What is Variance in Online Pokies

A term that you have seen used often in connection with online pokies is variance. Variance, also known as volatility refers to how often a pokie machine pays out. Some mistake volatility to mean the amount of money that a machine pays out.

For those new to online pokies, this term may be hard to understand. Don’t worry, we’re here to help break it down for you. Today, you’ll learn all about variance in online pokies and the ways it impacts your online sessions.

Variance Defined

Whenever you hear someone refer to the variance of a particular pokie, they are referring to the amount of risk associated with the game over the short-term. This is generally a single session. It helps you understand how much you can expect to win or lose while playing a particular game.

Note that this is not referring to the Return to Player or RTP of a pokie game. For example, if an online pokie has an RTP of 98%, some think that this is a low variance game. This may not be the case. The RTP of a game only tells you the theoretical percentage of money that is paid out. Volatility will vary from pokie to pokie.

Forms of Variance in Pokie Games

When talking about variance, pokies are generally classified in three categories. Here’s a breakdown of each:

Low Variance – When playing games listed as low variance, you will receive many lower payouts while experiencing fewer Big Wins. You’ll still hit the occasional big win, but the odds are much longer for low volatility games. These games are for those wanting to maximize playing time or to try and clear online casino bonuses.

Medium Variance – These games offer a balanced approach to wins. You’ll get a nice mix of smaller wins and larger wins. You’ll see more of these games than any other form of pokie at the casino. If you want a realistic shot at larger wins but don’t want a lot of fluctuation in your online casino bankroll, these are the games to play.

High Variance – These are the games to play if you are looking to hit big wins or win a big jackpot. You’ll get few small wins but your odds are much better at hitting a Big Win. The tradeoff is that you will have a lot of bankroll fluctuation. These are games best suited for high rollers or jackpot chasers.

The Importance of Pokie Volatility

The reason it is important to understand variance is so you know which games are worth playing based on your goals. For those that are looking to maximize your bankroll or just looking to have fun, you’ll want to stay away from high volatility games.

Those looking for life-changing money or are only concerned with big wins should play high volatility pokies. Note that the higher the volatility, the more money you’re going to spend. However, when you win, you’ll win much more with high variance games than with low variance.

How to Find the Variance of Pokies

There are various ways you can determine the variance of pokie games. The first is to check out the details of the games you’re playing at the casino. Some Australian online casinos will tell you the volatility of their games. The casino will make money regardless, so it doesn’t hurt them to share this information.

The second way to find the variance of a pokie is to check the manufacturer’s website. If you’re playing games from BetSoft, just head to their website and get the technical information of the game. This information is open to the general public as they make money by selling the games to others.

Lastly, you can also look at online casino reviews and online pokie reviews to find the volatility of games. For example, when we review a game, we give the variance of the game so you can make an educated decision on whether to play the game.

All online casinos offer a mix of low, medium, and high variance online pokies. With a little research, you can find the volatility on any online pokie, allowing you to make the best decision on how to spend your online casino deposit.