High Volatility Slots: Meaning & How to Play Smart
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High volatility slots are high-action stake games for players who love big wins and don’t mind taking risks. This article is for players who want to chase huge payouts. We'll explain:
- what exactly are these slots, and what does high volatility mean in slots;
- share the best high volatility slots to play;
- and give you simple tips to play better.
Let’s explore slots with high volatility and find out how to make the most of them.
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High Volatility Slots Meaning
What does high volatility mean in slots? High volatility slots are casino games that offer big wins but don’t pay out often. Unlike slots that give out small prizes regularly, these make you wait for a payout. But when they hit, the rewards can be massive, sometimes reaching up to 5,000 times your bet or more. They usually have a high Return to Player (RTP) rate of around 96% or better, so they pay back well over time. The fun is in the suspense, waiting for that one spin that could change everything.
Who Should Play High Volatility Slots?
High volatility slots are best for certain players:
- Thrill Lovers: Some people just love chasing huge jackpots.
- Casino Pros: They know how to budget and bet wisely.
- Big Budget Players: They have enough cash to deal with longer waits for payouts.
If you want more frequent but smaller wins or have a tight budget, it's best to stick with low volatility slots for now.
Tips, Payouts, and Bonuses
These slots pay out on about 20% of spins, so wins are rare but big. Some, such as Fire in the Hole 2, can pay 65,000 times your bet. Bonuses including free spins or wild symbols often trigger the biggest wins. For example, Book of Dead has free spins with special symbols that rack up cash. Compared to low volatility slots, these bonuses are tougher to get but worth way more.
Ways to Win
- Bet Smart: Change your bets based on how well you’re doing to make your money last.
- Hunt Bonuses: Pick games with free spins or multipliers for the best payouts.
- Check the Stats: Choose slots with RTP over 96% and big win limits for better odds.
Best High Volatility Slots to Try
Here are the best high volatility slots that pack a punch.
Immortal Romance: Mega Moolah
This vampire-themed slot from Microgaming mixes a spooky story with a giant jackpot. Its RTP is 93.4% because of the jackpot but you can win up to 12,000 times your bet. You get four free-spin modes with cool multipliers and wilds. The Mega Moolah jackpot could make you super rich, so it’s a hit with more daring players.
Rainbow Riches
Barcrest’s Rainbow Riches is a classic with a fun Irish vibe. It has a 95% RTP and can pay up to 500 times your bet. Three bonus rounds including Pots of Gold bring big wins. Its unique theme and exciting bonuses keep players coming back.
Buffalo King Megaways
Pragmatic Play’s Buffalo King Megaways is one of the highest volatility slots that offers up to 200,704 ways to win. Featuring a 96.52% RTP, 5000x max win, wild west theme, tumbling reels and free spins with wild multipliers reaching up to 5x, every spin is a blast.
Sweet Bonanza
The Sweet Bonanza slot from Pragmatic Play has a 96.48% RTP and a max win of 21,175 times your bet. Its tumble feature and free spins with multipliers up to 100x can score huge wins. It’s bright and perfect for players chasing big rewards.
Buffalo Blitz
Playtech’s Buffalo Blitz gives you 4,096 ways to win and a 95.96% RTP. You can win up to 10,000 times your bet. Its free spins, with up to 100 spins and wild multipliers, make for a memorable gaming experience.
Wild Joker Stacks
Yggdrasil’s Wild Joker Stacks has a 96.2% RTP and a max win of 28,600 times your bet. Its flexible grid and joker wilds boost free-spins payouts.
How to Play High Volatility Slots Smartly
High volatility slots don’t pay out so often, but they have big multipliers and huge win potential. Free spins or wilds are your best shot at massive payouts, so you need a solid plan. Here’s how to play like a pro:
- Manage Your Cash: Pick a budget you’re okay with and stick to it. These slots can burn through money fast, so plan for 100 to 200 spins. With £100 for example, bet £0.50 to £1 to keep the fun going.
- Bet Sizes and Play Time: In high volatility slot machines, always start with small bets, about 1% to 2% of your budget per spin, to ride out dry spells. Play for no more than 30 to 60 minutes at a time.
- Buying Bonuses: Slots such as Sweet Bonanza let you buy free spins for 100 times your bet. Only do this if you have spare cash, as it takes you straight to the big-win rounds but isn’t a sure thing.
- Handling Losses: Some days will come with losing streaks. Stop if you lose half your budget for the session. Take a break after any losing runs to stay cool and avoid reckless bets.
- Make Bonuses Count: Check the game’s rules to see how bonuses such as scatters for free spins work. Pick slots with big multipliers such as Buffalo King Megaways and focus on triggering those for huge wins.
- Use Casino Bonuses: Grab welcome bonuses or free spins to play more without dipping into your wallet. Look for bonuses with easy wagering rules, like 30x or less, that work on high volatility slots. Betfair’s free spins are great for Rainbow Riches.
Pros & Cons of High Volatility Slots
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Huge potential wins, often 5,000 times your bet or more. | Long waits for wins. |
| Awesome bonuses including free spins and multipliers. | You need a decent budget to keep spinning. |
| Perfect for players with bigger budgets who love a challenge. | Not great for newbies or players with less cash. |
| High RTP, usually 96% or better, means good value over time. | Easy to lose money if you don’t stay smart. |
Best Casinos for High Volatility Slots
We chose these casinos for their games, bonuses, easy payments, top security and great support. They all feature high volatility slots.
Betfair Casino
Betfair has more than 1,000 slots including Immortal Romance: Mega Moolah and Buffalo Blitz. New players get 50 free spins after betting £10, with spins worth 10p that are good for three days. Pay with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal or Apple Pay, and withdrawals take one to three days. It’s licensed by the UKGC and Malta Gaming Authority, with super-safe encryption. Live chat and email support reply in five to 10 minutes.
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Get 50 Free Spins Plus 100 Free Spins When You Deposit & Play £10.
18+ Offer is available to new customers who register via the promo code CASAFS. Winnings are paid in cash. Free spins valued at 10p. Get an additional 100 free spins when you deposit and spend £10 on eligible games. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org
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Ladbrokes Casino
Ladbrokes offers 800+ slots, including Rainbow Riches and Sweet Bonanza. New players score a £50 bonus + 1000 Ladbucks after playing £10, with a 40x wagering rule. Use debit cards, Skrill or Neteller, with £5 minimums for deposits and withdrawals. Withdrawals are usually processed within one to two days. It is UKGC-licensed with strong encryption and has 24/7 support via live chat, phone or email.
18+. New Casino players only. Deposit required. Play £10+ on qualifying games. 40x wager reqs (Bonus only) on selected games. Accept Bonus within 14 days. Bonus valid for 30 days. Certain deposit types excluded. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply.
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Bet365 Casino
Bet365 has 900+ slots including Buffalo King Megaways and Wild Joker Stacks. New players get 100 free spins after depositing and betting £10, with a 30x wagering rule and 7-day expiry. Players can pay with Visa, PayPal or Google Pay, with withdrawals being processed in one to three days.
Min. £10 in lifetime deposits required. Offer must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Select prizes of 5, 10, 20 or 50 Free Spins: 10 selections available within 20 days, 24 hours between each selection. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. #Ad
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Should You Play High Volatility Slots?
High volatility slots are a wild ride for players who enjoy chasing big wins. With a smart plan, enough cash and a cool head, they can bring epic moments and a chance to hit the jackpot. But remember they are not suitable for everyone.
If you’re new to casino games or short on funds, low volatility slots give smaller and more regular wins. So if you're a risk-taker, try games such as Sweet Bonanza or Buffalo Blitz at trusted spots like Betfair or Bet365, and use our tips to play smart.
Tim Mirroman
Author
As a seasoned content writer and copywriter specialising in iGaming, Tim Mirroman brings over 8 years of expertise in crafting high-quality, engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a strong passion for the iGaming industry, he has developed a unique understanding of the sector's nuances and trends. Tim worked with numerous iGaming brands and platforms, creating content that drives player acquisition, retention, and conversion.
