A slots tournament is a competition where you play slots against each other, with the winner being whoever picks up the most points within a set time.

As you play you'll rack up points on a joint leaderboard. The points usually come from winning spins and are based on how big the win is. The aim of the game is to get the highest score possible, with prizes such as money and free spins awarded based on your final position.

Slots tournaments are generally a popular choice for both online and land-based casinos. While each US slots tournament might have rules and formats, the basic leaderboard and point collection process is the most common format.

The best US online casino tournaments have a range of different prizes on offer. They usually offer cash rewards, free spins on big name slots from the best software providers, but have included things like cars and holiday vouchers before. With so many options out there, we've broken down the best features, types and games for slots tournament play in our table below to help you get started.

Slots tournaments in the US come in all shapes and sizes. Each provider will have their own way of doing things, so it's always best to check with them directly before you start playing. As always, reading the terms and conditions of any promotion or event like a slots tournament is essential and should always be the first thing you do.

However, there is only so much creativity you can add to a tournament format. This means that most slots tournaments will have the following features and requirements:

• Registration: You will pretty much always need to sign up to take part in a US slots tournament. You'll need to do so in advance, and you'll be able to see the terms and conditions along with special rules you'll need to follow as you play.
• Tournament format: Most tournaments will essentially have the same format. All players will be in one large group depending on how many players the game or the provider can accomodate (Real Time Gaming slots tournaments can accomodate over 10,000 players per tournament, for example).
• Gameplay: Slots tournament gameplay is the same as non-tournament slots. You simply spin the reels. The difference is every time you do and win in standard or bonus rounds, you'll get leaderboard points. The more spins and wins during the tournament time limit, the higher you finish on the leaderboard.
• Scoring: When the tournament is finished, the scores for however many rounds the slots tournament lasted are added together to decide the final rankings. There will usually be a special prize for the person who claims the top spot, with groups of players sharing prize pots as you go down the leaderboard.

Remember, the rules and specifics of slots tournaments might very depending on the casino and the tournament. The prize pools will generally be different for each tournament, and there will usually be excluded games where play won't earn points. It's always a good idea to review the specific rules and details of a US online slots tournament before participating to understand the entry requirements, prize structure, and any other important information.

Having been around in land-based casinos for years, US slots tournaments gained widespread popularity thanks to their competitive spin on traditional slots gameplay. Not wanting to miss out, online casinos have followed suit and introduced their own slots tournaments, allowing people to enjoy the thrill of competition from the comfort of their own homes.

Which way you want to play depends on what suits your needs and the gambling options available to you in your state, but there are several big differences between playing slots tournaments online in the US and playing in land-based casinos. You can check our handy comparison table below to see which type of slots tournament will work best for you.

From the table above, it's pretty clear that online slots tournaments and land-based slots tournaments offer unique experiences despite being, in essence, the same idea.

Online slots tournaments offer convenience, accessibility, a wide variety of games, and potentially larger prize pools. However, they may lack face-to-face social interaction and, potentially, offer more distractions. On the other hand, land-based tournaments provide a more traditional casino experience, opportunities for personal interaction, and potentially higher entry fees.

Choosing between the two ultimately depends on what you prefer and, crucially, what is most convenient and fun.

• Scheduled tournaments

  These online slots tournaments have fixed start and end times. You need to register in advance and be available at the specified time to take part. The players with the highest scores at the end of the tournament win prizes.

• Buy-in tournaments

  In these tournaments, you'll need to pay an entry fee or buy-in to join the fun. The buy-in fees contribute to the prize pool, which is then distributed among the top-ranking players based on their scores and final positions.

• Sit n’ go tournaments

  Sit n' go tournaments start as soon as the required number of players have registered. They don't have fixed start times as such, letting you join whenever you want as long as the tournament is open. These tournaments usually have a smaller player pool and shorter timeframes.

• PCH slots tournaments

  PCH (Publishers Clearing House) are best known for their involvement with sweepstakes casinos, but they also offer online slots tournaments with chances to win cash prizes. The prize pot is funded by the company’s subscription services and have been know to reach up to $10,000 in cash prizes.

• Comped tournaments

  Comped tournaments are exclusive to players who have earned complimentary rewards or loyalty points through their online casino play. These tournaments often have no entry fees and are used as a fun perk for long-term or high-spending customers.

• Reloader tournaments

  Reloader tournaments are typically offered to existing players as a way to increase your play time. You'll likely need to deposit a certain amount during the tournament period to enter. These tournaments allow players to enjoy extra gameplay and compete for prizes.

• Extender tournaments

  Extender tournaments give you the option to buy additional playing time or credits during the tournament. This feature allows you to extend your gameplay, and potentially improve your overall score and final position.

• Survivor tournaments

  In survivor tournaments, you compete against other players, but whoever has the lowest score at the end of each round is eliminated. The tournament continues until only one player remains, who is then crowned the winner.

• One-shot tournaments

  One-shot tournaments give you one chance to get the highest possible score to advance to the next round. There are no options to rebuy or continue playing, adding an element of excitement and pressure.

• Freeroll slots tournaments

  Freeroll tournaments are free to enter. These tournaments give you the chance to play and compete for prizes without risking your own money.

• 1

  Understand the slots tournament rules

  Useful advice for any online casino game, but especially so for slots tournaments. Every tournament comes with individual slots tournament rules unique to the offer and the online casino you're playing with. Make sure you understand how prizes are awarded, whether there are any special or unique features or requirements to take, and if there are specified titles to play or avoid.

• 2

  Remember to use up all your credits

  Whether the slots tournament you've entered online is free or you've paid to enter, you'll likely be given a set number of spins to start you off. These credits will be spent every time you hit the spin button, so make sure you use up every spin available to you. An unused spin is a missed opportunity to put up points on the leaderboard.

• 3

  Stay focused and don’t stop spinning

  The best way to win online slots tournaments is to keep your focus on spinning. The more wins you pick up the more points you get, and you can only pick up wins if the reels spin. So, while the tournament is running and you're playing with tournament credits, focus on spinning as quickly and for as long as you can to get as many points on the board as possible.

• 4

  Bet across all paylines

  Every time you can bet across all paylines, do so. The more paylines you select, the better your chances of hitting a combo for bigger rewards. Remember, bigger wins will translate into more points and a higher position on the leaderboard as a result.

• 5

  Bet high

  Similar to the advice on paylines above, go for the maximum value bet if you can. During tournaments you’re using spins that are awarded in advance instead of paying per spin. Every player receives the same number of spins in the tournament, so it doesn’t make sense to spend your spins on small bets.

• 6

  Don’t get distracted watching the leaderboard

  It's always best to ignore the leaderboard while you're playing. You need to keep your focus on your own slots tournament play, not wondering whether someone is doing better or whether you can catch up. Forget the other players and concentrate on your game.

• 7

  Learn the games and tournament rules before you play

  If your tournament has a specific game, a good option is to find a free slot or demo version and familiarize yourself with it in advance. You'll learn all the quirks of the game, how to activate bonus rounds and how to make the most of them. If you also take the time to learn the specific rules of the tournament in advance, you've given yourself a big advantage over the competition before the first reel is spun.

Whether you are playing a slots tournament with a pre-purchased coin limit, are playing free slots tournaments online, or even if you are paying per spin, it's vital to keep tournament play and regular play separate.

Slots tournaments are fun, and promote a mindset of spinning the maximum value at the quickest speed possible. This is a very risky way to play outside of tournaments where you need to always gamble responsibly.

If you feel yourself losing control or are worried about how slots tournament play is impacting your gambling habits, it's important to get help. The National Council on Problem Gambling offers assistance for problem gambling in all 50 states. You can reach them for help and support 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER, texting 800GAM, or via live chat.