When it comes to choosing what slots to play at your favourite online casino, there are plenty of factors that go into the decision-making process. Of course, one of the overriding factors is that it is a slot that you enjoy playing. A slot game such as Danger: High Voltage with its bright lights, disco theme, and classic soundtrack is clearly fun to play. Is the fun factor enough on its own? For some players, yes, but for others, there is a bit more to it.
Most players of online slots understand return to player (RTP) and may base some of their decision making based on this number. The RTP is prominently displayed before you play a slot, so it is easy to consider this. Other players are also interested in the variance, or volatility of an online slot: the impact that this has is more important than some players realise.
RTP vs Variance
RTP is a mathematical equation that shows a player how much the slot pays back over time. As an example, a slot with an RTP of 95% is showing that the house has a 5% edge. So, over time, for every £1 that has been wagered, the slot will pay back 95p. 5p will be retained and this is the casino’s profit. Cleary RTP is an important factor when it comes to choosing an online slot.
Variance, on the other hand, is a prediction of how a slot will perform during playing sessions. Some slots, such as Danger: High Voltage, have high volatility, whereas others such as Starburst have low volatility. The likes of Starburst will pay out on a frequent basis, although the wins are likely to be modest. In contrast, slots such as Danger: High Voltage won’t pay out as often, but when they do the wins can be very big.
So, why does it matter?
What is important to say here is that online slots are about having fun. Overthinking them may take away some of the enjoyment of your favourite slot, but having some understanding of the games we’re playing can never be a bad thing. After all, we’re all looking to win.
So, back to why variance matters when choosing which slots to play. Understanding this means that you can plan your bankroll, but also means you can choose slots that suit your playing style and even your personality. Some people are risk-averse and are willing to go through numerous dry spell s in the hope of that big win. Of course, that big win may never come, but understanding the volatility means you can budget for this from the start. For those who will lose interest with numerous spins without even a penny back, high volatility games will not suit them.
Remember, it’s still about fun!
While understanding variance and RTP can help you to find games that suit your playing style, it is still important to find games that are fun to play! Don’t just play Danger High Voltage because it is a high volatility slot. Play it because it is fun, but just understand that while the rewards can be big, it may take a fair few spins to get there.