It is known among many casino players that yes, social casino games are mostly random. Either lady luck is on your side or you’re not taking anything home that night.
However, depending on the game, there could also be skill and strategy involved.
So, if you like a challenge and want to collect the rewards based on your hard work, continue reading.
In this article, we’re ranking the most popular social casino games, from the ones where it almost doesn’t matter who the player is to those where effort and preparation is rewarded.
And on we go with the first skill-based casino game. Or is it?
4. Slot Games
- Skill Level: 2/10
- Luck Needed: 10/10
You might be surprised to see online slots in this list, and it’s true that many of these games rely purely on luck. You just spin and wait for a win.
However, there is such a thing as slot strategy for some of these games. This usually happens with slots that offer bonus games, which usually go off script and give you a chance to use your skill to maximize your rewards.
Examples of this are video slots such as Wrecking Ball or Space Invaders, which will allow you to control the wrecking ball or the spaceship when you enter a bonus game.
Play Feature, a common slot mechanic, could also be used to twist luck in your favor. It’s a matter of weighing the coins you’ll need the play and your possible rewards, so it does depend on your decision. Sometimes important metrics such as RTP change, too, which could be an extra boost.
3. Craps
- Skill Level: 3/10
- Luck Needed: 10/10
A lot of players see craps as a luck-only casino game, but the end result that depend on your decisions. Hear as out.
While you can’t control if you’re getting a 7 or 11 roll, you do decide how you’re going to play. You can try to roll the numbers you’ve chosen, or you can actually predict that a 7 will come at a certain time in order to win.
These are just some examples. Another one: opting for Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come or Don’t Come predictions, for example, will have slightly different house edge percentages (between 1.36% and 1.41%)
Therefore, you have some control over what’s happening.
On a final note, there is another casino game involving dice being thrown around – it’s called sic bo. However, big difference between craps and sic bo – no strategy whatsoever can be applied to the second.
2. Blackjack
- Skill Level: 5/10
- Luck Needed: 9/10
Some say blackjack is not necessarily a game of skill, because when everyone knows all the rules and possible plays, the odds of winning it are the same for everybody. Luck is still needed.
However, this is assuming everybody uses optimal strategies, and that is not the case. Skill matters.
It is essential that you known when to hit, stand, double down or split in order to make the most of your hand. On top of that, understanding the odds and being able to adapt to different variations and rules is a great asset.
So, to sum it up: understanding probabilities, being quick on your feet, knowing the rules. Choosing the right variant or blackjack side games for you, from American, European, Vegas Strip, Blackjack Perfect Pairs or Blackjack Switch doesn’t hurt.
1. Poker
- Skill Level: 8/10
- Luck Needed: 6/10
And we’re finally at the casino game that requires more skill: poker.
To start with, unlike with blackjack, players play against each other – not against the house. This adds another variable, as some players might have a better understanding of the games than others. Add variations such as Omaha or Texas Hold’em and things get even more interesting.
However, while understanding the rules is important, this game needs it all: knowing how to manage your bankroll, having self control, knowing about human psychology and thinking quickly.
A good game of poker is like a well-oiled machine, except in the machine every part contributes to the same goal and here players are set against each other.
While there is a degree of luck needed, this clearly the most difficult game to master from this list. And some say it’s also the most rewarding, as there’s so much that comes into play.
One caveat: how much you’ll need luck to win this game depending whether you’re looking at the short or long term. In the long term, it is said that skill and good bank management trump outright luck.
What Other Casino Games Take Skill to Win?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room – roulette is a game of pure chance, which means we can’t rank it at all.
Even if you know the probability of each outcome, you can do nothing about it. All you can do is choose to play roulette with just one zero and, if possible, including La Partage or En Prison – the french roulette ticks all boxes. You can read more about it in our roulette wheel guide.
However, let’s take a game that can also involve predicting a result, such as high/low or black/red – the Hilo arcade game.
Although it’s still based on probability, the game is played with a standard deck including 52 cards. This means that, as cards are drawn, the probabilities of what comes next are constantly changing. If you’re able to keep track and calculate them, you stand a higher chance of winning.
Wrapping Up
Skill-based casino games are a way to blend casino excitement with a set of skills that you might be developing now or already have. It’s the best of both worlds: fun, mental stimulation and the best rewards.
There is a skill-based casino game for each playing level and profile, so you won’t miss out on the perks of these games.
For example, you can play live blackjack right away at McLuck social casino! Give it a try right away and see where your ability takes you!
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