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High Volatility Pokies

High volatility slot games are a popular choice in online gambling, offering the promise of a large win and plenty of features. Despite being less likely to win, with the right strategy and bankroll, impressive winnings are possible. Many Aussie players seek out new highly volatile slots to experience the thrill of hundreds or even thousands of ways to win. Smartpokies is a reliable guide for finding exciting pokies with high volatility, making it easy to discover new favorites in just a few minutes. Get ready to enjoy the latest special effects of the gaming industry while potentially changing your life for the better with highly volatile slots.a

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List of high volatility pokies to try for free

Slot List

1spin4win
1spin4win
1x2gaming
1x2gaming
2by2
2by2
4theplayer
4theplayer
5men
5men
7mojos
7mojos
AceRun
AceRun
Ainsworth gaming
Ainsworth gaming
Air dice
Air dice
All41 studios
All41 studios
Amatic
Amatic
Amaya
Amaya
Ameba entertainment
Ameba entertainment
Amigo gaming
Amigo gaming
Amusnet
Amusnet
Apollo Games
Apollo Games
Apparat gaming
Apparat gaming
Arcadem
Arcadem
Aristocrat
Aristocrat
Armadillo studios
Armadillo studios
Arrows edge
Arrows edge
Ash gaming
Ash gaming
ATMOSFERA
ATMOSFERA
Atomic slot lab
Atomic slot lab
Aurum signature studio
Aurum signature studio
Avatarux
Avatarux
Aviatrix
Aviatrix
Azure gaming
Azure gaming
Baddingo
Baddingo
Bakoo
Bakoo
Bang bang games
Bang bang games
Barbara bang
Barbara bang
Barcrest
Barcrest
Bbgames
Bbgames
Bbin
Bbin
Begames
Begames
Belatra games
Belatra games
Bet2Tech
Bet2Tech
Betconstruct
Betconstruct
Beterlife
Beterlife
BetGamesTV
BetGamesTV
Betixon
Betixon
Betsoft
Betsoft
Betsolutions
Betsolutions
Bfgames
Bfgames
BGaming
BGaming
Big time gaming
Big time gaming
Black pudding games
Black pudding games
Bluberi
Bluberi
Blue Guru games
Blue Guru games
Bluebird Gaming
Bluebird Gaming
Blueprint gaming
Blueprint gaming
Boldplay
Boldplay
Boomerang studios
Boomerang studios
Booming games
Booming games
Boongo
Boongo
Bulletproof games
Bulletproof games
Caleta
Caleta
Capecod
Capecod
Casimi gaming
Casimi gaming
Casino technology
Casino technology
Cayetano gaming
Cayetano gaming
Champion studio
Champion studio
Concept gaming
Concept gaming
Crazy tooth studios
Crazy tooth studios
Creedroomz Live
Creedroomz Live
Cryptologic
Cryptologic
Ct interactive
Ct interactive
Design works gaming
Design works gaming
Dlv
Dlv
Dragon gaming
Dragon gaming
E gaming
E gaming
Eagaming
Eagaming
Egt interactive
Egt interactive
Ela games
Ela games
Elk studios
Elk studios
Elysium
Elysium
Endemol shine gaming
Endemol shine gaming
Endorphina
Endorphina
Esa gaming
Esa gaming
Espresso games
Espresso games
Eurasian gaming
Eurasian gaming
Evolution gaming
Evolution gaming
Evoplay
Evoplay
Expans studios
Expans studios
Eyecon
Eyecon
Fantasma
Fantasma
Fazi interactive
Fazi interactive
Felix gaming
Felix gaming
Foxium
Foxium
Fugaso
Fugaso
G Games
G Games
Gameart
Gameart
Gamebeat
Gamebeat
Gameburger studios
Gameburger studios
Games global
Games global
Games lab
Games lab
Gamevy
Gamevy
Gaming Realms
Gaming Realms
Gamomat
Gamomat
Gamzix
Gamzix
Genesis gaming
Genesis gaming
Golden Race
Golden Race
Golden Rock Studios
Golden Rock Studios
Groove
Groove
Habanero
Habanero
Hacksaw Gaming
Hacksaw Gaming
High 5 Games
High 5 Games
Holle Games
Holle Games
Hotrisgames
Hotrisgames
Igrosoft
Igrosoft
IGT
IGT
IGTech
IGTech
Interjuegos
Interjuegos
Iron dog studios
Iron dog studios
iSoftbet
iSoftbet
Jade Rabit Studio
Jade Rabit Studio
Jelly
Jelly
JFTW
JFTW
KA Gaming
KA Gaming
Kalamba
Kalamba
Kiron
Kiron
Konami Gaming
Konami Gaming
Livespins
Livespins
Lucky
Lucky
Lucky Streak
Lucky Streak
Mancala Gaming
Mancala Gaming
Mascot Gaming
Mascot Gaming
Merkur Gaming
Merkur Gaming
MGA Games
MGA Games
Microgaming
Microgaming
MrSlotty
MrSlotty
Neogames
Neogames
NetEnt
NetEnt
Netgame
Netgame
NetGaming
NetGaming
Nextgen
Nextgen
Nolimit City
Nolimit City
Northern Light Gaming
Northern Light Gaming
Novomatic
Novomatic
Nucleus Gaming
Nucleus Gaming
OnAir
OnAir
Only Play
Only Play
Peter & Sons
Peter & Sons
Platipus
Platipus
Play N Go
Play N Go
PlayPearls
PlayPearls
Playson
Playson
Playtech
Playtech
Pocket Games
Pocket Games
Popiplay
Popiplay
Popok Gaming
Popok Gaming
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play
Push Gaming
Push Gaming
Quickspin
Quickspin
RabCat
RabCat
Real Dealer Studios
Real Dealer Studios
Realistic Games
Realistic Games
Realtime Gaming
Realtime Gaming
Red Tiger Gaming
Red Tiger Gaming
Redrake Gaming
Redrake Gaming
Reel Life Games
Reel Life Games
Reel Play
Reel Play
Reevo
Reevo
Reflex Gaming
Reflex Gaming
Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming
Revolver Gaming
Revolver Gaming
Ruby Play
Ruby Play
Salsa Technology
Salsa Technology
SG Digital
SG Digital
Skywind
Skywind
Slotmill
Slotmill
Smartsoft Gaming
Smartsoft Gaming
Spadegaming
Spadegaming
Spinmatic
Spinmatic
Spinomenal
Spinomenal
Spinthon
Spinthon
Spribe
Spribe
Stakelogic
Stakelogic
Stormcraft Studios
Stormcraft Studios
Swintt
Swintt
Switch Studios
Switch Studios
Thunderkick
Thunderkick
Tom Horn Gaming
Tom Horn Gaming
Triple Cherry
Triple Cherry
Triple Edge Studios
Triple Edge Studios
TrueLab Games
TrueLab Games
Turbo Games
Turbo Games
TVBet
TVBet
Vibra Gaming
Vibra Gaming
Vivo Gaming
Vivo Gaming
Wazdan
Wazdan
Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil
Zillion
Zillion
Jokerizer
Jokerizer
Yggdrasil
RTP: 98.8%
Pirate Golden Age
Pirate Golden Age
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Bounty Gold
Bounty Gold
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Buffalo
Buffalo
Aristocrat
RTP: 94.8%
Sticky Piggy
Sticky Piggy
Boongo
RTP: 95.5%
Pinup Girls
Pinup Girls
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 95.3%
Fruit Party 2
Fruit Party 2
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Hot Pepper
Hot Pepper
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Heroes Hunt Megaways
Heroes Hunt Megaways
Fantasma
RTP: 96.5%
Mega Joker
Mega Joker
NetEnt
RTP: 99.0%
Madame Destiny Megaways
Madame Destiny Megaways
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.6%
Sugar Rush 1000
Sugar Rush 1000
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.0%
Big Bass Splash
Big Bass Splash
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.7%
Muertos Multiplier Megaways
Muertos Multiplier Megaways
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.0%
Candy Monsta Xmas
Candy Monsta Xmas
BGaming
RTP: 94.6%
The Knight King
The Knight King
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.0%
Big Bass Keeping it Reel
Big Bass Keeping it Reel
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.1%
The Dog House Megaways
The Dog House Megaways
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.5%
Reel Banks
Reel Banks
Pragmatic Play
RTP: 96.0%
Mine & Melt
Mine & Melt
1spin4win
RTP: 96.3%
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Casinos with High Volatility pokies

DISCLAIMER: 18+ only
There are many risks involved when it comes to gambling. We advise our players to gamble responsibly and ONLY use the funds that you can afford to lose. Please remember that gambling is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as a way to solve your financial issues.

Reviews of the best high variance slots

Eager to just get to a list of high volatility slot machines worthy of your time? Allow us to introduce some of the most interesting ones packing quite a punch in the rewards department.

Cat to the Future

Cat to the Future

Cat to the Future is a pokie by High 5 Games released in 2021. With high volatility and a decent RTP of 96%, it brings you two jackpots with the possibility of winning up to 5,000 of your total stake. Humanoid cats from the future… space travel… all that translates into a highly enjoyable gaming experience. You will love the nicely drawn cool cats that show up on the reels – and the payments they bring with them.

The game comes with 243 ways to win and enough cool features to keep you engaged for a while. The game also features a wide range of bets, min to max, making it enticing for all categories of players. For landing a different combination of high-paying symbols, you can get multipliers between x2 and x60 (the latter multiplier requiring five Cats with Skateboard on a payline). Add to that their Racing up Riches feature and Blinking Bucks bonus that leads to one of the two jackpots available, and you’ve got yourself a great pokie to play at any moment.

General info about cat to the future slot
Cat to the Future
RTP Release date Reels Lines Volatility Min. bet Max. bet Max. win Software
96.4% 2021 5 243 High 0.2 200 5,000x High 5 Games

Captain Payback 2

Captain Payback 2

Captain Payback 2 is a superhero-vs-villain-themed high variance slot by High 5 Games. Released in 2019, it features an impressive RTP Of 96.5% and 50 lines. The maximum win here is x1,274, which, combined with a maximum bet of 50, can render a nice win at some point. The pokie’s hunky cartoonish guy seeks justice all across the reels, that mission bringing rewards to the player spinning them.

As players familiar with the first part of the pokie point out, this one features an improved soundtrack and visuals. However, the jackpots that could be found in the original game are missing. Captain Payback 2 also features a different reel formation – 3-4-4-4-4-3 and can be played through a mobile app, if this is how you like it. The game's Scatter Buck feature is triggered by a wild and can win you up to 5,000 credits, and the fact wilds can expand on certain reels makes the action even more enjoyable.

General info about captain payback 2
Captain Payback 2
RTP Release date Reels Lines Volatility Min. bet Max. bet Max. win Software
96.5% 2019 6 50 High 0.5 800 1,274x High 5 Games

Wild Wild Bananas

Wild Wild Bananas

Wild Wild Bananas is a pokie that comes from one of the best-known software providers with a jaw-dropping portfolio. This pokie released as recently as in 2023 does not disappoint – it’s vibrant, playful, and packed with features. Featuring an unusual 3-3-4-4-4 layout and an RTP of 95.1%, this high volatility pokie offers a maximum win of x12,000. Given the fact the bet range is between 0.3 and 125, it should appeal to most categories of players looking for a fun theme that’s easy on the eye.

The pokie’s cheerful background and juicy symbols make the gameplay more engaging and overall enjoyable. But wait until you see what else is in store for those that appreciate generous features. You are in for lucrative wild adventures with instant cash prizes, free spins, and three jackpots to be won.

General info about wild wild bananas
Wild Wild Bananas
RTP Release date Reels Lines Volatility Min. bet Max. bet Max. win Software
95.1% 2023 5 25 High 0.3 125 12,000x Pragmatic Play

TNT Tumble Dream Drop

TNT Tumble Dream Drop

TNT Tumble Dream Drop is one of the 2022 slots with high volatility from Relax Gaming, it’s got 5 reels and 7 rows. The pokie features a fun pay system – you can land a win for a line of 3 symbols no matter if it’s horizontal or vertical. With the bets ranging between the minimum of 0.2 and the maximum of 100, it can be enjoyed by both novice and veteran players. Granted, the pokie’s high volatility combined with an RTP of 94% leaves space for improvement.

But if this pokie falls short in some of the aspects, it compensates for that in full in other ones. Landing the maximum win in the free spin feature can result in x12,279 your stake, while the progressive jackpots offer millions in rewards. The mine backdrop lends a certain charm to the game, and the gorgeous symbols do justice to the provider’s excellence. Overall, the stats for this game are excellent and quite promising.

General info about TNT Tumble Dream Drop
TNT Tumble Dreap Drop
RTP Release date Reels Lines Volatility Min. bet Max. bet Max. win Software
94% 2022 5 5 High 0.2 100 10,000x Relax Gaming

Sweet Power Nudge

Sweet Power Nudge

Sweet Power Nudge is a 2023 release by Pragmatic Play that takes you to Candyland and delivers on all expectations, from graphics to rewards. With high volatility and an RTP of 95%, this is a well-balanced pokie with 7 reels and quite a few neat features. Vibrant colors, delicious treats, modern graphics, and sound effects – this is just the wrapper of an exciting new release by Pragmatic Play, a company that knows how to inspire players.

As the case is with most high volatile slots, you can buy free spins, plus there is the double chance feature, as well as multipliers and scatters. The maximum win in this pokie is 5,000 and the bets are between 0.2 minimum to 125 maximum. You can land multipliers of x10 to x100 depending on the symbols landed and their count. The cluster pays and power nudge mechanics combined with the possibility to buy a bonus make it an enticing and potentially very lucrative game to enjoy, on desktop or mobile.

General info about TNT Tumble Dream Drop
Sweet Power Nudge
RTP Release date Reels Lines Volatility Min. bet Max. bet Max. win Software
95% 2023 7 5 High 0.2 125 5,000x Pragmatic Play

High volatility slots meaning

High volatility stands for big wins that are spread apart in time. Compared to low volatility games that tend to pay out more frequently but in larger amounts, high-variance slots offer very generous payouts. However, they do not come as often as one would want them to, placing pokies with high variance out of many players’ reach. How come? Infrequent but large wins take time and patience. That and the money, of course. If your bankroll is not very large in size, you may run out of it before a win of any significance comes along.

Granted, high volatility is not the only parameter one should consider. It should be evaluated together with a given pokie’s RTP, which stands for return to player. RTP means how much of your bets will return to you as wins, and good RTP starts around 95%. High variance and high RTP are good, so everyone is looking for a perfect combination of those two. That means bigger payouts in the long run and the possibility to recoup your losses in the process.

High volatility slot machines seem to make the bulk of modern releases. They are usually loaded with features, boast incredible graphics and audio effects, as well as offer hundreds or even thousands of ways to win. A pokie’s volatility is one of the key indicators that allows players to plan their strategy and adjust their expectations. In short, such a pokie can render a win thousands of times your stake. But to achieve that, you may need to play hundreds of spins and even place maximum bets in some cases.

Tips for playing high volatility slots

Is there a strategy for playing pokies? Just like with any game, there is. Granted, high volatility slot games are powered by random number generators with outcomes being random. However, there is always certain order to randomness of any sort, and knowing some rules of thumb can help you succeed with more likelihood.

  • Plan your budget and stick to it

    You can win significantly more compared to low volatility pokies if you get very lucky. High-variance games pay out less frequently, but the amounts are a lot more impressive. However, that very fact makes it tougher to judge how much money you will need to stay in the game, especially if it's not a big one to begin with. This only adds more significance to keeping to the original plan and only playing for the funds you can afford to lose.

  • Evaluate the RTP

    High variance is great, but there is another factor to consider that can have some influence on the likelihood of your winning. RTP, which stands for Return to Player, is a parameter showing how much of the money bet you will win back. This usually applies to hundreds of bets, so it should not be taken as a guarantee of winning after, say, 20 bets or so, but it still gives you a better idea. If possible, you should choose a pokie with a higher RTP. 96% and over is clearly a lot better than anything less than that.

  • Don’t be afraid of claiming bonuses

    Bonuses are offered by most if not all modern casinos. And bonuses mean you can enjoy the best high volatility slots for longer. These usually offer a certain percentage of your deposit – as a welcome bonus or a reload one. Bonuses do come with strings attached - in form of a wagering requirement. You need to wager the amount of bonus claimed a certain number of times to be able to withdraw the winnings obtained with the help of those extra funds. But before that even becomes an issue, you can get from 50% to 100% of the deposit offered as extra cash, plus some free spins on top.

  • Feel free to switch to lower variance from time to time

    A bigger bankroll is crucial for playing highest volatility slots. But claiming a bonus and starting off with a certain pokie machine does not mean you have to stick with it all the time. In fact, some players recommend switching to a lower variance machine once you’ve landed that big win. Wagering your bonus on a pokie that tends to pay out more frequently, especially if it comes with a decent RTP, is a sound strategy.

Why choose most volatile online slots

How come so many players are specifically after highly volatile slots? Why can’t they just relax and pick with their heart rather than by those boring parameters? Here are some of the reasons.

  1. Jackpots are usually larger

    A jackpot is something everyone is after, even if they are not thinking it out loud. A couple of missions to be won sounds like a worthy cause to make your choice in favor of this pokie rather than that one. Highly volatile pokies do offer much better jackpots, but it makes sense that they are harder to get.

  2. Rewards other than jackpots are usually more generous

    There is a trend of high-variance pokies being a lot more generous with their rewards. This applies to both multipliers being offered for landing a set of specific symbols, as well as other non-jackpot rewards.

  3. More bonus features are available

    Although some low- and medium-variance pokies can surprise you with a few neat features, slots with high volatility are unparallel in that respect. You can always expect at least three bonus features in any of them, and that’s for older ones. Most recent high volatility releases are packing a long list of features and tons of winning potential. It all comes down to how often you will end up winning.

FAQ

What are high volatility slots?

These are games with less frequent wins. However, they come with much larger rewards and more features.

Is it better to play high volatility slots?

If you enjoy the promise of a much heftier win despite the higher risk of losing money, then it’s definitely a better option for you.

What slots have the highest volatility?

The best high volatility slots you could try include Wild Wild Bananas, TNT Tumble Dream Drop, and Sweet Power Nudge.

How do you find high volatility slots?

You can use the info gathered by Smartpokies to quickly get access to the finest pokies with high variance.

Can volatility exceed 100%?

Pokies range from low volatility to very high. The percentage is used to evaluate a pokie's RTP and cannot exceed 100%.