Slot games occupy about three quarters of the floor space in the average US casino, and are no less popular among online players. There’s a huge choice of games, covering every theme and catering to every budget, from the traditional penny slots to games like Mega Moolah where players play high stakes for a long-odds shot at an eye-watering progressive jackpot that pays out once in a blue moon.
Still, casinos are always innovating and coming up with new ideas to differentiate themselves from the competition. Slots tournaments are the latest casino craze to be spreading through cyberspace.
How slots tournaments work
The idea of a slots tournament is to add a little social and competitive fun to what is usually a solitary casino activity. Every tournament has its own rules and set-up, but the following format is the most common: The casino will set up a tournament, contestants pay an entry fee to join in and are issued with a set number of free spins on a specific game. Results are posted on a leaderboard and when everyone has taken their turn or the deadline has expired, prizes are awarded for the top performers. Again, the number of prize places varies, but typically, the prize fund is distributed among the top 20 on the leaderboard.
Finding a slots tournament
As they have become more popular, so more online casinos have started offering slots tournaments. You won’t have much difficulty finding one, but make sure you use a trustworthy online casino with a good reputation. If you are not sure where to look, there are plenty to try out at the Gamble Online review site (https://www.gambleonline.co/casino/) and you have the reassurance of knowing that they only recommend the best online casinos for US players.
Tips for tournament success
Unlike poker or blackjack, which have an element of skill, slots are purely luck-based. However, there are still strategies you can adopt in your approach to a slots tournament that will improve your chances of finishing higher on the leaderboard:
- Get acquainted with the game – it’s important to know which symbols earn the biggest payouts, how special symbols like scatters and sticky wilds work and what triggers free spins and bonus games.
- Bet higher stakes – this depends on the type of tournament – some hand out spins of a set value, while others give an overall budget. In the latter case, it is better to play fewer spins at higher stakes, as in many games, this opens up extra bonus options that are not available at low stakes. If you did your research at the previous step, you will already know whether this is the case in the game you are playing!
- Play quickly – tournaments can be fast and furious affairs. Spend time dithering and the time can run out before you’ve used all your spins or credit, meaning you’ll be unlikely to challenge the top performers.
Avoid distractions – today’s video slots are about more than pressing the button and hoping for matching symbols. With bonus games and gamble options, you need to concentrate to get the best result.