Spectator Mode

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Betting in the Spectator mode in Brawl.

Spectator is an online mode in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4. Similar to spectator modes in other console games with online connectivity, this mode allows players to remotely view ongoing online matches between other players or replays of past matches. The matches that can be viewed are selected randomly, to avoid problems with the betting mechanics.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Before the discontinuation of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Spectator Mode was available within the With Anyone sub-menu. When viewing a match, only the characters used are shown - names are omitted.

As well as watching past matches, Spectator Mode allows players to gamble prior to the match starting, through the use of coins to bet on players or teams. Betting is optional, and is capped at 100 coins, as long as player has enough coins. The moment the match starts, the coins are deducted, meaning no attempt can be made to retrieve them if the bet is lost. Regardless of winning or losing, the player will receive stickers after each match. However, should the bet be correct, the player will receive a number of coins based upon the number of players:

• In a two-player game, or a team match, the prize will be the original bet multiplied by 1.8.
• In a three-player game, the original bet will be multiplied by 2.8.
• In a four-player game, the original bet will be multiplied by 3.8.

Assuming the player has no information about the match and so bets at random, the player will statistically lose coins in the long run.

Number of options	Payout	Chances of winning	Expected value
2	1.8x	50%	0.9x
3	2.8x	33%	0.93x
4	3.8x	25%	0.95x

Occasionally, the viewer is offered a "Bonus Chance". If the bet was correct, the player will also win one of the following:

• Small sticker bundle, consisting of 10 stickers.
• Medium sticker bundle, consisting of 20 stickers.
• Large sticker bundle, consisting of around 45 stickers.
• A relatively rare trophy.
• A CD, provided there were still random songs left to unlock.
• Doubled winnings from the bet.
• Tripled winnings from the bet (up to a maximum of 999 coins).

As betting is done at a loss in the long run, Bonus Chances are the only way to viably get a profit.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

The mode returns in Super Smash Bros. 4, using a new betting currency, Gold, shortened to "G". The Nintendo Network ID of the players is displayed, alongside the character used, and their win percentage. Based on this win percentage (or a combination of two in team matches), a multiplier between 2 and 10 is calculated (displayed rounded to 1 decimal point). Prior to the match starting, the player may select one of the characters, and bet between 1 and 100G on them. Should the chosen player win (thereby winning the "Jackpot!"), the bet is multiplied by the combatant's multiplier, and then the player is given the option to go for a "Winning Streak" - meaning that, rather than betting a specified number of coins, the winnings from the last game are bet instead. This obviously results in a much larger potential for payouts. However, after the third consecutive win, the winnings are automatically paid out (resulting in an unlikely, but achievable 100,000G theoretical cap). In four player matches, should the chosen character come second (called a Near-Win), then a much smaller payout (the "Nice!" payout) is awarded and automatically paid out. As a result, betting is much more profitable in SSB4 compared to Brawl, due to an almost guaranteed long-term payout. Bonus chances also return, awarding extra gold, trophies and other rewards (though only in the case of a "Jackpot" outcome).

Trivia

• In the NTSC version of Brawl, if a match was a free-for-all, the top-right corner would incorrectly read "Quick Brawl", as opposed to the correct term, "Basic Brawl". This error was later fixed for the PAL regions.

Gallery

• 

  Spectator Mode on the PAL version of the game.

• 

  A Bonus Chance match announcement.

• 

  A winning bet with the "small sticker bundle" bonus.

• 

  Follow-up to the previous image. The stickers won can be seen scrolling through the bottom of the screen.

• 

  Spectator Mode in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

• 

  Spectator Results screen in the 3DS version

See also

• Basic Brawl
• Team battle