Recently we published an article about the importance of community in the slot community. Within that article we discussed a few ways that people can become connected with those around them including signing up for in-person events.
In-person events come in a variety of flavors, ranging from casual conversations to highly structured (for player protection!) gambling activities like group pulls. Whether you are after some hot slot action or to learn more about your favorite creators, we’ve compiled a list explaining the types of events you can seek out.
Ready to sign up? You can see Brian Christopher’s event calendar here. If you have an idea for an in-person activity or event, let us know in the comments!
Group Pulls
Group pulls are a great way to the test waters of in-person events. Starting with the basics, a “group pull” is a term that is given when a group of people sign up to try their luck on one slot machine. Each participant brings the same amount of money and all money is loaded into an agreed upon machine. From there, each participant takes the same number of spins, hoping for a big payoff. After each person has taken their allotted spins, the money remaining on the machine is withdrawn and evenly divided amongst participants.
Group Pulls are a fun and engaging way to essentially, in my opinion, “hedge your bets.” Pooling your money with others allows for bigger bet sizes and thus acts as a way for people to experience a way of play that is A-typical from their norm. In my experience, nearly all the group pulls I have participated in have ended in a very minimal loss or a narrow win. My track record aside, a group pull is still gambling. There are no guaranteed results and you should always play within your budget and don’t count on a win.
Important: Please make sure to vet any group pulls that you sign up for. Like with any industry in the world, there are some shady characters out there! You always want to make sure the group pull is authorized and officially sanctioned by the host casino. If it is not approved by the casino, you will have very little player protections in case things go wrong. This could include not getting your share of the remaining money in the machine, being held accountable for the group’s taxes, or something worse.
Also be sure to know the rules. In some cases, whoever pushes the button pays the taxes. In others, the person hosting the group pull does. In some cases, the host of the group pull will withhold a percentage of the win for taxes. Don’t get caught off guard, and you can always politely opt out if the rules aren’t something you’re comfortable with.
Meet and Greets
Meet and Greets are a fun way to meet new people without actually having to gambling. For these more casual events, fans typically sign up in advance to claim their spot and then enjoy an hour or two of mixing and mingling. In some cases, the events will feature snacks and alcohol in addition to either some branded freebies or free slot play to use after.
Of course, there is also the opportunity to play for those that want to try their luck! Meet and Greets are either held in gaming areas or lounges. When Brian hosts a meet and greet at The Plaza Hotel & Casino, for example, his event takes place in the smokefree space, allowing for both friendly conversation and competition on the slots.
Meet and Drinks
If you like to partake in some cocktails, Meet and Drinks might just be the event for you! While drinking is not required, most attendees do choose to indulge in a drink or two while trying out their luck on nearby machines. Meet and Drinks are some of my favorite events simply because they are some of the most casual.
Slot Tournaments
Seeking out some competition? A slot tournament might be the right in-person activity for you! Slot Tournaments are all about locking in the highest score on your machine and hoping that number holds up on the leader’s board to claim a prize. Slot tournaments are serious business, with people actively warming up and locking in before taking their spot in the tournament zone.
Community Weekends
Community weekends are the event of the year! For the Rudies, this means Rudies Weekend. Rudies weekend is multiple days of stacked activities including group pulls, slot tournaments, parties, bingo, and more! Participants, myself included, plan coordinated outfits to match the theme of the year, secure dinner reservations to catch up with friends, and mentally prepare for all the fun to be had. You can get the full scoop on Rudies Weekend here.
Cruises Go Further
You can kick your community weekend event up a notch by signing up for a cruise! A decent amount of slot influencers take to the seven seas over the course of a year. Specifically speaking to Brian, he and his team launched a first of its kind partnership with Carnival Cruise Line. Through that partnership, Brian routinely sets sail for international destinations, taking in the sights of the world around him by day and trying his luck on the onboard slots at night (or sea days!).
Game Releases
Slot manufacturers and casinos will sometimes host launch parties for their newly released games. For fans this often looks like a premier featuring a well-known creator that will take the official first spins and then label it a “global release.” These events are a great way to introduce a new title to an established network of players and an opportunity for the players to collect giveaways, snacks, and memories.
Q&A Sessions
If getting in some spins isn’t your top priority, we recommend checking out a Q&A session! These are more structured events that instead of focusing on the thrill of game play, center around the creator and their story about how they broke into the gaming industry. The forum gives attendees the chance to ask questions, meet fellow fans, and enjoy getting to know the face behind the screen a little more. Plus, more often than not, these events will come snacks and maybe even some swag or slot credit.
Watch Parties
Watch parties are more common with the large scale creators like Brian. These are utilized to create a sense of shared experience while watching creators take on machines on the floor. The watch party format can help out casino operators that do not have a ton of “extra” space on the floor for spectators. Instead of gathering around to watch Brian play, the casino will set up a live feed to a larger area in the building. While the slot creator is trying their luck on the floor, their followers can be seated comfortably (preferably with an open bar and snacks) while watching the results play out live.
