What Volatility Means
Volatility describes the pattern in which payouts arrive on a given machine. A low-volatility slot pays out smaller amounts more often, while a high-volatility machine rewards less frequently but with larger payouts.
Medium volatility looks for a balance between the two: payouts that are neither too rare nor too small. For many players, this is the most comfortable entry point, since the gameplay doesn't make the dry stretches feel too long.
Volatility isn't the same as RTP — the two measure different things, and it's worth looking at them together rather than as substitutes for one another.
What RTP Means and How to Read It
RTP (return to player) is a theoretical, long-term figure that indicates what share of staked bets a given machine statistically pays back to players, averaged over a very large number of spins. It offers no guarantee for any single short session — only a long-term tendency.
The table below shows the RTP of a few titles available in the Dukat.bet lineup, based on publicly available manufacturer data, verified as of 22.09.2026.
| Game | Developer | RTP (per manufacturer) |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon's Luck | Red Tiger | 96.32% |
| Big City Bank | Red Tiger | 95.94% |
| Valley of the Gods | Yggdrasil | 96.30% |
| Vikings Go Berzerk | Yggdrasil | 96.10% |
If a machine doesn't have an exact, publicly disclosed RTP figure, that should always be flagged rather than replaced with a made-up number. You'll find more titles and RTP data with the same sourcing standard on the top slots page.
Choosing by Theme
For many players, theme is the first thing they consider, even before looking at the technical details. Red Tiger's lineup, for instance, includes the classic treasure-hunt vibe of Wild Wild Chest or the extravagance of Dynamite Riches, while Yggdrasil leans more toward mythology and adventure, with titles like Rise of Olympus or Golden Fish Tank.
Theme on its own doesn't affect the payout mechanics, but it does influence how the bonus rounds are built and the overall visual experience. A well-chosen theme makes the gameplay more enjoyable over the long run, even when two machines share similar technical parameters.
On the slot categories page, we also cover the differences between classic, Megaways, and jackpot-type machines, giving you an additional filter alongside theme.
How the Two Developers' Styles Differ
Red Tiger's lineup tends to favor more classically structured machines, often with simpler bonus mechanics and clearly laid-out rules. This suits players who don't want to keep track of too many different features at once.
Yggdrasil, by contrast, often opts for a more complex, visually striking build, with multi-layered bonus rounds and sometimes unique mechanics within a single title. This style appeals to players who enjoy immersing themselves more deeply in a game's world.
On the pages for each developer — Red Tiger and Yggdrasil — we go into more detail on the stylistic differences and the full lineup.
Sizing Your Bets to Your Budget
Stake size and volatility are closely linked: on a high-volatility machine, it's worth playing smaller stakes over a longer stretch so the session stays sustainable despite the less frequent payouts. On a lower-volatility machine, stake size can be adjusted more flexibly.
It's worth setting a budget in advance for a given session and adjusting your stake size to fit it, rather than the other way around. This order helps prevent impulsive decisions after a bad streak or two.
One practical approach is splitting your intended budget into several smaller portions and taking a short break after each series of spins. This doesn't affect the machine's payout mechanics, but it helps you keep control over your decisions.
A brief tip: it's worth starting with a lower stake on a new machine until you've gotten a feel for its payout pattern, and only then deciding whether to raise the stake.
A Practical Example for the Decision
Suppose someone is looking for a longer, more predictable session with smaller but more frequent payouts. In that case, a lower-to-medium volatility machine with a solid RTP, such as Vikings Go Berzerk (96.10%, per the manufacturer's data), can be a good starting point.
If someone instead prefers larger, less frequent payouts and is comfortable with longer dry stretches, a higher-volatility title like Dragon's Luck (96.32%, per the manufacturer's data) is closer to what they're after.
[INFOGRAPHIC: the relationship between volatility and RTP in a simple decision diagram]
If you're still not entirely clear on the basic concepts within the slot category, it's worth going back to our beginner's summary before choosing based on the factors above.