exciting multipliers. You can also trigger the Cerberus Prize, unlocking up to 10x your bet.
Multi Hot Ways
The vibe is immaculate in this zen-like classic, with some of the best graphics you’ll find. The 27 paylines can send you into an even higher state with a payday that makes it one of the best high volatility games available.
RodeoX
Not all online casino games with high volatility are slot games. RodeoX is a unique Instant Win game where the choices are simple, and the winnings can be massive. With 3 bet choices and a multiplayer option all put together in an Old West saloon, you might lasso yourself a huge payout.
Now that you know more about high volatility slots at Bovada, you can seek out the ones that suit your style the best. Hang on for a wild ride that could send your bankroll to new heights…
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