An electronic gaming machine includes a game display with a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to receive an input from a player and a game controller. The game controller is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory. The instructions cause the game controller to control the GUI to present a selectable tournament button that causes the game controller to enter the player into a tournament. Upon receiving a tournament button selection a plurality of selectable tournament game options for the game tournament are displayed. The GUI receives a tournament game response indicating a the tournament game selected and the tournament game is displayed. A return button is displayed that returns the display to the base game and maintains player progress in the tournament. The tournament button is re-displayed enabling the player to return to the selected tournament game with the maintained player progress.