Can Online Slots Players Use Variance to Their Advantage?

Slots have existed since the latter half of the 19th century and these games have certainly evolved over the years. However, many of the associated strategies are still somewhat traditional. One example can be seen when playing a round of slots at a physical casino. Many players will try to predict when the machine in question is about to pay out. This was not entirely unreasonable in the past, as tricks such as listening to how many coins were in the reservoir could be a somewhat reliable method. Of course, such strategies are no longer valid within the virtual slots community. This is why we need to ask whether or not it is possible to utilise payout frequencies (variance) to our advantage. Is this a realistic concept or nothing more than smoke and mirrors?

The Basic Notion of Variance

Variance represents nothing more than how often a machine will reward a player. Games associated with a high level of variance will not offer rewards very often but when they do, the sums can be quite large (sometimes in the form of a jackpot). On the other hand, low-variance slots pay out more regularly and in smaller sums.

So, what type should you choose? The answer to this question partially depends upon your bankroll. If you have substantial reserves, you may be able to supersede the losses attributed to a high-variance game until you experience a massive return. However, those who are dealing with somewhat limited funds will normally opt for online slots platforms associated with low to medium levels of variance due to the somewhat conservative nature of this strategy.

It should also be mentioned that payouts will not always come in the form of monetary rewards. Other amenities such as free spins or bonus rounds can fall into this category. Be sure to take this into account when calculating how much you can afford to wager at any given time.

Leveraging Variance to Your Advantage

To be clear, one of the most attractive aspects of slots is their rather unpredictable nature. This is another way of observing that the notion of a "fool-proof" strategy is unrealistic. However, it might still be possible to become accustomed to the variance of a specific game. You can then use this frequency to strategically place larger wagers as you approach the cusp of a payout. The only downside of this approach is that you could also lose a great deal if your predictions are incorrect.

So, we can see that variance is an important concept to keep in mind whether playing for real money or for fun. If you are new to the slots community, it is normally best to choose a game that offers low to medium levels of variance until you become more acclimated to the fast-past nature of this fun pastime. Above all, never wager than you can afford to lose and always keep in mind that the random nature of slots is one of their most challenging (and enjoyable) aspects.