What Are Casino Slot Tournaments?

Since their invention some 230 years ago, slot machines have been keeping players enthralled in anticipation. While some still try to decide between slots and table games, many watch the reels spin in hope of landing a win. Today, online casino games have taken the world by storm as people access their favorite genre or game style from anywhere in the world via the internet. One of the most exciting slot machine game formats in recent years is that of slot tournaments for either online slots or physical slot machines. 

Learn what slot tournaments are, how they work, and strategies and tips for when you play.

What are Slot Tournaments?

Slot tournaments are a fun twist on the traditional slots experience. In this format, players spin to win not only the round they play but as many rounds as possible in a given time period. If they manage to land the most wins, they become the tournament champions.

How do Slot Tournaments Work?

If you’re wondering how to play in a slot tournament, these competitive slots events are very straightforward. Offline and online slots tournaments involve groups of players coming together, either in a room at a casino or online, and playing one of two types of competitions:

• Free-Roll Tournament: Where participants only pay for the spins they play.
• Buy-In tournament: When participants pay an entry fee to play. 

Once you’ve signed up for the tournament, you’ll be given a certain number of credits. Usually, you can only use these credits for the tournament’s duration on the designated slot machines. The same goes for online slot machines.

Unlike simply playing and winning or losing, participants in online slots are awarded points based on the highest winning combination their slots land on. The more points earned, the higher the score and the subsequent leaderboard rank.

While many casinos advertise their tournaments and allow anyone over the required age to play, some will invite a select group of players, more than likely club members or players in good standing with the casino. If you’re not in the invited group, you can always check your favorite casino’s website for more information about tournaments — you can even ask to be made part of the invitational group.

Slot Tournament Online and Offline Strategies

Wondering how to win a slot tournament? There are standard slots dos and don’ts that could help, but the main strategy in a tournament of this nature is to spin the wheels and hope they fall your way. However, a player should always pay attention to the leaderboard and play according to where they are in the placings.

If you’re near the top of the board, you may want to adopt a slow spin tactic to ensure you don’t run out of credits too soon. On the other hand, if you’re near the bottom or middle and heading towards the end of the time period, you may want to speed up your spin rate to help climb up the ranking.

Here are some tactical ideas to keep in mind when playing in an online casino.

Ranking Depends on Wins

This happens when there is a large betting session, and your best strategy is to play fast, get more bets in and climb the ladder as quickly as you can.

Take Advantage of the Bonus

Playing more means you could activate the bonus feature, giving you additional spins and increasing your standing on the leaderboard.

Use the Max Bet Facility

To unlock more paylines and special symbols and features to give you a greater chance of winning and getting ahead.

Slot tournaments are played quite often — many at regular intervals. While the basic idea is the same at most casinos, there may be some house rules that you’ll have to read up about before entering. These could include playing at least once daily, or making the required daily number of spins (especially in tournaments that last weeks or months).

Top Tips to Keep You Spinning

Whether you’re playing in the best online casino or at a land-based casino, here are five top slots tips to keep in mind when you hit that button.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

While slots may be a game of luck, you can practice a few rounds before hitting the tournament so that you learn all about your chosen game’s features, benefits and winning combinations. If you’re playing online, use the various demo options to help you decide which game to play.

2. Budget

Put a budget in place before playing and stick to it. This way, you’ll be able to play with more freedom and take a few more risks because you understand the odds.

3. Check the Paytable

The paytable will show you what you can expect on the different paylines so you can adapt your strategy.

4. Play Often and Regularly

This helps create more winning opportunities for you, especially in games that have a short playing period.

5. Check Your Equipment

When playing in an online tournament, make sure your internet speed is equal to the task of the high-resolution graphics and video images that you’ll get to enjoy. It also helps when making quick bets and spins to ensure you stick to your selected strategy.

Try Your Hand at Slots and More at BetMGM

As home to some of the best online casino games in America, BetMGM boasts many exciting slots games, as well as poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat that are playable as traditional online games or live dealer casino games. 

To start your online slots journey, register and join a world of casino online betting and other gambling thrills. There’s all this and more waiting just for you when you start playing at this casino online.