As a seasoned player, I’ve often pondered whether volatility truly matters when choosing which pokies to play. I mean, does volatility even matter if the overall winnings are the same in the long run? Well, after countless hours of playing as well as careful consideration, I think I’ve finally come up with an answer.
In this article, we will examine why volatility matters for users and how to make volatility work for you instead of against you. Let’s get straight into it.
How Volatility Affects Your Gaming Experience
After being involved in the industry for so long, I can say from personal experience that the volatility of titles directly influences your overall gambling experience.
High volatility titles require a larger bankroll and a willingness to endure longer periods without significant returns. The chance to win big creates a whirlwind of excitement but you must be prepared for stretches of play with little to no wins.
On the other hand, low-volatility titles offer frequent but smaller payouts. These titles are perfect for users who prefer a steady stream of wins and a less risky experience. Low-volatility titles are excellent for maintaining engagement and managing your bankroll over longer sessions.
Frequent wins keep the experience exciting and rewarding, making it easier to manage your money with regular payouts and less chance of significant losses in short periods.
Matching Volatility to Your Play Style
Another reason why volatility matters is because your experience may be better if you match volatility with your play style. This might not sound all that important, but throughout my many years in the online gambling industry, I have seen countless people make this change and notice a direct improvement.
If you enjoy high-stakes gambling and can handle the pressure of big wins and losses, high-volatility titles might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed gambling experience with steady rewards, low-volatility titles are likely more suitable.
You’ll also want to consider how long you typically play in one session. High-volatility titles can be more suitable for shorter sessions if you’re willing to take the risk for a big payout.
Low volatility titles are better suited for longer, more consistent play (P.S. If you were wondering where to play low volatility slots, you can find them in most popular establishments – they may just be a little harder to find.
You also need to factor in your budget. High-volatility titles require a more substantial bankroll to endure dry spells, while low-volatility titles allow you to play longer with a smaller budget due to frequent payouts.
Strategic Betting Based on Volatility
Understanding volatility can also help you develop a strategic betting approach. For example, with high-volatility titles, you might want to consider placing smaller bets to extend your playtime and increase the chances of hitting a big win. Patience and persistence are key, as wins will be less frequent and you need to be prepared to wait.
Conversely, for low-volatility titles, you might feel more comfortable placing larger bets since wins are more frequent and the risk of significant losses is lower.
Considering that the iGaming industry makes $60 billion a year from casino gaming revenue alone, it’s fair to say that most people don’t head in with a strategy. If you don’t want to be a big contributor to that statistic, you may want to consider how you interact with titles with different levels of volatility.
Common Misconceptions About Volatility
Before I leave you, I think it’s a good idea to go over some common misconceptions about volatility:
● Volatility and RTP Are the Same: Volatility and RTP are different concepts. RTP is the percentage (theoretical) of all the bets that are wagered on a one-armed bandit that will pay back to users over time, while volatility describes the risk and payout frequency.
● Higher Volatility Means Better Chances of Winning: High volatility titles offer larger potential payouts, but not necessarily better chances of winning. They come with higher risk and longer periods without wins.
● Low Volatility titles Are Boring: While they offer smaller payouts, the frequent wins in low volatility titles can make playing exciting and rewarding.
Well, there you have it – you now know why volatility matters when it comes to gambling. While the overall payouts might amount to the same in the long run, I think volatility can still drastically affect our casino experiences. It just depends on what type of player you are.
For me personally, I prefer low-volatility titles – regular wins just keep things from going stale. It also makes me feel like my bankroll is much more stable. However, you may prefer high volatility titles because of their big wins, or perhaps something in between. Whatever you prefer, as long as you choose titles that suit you, you can’t go wrong.
