In the world of online pokies, not all games are cut from the same cloth. Some are designed to give you a steady stream of small, frequent wins to keep your balance happy and your session lasting longer. And then there are the others. The wild ones. The ones that chew through your bankroll with long, cold streaks, only to suddenly explode with a bonus round that delivers a win so massive it makes your eyes water. These, my friends, are the high volatility pokies.
Playing a high volatility pokie is an entirely different experience. It’s a white-knuckle thrill ride designed for the patient punter, the adrenaline junkie who is willing to take on higher risk for the chance of a truly life-altering reward. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve got the guts and the right strategy, it can be the most exciting way to play.
What Exactly is a High Volatility Pokie?
In simple terms, volatility (or variance) measures how risky a game is.
- Low Volatility: Low risk. Frequent but small wins.
- High Volatility: High risk. Infrequent but massive wins.
A high volatility game channels most of its payout potential (its RTP) into its bonus features. This means the standard base game might feel a bit tight and not pay out much. You’re essentially funding the chance to trigger that one explosive free spins round or feature that could pay out 5,000x, 10,000x, or even more than 100,000x your original stake. It’s a game of patience and nerve.
Is This Style of Game Right for You?
Before you jump into the deep end, have an honest chat with yourself. A high volatility pokie is for you if:
- You have a healthy bankroll: You need enough cash to be able to withstand the inevitable long strings of non-winning spins. If you have a small budget, it can be wiped out very quickly before you even get a sniff of a bonus round.
- You have the patience of a saint: You have to be mentally prepared to watch your balance go down, down, down, in the hope of it rocketing back up. If you get frustrated easily, this is not the game for you.
- You’re chasing a massive, memorable win: You aren’t here to grind out a small profit. You’re here for the jackpot, the screen-filling win you can tell your mates about.
The Golden Rule: Bankroll Management is CRITICAL
This is the most important piece of advice. When playing a high volatility game, you absolutely must adjust your bet size. You should be betting a much smaller percentage of your total bankroll per spin than you would on a low volatility game. A good rule of thumb is to have a bankroll that can sustain at least 200 to 300 spins. So, if you have a $100 budget, you should be playing at a stake of around 20c to 50c per spin. The goal isn’t to get rich quick; it’s to survive long enough to give the game’s bonus feature a chance to trigger. That’s where the magic happens.
There are many legendary high volatility online pokies out there, like Dead or Alive 2 or Money Train 2, famous for their insane payout potential. They offer a level of excitement that is second to none, but they demand respect. Approach them with a smart strategy and a solid budget, and you’ll be in for one hell of a ride.
