Unveiling Casino Games That Demand Skill

Contrary to popular belief, success in many online casino games requires skill and luck – not just the latter. Yes, the chances of winning increase when the cards (or results) are in your favor, but without a strategy, you’re minimizing your potential returns and hindering your overall game. 

Take online poker, for example; implementing a strategy is necessary to avoid exposing yourself to exploitative opponents and risk making the wrong bets, even when holding strong hands. With so many betting options and hands available, each round requires careful thought. And this is where skill comes into play. Knowing when to fold is just as important as knowing when to attack. This article unveils the casino games of skill that need more than luck for you to win. 

What Casino Games Require Skill?

Unlike online slots, where the results of each spin are determined by a random number generator, many games have an array of potential outcomes and options. For instance, roulette allows players to place an inside bet, outside bet and straight-up bet (to name a few.) 

Implementing strategy and outwitting competitors have caused many to believe that skill-based casino games are more rewarding. Poker and blackjack are two well-known skill/strategy games, but here are three other casino games that require skill and strategy to succeed.

Craps

Exciting and thrilling, at a casino’s peak operating hours you’ll often see craps tables surrounded by elated players and spectators. Played with two dice, craps has been a staple at casinos for over a century. And it’s been enjoyed by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and sitcom star Ray Romano. 

Regarding betting options, there’s plenty to choose from:

Pass Line Bet: One of the most popular bets, a pass line bet has to be made before the round’s first roll. The gambler wins if the roll is a 7 or 11, whereas a 2, 3 or 12 will result in elimination. But a point is set if the dice accumulates to 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. In this scenario, the player must roll the point number before a 7 to win. 

Don’t Pass Bet: Unlike a pass line bet, the gambler wins if the come-out roll (first roll) is a 2 or 3; and if it’s a 7 or 11, they lose. If a point is set, to win, the player needs to roll a 7 before the point is rolled.

While these are the most common bets, there’s a variety of other options, including come, don’t come, odds and place bets.

Strategy is vital around the table, the most popular of which include dice control by consistently gripping the dice in the same areas and staking various bets to reduce the house edge, such as Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets. 

For beginners playing at online casinos, you have the luxury of practicing via free demo games to enhance your skills in online casino games.

Fantasy Sports Betting

Although fantasy sports betting attracts a smaller audience than most casino games, there’s still a thriving and lively scene. For sport-loving gamblers, this could be a dream match. Similarly to playing fantasy football, players create a team and the athletes’ live performance wins points – the most popular fantasy sports to gamble on are football, baseball, and basketball. The aim is to outscore your opponents and win the league.

And just like sports betting, strategy is crucial in fantasy sports betting. To score the most points, gamblers must analyze the statistics, history and current form of athletes to pick the highest point-grabbing team. Additionally, experienced bettors adjust their teams weekly to pair players with weak opponents to maximize their point tally and stay up-to-date with injuries to ensure all their athletes are playing each week – it becomes costly if they’re on the sideline.

Backgammon

Backgammon may be the biggest surprise on this list. It’s been a popular board game for centuries but is relatively new to the casino sphere. Just like poker, it requires a mixture of luck, skill, strategy and psychology.

A two-player game played with 15 counters (each) and two dice, the aim of the game is to move the pieces to your designated area. And once all your counters are in your zone, you roll one die to get them off the board. For example, if your last counter is on the 5th triangle, you must roll a 5 or 6 to remove it. The player who gets all of their counters off the table first wins. 

To improve your odds of winning, implementing strategy is a must. Experienced players like to read opponents and adapt their strategies to exploit weaknesses. Always planning ahead is another key tip; know your next move before the turn arises.

Test Your Skills at BetMGM

Want to play casino games online? Put your skills to the test and enjoy the satisfaction of outwitting opponents and dealers. For beginners nervous about staking their money, practice with free demo games. Register today and enjoy a selection of skill games, themed tables, social games and live dealers. From baccarat, poker and bingo to roulette and blackjack, play from anywhere at any time.