Understanding Slot Variance and What it Means

Understanding Slot Variance and What it Means

Slots are among the most popular casino games, largely because they are simple and accessible to players of all skill levels. You don’t need in-depth knowledge or experience to enjoy a slot game, and this ease of play is one reason for their enduring appeal. Over the years, slot machines have evolved from basic three-reel games to more complex variations featuring hundreds or even thousands of winning combinations. Modern slots also incorporate exciting features like wild and scatter symbols, adding layers of strategy and increasing the chances of winning.

One important concept to understand if you’re a fan of slots is variance, as it plays a key role in determining how often and how much you can win.

What is Slot Variance?

Variance in slots refers to the frequency of wins, and is determined by a few factors including odds, winning stream and bankroll effectiveness. If you look at the Fluffy Favourites slot as an example, you’ll notice that the variance is high. Games of this type have high payouts, with small and medium wins being less frequent. If you trigger the Toybox Pick, you get to choose one of five animals, and if you’re lucky, you’ll win up to 100x your stake bet, reflecting the high variance tag of the game.

On the other hand, low variance slots provide more frequent wins, but the payouts tend to be smaller. This means that while your chances of winning are higher, it’s less likely you’ll walk away with a significant jackpot. Slot variance goes hand in hand with Return to Player (RTP), defined by eCOGRA as the percentage paid back to players over time. The combination of variance and RTP can give you a clearer idea of how a slot game might perform in the long run.

How to Spot a Slot with High or Low Variance

Determining the variance of a slot game isn’t always straightforward, but there are ways to make an educated guess. The paytable is an excellent place to start. Most games list their paytable, which details the value of different symbol combinations and bonus payouts. If the top prizes, such as five scatter symbols, offer a payout of 500x or more of your bet, you’re likely looking at a high variance game. These games tend to offer big potential rewards, but you’ll need to be patient as wins will be less frequent.

In contrast, low variance slots typically have smaller multipliers for their top prizes, often ranging between 50x to 100x your stake. These games are designed to provide consistent, smaller wins to keep players engaged over longer sessions.

Related Articles:

It’s also important to factor in bonus features like free spins and special rounds, as these can heavily influence the variance. A slot with frequent bonus rounds and lower payouts is more likely to be a low variance game. Additionally, while variance is important, you should also look at the game’s RTP and how it fits your personal preferences. A slot with a high RTP but low variance might appeal to players who prefer steady returns over high risk.

Which Slot Variance is Best for You?

Choosing the right slot game variance depends on your personal playing style and goals. If you enjoy high-stakes action and are willing to endure long stretches without wins for the chance to hit a significant jackpot, a high variance slot might be the best option for you. However, if you prefer a steady flow of smaller wins and want to maximize your playtime, a low variance game could be a better fit.

It’s important to remember that no slot game guarantees a win, as all slots rely on luck and chance. By combining an understanding of variance with the game’s RTP, you can make more informed decisions that align with your risk tolerance and playing style. Basic knowledge of percentages, such as those used to calculate RTP and bet multipliers, can also help you manage your expectations and improve your overall gaming experience. It helps to have a foundational understanding of percentages in general, as explained here by Indeed, so you can apply them logically to each game you play.

Ultimately, your enjoyment should come first. If you are drawn to a particular theme or bonus feature, that may be just as important as the game’s variance or RTP. Keeping these factors in mind will allow you to make more strategic choices, helping you take control of your slot gaming experience while ensuring you have fun.

Of course, you should also think about your personal gaming style too. If a particular theme appeals to you with a slot game, then you may want to play this over a theme that doesn’t interest you as much but has a higher RTP rate. If you can keep things like this in mind when playing slots, it’ll help you to take more control over your experience, and it will also help you understand the game you’re playing too.

Variance Cheat Sheet

To recap, here is a quick guideline to help you determine a machine’s variance:

1. Check the Paytable:

  • High Variance: The paytable will show large payouts for top combinations (e.g., 500x or more for five scatters or top symbols).
    • What it means: Wins are less frequent but can be substantial when they happen. Be prepared for long dry spells between wins.
  • Low Variance: The paytable will display smaller payouts (e.g., 50x to 100x for five scatters or top symbols).
    • What it means: Wins occur more regularly, but the amounts will be smaller. Great for longer play sessions with lower risk.

2. Look at the Bonus Features:

  • High Variance: Bonus features, like free spins or pick-a-prize games, are more difficult to trigger but offer big rewards when they do (e.g., multipliers of 100x or more).
    • What it means: You’ll hit the bonus rounds less often, but the potential rewards are higher.
  • Low Variance: Bonus features are triggered more frequently, but they provide smaller payouts.
    • What it means: You’ll see more regular bonuses, but they won’t offer massive payouts.

3. Multipliers and Win Amounts:

  • High Variance: Games with large multipliers (e.g., 500x to 1000x) on top wins are typically high variance.
    • What it means: When you win, it’s significant, but expect fewer wins overall.
  • Low Variance: Smaller multipliers (e.g., 50x to 100x) indicate lower variance.
    • What it means: Frequent, smaller wins are more common, so your bankroll will last longer without huge payouts.

4. Pay Attention to the RTP (Return to Player):

  • High or Low Variance: Slots with similar RTP percentages (e.g., 95-97%) can still have different variances. A high RTP with high variance still means bigger wins but less frequently, while a high RTP with low variance offers steady returns over time.
    • What it means: Combine RTP with variance to understand both how often you’ll win and how much those wins are likely to be.

Here’s a handy reference table:

RTP Variance Outcome
High RTP (95-97%) High Variance Larger wins but less frequent, with high long-term returns.
High RTP (95-97%) Low Variance Smaller but frequent wins, with high long-term returns.
Low RTP (below 95%) High Variance Larger wins but less frequent, with lower long-term returns.
Low RTP (below 95%) Low Variance Smaller but frequent wins, with lower long-term returns.

 

Understanding slot variance is like having a secret map to navigating the highs and lows of the slot machine adventure. Whether you’re in it for the thrill of chasing those big, rare payouts or prefer the steady excitement of frequent, smaller wins, knowing the variance helps you choose a game that matches your style. Just remember—slots are all about having fun, so while variance and RTP give you insight, the real win is enjoying the game. So, spin wisely, pick your favourites, and may the reels be ever in your favor!