Many people believe that all casino games are entirely random, giving players no chance of influencing the outcomes. There are, however, some skill-based casino games where, with a bit of work, you can formulate strategies that can bring you greater success.
In this article, we’ll give you more information about casino games that require skill and how you can improve your chances of winning when you play them. Read on to discover all you need to know!
Understanding Skill-Based Casino Games
Casino games that use skill-based elements are not like slots. It is important to say this right from the start. Even the best slots strategy is going to be subject to the whims of the Random Number Generators (RNG) that determine slot outcomes. Playing skill-based casino games gives you the opportunity to beat the bank, though it is still difficult!
Skill-based casino games are usually regulated in a slightly different way to games of pure chance like slots. In the UK, for example, the Gambling Commission (a tight regulator in relative global terms) allows skill-based games that offer prizes to be sited in venues that do not require a gambling licence, such as cinemas or clubs. This is not true of games of chance.
Examples of Skill-Based Casino Games
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best online casino games that include elements of skill and strategy.
Poker
Poker is possibly the world’s best-known card game. It occupies an iconic place in global culture, having been popular with almost every demographic at some time, with cowboys, aristocrats and professional athletes all being known for their fondness for the game at various points in history. You can play many different versions of the game now, and online games proliferate across the internet.
Video Poker
Video poker differs from poker in that it is played on machine or online by a single player against a dealer. Its solo play option is part of its appeal, but you can also use this simpler version of the game to learn strategy and skills.
Blackjack
Although trickier to play with skill than poker, blackjack remains hugely popular with gamblers, both online and in real-world casinos. Based around drawing cards and adding your hand up to 21, card counting remains the best-known blackjack strategy.
Other Games
Occasionally, some of the best real money online casinos may offer online versions of board games like backgammon and Mahjong that you can try.
Strategies for Excelling at Skill-Based Games
The best thing that you can do to vastly improve your chances of success with skill-based casino games is to delve into the vast amount of material that exists on these games, especially poker. There is a mountain of literature devoted to the tactics, strategies and psychology of poker especially.
You should also be prepared to manage your bank roll very closely. You should never bet more than you can afford to lose and never chase losses with ever increasing bets.
Benefits of Playing Skill-Based Games
Playing casino games that require skill is a different experience to playing games like slots where the RNG rules the roost. For starters, you have a greater control over the outcome of such games.
Being able to influence the results makes you feel more in control. This is important, as it means you are more engaged with the game and less likely to fall into patterns of mindlessly betting ever bigger wagers just for the sake of it or to chase losses.
You also have the added challenge of trying to beat the bank, which can make winning even more satisfying. The cliché that ‘the house always wins’ has become a cliché because it’s true. Playing games like poker and blackjack gives you the opportunity to even up the odds and beat the house. What could be more fun than that!
Where to Find Skill-Based Casino Games
You can find skill-based casino games in a number of different venues, both online and in the real world. While it is probably easier to find some types of casino games online these days, games such as poker can be played very easily in the real world against human opponents.
Finding the right casino is really a matter of personal preference, but we would recommend looking at factors such as the number of available variants of your favourite games. You should also consider the availability of tempting bonuses such as a no deposit casino bonus, as well as the odds on games and the overall levels of customer service.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many skill-based casino games available online and in real-world casinos. Many of them have long traditions that allow you to carry out intensive research on which strategies are more likely to be successful. If you carry out this research and keep a close eye on your bank roll, you can get great results from playing these games.
Head over to one of the great online casinos we recommend here, or a real-world venue if you’re brave enough, and go and see for yourself!
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