Volatility explained
Volatility is how a game hands back its return: little and often, or seldom and large.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Low: frequent small results.
- High: rare large ones.
- It does not change the house edge.
- It varies by bet as well as game.
By game
| Game | Volatility |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | Low |
| Baccarat | Low |
| Craps | Medium |
| Roulette | Low to high, by bet |
| Video poker | Medium |
| Casino poker games | Medium |
| Sic Bo | Low to very high, by bet |
| Slots | Low to very high |
| Live game shows | High |
| Slingo | Medium |
| Scratch cards | High |
By bet
Roulette on red is steady; roulette on a single number is wild. The edge is the same.
Slots
Starburst is low volatility with a 500x ceiling. Sweet Bonanza is high with 21,100x. Their RTPs are within half a point.
Budget
On a volatile game, lower the stake until your budget buys a couple of hundred rounds.
More guides: Fairness and RNG, UK casino game rules and Casino game myths.
Games and casinos: Live game shows UK, Roulette UK, Ladbrokes Casino games review and Casino games of skill.
Hit frequency
Some games state how often any win occurs. A high hit rate can sit beside a falling balance, because many "wins" are smaller than the stake.
Who rates it
For slots, the developer, with no common scale. For table games it follows from the bet: even-money is low, long odds are high.
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House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is volatility?
How unevenly a game pays.
Does it affect the odds?
No.
Which game is steadiest?
Baccarat.
Which is most volatile?
Game shows and high-volatility slots.