Are Skill-Based Casino Games More Fun?

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A royal flush and some chips on a table.
BetMGM Oct 18, 2023, 8:45 AM

Raking in a decent amount of money is often the most thrilling part of gambling for most people when they first start dabbling in this enthralling world. However, as you become more experienced, you might find yourself enjoying the strategy and competitive aspect of your favorite online casino games more and more.

So, are skill-based casino games more fun than chance-based games? And which ones should you be adding to your list of “must-plays?” Read on for the answer and our recommendations, all of which are available to play at the BetMGM online casino.

What’s the Difference Between Skill-Based and Chance-Based Casino Games?

The difference is exactly that: skill-based casino games’ outcomes depend, at least to a certain extent, on a player’s skills and their calculated decision-making. In contrast, chance-based casino games’ outcomes depend often entirely on the luck of the draw.

Most skill-based games are casino table games like poker and blackjack. There are other options, though, such as fantasy sports and dominoes. And a few examples of chance-based games include craps, keno and bingo.

Why Are Skill-Based Casino Games So Enjoyable?

Many gamblers, both amateur and professional, agree that the main reason skill-based casino games are so much fun is that you really have to work to earn your wins. When you’ve worked on a strategy and outwitted other players, you simply get more satisfaction out of the game – and that’s often true regardless of whether you win or lose.

Having said that, this doesn’t mean that skill-based games are more enjoyable than the different types of casino games that revolve purely around luck. It’s all about personal preference, what puts a smile on your face and what gives you butterflies in your stomach.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at skill-based casino games to see if they appeal to you as much as your chance-based casino favorites, here are a few of our top recommendations.

Poker

Poker is undoubtedly the casino game that requires the highest level of skill. Luck obviously still has a significant role to play, especially in terms of which cards you (and your opponents) are dealt at any given time. Skill comes into the equation when you need to make important decisions based on odds, your opponents’ behavior and decisions, and your knowledge of poker hands.

Poker is often referred to as “the most popular way to gamble.” Many people who enjoy playing live dealer online casino poker or playing in-person at a land-based casino admit that the primary “pull” is the urge to defeat other players by implementing a great strategy and putting their well-practiced “poker face” to good use.

Another reason for its unrivaled popularity is that there are lots of poker variants to choose from, all of which vary in terms of pace and complexity. This means that there’s almost sure to be a poker variant suited to you and your player preferences. A few variants to watch out for include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, seven-card stud, five-card draw, high low Chicago and video poker. Due to its simplicity and low house edge, most beginners opt to get started with video poker before moving on to play against real competitors in live poker tournaments.

Blackjack

Known for being the casino table game with the lowest house edge, blackjack is a game played one-on-one with a dealer and is equal parts skill and chance. The skill involved includes an ability to work with statistics, use mathematics to your advantage and make quick, effective decisions under pressure.

Some gamblers use a tactic known as “card counting” to beat the dealer when playing blackjack at a casino. This tactic involves keeping a close eye on which cards have been dealt to try to determine which cards remain in the deck and, of course, whether these remaining cards favor the player or the dealer. While it’s not illegal, card counting certainly is controversial and could result in you being removed from the game. As such, it’s definitely best avoided.

Those who are keen to explore strategy-based games often choose to give blackjack a go because its rules are easy to follow, and it’s possible to win a nice sum of money even if your skills aren’t quite yet up to scratch.  

Roulette

There’s a lot of luck that determines whether you win or lose when playing roulette, one of the oldest and best casino games on the floor. But, as many gamblers will tell you, a solid betting strategy almost always increases the potential for a sizable payout.

There are quite a few betting strategies to choose from, such as the Martingale betting strategy and the Fibonacci strategy. The former is a strategy where you double your bet every time you lose, with the idea being that you have to win eventually and when you do, the payout should then be high enough to help you break even at the very least. The latter strategy is a more conservative one and based on the legendary Fibonacci numbers. It’s implemented only on the even number bets, giving you a 50% chance of a win every time.

Play Casino Games at BetMGM

Looking for new casino games at which to put your skill (or luck!) to the test? You’ll find a diverse menu of options right here at BetMGM. We specialize in casino table games, online slots, live tournaments and more.

Feel free to explore by registering via our convenient mobile portal.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens flipping casino chips next to the text "The King of Casinos"
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Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.