Multi-Line Play

How does playing a machine, say JoB, with 3/5/10 play effect the variance of the game, if at all? It would seem(at least to me) that it has to go higher because it would appear more volatile. If so, is there a calculation or table that states the difference. I'm trying to figure out whether I want to play the higher lines.

Welcome to the boards!

According to the wizard of odds there is no difference in strategy or expected return between single line or multi line VP providing the pay tables the same. However multi line is more volatile.
http://wizardofodds.com/askthewizard/videopoker-multiplay.html

I seem to remember either reading or hearing on TV Bob Dancer saying that a multi-line game can spread out the Variance if you are playing it instead of the same money amount total on a higher denomination Single Line machine (assuming that the pay schedule is exactly the same on both of the machines).

For example, if you were at a Penny 50 play machine and played 25 hands (at full coin-in), if you were to play that instead of a Single Line $0.25 machine, that would end up spreading out the Variance because it would be much less likely that you would lose the entire $1.25 on the hand at the 25 play than on the one hand of the Single-Line machine.

For example, you might end up on the 1-Cent machine (while playing the 25 hands) ending up with a total of $0.75 instead of losing the entire $1.25 on the hand if you were to play the Single-line on the $0.25 machine.

RecVPPlayer

Basically every game has variance on the deal and variance on the draw. As you increase the number of lines the variance on the deal becomes more important. For instance JOB has a variance of 19.5 for single line, but a variance of 27 for 5-Play so the volatility goes up 40%. Of course the amount you are betting is increased 5 times so its a much smoother ride than playing 5 times the denomination.