Slot Volatility and RTP: What You Need To Know

Slot displaying its volatility and RTP

Ever spun the reels of an online slot and wondered why sometimes wins pop up frequently but are small, while other times, it feels like ages before a payout, but when it lands, it hits big?

Well, two key concepts are at play here: slot volatility and RTP (Return to Player). Getting to grips with these can really change how you see and play online casino Philippines. So let’s break it down in a straightforward way.

What Is Volatility In Slot Games

Slot volatility, also known as variance, is basically how the game behaves when it pays out. It’s about two things: how often you get a win, and how big those wins tend to be. Most slots fall into one of three groups:

  • High Volatility: Wins don’t happen very often, but when they do, they can be quite substantial. You might need a bit more patience and a bigger stash to ride out the quieter periods. The big jackpots often hang out in these kinds of games.

  • Low Volatility: Wins tend to appear more frequently, but they are usually on the smaller side. You get a more consistent feeling of winning, which can keep things interesting, but those massive payouts are less common.

  • Medium Volatility: As the name suggests, these online casino slots sit somewhere in the middle. They offer a mix of payout frequency and size, trying to give you a bit of both worlds.

Knowing a slot’s volatility can help you manage your expectations and your playing funds. If you prefer more frequent wins, even if they aren’t huge, a low volatility slot might be your thing. 

If you’re chasing that big win and don’t mind waiting a bit longer between payouts, high volatility could be more appealing.

What Is RTP

Now, let’s talk about RTP, short for Return to Player percentage. This is a theoretical number, usually shown as a percentage, that suggests how much of all the money wagered on a specific slot game will be paid back to players in the long run.

For example, if a slot has an RTP slot of 96%, the theory goes that for every ₱100 put into the game by all players over a long period, ₱96 will be returned as winnings.

Here are a few important things to keep in mind about RTP:

  • It’s Theoretical: This isn’t a guarantee of what you’ll win in any single playing session. You could win big on a low RTP slot in the short term, or lose on a high RTP slot.

  • It’s a Long-Term Average: The RTP is calculated over countless spins, often millions. Your individual experience can vary quite a bit.

  • It Shows the House Edge: The difference between 100% and the RTP is the house edge – the casino’s advantage. So, a 96% RTP means the house has a 4% edge.

  • Games Differ: Different slot games will have different RTP figures. It’s worth looking for games with a higher RTP if you’re thinking about the potential for returns over a longer period.

When you’re choosing a slot game, checking the RTP can be useful for comparison. A higher percentage generally suggests a better potential return to players across many spins.

How Volatility and RTP Work Together

It’s important to understand that slot volatility and RTP are different things, but they both affect your playing experience.

A slot with a high RTP can still be highly volatile, meaning those returns might come in the form of less frequent but larger wins. Conversely, a low volatility slot might have a lower RTP but give you more frequent, smaller wins.

Think of RTP as the overall generosity of the game in the long run, and slot volatility as how that generosity is distributed – in small, frequent sprinkles or large, occasional downpours.

Finding the Information

So, how do you find out the RTP and slot volatility of a game?

  • Game Information: Many online slot providers include this information within the game’s help files or paytable section. Look for an ‘i’ icon or a help button.

  • Reviews: Lots of online casino review sites will list the RTP and sometimes the volatility of specific games.

  • Provider Websites: The game developers themselves often have this information on their websites.

Keep in mind that volatility isn’t always stated as clearly as RTP. Sometimes, you might need to rely on descriptions like “high variance” or by playing the casino demo version to get a feel for how often the game pays out.

High or Low? Your Choice

Understanding RTP and slot variance can help you make more informed choices about which casino online games to play. If you’re on a smaller budget and prefer more frequent wins to keep you going, a low volatility slot with a decent RTP might be a good fit. 

If you’re feeling lucky and aiming for a big payout, and you have the funds to handle potential dry spells, a high volatility slot with an attractive RTP could be more exciting.

Remember, though, that these are just guides. Luck is still the biggest factor in any single spin.

Play Responsibly

While understanding game mechanics is helpful, at the end, it’s absolutely important to play responsibly. 

Set yourself a budget, stick to it, and always see online slots as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or a source of income. 

Where To Play Games With High RTP?

If you’re looking for some high intensity slot games with high RTP and slot volatility of your choosing, why not try JILI games and FC Fachai?

Recognised within the online gambling Philippines, JILI has become known for its selection of slot games that often feature attractive RTPs, promotion and aim to provide engaging player experiences!