Slot Machine Volatility Explained: Everything You Need to Know

If you are a slots player and love to play, but not sure how the machine works or even what volatility of a machine is, then this article is for you. We will break down all the details of how things work on a slots machine and what the chances are for you to win. But first let’s take you back in time to when the slot machine was invented. Did you know it was a car mechanic who originally created the first machine? An inventor by the name of Charles August Frey built the first coin operated slot machine way back in 1894. Once he got people trying it out in the local saloon in San Francisco, he suddenly realized he had something that people wanted to play. Frey went on to make more features on the machines like automatic cash payouts. He then created the first three-reels that people could play and if they hit the right winning combination, they won some coins. The big game idea came when Frey create the Liberty Bell slots machine and that is when things really took off, and more people started to play. Then other companies started to order more and more games, but Frey had a difficult time keeping up with the strong demand. That is when gambling supply companies attempted to purchase his operation and the distribution rights for the Liberty Bell Slots machines. It wasn’t until around 1907 that an arcade game manufacturer by the name of Herbert Mills started to make their own, but they included other symbols like cherries, lemons and plums. Then once the age of electronics started, other games started and the slot machine evolved.

How does slot machine volatility work?

Back when slots machines were invented, they had three metal hoops that were called reels, and each reel came with ten different symbols painted on them. The customer would insert a coin and spin the reels and if three of a kind symbols stopped in the middle, then the customer was a winner, and coins came pouring out onto the tray. That is what is called the Return to Player percentage, or the RTP for short. Much like the RTP, slots volatility is theoretical and based on statistics and the averages from thousands of spins. If a slot machine has a high level of volatility, then it will have a low payout frequency. A medium volatility slots game with be right in the middle within the high and low categories. Low volatility slots are the games that have the highest payout frequency, and the chances of winning are far better. Over the years the slot machine has changed with technology and now there are more features like bonus rounds, free spins, second screen bonus rounds and even progressive jackpots. Some of the progressive jackpot networks are huge and people can win millions of dollars.

Slot machines you can play with different volatility

With thousands of video slots out there, players can always find something they like that will give them low volatility and more chances to win. A low volatility slot machine will have an average payout frequency of about 70%, whereas a high volatility slot machine will have payout frequency of about 40%. There are some popular video slots games that have different levels. The slot game Starburst from NetEnt Gaming is a good game for that. Another slots game with low volatility is Age of the Gods: God of Storms from the Playtech casino software company.