Slots are generally categorized into three types of volatility – low, medium, and high. While medium and high volatility slots produce very unpredictable outcomes, low volatility slots are more stable. To put what I just wrote in simpler terms, low volatility slots are designed to churn out wins more frequently than the other two types. This characteristic makes games with low volatility attractive to players who have smaller budgets and want to simply enjoy playing online casino slots without putting too much money at risk.
As you have seen from the list above, the range of slots offering low volatility is impressive, which is why you will find them at most online casinos. Some call them 'penny slots' because you can play them with very small bets.
So what's the catch? There is no catch, not really, but ... the amounts you can win from these games are usually very small, especially when compared to slots with higher volatility. I cover more on this topic in my dedicated slots volatility guide.
How Low Volatility Slots Work
A slot with low volatility is not different than slots with other types of volatility. Of course, the visual appearance, soundtrack, and some features will be different, but in terms of gameplay, it will be on the same lines. You get a set of reels, sometimes displayed as a grid. You set a bet amount and hit the spin button. The RNG engine inside the slot's software will churn out a totally random outcome. If you win a prize, it gets added to your current funds. If not, you can spin again.
Medium volatility games strike a balance between low and high volatility slots. It gives players with an average budget the balance they are looking for, risking a bit more than when playing slots with low volatility but not as much as when betting on high-volatility games. There are lots of slots that fall in the medium volatility category, from superbly designed video slots to classic fruit slots with simple play. Various progressive jackpot slots fit into this category of games.
One of my favorite medium volatility video slots is Gonzo’s Quest. This epic adventure by NetEnt is impeccably designed. You can play it from as little as Bet between $0.20 per spin, and it has a maximum potential payout of 2500x your bet.
While low volatility slots are fun to play and can stretch a dollar a long way, it is not so with the extremely unpredictable High Volatility Slots. Here it's high risk, high reward, with games that do not pay often but when they do, the prizes could be very rewarding.
If you want to play the high stakes, start with Reactoonz from Play'n GO. This game has a great payout potential of 4,570x the stake! Or maybe you can take a chance with Book of 99, a game created by Relax Gaming which has the highest RTP and a 5000x bet max win potential.