How Do Slot Tournaments Work? – A Detailed Guide

Slot tournaments are famous in the gambling industry. Operators hold these events to attract players to play a more competitive, rewarding, and thrilling game of Slots in a communal atmosphere.

Competitive slots take place in land-based and online casinos played by many people. The goal is to collect points on designated slot machines within a given time limit. The person who gets the most points wins.

People are crazy about slot tournaments due to their competitive social environment.

This article will explain how slot tournaments work, why people compete, and some tips to ace the competition.

Highlights of the Article

• Slot tournaments can be held at both in-land and online casinos. However, competitive slots are more common in virtual platforms. 
• During a tournament, the machines utilized in the competition are set to “tournament mode.” Due to this, players no longer have to put money and take out any winnings. 
• At the start of the tournament, credits are given equally to all the players. 
• Players can choose which slot titles to compete in online casinos. Online casinos offer either free-to-play or paid tournaments. 
• Casinos can limit tournament entry to VIP or loyal program members. They can also ask players to sign up to receive an invitation to participate in the games. 
• Cash entry are usually required in slot casinos before players can participate in the tournament. The casino collects this mandatory fee. 
• For One Shot Slot tournaments, the entry fees are reasonably modest. Even with a limited bankroll, a player can walk away with some cash in their pocket.
• Cashing out slot tournament credits is impossible, as these are virtual points.

The Inner Workings Behind Slot Tournaments

It may sound confusing to picture how a slot machine works in a competitive environment, but it’s pretty simple.

Each player is assigned to a designated slot machine. While it may seem intimidating, newcomers need not worry, as these games typically require zero skills and rely heavily on luck.

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All the machines used for the competition are set to “Tournament Mode,” meaning players no longer need to put in money. Instead, each spin is recorded into the scoreboard.

The player’s primary goal is accumulating as many points as possible and securing a place on the leaderboard to earn a share of the prize pool.

Depending on the tournament format, countdown timers are installed on each machine to guide players on the remaining minutes before the round ends, usually around 3 to 5 minutes.

Quick Tip

Slot machines used in tournaments may have bonus features that help players score more. A guide on unlocking bonuses can be found in the paytable of the slots.

Once the tournament ends, the players who earned one of the highest spots are hailed victors and will take home a percentage of the prize pool.

The following section explores the set-up of Slot tournaments to introduce the existing concepts and mechanics of the event.

Game of Competitive Slots: The Set-Up

Slot tournaments give a competitive element to the solo nature of regular slot games. Competing with other players makes it more interactive and thrilling. 

Like any other tournament, rules are observed and applied. Subscribed rules vary in casinos and tournaments, but general formats are followed.

To give you a head start, look at the mechanics commonly applied in competitive slots:

• Credits are given equally to all players at the starting point of the competition.
• Players are assigned the same type of slot machine and play the title.
• Time frames are observed in every tournament, and all accumulated points are recorded within the allotted time.
• The game’s victors are based on the leaderboard, the one who places in the top tier.

Quick Tip

When joining a slot tournament, check whether the points are accumulated in either “Betting” or “Winning.”

Sometimes, the tournament gives points to players who place hefty bets to help you reach the top of the leaderboard.

Both in-land and online casinos hold Slot tournaments, but competitive slots are more prevalent on virtual platforms. 

Online casinos offer a wide list of slot games players choose to compete in. They offer either paid or free-to-play slot tournaments. 

Buy-in tournaments require players to deposit a specific amount to join the contest; sometimes, online casinos need several players to sign in before the game starts.

1. Entry Fee: To join a slot tournament, your first step is paying the entry fee, also known as the buy-in.
2. Free Spins Gameplay: After paying the buy-in, you’ll be granted a specific number of free spins on a predetermined video slot selected by the casino, typically 200 to 300 free spins.
3. Declaring the Winner: When all participants have completed their allotted free spins, the player holding the highest tournament balance emerges as the champion.

In land-based casinos, slot tournaments often favor loyal and frequent customers since they have limited machines and can only accommodate a small number of players.

Fun Fact

In 2021, there were around 1,063,032 Slot machines worldwide, a 6.8% decrease from the previous year’s 1,140,743 machines. Studies attribute the decrease to the pandemic.

Even though the starting time limit is static in competitive slots, the tournament can last from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the game.

There are two parts that tournament organizers employ during the event: the leaderboard and the prize pool. Both are essential factors that players look forward to, adding more suspense and competitiveness.

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Slot Tournament Leaderboards

The leaderboard is a visible list displaying the top players and their points. It helps players gauge their position in the tournament by checking their ranks and devising a plan to improve their standing. 

Leaderboards are updated in real-time in tournaments. Usually, operators place it in the center of the casino floors or on a specific panel in online casinos. Brick-and-mortar casinos hire judges to verify player points.

Slot Tournament Prize Pools

The prize pool showcases the rewards for the top players. In contrast to other gambling games, slot tournaments don’t follow the “winner takes all” principle.

Prizes are distributed among the top X number of players, as determined by the specific casino where you are participating.

Fun Fact

The slot machine is one of the casinos’ most high-paying gambling activities. However, slots carry the reputation of having the worst odds among the games found in casinos.  

After understanding the prize pool and leaderboards, it’s time to explore the process of joining a slot tournament.

Entering A Slot Tournament

For anyone interested in playing in a slot tournament, there are different ways to join these tournaments.

1. Casinos hosting a slot tournament would require players to participate by paying a fixed entry fee called a “buy-in.” The entry fees can range from $25 to $100, and these payments contribute to the cash prizes in the competition.
2. Certain casinos might ask players to sign up to receive an invitation to participate. In contrast, others may limit tournament entry to VIP or loyalty program members.
3. Casinos also organize free slot tournaments. In these cases, all you need to do is register for the competition. These free tournaments aim to attract more regular customers, and the prize pools are generally smaller than paid competitions.

After securing a spot in the slot match, here are other slot tournaments you might also consider joining after your first match.

Did You Know?

Organizers thoroughly organize their events by employing casino members to survey and monitor the players and the machines to ensure no cheating occurs, such as hacking the machines.

Casinos utilize a security measure called CARDS (Casino Anti-Cheating and Recognition System) to guarantee that a tournament’s integrity is maintained and that event participants experience a fair and exciting game.

The Various Types of Competitive Slots

There are several slot tournaments, each varying in mechanics and the maximum number of participants. Despite their differences, the primary goal of all slot tournaments is to climb the leaderboard.

If one wishes to score big in slot tournaments, keeping in check with the observed rules in each slot competition is a must strategy to secure a spot in the leaderboard. 

Here is the list of slot tournaments you might find interesting.

1. Buy-In Tournaments

Buy-in slot tournaments require cash entry before a player can participate in the competition – this is a mandatory fee collected by the casino. 

Usually, the registration fee goes to the prize pool. Buy-in contests don’t give you special privileges during the tournament; they grant you entry.

Did You Know?

The buy-in concept in slot tournaments is the same as joining online blackjack tournaments, in which the operators require players to pay an entry fee in exchange for chips for betting.

Most brick-and-mortar casinos occasionally hold buy-in tournaments compared to their online counterpart.

2. Freeroll Tournaments

Freeroll has no required entry fee or buy-in but offers a real-money prize pool.

While more standard than Buy-In slots, Freerolls are available at several major casinos, including sweep cash. Freeroll tournaments are immensely popular, although the prize is lower than a buy-in tournament.

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The winnings from the Freerolls tournament have a wagering requirement before players can withdraw, and there is a maximum limit on how much can be cashed out. 

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Casinos offering freeroll tournaments supply 100% of the prize pot, and playing in this type of slot tournament has several significant advantages.

• Play online slots without spending money.
• Win prizes without committing your bankroll.
• Play without needing to make a deposit.
• There is a smaller prize pool than a buy-in slot tournament.

Fun Fact

The Lincoln Casino and Liberty Slots Casino are the most frequent casinos that offer free slot tournaments. 

Take advantage of these freeroll tournaments and sign up now! 

3. Sit & Go Tournaments

Sit & Go Tournaments start once a predetermined amount of players have registered and paid an entry fee. Generally, these tournaments are much faster. 

These tournaments are played with a set time, with players required to start and finish simultaneously. In the Sit & Go, you are restricted to playing alongside the other players.

Sit & Go competitions only last one round with no Continue Play rounds; the prize pool is smaller than other slot tournaments because of the limited number of people who can join the tournament. 

The most popular Sit & Go slot tournament games among players and casinos are:

• Avalon
• Thunderstruck
• Lara Croft – Tomb Raider
• Loaded

4. One-Shot Tournaments

The main difference between regular slot tournaments and One-Shots is that on the latter, you get just one crack at winning a position on the prize ladder, hence the name “One Shot.”

When participating in One-Shots, you can win a cash prize if you get off to a flying start.

Side Note

Rebuys and add-on options are not available in One-Shot Tournaments. Players have only one try to move forward to the next round.

The entry fees on the vast majority of One Shot Slot Tournaments are reasonably modest, so even with a limited bankroll, you will get a sporting chance of walking away with some cash in your pocket. 

5. Feeder Slot Tournaments

A Feeder tournament is similar to any “regular” slot tournament. Players must purchase their buy-in, collect points, and rank high to participate. 

However, in a feeder, instead of a cash prize pool, players are getting a free entry to a slot tournament with big payouts awaiting.

It is called a feeder tournament because the tourney serves as a preliminary or “feeder” event for players to advance to the main event or championship, with a feeder system that lays the trail for progression.

Side Note

Playing in Feeder slot tournaments has a downside because you must do well in two consecutive competitions before enjoying the prize pool. 

Although winning in Feeder slot tournaments is complex, the payout is undoubtedly rewarding.

6. Scheduled Tournaments

The Scheduled slot competition is the most popular. Casinos promote the game with the starting and end dates. The contest ends in a day, a week, or a month and plays out within a set time limit. 

These tournaments are ideal environments for those who love action and want to play without delay.

During the tournament, you can revisit the game to determine if your position has changed and purchase more credits to increase your rank. The amount of extra credits you can buy is limited, depending on the tournament.

Side Note

Prize pools are guaranteed during Scheduled Slots Tournaments and divided amongst the victors, with the money won relative to the rank on the finished leaderboard.

7. Survival Slot Tournaments

Survival slot tournaments are the most exciting of all formats of competitive slots. 

A survival slot tournament usually lasts three rounds of 5-minutes. With every new round, the number of participants is reduced based on the ranking. 

The format of this tournament is as follows: 

1. In the first round, all players who finish in the top half advance to the second round.
2. Usually, only the top 10 percent will go head-to-head in the final round.
3. At the end of the last round, the top 10 players or the players with the highest score will share the prize pool.

8. Comped Slot Tournaments

Joining Comped slot tournaments is free, but first, you must get an invitation. Comped slots are created for players who are considered the casino’s VIP club members.

Operators send exclusive invitations to frequent players who have spent large amounts on their casino games and have reached a specified number of points.

9. PCH Slot Tournaments

If you’re a frequent visitor to the Publishers Clearing House (PCH) website, you may have noticed a section called “PCH Slots.” 

Like other online casinos, PCH Slots offers a variety of slot machine games that users can play for real money. However, unlike traditional online casinos, PCH Slots is entirely free to play.

The prizes in the PCH slots tournament are around $100 – $10,000. 

10. Reloader Tournaments

A reloader slot tournament allows players to purchase additional sessions for a fee and then play again. Usually, these games last around one hour, and each round is divided into five minutes.

Players who fail to move forward in the next round can rejoin again by paying a certain amount. Rebuys are optional, and gamers can use them anytime within the tournament. 

If you have been into poker tournaments, competitive rebuys are the same.

Fun Fact

One out of four poker players is American. Based on online poker statistics, there are nearly 1.3 million players in the US.

11. Extender Tournaments

Extender Tourneys, or Unlimited Spend tournaments, allow players to increase their final score. 

In this type of tournament, players can purchase add-ons that help them maximize their chance of winning by boosting their base score.

Side Note

Purchasing add-ons in Extender Slot Tournaments does not guarantee a high placement in the leaderboard.

Surveying the Competition: Why You Should Compete In Tournaments

Whenever a player prepares for a slot tournament, the brain associates slot machines with intense pleasure. It’s no longer game with a machine but a showdown of multiple players. 

Playing alone with a small budget, like in Penny Slots, may be nice. Still, the experience and the competitive environment you can share with Slot players with the same interest is worth trying.

If you’re still hesitant about whether slot tournaments are worth your attention, read the reasons below why joining a competitive slot is worth your time and money.

Side Note

A gambler’s mindset is an overlooked aspect. There are many interesting aspects that people overlook concerning gambling, such as mental health issues and finances.

For instance, Crash Gambling is a fast-paced casino game with simple mechanics, making it highly addicting.

Players should always assess themselves before, during, and after betting to ensure that they avoid the pitfalls of gambling.

1. Bang For Your Buck!

Spending your dime in a slot machine has no guaranteed return on investment. The game requires no skill but pure luck. You either win or lose in a regular Slot gaming experience.

Playing slot machines alone will cost you more than your bankroll; if you have a limited budget, betting on small paylines will only give you a small reward; small bets mean small payouts.

In Slot tournaments, with an average of $25-$100 as an entry fee, you can score bigger than you can bring home by playing alone. 

You can take home as much as $100,000 if the casino charges $100 to $1,000 competing players. Paying an entry fee to a tournament means buying yourself a chance to take home the prize pool. 

2. Anyone Can Win

The competitive slot is more than just the adrenaline of competing with several players. The tournament allows everyone to win, not just people who score the highest but also those who score low.

Several casinos offer consolation prizes for players who did not win; it may be a form of a discount, free meal, or merchandise. 

Did You Know?

The chances of operators with licenses cheating in slot machines are almost impossible, and it’s just one of the mistaken beliefs. RNG controls the slot probability of winning.

3. Discover and Learn New Slot Machines

Slot tournaments are more prevalent in online casinos, with over 5,000 slot games to play on virtual platforms. Joining slot tournaments in online casinos generally takes 15 to 30 minutes to finish. 

If you’re thinking that all slot tournaments only use one type of machine with the same theme and game structure, you are wrong. Competitive slots use a variety of slot machines with different numbers of reels and themes.

Below are some of the types of slot machines used in slot tournaments, categorized by the parts of the machine:

• REELS
  • Three-Reel Slots
  • Five-Reel Slots
  • Six and Eleven Reel Slots
• PAYLINES
  • Multi-Line
  • Buy-A-Pays
  • Hidden Buy-A-Pays
• MULTIPLIERS
  • Straight Multipliers
  • Bonus Multipliers
  • Combination Slots
  • Wild Play

Joining competitive slots is an excellent strategy for learning and experiencing new slot machines.

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Read this guide to learn more about social casino games.

4. Beginner-Friendly

You do not need to worry if you’re new to the competitive slot scene. Slot tournaments are beginner-friendly and do not require a specific skill to win.

Players only pay the entry fee for a chance of winning the prize. Each player holds the same credit that they can utilize to climb to the leaderboard.

Side Note

Skills do not matter in Slot Machines since the probability of winning is entirely random, unlike other casino games where skills can directly influence the odds of winning.

If luck is on your side, you can take home the tournament prize by only paying the entry fee. You can place a small bet to earn the award. 

Although it is a tournament, it is still a game of luck in which the luckiest wins! 

5. The Competitors

People who participate in competitive slots are the same people who like the company of others and are bored with playing alone.

You don’t need to fret whether you’re a newbie or a veteran; slot tournaments are created for other players to interact and elevate the monogamous nature of slot machines. 

Joining a slot tournament allows you to build your network, giving you an insight into the best strategies to win in slots and other casino games. 

6. Fun Times Ahead

Whether you win or not, the thrill and adrenaline you feel during the competition are incomparable. Putting yourself in a thriving environment helps you grow and be better at playing slots. 

Elevate your gambling experience by joining slot tournaments. Don’t stop yourself from having fun; enjoy the competition – and focus on getting the prize and title.

Bottomline

Now that you have learned how competitive slots work, you are ready for a head-to-head battle with other players in a slot tournament. It may be scary at first, but you will get through it. 

Always read the terms and conditions, examine the paytable, put all your energy in your hands, and may luck be in your favor!