How do online slots tournaments work?

How do online slots tournaments work? - Banner
Joseph Lee
by Joseph Lee Last updated:

If you’ve visited online casinos or played physical slot machines, you may have come across slot tournaments. Slot tournaments are increasingly popular, with more and more operators using gamification and competitive aspects in their offerings.

Even so, players could be forgiven for not knowing how online slot tournaments work. A slot machine is, after all, a single-player game. In this detailed how-to guide, we’ll shed some light on what slot tournaments are, how they work, and why you might want to get involved. 

In this guide you will find:

Introduction to online slots tournaments

A slot tournament pits players against each other. Players need to hit the highest scores on a particular game or selection of games within a set time.

The concept of a slot tournament was born in the days when brick-and-mortar casinos ruled the gambling world. There were few rules - players simply had to hit the highest score possible within a given time limit. The results were, as you might expect, chaotic.

These days, most slot tournaments take place at online sites, and it’s less frantic. Slot tournaments have evolved over the years, and frankly this is a good thing!

Entry, prizes, winnings

Players may have to pay a flat entry fee to take part in the slot tournament, with the potential to score some big prizes. Often, these fees make up the prize pool. Some are free to play, but you’ll still need to opt in before playing slots in a free tournament.

Generally speaking, you don’t actually receive the winnings from playing slot games as part of a tournament. Instead, the virtual winnings or scores denote your position on a leaderboard.

There are a few different tournament formats, which we’ll explore in more detail below. They can also vary a lot from one casino to the next. 

Slots enthusiasts don't often get a chance to compete against each other. But this is exactly why tournaments appeal. They expand slots beyond a single-player experience, which a lot of players find to be great fun.

How online slot tournaments work

Players often need to buy into a slot tournament for a fixed fee, but this is usually the only payment needed. They won’t have to actually place a stake on each spin - instead, it’s all based on points. 

Typically, the fee will buy a number of tournament spins. When the allotted time begins, players start spinning. They need to use their spins before the time expires. 

Players’ scores and winnings are translated into positions on a leaderboard. Points are used rather than currency so that tournaments can have international appeal. These leaderboard positions then correspond to prizes. 

Prizes may include cash, casino bonuses or free spins. Sometimes there are substantial prizes, and players can win without being one of the highest scorers. Certain slot tournaments offer extravagant prizes such as holidays.

Players should review the rules and requirements of any tournament before getting involved.

Choosing a casino

Not all casinos offer slot tournaments. But there are enough so that you can make a choice based on personal preferences. 

Take a look at the different types of tournaments - discussed below. See what takes your fancy, then consider the current offerings on casino sites. Here are a few good places to start:

Once you’ve found a site that offers the type of slot tournament you’re looking for, look at the registration process and requirements. Is the tournament open to all players? How much does it cost to enter? Are you eligible to open an account? Are there any key promos to claim first?

Is it better to have fewer other players?

There’s something to be said for focusing on tournaments with fewer players, because the competition won't be as fierce. However, the prizes may not be as valuable as those offered in bigger tournaments.

The right sort of tournament for you is a matter of personal choice. But if you’re looking for something with fewer competitors, consider a tournament with a higher entry fee. These offer a balance of valuable prizes and realistic chances of winning something.

Features and benefits of slots tournaments

Both casinos and players can benefit from online tournaments. Here are a few reasons why they’re so popular:

  • Players can win a variety of prizes and rewards, including cash
  • The competitive and social elements are attractive to players
  • Tournaments result in better player retention for casinos
  • Taking part in a tournament can increase engagement
  • Selected games/developers benefit from increased traffic

Types of slots tournaments

If you’ve spent some time on slots sites, you will know that tournaments can differ significantly. There are many variables. One player’s experience of a tournament won't necessarily be another's.

The process of entering, and the requirements to do so, can vary. Some are offered on a regular basis, whereas others are one-offs. Some might require players to focus on one particular game, whereas others have fewer restrictions. 

Let's have a look at the different types of slot tournament:

Sit and go tournaments

Sit and go tournaments are the most common type. There’s a limit to the number of players that can take part, and the tournament takes place at a scheduled time. Players buy spins, which have to be used within the set time. The prize distribution is based on players’ overall scores. The entry fees are typically shared between the three players who score highest.

Freeroll tournaments

These do not require an entry fee, so the prizes are put up by the casino. There are often limited places, and more experienced tournament players may get priority. In theory, players only need to opt in, and they can then take part in line with the tournament’s specific rules.

Reload tournaments

Reload tournaments allow players to buy back into a tournament after their spins/time has run out, for a fee. Reloads can be bought in bulk, enabling players to build on their score for another shot at the top of the leaderboard. Reload tournaments are popular with high-rollers.

Survivor tournaments

Survivor tournaments move quickly and use a knockout format over multiple rounds. The winners are those at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the final round. To stay in the game players need to avoid the lowest places, or face elimination. This variant offers lots of excitement, and it doesn’t require much time investment.

Extender tournaments

An extender tournament works similarly to a reload tournament. Players can buy more spins to stay in the game and hike their score up. The goal here is to play for the longest in a last-man-standing sort of way. As with reloads, this appeals especially to high-rollers. If you’re working with a modest bankroll, you might want to avoid these. 

Regular tournaments

One of the defining features of a slots tournament is its regularity. Some are one-offs, or rare seasonal events. Others run constantly, sometimes on an hourly basis. Here’s an overview of these different slots tournament types.

Weekly tournaments

Weekly tournaments could be considered to strike the perfect balance. They’re frequent enough that many players regularly get involved. Players have the option of buying in ahead of the tournament beginning. Prizes are often substantial.

Daily and hourly tournaments

Tournaments that take place on a very frequent basis, such as hourly or daily, are sometimes free to enter. The prizes will typically consist of free spins. These tournaments have lower stakes, but offer a steady supply of excitement and an added incentive for players.

Promotional tournaments

The biggest prizes are generally awarded to the winners of promotional tournaments. These don’t necessarily take place on a regular basis. They may exist to celebrate a particular event, or to promote the release of a new game. Promotional tournaments are much larger in scale, and can even run for several months.

Strategies and tips for successful slots tournament play

Game of chance

Slots are a game of chance. But there are a few things worth keeping in mind to give yourself the best chances of tournament success. Given that slots are based on random number generators, ‘success’ here means the session was fun and worthwhile.

Know the game and rules

First of all, know the rules. Study the features and mechanics of a particular title, especially if you’re going to be slot gaming competitively! Familiarise yourself with the reel/grid formats, winning combinations of symbols and bonus round triggers.

Look at other leaderboards. You’ll often notice that the top performers are quite far ahead of the runners-up. This is typically because they got lucky early on and triggered a bonus. If you have the same good fortune, you might be in with a good chance.

Use the autospin feature if it’s enabled. Timed tournaments will sometimes let you use the autospin feature, which is a great way to ensure that you get through your spins in time. 

Place the maximum bet. Many tournaments restrict spins to a value of 10p each. If given the option, it’s best to increase this. Higher-stake spins will return more points when hitting the bonus round.

Tournaments vary

Some slots tournaments focus on one game, whereas others give players a choice. Casinos often promote specific games, new releases, a certain developer’s library, or series of games. When choosing, prioritise games with a solid bonus round, a decent RTP, and any other criteria that appeal to you (theme, layout, max win, etc.).

Stick to your budget, check your WiFi!

This next tip is especially important for those playing reload and extender tournaments. Set a budget and stick to it! Don’t just throw money at a tournament blindly, or the amount you spend may end up outweighing the value of the prize!

Make technical considerations. Tournaments are a competitive, multiplayer attraction. If your connection drops, or if there’s any other sort of disruption, you could lose out. Check your WiFi or network connection is strong and there are no data restrictions. Also ensure that you’ll be able to use your spins within the time allowed without being interrupted.

Pick the right sort of tournament

We can’t all win vast sums of cash, but it’s nice to get some reward, however small. For this reason, it’s often best to choose a tournament with many winning places, even if those lower down the rankings just get a couple of free spins. Some tournaments have more than 100 winning places.

Free-to-play tournaments 

If you’re not working with much of a bankroll, you can probably still find a tournament to take part in. Many are free-to-play, with more casinos recognising this as a good way of attracting new players and keeping the old ones happy.

Free tournaments may not offer the same big cash prizes and luxury holidays that the winners of pricey tournaments enjoy, but they’re still worth playing. Free tournaments tend to award prizes such as free spins, bonuses, and sometimes cash.

The Videoslots ‘Clash of Spins’ tournaments, for example, are generally free to enter. The prize pool is made up of no wagering free spins, and there are quite a lot of winners. These run regularly and last an hour each, during which players are challenged to score the highest multiplier possible.

Prizes and rewards in slots tournaments

Points are tallied up at the end of a tournament based on the scoring system. All players can see the leaderboard. Once scores are finalised prizes are awarded based on leaderboard outcomes.

Some big promotional tournaments offer luxury prizes such as holidays or vehicles - often provided by sponsors. 

At the other end of the spectrum, free-to-play tournaments usually award free spins. These are valuable in their own right, particularly if there are no wagering requirements. 

In the case of cash, for instance, the entry fees might be divided between the three top players in a 60:30:10 split. The more players that enter, the bigger the prizes.  

Conclusion

For both new and seasoned slots fans, slot tournaments have a lot to offer. The competitive aspect adds to the whole slots experience, and the opportunity to score some big prizes is always welcome! If you haven’t already tried your hand at slot tournaments, we’d highly recommend it.

Not all casinos run slot tournaments, but an increasing number of them are embracing the idea. They can be beneficial to both player and operator.

Slot tournaments come in all shapes and sizes. Some are regular, others rare. Some are free to enter, and others quite costly. A top prize can vary from free spins to luxury real-world experiences. 

With all of these variables, it seems likely that there’s a tournament out there to suit every style of player.

FAQs

Are slots tournaments legitimate?

Yes, tournaments are completely above-board and legitimate. They are run by licensed operators who ensure that the playing field is even and that the system is fair.

Which is the best online casino to play tournaments at?

There’s no single correct answer to this. The sites we’ve mentioned above are a great place to start. But you’ll need to explore and find what works for you. 

How much does it cost to enter an online slots tournament?

The entrance fee can vary wildly. Some are free to enter, whereas others can be quite expensive! Note that the advantage of a more expensive fee is that the prizes may be bigger, and the competition may be less.

What’s the secret to winning at an online slots tournament?

It’s always a good idea to understand how a game works before you play it, and there are other hints and tips that you can use to ensure that you’re in with the best possible chance. However, the reality is that slots are based on random number generators, so you’ll want luck on your side too.`