Games of skill vs games of chance is a debate that has been around for a long time, with no clear winner. There is a very thin line between the two types of casino games.
On one side, you have games of skill where players use their knowledge and expertise to try and win. On the other side, you have games of chance where players rely on luck to try and win.
As we learn from the online casino guides at Chipy.com, gambling games can be classified as either one or the other. Or sometimes a bit of both.
Therefore, let's break down the topics and see what you’ll find out in this guide:
Skill-based gambling is the term used by casinos to describe games that require players to make strategic decisions that can affect the outcome of the game. The better you are at performing specific actions, the more likely you are to achieve a favorable result.
Examples of games of skill:
Note
Popular skill-based games usually require some level of practice and experience before you can expect to see consistent results.
In the casino world, there are many examples of skill-based games. The most popular ones are poker and blackjack, but others include different types of table games as well.
For instance, in blackjack, players need to decide when to hit, stand, or double down. The better they are at making these decisions, the more likely they are to win money.
These are games where the player's actions have no bearing on the outcome. The result is purely based on luck, therefore, scratch cards are a perfect example. No matter how often you play or how much you bet, the odds of winning are always the same.
Examples of games of chance:
Fun fact
People have used animal bones as gambling tokens since 3600 BC. However, the six-sided die, a direct ancestor of the dice we use today, first appeared in 2000 BC. Dice remain a fundamental part of gambling even after all these centuries.
So, the most popular casino table games that fall into this category are roulette and craps. In both cases, players have no control over where the ball lands or what numbers are rolled.
The only thing they can do is place their bets and hope for the best.
Tip
You can use different strategies like Martingale to increase the chances of winning.
This betting system is rather simple to use. You just have to double the bet every time you lose. So, when you strike a win, all your losses will be covered. This works well for games like roulette.
The following games were selected based on my expert point of view after playing a large number of similar games from different providers:
Game Name | Provider | RTP |
---|---|---|
Netent | 96.09% | |
90-ball Bingo | IGT | 85% |
Pai Gow Poker | Microgaming | 91% |
Jackpot Roulette | Ezugi | 95.1% |
SicBo Deluxe | Playtech | 93.6% |
Now, take a look at some of the most popular casino games and see if they are skill or chance-based. Note that this table is rated with grades from 0 to 5 based on my personal experience:
Game Type | Level of skill required |
---|---|
Poker | 4.5/5 |
Blackjack | 3.5/5 |
Craps | 2.5/5 |
Baccarat | 2/5 |
Roulette | 2/5 |
Bingo | 0/5 |
Slot Machines | 0/5 |
This is one of the most popular casino games in the world and it definitely belongs to skill-based card games. Players are competing against each other, not the house, and need to use strategy and tactics to win.
Tip
The better you are at reading your opponents and making the right decisions, the more likely you are to come out on top.
There are a lot of games in the casino that require skill, but blackjack is definitely one of the most well-known. It's a pretty simple game where players try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
Other card games, such as baccarat, are also based on skill, but they have a pretty decent portion of luck involved in them.
Another popular game of chance is roulette. It's a pretty simple game where players bet on where they think the ball will land after the wheel is spun. There are different bets that can be placed, but the odds of winning are always pretty low.
These are two other games of chance that are popular in casinos. They're both easy to play and don't require any training. So, if you're looking to learn how to play bingo for beginners or want to try your luck at the casino, these are two good games to start with.
Slot machines are sliding into the games of chance examples. There's a spinning drum with different symbols on each reel, where players place their bets and spin the reels in the hopes that they'll land on a winning combination.
The odds of winning every round are usually pretty low, but they're easy to play and don't require any skill or strategy
As we can all agree, there's no game that has it all. In that light, we can't categorically state that one type of game is better than the other. It all depends on what you want as a player.
If you're looking for excitement and the chance to win big, then games of chance are probably more up your alley.
Let's take a person that loves a game of chance for example. The typical chance-based gambler could be described as:
Keep in mind
Responsible gambling means understanding and accepting the odds of the game, knowing how much time or money you can afford to spend, and when to stop. Gambling should be considered an expense and not a way to make money.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a more challenging and strategic gaming experience, then games of skill are probably a better fit.
Now, let's take a look at someone that prefers online skill games for money. The typical skill-based gambler could be described as:
Be aware
Even though the risk might be smaller, it's still important to keep in mind that gambling addiction is a real thing. Only gamble for fun and don't risk money that you can't afford to lose.
There are two key ways the government and casinos decide if a game is mostly based on skill or chance.
Take a quick look at all the strengths and flaws of playing skill-based games at casinos:
Advantages of playing skill-based games | Disadvantages of playing skill-based games |
---|---|
Improves and stimulates brain functions | Requires lots of practice and hours put into mastering the game |
A great option for stress relief | These games are often quite addictive |
There are skill-based games that offer great satisfaction after victory | Even though luck is not the strongest factor, it can still determine the winner |
Not relying on chance but rather on your skill | There is a house edge that gives the casino an advantage over the player |
Plenty of tournaments available with real money prizes. | They are being designed with automated features to help customers. For example, the auto-hold feature in video poker can help customers by automatically holding the winning cards. |
Tip
Perfecting your gambling skills gives you a better chance to succeed and improve your predictions.
Now let’s take a look at some pros and cons of playing luck-based games in casinos.
Advantages of playing chance-based games | Disadvantages of playing chance-based games |
---|---|
Everyone is offered the same chance - no competition. | If you strike a couple of wins, you can get easily addicted. |
Chance-based games usually payout big jackpots and prizes. | These games are designed to keep you in the seat for hours. |
They don’t require any training or learning. | The odds are against you |
Excitement and fun are guaranteed. | It's just as possible to lose money as it is to win big. |
With games of luck, the uncertainty is high. Yet, by using your skill, you do have control over the choices you make during the game. And the more you know, the better the probability of winning. Chipy Academy is the perfect place for you in order to improve your strategies at skill-based games.
There are many misconceptions about online casino skill games and chance games:
1. All casino games are based on luck.
This is not true. While it is true that some casino games are purely based on luck, there are also skill-based games where your actions can influence the outcome of the game.
2. All skill-based games are easy to win.
False. Some skill-based games are easier to win than chance-based games, but there are also various skill-based games that can be quite difficult to win. The most popular example is poker, which is considered to be a very difficult game to master.
3. All chance-based games are rigged in the casino's favor.
Casino games that are based on luck are fair in terms of the odds if you play at a licensed casino. Those casinos use the RNG system, tested by certifying companies like eCOGRA.
But there are some chance-based games that are not fair. The most popular example is roulette, where the casino has a slight edge over the player because some wheels have 0 and 00, making it harder for the player to win (depending on the roulette type).
In conclusion, it's good to know the difference between games of skill and games of chance. Whether you're a savvy gambler or a beginner, this knowledge can help you make the most of your gambling experiences.
Therefore, it is up to you whether you want to practice and become good at a skill-based game, or if you would rather just try your luck at chance-based games such as slots.
In both cases, the fun is guaranteed!
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Just here to make it aware that you could loose everything chasing after more than you really need ,i salute chipy for giving individuals a platform to express themselves and ask questions.