Highest Volatility Slots

Looking for high variance slots? You’re in the right place! For the thrill seekers and slot game players chasing down those massive wins and ready to take a gamble with some big money, on this page you will find our top 10 high variance games of all time, including some stone-cold classics. And further down the page, our list of the best high variance slot machines this year!

Due to its high volatility, it can take a long time to seek it out! Fellow casino streamer Daskelelele also obtained a 100k hit on this very game. If you’re looking for something genuinely volatile: Bonanza is the game to play! Conclusion about high volatility slots. I hope that you enjoyed this list of top volatility slots.

• High variance slots are another variety of slots that you can play at an online casino. Usually, you will find a diverse range of online slot machines offering either low, medium, or high variance. This simply suggests the risk inherent to the game.
• Contrary to high volatility slot games, slot with lower volatility tend to pay out much more frequently. However, the size of the payouts is, of course, significantly smaller. The perks of such titles is that you get to play with a smaller budget and you can make that budget last you much longer than in a higher volatility offering.
• Although high volatility slots have been around for a long time, the arrival of Big Time Gaming to the online slot market and the introduction of the Megaways™ slots, has seen a large number of these style of games released in recent years.

Want to know more about how variance affects gameplay? Check our guide to slot variance at the end of the list.

Best High Variance Slots of All Time

So here it is – The Slot Buzz list of the best high variance slots online ever created! This is all subjective of course, and everyone’s experience will be different. It’s a bit like choosing your top 10 albums of all time – everyone has their favourites!! But for now, here are ours.

1. Bonanza by Big Time Gaming

• 6 Reels
• Up to 7 Rows
• 117,649 Ways to Win
• Includes Free Spin, Multipliers and Re-Spins

Big Time Gaming have established themselves as the kings of the high variance slot in recent years. They are not as prolific as Netent, Microgaming or many other suppliers, but boy do they deliver! Their best games are driven by their Megaways™ game engine in which reels change in size with each spin, up to a maximum of 7 rows high to create 117,649 Ways To Win.

Bonanza is one of BTGs stand-out games. It has a notorious bonus round that requires four scatters spelling out G O L D to trigger it. Many frustrated slot fans has hit the forums asking where that missing ‘D’ has got to as they get so close, and yet so far to getting those free spins on so many occasions!

The bonus round comes with a basic 12 free spins for four scatters, and a further five for every extra scatter. There are also opportunities to get further spins when carts of gold bars stop above the reels on each spin in the bonus round.

And then there is the Rolling Reels affect! After each winning spin the winning symbols explode and are replaced by new ones until no winning combinations appear. And during free spins you get a multiplier value that increases by 1 for each consecutive win in the sequence. There is no upper limit to the multipliers – as long as winlines keep appearing, your multiplier keeps increasing. This is where the massive payouts stack up!

2. Immortal Romance by Microgaming

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 243 Paylines
• Wilds, Free Spins, Multipliers, Wild Reels

This is a stone-cold classic from 2011 and still popular with slots players to this day. Immortal Romance is a vampire-themed slot with 243 paylines and a really slick look and feel to it. The big wins can be found by unlocking the four free spins bonus rounds, one of which (Wild Desire) has particularly big potential. In this feature, at least one of the five reels will turn totally wild. In fact, it is possible to land five wild reels at this point. Elsewhere you will find wild symbols that come with a 2x multiplier and a free spins round with a 5x multiplier.

Fancy a spin on Immortal Romance? We recommend playing at another of our favourite Microgaming casinos, Voodoo Dreams.

3. Book of Dead by Play n Go

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 20 Paylines
• Free Spin, Wilds and Sticky Wilds

With a top win potential of £500,000 it’s no wonder that Book of Dead ranks as one of the best high variance Play n Go Slots. This little beauty has been on the lists of many UK slot sites since it’s release in 2016.

The gameplay is simple – it’s a 5 reel and 20 fixed payline game with a bonus round consisting of 10 free spins with re-triggers. And of course, there is the random expanding symbol, chosen at the start of the round. It can play a bit part in creating massive wins. Worth bearing in mind as well that Book of Dead delivers some serious wins in its top-paying symbols. The start of the show, Rich Wilde, himself gets you a whopping 5,000x for five in a payline.

If you want to take on Book of Dead Slot, try playing at top Play n Go casino, Voodoo Dreams

4. Dead or Alive by NetEnt

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 9 Paylines
• Free Spins, Re-Triggers, Wilds and Sticky Wilds

A real old classic from one of the biggest in the business. NetEnt’s Dead or Alive only really gets interesting when you hit the bonus round where wilds that land on the reels stick for the duration of your free spins … AND you get an additional FIVE free spins to enjoy too! Think about landing five wilds on a payline here and you’re looking at huge potential – well over 1,000x – and it is of course possible to land more than one wild line at a time.

This is typical high variance fare – very little to speak of until you hit one of those incredible lucky streaks where the wilds fall into place and your free spins keep ticking over!

Just approach with caution because these wins are rare.

5. Jurassic Park by Microgaming

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 243 Paylines
• Free Spins, Multipliers, Split Wilds, Wild Multipliers, Winning Wilds, Running Wilds

This game is based on the blockbuster Hollywood movie and comes with 243 ways to win across 5 reels. The game can be played from 30p up to £15 per spin, but the real fun comes in the T-Rex Alert mode feature. It comes with six spins during which 35 wild symbols are added to the reels – possible wins of 6000x here!!

In total Jurassic Park Slot comes with five free spins features, and each one is packed with mini-features of its own, including extra wilds, re-spins and multipliers. There is a Brachiosaurus free spins feature with four spins and up to 6x multipliers, and a Triceratops free spins feature which starts with stacked wilds three high with more wilds added to the stack with each spin, and stampedes of dinosaurs marauding across the screen turning entire reels wild and sticky!

This is a real beast of a game with lots of big win potential when you land the any of the free spins features. If you’d like to try it today, you can try at one of the best Microgaming slot sites, Voodoo Dreams.

6. 300 Shields by NextGen

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 25 Paylines
• Wilds, Free Spins, Multipliers

This is another classic high variance slot game that will be familiar to many players. It’s one of the most notorious games on the market and comes with a possible 300x multiplier in the free spins bonus round that can produce wins way above the 1,000x marker.

The objective of the game is pretty simple – it’s not packed with features like Jurassic Park by Microgaming or Pink Elephants by Thunderkick. No, this one if all about the Free Spins round and once you’re there, how many more spins and multipliers you can unlock.

Initially the game comes with 5 free spins which are given to you when you land three shield scatters on the reels with one spin. During your free spins you must land more shields, each time adding five more free spins to your cache, along with an increasing multiplier from 2x up to 300x.

For the Multipliers in the free spins round to be active, you must have a wild as part of your payline. Once you get into the higher multipliers, pretty much any 5 symbol winning line with a wild in it will be a killer win! Best case though would surely be a 5 wild line at 300x – that’s 12,000x! 1

300 Shields from NextGen is available to play at top NextGen Casino, Voodoo Dreams.

7. Pink Elephants by Thunderkick

• 6 Reels
• 4 Rows
• 4,096 Paylines
• Wilds, Free Spins, Re-Triggers

And now for something totally different! Pink Elephants by Thunderkick is a psychedelic take on WMS’ infamous Raging Rhino slot, and it’s one of our favourite high variance slot games of all time. Thunderkick slots are renowned for their kooky and off-the-wall graphic and animations. With Pink Elephants they’ve taken things even further. This game comes with 6 reels, 4 rows and 4,096 ways to win and is available from 10p up to £100 per spin.

The key to unlocking the secrets of this great game is the green peanut symbol – this is the scatter and three of them unlock 7 free spins. More scatters give you more spins, up to 19 spins from 6 scatters. And you can trigger further free spins in the bonus round with more scatters (6 scatters = 11 spins).

Best High Volatility Slots 2020

But what you’re really looking to do here is fill the meerkat meters (told you it was bonkers!) to the left of the screen. Every time a pink elephant with a glowing orb lands on the reels during free spins this create this adds another point on the next meter. When one is full then one of the lower value meerkat symbols on the reels transforms to a higher value elephant symbol, increasing your chances of bigger wins.

Its crazy and it’s also responsible for some of the best big win videos online.

8. Montezuma by WMS

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• 30 Paylines
• Free Spins, Multipliers, Guaranteed Min. 10x Win in Bonus Round

Montezuma is a land-based casino slot from WMS that has been migrated into the online environment. It’s riches are locked into the bonus round which comes with free spins with unlimited re-triggers and multipliers of up to 10x.

The free spins round is initiated by three scatters, and a wheel spin is used to find out how many free spins you get – anything up to 25. There is also a wheel above the reels that comes into play during each Free Spins. It lands on a number that becomes the mutlipliers for any wins on that spin.

If you land 2 scatters during the free spins round then your multiplier gets fixed and you get an additional spin. The multipliers applies to any wins from any additional free spins from there on.

To get the biggest wins a player needs to land the 10x multiplier and keep getting re-triggers of the free spins all with the 10x. Then if a decent 5 symbols win line comes in, the payout can be massive and well in excess of 1,000x.

9. Casino Zeppelin by Yggdrasil

• 5 Reels
• 3 Rows
• Paylines
• Wilds, Wild Transfers, Free Spins

This game from another top-class provider that is less well known than NetEnt and Microgaming is capable of producing really big wins in excess of 1,000x through a combination of sticky wilds and free spins.

You also get a boost from the Wild Transfer feature in which any wilds that landed on the reels on the spin in which the bonus round was triggered are added to the reels for the whole free spins duration. These are also sticky.

Further, if you get five wilds landing on the reels during the bonus round then you get an extra five free spins. And what you’re really looking for is to land paylines with wilds in them.

This is a great looking slot game from Yggdrasil and highly recommended. You can play it today at Dunder Casino.

10. Pyramid Quest for Immortality Slot by NetEnt

• 5 Reels
• 5 Rows
• 720 Paylines
• Avalanche Reels, Multipliers, Wilds

Finally, let’s take a look at another NetEnt title, Pyramid Quest for Immortality. This game is built on an unusual reel set up, with 5 rows, narrowing to just one symbol width at the top.

Pyramid also uses the Gonzo’s Quest Avalanche feature to create an increasing multiplier value when you get successive wins. Meanwhile ‘Wild Generations’ is a feature where wilds are added to the reels if a win includes any of the symobols in the top rows of the reels.

The trick is to get lots of wilds generated whilst on a successive run of wins that pushes the multiplier up to 10x. A full screen of the highest paying symbol at a 10x could land a whopping 3,600,000 coin win! A decent win would be something like 2,000x on this game – but rememeber, with this high volatility they are rare and hard to come by!

To play Pyramid Quest for immortality, visit a NetEnt casino like Voodoo Dreams.

What Is Slot Variance?

In maths variance is a term that refers to how far from the mean or expected result something will deviate.

In gambling, variance or volatility is an indicator of the frequency and volume in which a slot game is likely to pay out. Low variance games typically generate small, regular payouts, whereas high variance games produce irregular but bigger payouts, with long lean spells of dry spins punctuated by big, blockbuster wins.

When choosing a game to play variance can help a player by showing the likely risk level. High variance games carry more risk because the payouts are less frequent and it is possible to burn through a bankroll before seeing any return.

When deciding on your next slot bear in mind then that the kind of games you want may therefore depend upon your preferred risk level – if you are prepared to spend money chasing down a massive win then high variance games are for you. If, however, you want to enjoy some less stressful gameplay, with smaller, more frequent wins, then low variance games should appeal to you.

In almost all cases, high variance slot machines are built with bonus rounds in which a combination of features like free spins, re-spins and re-triggers, multipliers, sticky and stacked wilds contrive to create moments of sheer adrenaline-pumping excitement as the win balance shoots through the roof. The payoff, of course, is that these moments are rare and generally follow a period where much money is wagered with little in the way of wins.

For this reason, high variance games are preferred by big gamblers and the slot streaming community where players are looking for the high levels of excitement that are produced when a lucrative bonus round is in play.

These games are not for the feint-hearted! But if you’re up for the challenge, they offer some of the most exciting online gambling anywhere!

How To Find High Variance Slot Machines At A Casino

Now you know what high variance means, how do you find these games at an online casino? Well, you already have our list of the latest titles this year, and in our opinion, the best games of all time, on this page. But did you know that you can also easily track down high variance games by using the menu filters at your favourite slot sites. Most casinos have now developed handy menu systems to help you search though their vast catalogues. Just choose ‘high variance’ from the option list in the drop down, then hit SEARCH to bring up a list of every high variance slot available.

High Variance Slots – The Final Word

This selection of high variance slot machine games is only a drop in the ocean of what is available for casino players right now. There are lots of slots to choose from, and more new slot games on release every month that have high volatility – check out our new slot games page for regular updates.

The important thing to remember when playing these games is to adjust your mentality and stake to suit them. You will most likely need to play with smaller stakes than you normally would if you want to make your bankroll last. Games like Dead or Alive and 300 Shields can eat through a £50 budget at 50p a spin in no time, so choose to play at the lower end of the scale if that’s what you’re playing with.

But above all, game responsibly, and have fun! Good luck!

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Slot machines are definitely more volatile than other casino games. They offer everything from jackpots to prizes that are worth less than a dollar.

Some slot machines are even more volatile than others. They feature massive jackpots and/or lucrative bonus features that increase the volatility.

You may love the idea of chasing huge payouts, but you should also consider the downsides of insane volatility. The following guide addresses this point and also explains the pros and cons to volatile slots.

Why Do Slots Players Love High Volatility?

High volatility is commonly viewed as a positive trait to slot machines. Here are the reasons why gamblers and reviewers think that volatile slots are so great.

Indicates Big Win Potential

Higher volatility means one important thing: big win potential! The more volatile a slot machine, the more likely it is to offer huge payouts.

Volatile slot games also normally have more features, such as free spins, stacked wilds, and win multipliers. All of these elements combine to create a very entertaining slot.

Low volatility games, in contrast, are much the opposite. They don’t give you a chance to rack up massive payouts nor do they contain an abundance of features.

More Thrills

The point of slot machines is to have fun. Therefore, gamblers choose the games that they think will be the most entertaining.

Given that many players dream of winning big with slots, they see volatile games as being more thrilling. They love the fact that a huge payout or a lucrative bonus round could happen in any round.

Even if they don’t get rich through a slot, these players appreciate the excitement that comes with dreaming of big wins.

Bonuses Are Entertaining

Gamblers don’t play slot machines without expecting to spin the reels. Eventually, though, they want something different to happen or they’ll get bored and switch games.

Here’s where bonus rounds come into play. A bonus delivers a break from normal gameplay along with the chance to win serious money.

For example, you might trigger free spins that come with a big win multiplier and walking wilds. These modifiers will improve your chances of winning big and also add something new to the equation.

Slots Reviewers Promote Volatility as a Good Thing

You can see that there are definite benefits to playing volatile games. Perhaps this is why those who write slots reviews often consider high volatility to be a positive trait.

Most reviewers give high marks to volatile slot machines. Meanwhile, they view non-volatile games as less desirable. Many gamblers seem to agree and will seek out highly volatile slots with big payouts and multiple features.

As explained in the next section, though, crazy volatility also has its drawbacks. Therefore, slots players shouldn’t immediately think that volatility is a great thing.

Downsides to High Volatility

If you enjoy time spent playing land-based and online slots, then you don’t want your bankroll vanishing in a short amount of time. With that said, you should take the following cons into account.

Longer Dry Spells

Volatile games don’t normally pay out at a high clip. Even those with high hit frequency deliver lots of small prizes to make up for the big payouts that they’ll eventually award.

High Volatility Slots

This situation results in waiting longer for wins—or at least significant payouts that can boost your bankroll. You may become frustrated at waiting to collect decent wins.

Assuming you have the patience, then you might be able to deal with this factor. Nevertheless, you should always consider that high volatility leads to longer droughts.

Drains Your Bankroll Faster

At the end of the day, slot machines are negative expectation games. Outside of some weird manufacturing glitch, they aren’t designed to deliver profits to the average player.

Of course, you can improve your chances of winning money over the long run by playing high-paying slots. A game with 97% RTP, for example, will pay out more than a slot with 95% RTP.

However, the 97% RTP game could drain your bankroll faster if it’s really volatile and doesn’t offer frequent prizes.

Huge Payouts Can Be Deceiving

A slot with a $1 million progressive jackpot or a top prize worth 50,000x your stake is definitely eye-catching. It can deliver life-changing money in an instant.

Here’s an example on how much you can win with slots that boast a huge maximum prize:

• You’re playing a game with a top payout worth 70,000x your stake.
• You wager $5 per spin.
• 70,000 x 5 = $350,000 max prize

It’s easy to get sucked up into these types of slot machines when considering how much they can pay. However, the odds are definitely against you winning a prize of this magnitude.

Developers run tests on their games beforehand to determine the maximum payout. Oftentimes, such simulations require billions of spins before hitting the max prize.

You can always dream about winning big with slots. Just keep in mind, though, that your odds of doing so are extremely slim.

Is High Volatility Ultimately Worth the Praise?

Volatile slot machines do have their high points. These games typically feature the biggest payouts and most entertaining bonuses.

High Volatility Betsoft Slots

Regarding the latter, you might be able to trigger a bonus that offers multiple modifiers. When including multipliers, special wild symbols, and symbol upgrades, bonuses become much more exciting.

With that being said, you likely see the appeal of volatile slot machines. However, you should also keep the previously discussed drawbacks in mind.

High volatility leads to lengthier dry spells, less entertainment time, and deceiving odds. Regarding the latter, you’ll theoretically need billions of spins before winning a massive jackpot.

It’s up to you to decide whether or not crazy volatility is a good or bad thing. You’ll have to consider your own tastes before making this determination. It really all comes down to how you prefer to gamble.

Putting thought into the matter is better than blindly taking reviewers’ recommendations that high volatility is a make-or-break quality. In fact, the reviews are the last thing you should trust when evaluating a slots game.

Play the games and make your own decision. This way, you get firsthand experience that helps you make better decisions in the future.

How Can You Determine the Volatility of a Slot?

No matter if you’re seeking high or low volatility, you’ll definitely want to know how to spot (or avoid) volatile slots. It’s not always easy to find how high or low the volatility is for individual slot machines. Here are some tips to help you.

The best place to start when figuring out a slot machine’s volatility is the help (info) screen. Some developers provide a volatility rating in this section.

For example, the developer may rate a certain game’s volatility at 7 out of 10. This means that you’ll be dealing with medium-to-high volatility.

What happens if no rating is available? You’ll need to look at a game’s other characteristics in this instance.

Here are some things that you can concentrate on when no rating exists:

• Jackpot size (a.k.a. maximum prize): A bigger jackpot indicates high volatility or vice versa.
• Number of features: More bonuses mean that you’ll be in for a wild ride.
• Number of small payouts: More small payouts (e.g. 5 coins or less) indicate lower volatility.
• Hit frequency: Low hit frequency means that you’ll win less often and vice versa.

Individually, these factors don’t necessarily indicate low or high volatility. Together, though, they can give you a strong indication when no rating exists.

Conclusion

Volatile slots will never go out of style. They offer the kind of features and prizes that many players dream of winning.

But you may not automatically like highly volatile games just because others do. This point is especially true if you value gaming time and want your bankroll to last.

Low volatility improves your chances of lasting with slot machines. It also sees you win more frequently.

Ultimately, you may still lean towards volatile machines due to the big prizes and exciting bonuses. Just remember, though, that high volatility isn’t always such a great thing.