Online Casino Tournaments

Written by: Sadonna Price , Expert in Online Casinos and Poker

Online casino tournaments are events where players get to compete against each other in a particular game. The winner walks away with a pool prize or jackpot. Players have to sign up, accept the rules, and even pay a buy-in in some cases, to join the tournament. 

Almost all casino games have a tournament form, including slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. Here’s a complete guide to all you need to know about casino tournaments.

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How Do Casino Tournaments Work?

Although there are different tourneys, how they all work is quite similar. It all starts by finding a tournament to join and then proceeding to make an entry. Some have buy-ins where you need to deposit, and some are free where no money is required. And that’s it! You can start playing and hope to top the leaderboard!

  • Entry and Set-Up

    You have to be a member of a casino site to participate in its tournament. Once you sign up, you can join the tourney by paying a fixed entry fee. The cash can go entirely to the pool prize, or the house can keep a small cut. You won’t have to deposit anything to play a free tournament.
  • Rules

    Regular casino games might not be uptight with their guidelines, but tourneys are the opposite. Since there’s a prize to be won and many players competing, the rules guide how it all runs down. Each game has different parameters about betting limits, the number of players, and even playing time.
  • Betting Levels

    All players get the same amount of credits, chips, or bets in the spirit of fairness. However, when the game starts, players are free to place bets depending on their strategy. Some casino tournaments work best with max bets, while some require low stakes to help you last longer.
  • Winning and Payouts

    The goal in a casino tournament is to win the pot or the pool prize, and to do this, you either have to hit the target first or be the player with the most chips. If you end up in the top positions, you might get a cut of the payout to at least return your buy-in.

Types of Casino Tournaments

No matter the game you love, you’ll find a casino tournament ready to increase your bankroll and bring out your competitive side. Here are the different tourneys you can find at online casinos.

Online Slot Tournaments

Slot Tournaments

Online slots are the most popular casino game, and it comes as no surprise that slot tournaments are also the majority. All players who join the event get equal credits, and the player with the most credits after the time is up wins! To increase your chances of winning, you have to keep the reels spinning and, if possible, stake the max bet once in a while.

Online Roulette Tournaments

Roulette Tournaments

Online roulette tournaments are exciting because instead of competing against the house, you compete against other players. All you have to do is pray that your luck is better than others and that the roulette ball falls on your lucky numbers. When playing roulette tournaments, you get fixed spins or a time frame to place your bets

Online Blackjack Tournaments

Blackjack Tournaments

Just like roulette, online blackjack tournaments are also against other players and not the house as usual. The winner of every stage has the most chips and proceeds to join a higher value table. Consequently, the final table will have about six players, and the winner will be the one with the most chips.

Online Poker Tournaments

Poker Tournaments

Online poker tournaments are also quite popular, and even though there are several, most are time-based. To win, you have to get as many chips as possible in the set time, which means you have to play many hands. Players play two rounds each, and the best hand of the two counts as the highest score.

BetOnline Casino Cash Races icon

Casino Cash Races

Casino cash races are online casino tournaments that take place over a short period. Players battle against each other over several days in regular tournaments, but cash races last half an hour or less. The race generally applies to only one game (blackjack or a specific slot). By accumulating wins, you move up on the leaderboard. Once the race is over, the winners are announced and the prize pool is split.

Top Online Casinos With Tournaments

Our team of experts searched high and low to bring you this list of recommended real money gambling sites with the best online casino tournaments. Each site offers different types of events with generous rewards.

RANK ONLINE CASINO # OF GAMES BONUS START
1 BetUS Logo BetUS # OF GAMES 491 BONUS 150% up to $3,000 Play Now
2 Super Slots Logo Super Slots # OF GAMES 502 BONUS 250% up to $6,000 Play Now
3 Wild Casino Logo Wild Casino # OF GAMES 1020 BONUS 100% up to $5,000 Play Now
4 High Roller Casino Logo High Roller Casino # OF GAMES 759 BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus + 100 Free Spins Play Now
5 BetOnline Casino Logo BetOnline Casino # OF GAMES 586 BONUS 100% up to $3,000 Play Now

Real Money vs. Free Online Casino Tournaments

Otherwise known as freerolls, free casino tournaments require no entry fee, and you still stand a chance to win cash prizes. Slots and poker are popular games when it comes to freerolls.

On the other hand, real money tournaments require players to deposit money to participate. There will be an entry fee for players to pay, and most of the time, the money goes to the pool prize.

Real Money Casino Tournaments

  • Better Cash Rewards – Real money tournaments usually have big cash prizes!
  • Learning Experience – Since it’s real money, all players give it their best and can learn from one another. 
  • Casino Bonuses – New players can claim a welcome bonus to boost their bankroll

Free Online Casino Tournaments

  • Play For Free – You don’t need to deposit any money to join the tournaments.
  • More Players – Many casino players can join, providing a large social experience.
  • Frequent Events – Most casinos like to set up freerolls, meaning you won’t miss one any day of the week.

USA Friendly Online Casinos With Free Daily Slots Tournaments 

BetOnline Free Slots Tournament

What happens when you put slots and free tournaments together? Free daily slot tournaments!

This is your chance to play themed games and try something new every day. If you want to play slot games with no risk, head over to top casino sites like Bovada and Ignition Casino to join the fun!

How to Play Online Casino Tournaments

Do you want to try your luck on a new online casino tournament? Check out this easy step-by-step guide to get started!

  1. Read & Follow The Rules
    Rules are the most crucial part of a tournament, and going through them will save you any surprises. Some of the terms to look out for include elimination terms, gameplay guidelines, and betting limits.
  2. Pay the Entry Fee
    If you aren’t playing a freeroll, you’ll have to pay an entry fee to sign up at a casino tournament. The buy-in depends on the tournament category, and Mini tournaments and Sit’ n Go’s tend to be cheaper.
  3. Use Strategy Tips and Charts
    Since it’s a competition, you need your arsenal of strategies and tips to stay ahead. You can even have a chart when it comes to blackjack. All these increase your odds of winning by placing your bets strategically.
  4. Place your Bets and Start Playing
    Most casino tournaments give players the same number of credits before they start competing. Once the game begins, you are free to place your bets of any amount as long as it increases your chances of winning.

Can You Beat The Pack in Online Casino Tournaments?

If you love to play online casino games, joining a tournament, and competing with others, is the next level of excitement. Not only do you stand a chance to win a grand prize with a small entry fee, but the fun in its social aspect is also unmatched.

So are you ready to play your next casino tournament? All you have to do is check out our real money online tournaments at our recommended casinos, and you are sure to have a blast!

FAQ – Online Casino Tournaments

The following are some of the most common questions we receive about online casino tournaments.

What online casinos have tournaments?

There are several online casinos with game tournaments. Check out our recommended casino sites with some of the best tournament options.

What is a slot tournament?

A slot tournament is an event hosted by an online casino where players compete against each other in a specific slot game. At the end of the event, the player with the most winnings receives the grand prize.

Sadonna Price

Game Reviews and Poker Strategy

Sadonna Price Expert in Online Casinos and Poker

Sadonna is a casino content creator and former professional poker player that loves using her creativity to provide insight into the most interesting aspects of the casino world.

Learn More About Sadonna