Volatility, also called variance, describes the pattern of payouts. Low volatility slots pay small wins often; high volatility slots pay rarely but can pay much larger amounts.

Your bankroll feels volatility directly. Low volatility games stretch a small budget over a long session, while high volatility games can empty it quickly during a dry spell.

Neither type is better in absolute terms. The right choice depends on your budget, how long you want to play, and whether you enjoy chasing big hits or steady action.

A practical approach is to check the game info for volatility ratings, start with smaller bets on high volatility games, and switch games if the session stops being fun.