Home »
Blog »
How Slot Tournaments Works

How Slot Tournaments Works

Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala

Read time: 12 minutes

It’s alright if you are still asking yourself—what is a slot tournament? Not many people really understand it. It is like every other competition where you challenge other players to come out victorious by collecting the most game points. It operates with a time frame limit and a leaderboard that shows the ranks of all participants.

Slots tournaments have gotten quite popular in the gambling industry, with almost every online casino offering it. It serves as a major attraction because of its competitive nature, rewarding and thrilling gameplay.

Basic Concept and Goals

The concept is simple, spin reels to gather points and place bets to win. Once you understand this, then you know how to play a slots tournament, and you are one step closer to the goal. The overall goal is to be at the top of the leaderboard and for this you need to accumulate sufficient points within the given time limits.

The appeal of slot tournaments lies in the fact that it is enjoyable for everyone. Anyone can participate, whether you are a new player or novice. Watching the competition unfold is the most fun aspect. Furthermore, the prize pool is worth the risk. You can register for as low as $25 and stand a chance to win up $100,000.

The competition is available in several online casinos with the best graphics to ensure a most enjoyable experience.

How Slot Tournaments Work

If you are getting started, the first question you need to ask is, how does a slot tournament work at a casino? It’s like any tournament where you compete with other players and the goal is to be at the top of the leaderboard. And the winner is the player with the most points or the one who played the most games.

There are two basic ways to earn points when you play a game. But, first you must thoroughly go through the terms of the competition before signing up. Then confirm if the way to get points is to win or you can also get points by just betting. The two ways to win include:

Prize amounts—the ranking system can be based on the amount of money you have won.
Bet amounts—The ranking’s system could also be based on how much betting has been done, regardless of the wins or loses.

The casino will determine the entry fee which usually ranges from $25 to $100, while the prize pool could be up to $100,000 with additional incentives.

Tournament Setup

The setup is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide on how it works:

To participate, you need to register for the competition. If it is not a freeroll type, then it would require an entry fee.
Each player will be given a machine as well as a set number of credits and a fixed time frame to play.
This requires that you begin spinning the machine to get as many credits as possible within the time allocated.
You can check your score and what position you are at on the leaderboard at any time. This will help you gauge your performance and determine your chances of winning.
Your session ends once run out of time or spin frequency, after which your score will be recorded.

The scores will be tallied after all participants have played, and players with the highest score will be awarded. The prizes may include cash, trips or other incentives.

Scoring and Leaderboards

The leaderboard is how you keep track of your status in the competition. It is a visible list that shows the participants and their scores. It is updated after each round so players can check their ranks and make a plan to improve their position.

There will be a special section for «leaderboard» in your online casino. And the operator will always update it in real time. There are also third-party judges to confirm the scores, so you don’t have to worry about being cheated.

Types of Slot Tournaments

The variety of options is what gets fans excited. Players that know how to play slot tournaments can choose different types to keep things exciting. The different types each have varying mechanics and a little bit of difference in gameplay. But the primary goal is still to get to the top of the leaderboard. Hence, the other choice you need to make after learning how to play is deciding on the type that is most suitable for you.

Freeroll Tournaments

Freeroll is a special type such that it does not require any entry fee or buy-in, but still offers a chance to win real money from a prize pool. You can find Freeroll in several popular casinos you will see at FreeSlot99. The prize, however, is not the biggest compared to other types.

There are several advantages to playing free roll such as:

You do not have to spend any money.
You don’t need to make any deposits.
You can win prizes without committing your tournament bankroll.

Buy-in Tournaments

Usually, to master how do slot machine tournaments work and join a contest participants need to make a cash-entry fee. These are known as «Buy-in» competitions. This fee does not give you any special privileges when you start competing—it simply grants you entry.

Sit n’ Go Tournaments

Sit & Go are characterized by their speed and the fact that it requires a predetermined amount of players to register with an entry fee before it commences. It is played with a set time, where competitors are required to start and finish at the same time. Furthermore, you are not allowed to play alongside the other player.

Sit & Go only goes on for a single round and the prize pool is quite smaller than other options because of the limited number of people who participate. The most popular Sit & Go games among casinos and players include Avalon, Loaded, Thunderstruck and Lara Croft—Tomb Raider.

Scheduled Tournaments

This is the most popular competition. As the name suggests, the starting and end date is decided and advertised by the casino. It could last for a day, a week or a month and plays are within a set time limit. The Scheduled option is perfect for those who love action and want to play without any delay.

You can keep up with competition to see if your position has changed and get more credits to increase your rank. However, there is a limited amount of credit you can purchase, depending on the casino.

Survival Tournaments

Survival is known to be the most exciting option. It usually lasts three rounds of five minutes. Participants are disqualified with every new round based on the ranking. The stakes are somehow higher, putting players on their toes and increasing the adrenaline. Here’s the format:

Only players who finish in the top half advance to the second round.
Then the top ten percent will proceed to the third and final round.
At the end of the third round, the player with the highest scores will be considered winners and will share the tournament prize pool.

What Does RTP Mean in Slots

Whether you are a new punter or have spent years playing slot machines, one acronym that you will come across regularly is RTP (Return to Player) expressed as a number and a percentage sign.

Slot Tournament Strategy

Every player is looking to solve the question, how do you win a slot tournament? That begs the question, is there a strategy for winning? It is important to know that there are no strategies to guarantee victory, but there are ways you can increase your chances of winning. Two important ways to increase your chances are concentration and playing speed. Play at the maximum spins and wager on the max paylines to get the best outcome.

Do not make the mistake of sitting idly, waiting for credit addition. We can confirm from our review that there is no foolproof fast play strategy, anyone telling you otherwise is lying. The luck aspect of the game is undeniable, so you just have to hope while you try your best.

Tips for Winning

Winning is always the goal and to do so you can follow these tips:

Do not leave the spin button. This is because there is a time limit on how long you have to use your credits. The decisions you make will determine if you will go ahead.
Play with max bet. To get the maximum payout you need to wager the maximum bet. This will put you ahead on the leaderboard.
Bet across all paylines. This will increase your chance of winning.
Focus on your gameplay: Block out outside voices that may confuse you. Not all advice is good advice, even from some experienced players. Decide on an approach and focus on it.
Start hitting the spin button as soon as the machine finishes counting to boost your odds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are certain mistakes that are quite common amongst players and would only prevent one from winning. Some of these mistakes include:

Not Understanding the Rules: The first and most important betting strategy when learning how to play a slot tournament is to learn the rules. Certain instructions from the rule book will guide you against losing money which you must follow.

Bet the Minimum Amount: If your goal is to be on top of the table in the competition, then you shouldn’t wager the minimum amount. The case would have been different if it wasn’t a competition with other players.

Not Understanding RTP: Every slot machine has an RTP, Return-To-Player percentage. This number is the amount of money you will win back in ratio to how much you bet.

Not Taking Advantage of Bonus rounds: It is key to not let bonuses elude you. Casinos will offer different bonuses and promotions that could increase your chances of success. The rookie mistake would be to not chase them.