Did you know that even games like slots have tournaments? Yes, it is quite strange but we live in a world where everything is seen as a competition.
Slots are usually designed to be single-player machines, where people only hit the spin button and hope for the best. There is no skill involved, only pure luck.
So, how would a slot tournament work if everybody had an equal playfield and no skills to use to gain an advantage? Well, there are different forms of slot tournaments, and they are designed to bring some competitiveness into these games.
The end result? – It is quite entertaining. The goal here is simple. Instead of playing regular slot machines, you engage in a tournament. Depending on the type of the tournament there is a prize pool waiting to be collected by the winner. This prize may be fueled by all the money that people invest during the tournament or pre-defined value.
Now you start to see the big picture. So, you play slot games and hope that lady luck comes and blesses you along the way just so you can win that ultimate prize.
Sounds fun. But let’s dive deeper and see how the entire process works.
What Exactly is a Slot Tournament?
As we mentioned before, a slot tournament is a competitive event where participants play regular slot machines with one goal. – To accumulate the highest number of credits or points in a specific time frame.
So, in regular slots gameplay, you play against the machine. But in a slot tournament, you play against other players. Slot tournaments are all about your score or credits. After all, there isn’t another way of measuring which player did best, right?
Climb to the top of the leaderboard and win the tournament. Sounds simple right? – Well, it’s not.
So, how do slot tournaments work?
First of all, participants need to pay an entry fee and register for a scheduled tournament. This entry fee contributes to the prize pool. These tournaments can be organized both online or at the casino hosting event.
To level the playing field, each participant starts with the same number of credits and a set amount of playtime. They also play on the same machine, but in some tournaments, they can change the paylines depending on their bet size. (this is the only thing people can strategize about in a slot tournament).
These slot tournaments don’t last long, usually between 5 to 20 minutes. The wins are converted into points instead of cash payouts and there is a leaderboard with real-time updates to show which player has the highest score.
Of course, the amount of money you win during the tournament is not redeemable just because they are converted into points that rank you on the leaderboard. In most cases, only the top 3 places get some money from the prize pool.
Different Formats of Slot Tournaments
Of course, there are many different formats of slot tournaments, all bringing unique rules of engagement.
First, we have Scheduled Tournaments, where players are required to register in advance and start at a predetermined time. These types of tournaments usually have fixed buy-ins and prize pools.
Next, we have Sit and Go (SNG) tournaments (similar to poker), which are usually more flexible than the previous ones. These SNG tournaments begin as soon as a specific number of players register. This format is perfect for people who seek immediate action.
There are also freeroll tournaments, which are usually the most popular among newbies. These types of tournaments don’t require an entry fee. But despite being free-to-enter, they often offer real-money prizes for the winners just like social casinos.
Rebuy is a tournament variant where people are allowed to buy back in and purchase additional credits if they run out early. The money is aimed towards fueling the prize pool.
The most popular slot tournaments are probably survivor tournaments, where they operate on an elimination basis. They eliminate players with the lowest score on specific intervals and the last player standing that has the highest score is the winner.
Rules of Engagement
While specific rules can vary, most slot tournaments share a common framework:
- Equal Starting Credits: All participants start with the same number of credits or coins.
- Timed Sessions: Players have a fixed amount of time to play (e.g., 10 minutes per round).
- No Cash-Outs: Winnings are converted into points, not cash, and must remain in the game until the end.
- Leaderboard Rankings: Winners are determined by their position on the leaderboard at the end of the tournament.
Some tournaments might have additional specific rules, so it’s always wise to check the fine print before you start spinning.
Playing slots is fun, but participating in a slot tournament elevates the entire experience even further. So, if you haven’t tried it before, make sure you find a slot tournament and join the adventure. You might not win any money, but the process is fun, engaging, and competitive. It is a great alternative for people who are becoming bored of the same old slot gameplay.