Volatility

Volatility, also called variance, describes how a slot pays out over time. High-volatility games hand out small wins rarely and big ones even more rarely, but the big ones hit hard. Low-volatility games pay small amounts often, smoothing the bankroll curve at the cost of excitement.

RTP tells you the long-run return. Volatility tells you how bumpy the ride is getting there. Two slots can share a 96% RTP and feel like completely different games. Your bankroll should match the ride. A €50 budget on a high-volatility 1,000x slot will usually drain before the big hit shows up. The same €50 on a low-volatility title stretches into a much longer session with smaller peaks.