How To Participate In Online Casino Leaderboard Competitions

If you log into any major online casino today, you will likely see a massive, flashing banner advertising a 'Leaderboard Competition.'


Understanding exactly how the points are calculated is the absolute key to successfully navigating these highly competitive tournaments.

How to Score Points in Casino Tournaments

Casinos generally use one of three primary methods to rank players: Total Wagered, Highest Multiplier Win, or Most Spins Completed.


A 'Total Wagered' (or Coin-In) leaderboard simply awards 1 point for every $1 you bet on the eligible games.

Network-wide tournaments (like Pragmatic Play's Drops & Wins) pool players from hundreds of different casinos, creating massive multi-million dollar prize poolsBecause network tournaments have tens of thousands of participants, your statistical chance of finishing in first place is incredibly smallLocal, casino-specific leaderboards have much smaller prize pools but offer a significantly better chance of actually placing in the money
How to Optimize Your Leaderboard Play

For volume-based tournaments, you should choose the lowest volatility slot available on the eligible games list.


However, if the tournament is based on the 'Highest Multiplier Win', your strategy must change entirely.

Leaderboard TypeScoring MechanicOptimal Game StrategyTotal Wagered (Volume)1 Point per $1 BetLow Volatility (e.g., Starburst)Highest MultiplierWin Amount ÷ Bet SizeHigh Volatility (e.g., Dead or Alive 2)

However, never chase a leaderboard position by gambling more money than you originally intended; the prize is rarely worth the risk.