If you log into any major online casino today, you will likely see a massive, flashing banner advertising a ‘Leaderboard Competition.’
These competitions track the activity of thousands of players simultaneously, ranking them based on specific, predetermined criteria.
The Different Types of Leaderboard Mechanics
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 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
How to Optimize Your Leaderboard Play
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.
| Tournament Scale | Prize Pool Size | Difficulty to Win |
|---|---|---|
| Network (Global) | Massive ($1,000,000+) | Extremely Difficult (Too many players) |
| Local (Single Casino) | Small ($5,000) | Moderate (Fewer competitors) |
By understanding the scoring mechanics and choosing your games wisely, you can often secure a nice secondary payout.