loader search icon

The fun factor of playing online casino tournaments

news thumbnail image

Curious about online casino tournaments? Find out everything you need to know, then sign up at one of our recommended casinos today.


If you love the comfort and convenience of casino games but miss the social aspect of gambling, tournaments give you the chance to compete for your spot on the leaderboard to win your share of the prize pool.

Online tournaments attract players from all walks of life who enjoy the competition aspect of casino games and, as they run for a limited time, are perfect for players looking for a fast-paced thrill. They also provide a bit of social fun as players can keep track of each other and enjoy the race!

Social tournaments are held at Yggdrasil casinos throughout the year. As the leaderboards are updated in real-time, your final position is only confirmed once the tournament ends which can add an extra dash of adrenaline as you play just one more round.

Tournament themes

Online casino game developers like Yggdrasil keep the excitement alive by offering themed tournaments to suit a particular time of year.

As we approach the end of October, Halloween themes abound and you can scare yourself silly with ghosts and ghouls. Of course, once Halloween has passed, it is a head-long race into the festive season where you can ho-ho-ho to your heart’s content on Christmas-themed games of chance.

No matter the time of year, there is bound to be a tournament that aligns to the calendar with prizes and presents galore!

Types of tournaments

While online slot tournaments are prolific at a wide range of casinos, they are not the only type of tournament you will find as you explore the internet.

  • Poker Tournaments encourage you to sign up and play as many hands as possible within a limited timeframe. Each game scores your points which establishes your position on the leaderboard. Players who are near the top win their share of the prize pool while others may access freebies and bonuses instead.
  • Blackjack Tournaments are much like poker tournaments where players register to join the tournament and then play games to claim their spot on the leaderboard.
  • Slot Tournaments are different in that any money won isn’t an amount that can be cashed out. Instead, players earn points for each win, which then places them in a spot on the leaderboard.

Depending on whether the online casino operators are looking to draw in more casual players or prefer to host an exclusive event, online tournaments each have different requirements for entry.

Freeroll tournaments

Freeroll tournaments are ideal for casual players or beginners who prefer to play for fun. As these tournaments don’t charge an entry fee, the prize is on the smaller side and only the top 3 players on the leaderboard really score.

Real-money tournaments

These tournaments require players to pay an entry fee and often operate on an elimination basis. Particular for games like Blackjack and Poker, the winners of each round go head to head until a final winner is established.

Tournament lingo

While on the topic of different tournament types, here are a few phrases you may hear the first time you take part in online casino tournament:

  • Buy-in: This is what you need to pay to join the tournament.
  • Reloader: Similar to re-buy ins in poker, this gives you the chance to buy back into the tournament should you be eliminated.
  • Sit & Go: Grab a seat at a tournament that has a fixed number of spaces on offer. Once all the seats have been filled, the tournament begins.
  • Scheduled Tournament: This is the opposite of a Sit & Go where the starting date and time is pre-determined in advance.

Is there a tournament for me?

As online casinos do their best to stay ahead of the game, tournaments are offered frequently to encourage players to try something new. With new games launching on the market every week, it is always worth having a look and giving it a try at least once!

Freeroll tournaments are a great place to start particularly since they don’t cost anything and are an excellent way to get a feel for how everything works.

Published: October 22, 2020

Anything incorrect or missing?

Stelly avatar image

Article by Stelly

CasinoWow Contributor

Hey there! I am Stelly, and happily, I'm part of CasinoWow's content team. It excites me to be able to write and share with all gambling enthusiasts unbiased reviews and news that contribute to the gambling community and industry. Thankfully, I also have the chance to help you make an informed choice for casino brands and games, as well as provide interesting guides and news.

CasinoWow.com Cookies

We use 🍪 cookies to improve your user experience. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.

Accept
subscribe icon

SUBSCRIBE for EXCLUSIVE offers!

Be the first to get exclusive bonuses and WOW casino promotions! Get access to our new online casinos, top stories and special iGaming events for FREE.

follow us icon

Share this page across social platforms!