Best High Variance Slots & Top Low Variance Slots in the US

If you are a regular slot machine player, you might already have a good idea about the difference between high variance slot games and low variance slots. That is great news because understanding this difference can be a vital part of your enjoyment of the playing experience. We can help explain these topics, however, and share where to find the best high variance slots for you.

Understanding variance, volatility and RTP are some of the key parts of playing slot machines. This is true whether you are playing online slots or in a brick-and-mortar casino. All slot games include these factors, and we will explain what exactly they are and how to determine these levels across the games you play.

Throughout this article you will find specific sections about different types of slots and where to play them. You can skip to any section at any time using our navigation links here. Once you are ready to play check out our guide to the best slot sites.

• What Are High Variance Slot Games
• Low Variance Slots Explained
• Where to Play High and Low Variance Slots
• Finding the Best Slots For You

What Are High Variance Slot Games

We want to define a few key terms right away. The first term is variance. Variance refers to the type of payouts you are likely to receive when you play a particular game. The main difference in variance has to do with the size of a payout, though the frequency of payouts is also a factor.

Slot machine variance is usually categorized in three different levels: low, medium and high. In this article, we’ll cover the best high variance slots – but also discuss low and medium as well, so no matter which type you are interested in, stay tuned and there will be something for you!

High variance slot games are essentially games that are likely to pay out bigger, less frequent payouts. These are the jackpot games, the heavy hitters. These games are appealing to players who have a big bankroll and do not mind continually playing until a slot machine hits a big payout. Therefore, these games are extremely appealing to high rollers.

When it comes to making the most out of high variance games, you should keep some basic mathematics in mind. You earn more on any kind of betting if you put up a higher bet in the first place. The riskier the bet, the bigger the reward. That means if you play high variance games with big payouts, you probably want to cash in on these by placing bigger bets in the first place. That way if you do get a jackpot, you ensure it is the biggest jackpot possible.

This rule can be seen in action on many slot games which offer specific jackpots. These jackpots are usually only unlockable if a player bets the maximum bet. That means that these jackpot wins are not even accessible unless the player is betting the maximum.

What does this mean for you as a slot machine player? Good question. The truth is that these games are best played by high rollers; in other words, you are going to want to have a big bankroll at your disposal to make the most out of the best high variance slots. Bankroll management is an important factor in every type of gaming, though, so we will also go into it in more detail in a later section.

Variance vs. Volatility

Another common question is about variance versus volatility. Volatility is the second term we will define. However, now that you’ve read the definition of variance, volatility will be easy: in slot machine games, variance and volatility are the same thing. Keep in mind, these terms have different meanings in other contexts, for example when applied in scientific situations. But when we talk about slot machines, you can use them interchangeably. We’ll stick with the word variance for ease of understanding in this article – but you might see the terms high volatility, medium volatility and low volatility slots.

Variance vs. RTP

Let’s define our last important term for this article: RTP. RTP stands for Return To Player and it is one of the other most common phrases you’ll see come up in reviews of slot machines, and in discussions of games with other slots players. RTP is one of the biggest factors that players look at when choosing a slot machine game they like to play, and for good reason.

RTP refers to the amount of money a player is likely to receive back when betting over a long period of time. This amount, given as a percentage, often varies between 70% – 95% for slots. It tends to be on the lower end of the spectrum for land-based slot games, and on the higher end for online slot games. That is also part of the reason that high RTP online slots are so appealing – they tend to pay out more over time.

This difference is explained by house edge. You may know that the “house always wins” and it is true. A house edge is built into all casino games. Since brick-and-mortar casinos have more overhead costs because of facility upkeep and staff, the edge at casinos is usually a bit higher to account for it and make sure the casino can continue to earn enough to operate. Online platforms have lower upkeep costs so they can afford to offer better RTPs on their games.

Another important thing to keep in mind about RTP is that you may not see these results play out immediately when sitting down with a new slot game. That is because they are an average calculated over a longer playing period. Just because a slot has a 95% RTP does not mean you will get back that amount in your first few spins. You’ll only see this if you continue to play the same game. Even then, no result is guaranteed when it comes to gambling, since these are games of chance. Luck is a factor, which unfortunately cannot be calculated.

When it comes to variance and RTP, you should know that they are not the same thing. Games that have the same RTP can have every different kind of variance. Indeed, there might be similar variance games that have totally different RTP, or vice versa. You could have low variance high RTP slots for example. That is why it is good to understand both of these factors when finding slot games that you enjoy playing.

You might now be asking: What is the best combination of RTP and variance? It is a great question but it is not so simple to answer. As we explained when discussing high variance slots and high rollers, the type of combo you will most enjoy depends greatly on the type of player you are. Hopefully this article and understanding these differences will give you some hints about what games you will prefer. You can also of course test games for yourself in order to see what appeals to you the most! Many slots are available as free trials initially, too.

High Variance Slot Examples

Some examples of high variance slots are the games: Punk Rocker, Wild Expedition, Big Bass Bonanza, and Jammin’ Jars. These are only a few of the thousands of high variance slot games you’ll find on and offline, so discover the ones you like best by playing yourself.

Low Variance Slots Explained

Low variance slots are the opposite of high variance games. As you can imagine, instead of infrequent, large payouts, these games offer frequent smaller payouts. How can we make sense of this contrast and figure out what that really means in practical terms? Let’s try to explain: Rather than a high roller who bets it all on every go, low variance games are better suited to players who prefer smaller bets for a longer period.

These types of players might like to play penny slots – the slots with the lowest minimum bets – for example. That way they can manage their bankroll and stretch it out over the longest period possible without going over their self-imposed limits. However, these players are not necessarily only penny slot players.

If you enjoy low variance slots, you could also try them with higher bets. Since bets are paid out more frequently, you might get lucky and hit some wins frequently, too. Keep in mind though that these wins will not be at the same jackpot level as high variance slots tend to offer. Instead, you can expect a gradual flow of mini wins.

For either type of slot, assess your bankroll and see how you want to proceed with playing. For low variance slot machines, you might want to see how far your bankroll can stretch by making small bets and raking in the mini wins. This is also a good way to test out RTP, by the way, since you’ll experience the same game and its return rate for a longer period of time.

Low Variance Slot Examples

There are many examples of low variance slots. Some game titles include games like Telly Reels, Starburst, Dragon’s Myth and The Mummy. You have games in this category that are both fun to play for those who enjoy low volatility, as well as beautiful to the eye. You can also try free versions of all of these games.

Where to Play High and Low Variance Slots

We have great news about high and low variance slots: You can play them just about everywhere! Casinos all over the US offer slot machines. They are the most popular form of games in brick-and-mortar gambling houses by far. So you are sure to find many variations that suit you at your local casino, or while on holiday at a destination casino-resort!

However, if you are playing from home, there are a few other factors to keep in mind. Remember that not all US states offer online slot machines yet. That is to say, you probably will find online slots that you can sign up for and start playing if you try. However, they might not be operating legally. Read on for a better understanding of finding the best slots for you, under these circumstances.

Finding the Best Slots For You

There are many factors to picking the best slots for you. As we mentioned, RTP and variance of choice depends greatly on your playing style, which can be connected strongly to the bankroll at your disposal. Are you a high roller or do you favor the penny slots? All of these questions go into picking a slot game to play.

There is also the more fun, less practical side of the equation: Game design. Lots of different slot games are created every year. Each of these boasts its own set of features from beautiful icons and screen design, soundscapes, animations and music – to cool game features like mini games, puzzles and different types of jackpots. When you play enough slots you will surely find games that appeal to your specific aesthetic sensibility, and which have bonus features you like.

There are still some other important questions to ask when playing online slots. For one, which state are you located in? Check the rules in your state to be sure whether you can play online slots legally. If you play despite the rules, you should be aware that your hard-won money is at risk. It is much more difficult to get paid from an untrustworthy casino site if online gambling is not legal in your state.

You can also check websites for various bonuses. Sign up bonus offers are the best way to make the most out of playing at a new casino for the first time. Many online platforms offer incredible bonuses like free spins, deposit matching and more. Some also offer ongoing player rewards, particularly for frequent customers or high rollers. Check these offers carefully for terms and conditions and definitely choose a site where you can take advantage of a good offer. Our experts can also point the way to quality bonus offers.