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What Is Casino Variance In Online Casino Games?

January 2, 2025

Variance, in relation to online casino gaming, means the way winnings are distributed in a set of casino games. It’s a statistical measure of the average deviation from the expected outcome. In simpler terms, the more variance a game has, the less predictable your short-term results will be.

Why Is Casino Variance Important?

Most online casino players look at the variance of a game before playing, as it directly affects the potential risk associated with each game. High-variance games offer the possibility of substantial gains, but come with the higher possibility of causing losing streaks. On the other hand, low-variance games offer more frequent but smaller wins with a lower risk of significant losses.

Impact Of Variance On Bankroll Management

It is impossible to overestimate how much variation affects your bankroll when playing casino games. The impact of variance on both short-term outcomes and long-term bankroll survival is examined in detail in this section. In high-variance games, it is a case of “high risk, high reward”.

While lower volatility games can potentially safeguard your bankroll from big hits, they also provide smaller potential profits. Using tactics that fit the kind of game you’re playing is essential to managing volatility well.

A more cautious strategy can enable you to play for longer periods of time and possibly earn a smaller return in low-variance games.

Types Of Casino Games With Varying Variances

To show how variance plays out in different types of casino games, here’s a breakdown of high and low-variance game examples:

High Variance Games

Slot Machines: The highest variance games. Slots are known for their big wins after playing for a while. Some slot games to consider are Cash On Wheels: Hold And Win, Juicy Rolls: Feature Frenzy, and 5 Star Coins: Hold And Win at Pokerstars Casino.

Juicy Rolls: Feature Frenzy

Juicy Rolls: Feature Frenzy is a low to medium volatility game, paying up to 2655X your original bet. If you enjoy fruit-themed games with an RTP of 95.75%, this is the game for you. The game’s most popular features include Bonus symbols, a Bonus Game called “Pick Objects”, free spins, and Wild symbols. However, for some players, the variance of the game is the most important aspect, and Juicy Rolls: Feature Frenzy has a casino variance of Low to Medium.

Cash On Wheels: Hold And Win

Cash On Wheels: Hold And Win slot by is a classic style game with low-medium volatility. You can look forward to potentially huge wins, with a chance to earn up to 4049X your starting bet. The game’s theme is detective, the RTP is 95.72%, and it has the following features: Bonus and Wild symbols, bonus games with multipliers, and repins. With a variance of low to medium, your short-term game results will be more predictable.

5 Star Coins: Hold And Win

Paying up to 5585X your bet with a classic style theme, 5 Star Coins: Hold And Win has the desirable variance of low to medium. With special features like Bonus Bets, Bonus symbols, a Buy feature, Cash Collector, Fixed Jackpots, Hold and Win, and Wild symbols, this slot game is perfect if you want to enjoy a range of unique features while making your short-term results more predictable.

Low Variance Games

Blackjack: With a high hit frequency and a relatively low house edge, blackjack is a low-variance game, meaning you’re unlikely to experience big wins over a short period of time.

Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1