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

Not all leaderboards are created equal; the specific point-scoring mechanic drastically changes the required betting strategy.

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 pools
• Because network tournaments have tens of thousands of participants, your statistical chance of finishing in first place is incredibly small
• Local, casino-specific leaderboards have much smaller prize pools but offer a significantly better chance of actually placing in the money

Strategies for Climbing the Ranks

If you are competing in a 'Total Wagered' tournament, your goal is to churn through as much money as possible with minimal risk.

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

By understanding the scoring mechanics and choosing your games wisely, you can often secure a nice secondary payout.