Understanding Volatility and RTP in Playing Online Casino Games

We probably can all agree that luck plays a big role in determining your fate when it comes to gambling. But there are things you can do to at least improve your chances of winning or making profits in the long run.

Bankroll management is important, but it’s also always wise to know what types of casino games you should be playing. This isn’t just about whether you’ll be playing slots, table games, or even sports betting.

Before you play any game, it’s best to do a bit of research about them. That includes looking into their volatility level and even their Return to Player Percentages (RTPs). Yes, they are different specifications you’ll want to check before you place your next bet.

What is Volatility in Casino Games?

Volatility in casino games refers to the level of risk involved and how often you can expect to win. It’s a measure of the size and frequency of payouts you can expect from a casino game.

Knowing this can help you set realistic expectations on how often you’ll win and how much you’ll likely win. Volatility can also help you improve your betting strategies.

There are three levels of volatility you should know about: low, medium, and high. We’ll talk about them more in a bit.

It’s important to remember that volatility doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes in the short term. After all, they are only a measure of risk and reward over time. So, even if volatility levels are accurate, it’s best to only use them as a guide.

High vs Medium vs Low Volatility Casino Games

So as mentioned, there are three volatility levels you should watch out for. Here’s how they differ:

• Low Volatility: Frequent wins, smaller payouts. There’s a good chance of winning often when playing low-volatility games, but these are usually in small amounts. It may take a while to gain profits when playing this type of casino game.

• Medium Volatility: Mix of frequent and larger wins. The payouts on these games are more significant than low volatility games but not as large as high volatility games.

• High Volatility: For these games, expect to win less often, but if you do, the amount you can get is usually significant.

So, if you prefer steady, smaller wins, you’ll want to go for low-volatility games. If you’re hoping to snatch big wins and can handle the risk, you can play arcade games to win online as they generally have high volatility.

Should I Stay Away From High-Volatility Casino Games?

Whether you should stay away from high-volatility casino games depends on your risk tolerance and gaming budget. If you can afford to play for a while and you have a sizable amount to spend, playing high-volatility games can be ideal.

They have the most potential to give you a life-changing win, and so they can be great for thrill-seekers out there.

On the other hand, you might want to stay away from high volatility games if you have a limited bankroll. They can easily eat away your casino balance, and if you can’t afford to lose your budget, playing this type of game can easily get stressful.

What About RTP - Why This Also Matters

Aside from volatility, there’s also the Return To Player percentage. This is the percentage of total bets that a game is expected to pay back to players over time.

It’s easy to get confused between the two but generally, volatility focuses on the pattern of wins a game can give, especially when it comes to how often and how big the win is. RTP, on the other hand, focuses on the overall return of the game over a long period.

The general rule is that the higher the RTP, the better. High RTP is at least 96%, and many slot games would have this percentage and sometimes even more.

However, it doesn’t mean that low RTP games aren’t worth it. Some low RTP games are based on skills like video poker and blackjack. They offer you a chance to improve your odds by implementing strategies.

There are also progressive jackpots with low RTPs, but when you hit the pot, you win a significant amount. Also, some players would still go for low RTP games just for the experience. There are plenty of them that have some of the most interesting gameplay and graphics.

Conclusion

So, the next time you log in to your casino account, don’t just click on a game and start playing. Take the time to check a game’s volatility level and RTP so you know if it will match your risk tolerance because that’s what truly matters at the end of the day.