Quick answer: high volatility slots pay out less often, but when they do pay, the wins can be much bigger. They suit players with a larger budget and patience for long dry spells. Below we explain how volatility works, how to spot a high volatility slot, and nine of the best, with fact-checked RTP and max wins.
Where we play high volatility slots
1win is our top-rated casino (9.9/10), with thousands of slots and a crypto withdrawal that took 15 minutes in our test.
Play at 1win18+. T&Cs apply. Not available in every country. Game libraries vary, so search the lobby for high volatility slots.
Best high volatility slots at a glance
| Slot | Provider | Top RTP | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead or Alive 2 | NetEnt | About 96.8% | 111,111x |
| Money Train 2 | Relax Gaming | 96.4% | 50,000x |
| Razor Shark | Push Gaming | 96.7% | 85,475x (reported) |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | Up to 96.38% | 12,500x |
| Sweet Bonanza 1000 | Pragmatic Play | 96.53% | 25,000x |
| Gates of Olympus 1000 | Pragmatic Play | About 96.5% | 15,000x |
| Buffalo King | Pragmatic Play | 96.06% | 93,750x |
| Big Bad Wolf Megaways | Quickspin | 96.05% | 30,540x |
| Legacy of Dead | Play’n GO | 96.58% | 5,000x |
We checked every figure against at least two independent sources and say so where they disagree. Casinos can run lower RTP versions of some games, so check the info screen before you play.
What does high volatility mean?
Volatility (or variance) describes how a slot pays out its RTP. A low volatility slot pays small wins often. A high volatility slot pays less often, with long losing streaks, but saves more of its payout for rare big wins, usually in free spins or bonus features.
| Volatility | How it pays | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Frequent small wins | Long sessions on a small budget |
| Medium | A mix of small and occasional bigger wins | Most players |
| High | Rare but bigger wins, long dry spells | Bigger budgets and patient players |
Volatility is not the same as RTP. Two slots can both have 96% RTP, but one may pay little and often while the other pays rarely and big. Read more in our highest RTP slots guide.
How to spot a high volatility slot
- Check the info screen: many providers now show a volatility rating, often as lightning bolts or a 1–5 scale.
- Look at the max win: slots with max wins of 10,000x or more are almost always high volatility.
- Look for big multipliers: growing or stacking multipliers in free spins are a sign of high variance.
- Bonus buys: many high volatility slots offer a bonus buy, which costs a lot per round and is restricted in some countries; see our bonus buy slots guide.
The best high volatility slots
1. Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt)
| RTP | About 96.8% |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | 111,111x |
One of the most volatile slots ever made. Its High Noon Saloon free spins use sticky multiplier wilds that multiply together. Read our Dead or Alive 2 review.
2. Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming)
| RTP | 96.4% (98% via bonus buy) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 50,000x |
The Money Cart bonus uses collector, payer and multiplier symbols on a respin grid. Read our Money Train 2 review.
3. Razor Shark (Push Gaming)
| RTP | 96.7% |
| Volatility | High to very high |
| Max win | Reported at 85,475x |
Mystery stacks and a growing multiplier in free spins give Razor Shark one of the biggest max wins around. Read our Razor Shark review.
4. Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming)
| RTP | Up to 96.38% (lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | 12,500x |
Three different bonus rounds, including the Duel at Dawn with wild multipliers. Read our Wanted Dead or a Wild review.
5. Sweet Bonanza 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
| RTP | 96.53% (lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | 25,000x |
Pay-anywhere tumbles with multiplier bombs of up to 1,000x in free spins. Read our Sweet Bonanza 1000 review.
6. Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
| RTP | About 96.5% (lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | High to very high |
| Max win | 15,000x |
Zeus drops multipliers of up to 1,000x onto the grid. Read our Gates of Olympus 1000 review.
7. Buffalo King (Pragmatic Play)
| RTP | 96.06% (lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 93,750x |
4,096 ways, up to 100 free spins and wild multipliers of x2, x3 or x5. Read our Buffalo King review.
8. Big Bad Wolf Megaways (Quickspin)
| RTP | 96.05% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 30,540x |
A free spins multiplier that grows with every win and never resets. Read our Big Bad Wolf Megaways review.
9. Legacy of Dead (Play’n GO)
| RTP | 96.58% (lower versions down to about 84.55%) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000x |
Book-style free spins where each retrigger adds another expanding symbol. Read our Legacy of Dead review.
Tips for playing high volatility slots
- Size your stake to your budget: a common rule of thumb is to have enough for at least 100 to 200 spins, so you can ride out dry spells.
- Check the RTP version: many of these games come in lower RTP versions, so look in the info screen.
- Set a loss limit and stick to it: long losing streaks are normal, so decide in advance when to stop.
- Try the demo first to see how often features land.
- Never chase losses: a big win is never “due”; every spin is random.
Prefer steadier play? See our penny slots or types of slots guides.
Where to play high volatility slots
Our top-rated casino is 1win (9.9/10), with thousands of slots and a crypto withdrawal that took 15 minutes in our test; new players can use promo code Ultragambler (see our 1win promo code page). iWild (9.8/10) has a 7,000+ game library. Game libraries vary by country, so search the lobby for the titles above.
High volatility slots FAQs
What is a high volatility slot?
A slot that pays out less often but with bigger potential wins, usually concentrated in free spins or bonus features.
Are high volatility slots better?
Not better or worse, just different. They suit players with bigger budgets who are happy to wait for bigger wins; low volatility slots suit smaller budgets.
Which slot has the highest volatility?
Dead or Alive 2 by NetEnt is often described as one of the most volatile slots, with a 111,111x max win.
Does high volatility mean a lower RTP?
No. Volatility and RTP are separate. Many high volatility slots have an RTP of around 96%.
How do I know a slot’s volatility?
Check the game’s info screen, where many providers show a volatility rating, or read our slot reviews.
Important: check your local laws before you play
Online gambling laws differ from country to country, and in some places it is restricted or not permitted at all. Check that online gambling is legal where you live and that the casino accepts players from your country. You must be 18 or older (or the legal gambling age in your country, if higher). Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
