People that are new to the world of online gaming usually start by playing slots with free spins - both high and low volatility slots. This makes sense as slots are meant to be fun outlets for people that are new to the world of online gaming. That being said, new players might not realize that titles have differences outside of their design. Slots have different volatility levels. Some games have low variance, whereas others are high. There is a time and a place for players to enjoy both low and high volatility slots, but you need to know when to try each one. Notably, you should keep in mind that you can use bonuses with free money and free spins to improve your chances of winning on both high and low volatility slots at online casinos.
High volatility slots are titles that give players a chance to win massive prizes, but your chance to win is very small. For example, if you win, you might be able to walk away with prizes in the five, six, and seven figures if you hit the jackpot, but the chance that you will win is a fraction of a percent. Most players that try high variance titles do not win as much as players on low variance slots, and they slowly watch their account balance dwindle as they click spin over and over again. That is not to say that it is never worth it to try games with a lot of variance. It just means that there is a place and time for it, and if you play these games regularly, you will not be setting yourself up for success.
As you would expect, low variance titles are the opposite of their highly volatile counterparts. These titles have higher win rates, but when you win you do not get nearly as large a prize. These titles are better for people that are looking to have some fun rather than win large sums of money. You will not be winning life changing money when you try these kinds of titles, but at the same time you will not be breaking the bank. Instead, you will have a very good chance of breaking even while you play.
It does not matter if you have a preference between high and low volatility slots if you cannot determine the variance in titles you see. Unfortunately, many game and site designers do not like to display information related to volatility on their slots, and as a result, it can be difficult to determine each game's win variance.
A good way to determine the variance of titles is to jump in for free if that is a possibility. Give the game 100 spins while you are playing for free to see how you performed. Obviously, that is not a massive sample size, but it will give you a general idea of how you will perform when you are playing with your personal funds.
Alternatively, you can look at a game's pay tables to see if they are low or high. If you see that very high prizes are offered, there is a good chance that it is one of the high variance titles, and the opposite is true for low variance titles. It is important to keep in mind that titles that offer large payouts will not usually have large percentage of winners. So, if you come across one of those games, expect a lot of variance.
When you are exploring slots of varying volatility, you may come across the term "return to player percentage," or RTP for short. The percentage given is the percentage of money players can expect to make back over an extended period of time. So, if you a slot had an RTP of 97 percent, you could expect to make back 97 percent of the money you bet over an extended period of time. Obviously, it will not be completely accurate in a small sample size, but in a large sample size it will be close to spot on. Some high and low volatility slots display RTP. So, it is better to play games that display RTP because it means you will have a better idea of what to expect before you get started.
Ultimately, the decision to enjoy high or low volatility slots is completely up to you. If you are someone with a lot of money to spend, you can take your chances on slots with high volatility. However, if you have a low amount of money and you want to have some fun, you should consider the games with very little variance. As a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea for players to stick with games with a low amount of variance most of the time. However, you can jump into high variance games from time to time.
The best time to play titles with a lot of variance is when you are using money that is not your own. So, if you get a bonus for making an account which is essentially a no deposit bonus, you can try some of the riskier titles. You will give yourself a chance to win big, but you will not be losing anything if you do not get lucky. Bonuses and promos that are given to players usually give them a combination of free money and free spins. If you receive free money, you can use it to make big bets on high volatility slots. Alternatively, if you receive a bonus with free spins, you can use those spins on high and low variance games. Whether a bonus provides free spins or free money, they provide great value for players, and as a result, it is a good idea to claim them at every casino you can.
Game choice is ultimately up to the individual player. There is nothing wrong with trying high or low variance titles, you just need to plan out your spending to accommodate the games you play. Never try games expecting to win big because it is unlikely. Play games for fun, and if you win that is just an added bonus.