When browsing an online casino’s offerings, players are met with a spread of different options and great-looking games. But behind all the visuals, there’s usually a quiet decision being made: play a game based mostly on luck, or try something where skill plays a part?
It’s not always obvious. Some games look straightforward but have hidden layers. Others lean fully into randomness, where no amount of thinking or planning changes the outcome. Knowing the difference helps when picking what type of experience someone might want.
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Games that lean on skill
There are some casino games where skill changes the long-term outcome, meaning people can theoretically improve their skills. Video poker, for example, is one of the more approachable ones. It looks a bit like a slot machine at first glance, with digital cards and simple controls. But it’s based on five-card draw poker, and that means strategy may play a part.
The player gets dealt five cards and can hold or discard as many as they want. Knowing which cards to keep makes a real difference. And there are even charts that outline the mathematically best plays. That kind of depth puts it firmly in the “skill-based” column, though there is still a real random element when considering which cards might drop.
Every casino game has a reliance on fortune to at least some extent, but skill can be one of the factors that come into consideration for players in some types of video poker. When playing online video poker, players should make sure they understand the rules and specific details of the game that they are playing.
Blackjack is another strong contender. While the game involves a shuffle of the deck and a dose of randomness, player decisions matter. Hitting or doubling down can depend on both the cards dealt and the dealer’s upcard.
Experienced players can use charts or even memorise odds to improve their edge. It’s one of the few table games where the house edge can shrink with practice.
Then there’s poker in its traditional form, especially in live card rooms. This game shifts even more toward skill. Bluffing and understanding betting patterns are a huge element of the game. That’s why there are professionals out there who make guides, such as strategy videos on Masterclass. Phil Ivey is a great player of the game who has made a Masterclass available for people to explore. While chance still plays a role in which cards show up, players influence outcomes over the long haul.
Games that run on randomness
On the other side are games like slots. These are often the most popular options on the casino platforms. With hundreds of styles, there’s no shortage of choice. But one thing stays the same: slots are purely luck-based.
Every spin is determined by a random number generator. No timing or symbol prediction changes the result. Whether it’s a basic three-reel machine or a fully animated five-reel video slot with bonus rounds, it’s still just chance.
The only way that some people can potentially have an impact is by choosing how to bet and interact with the game.
Roulette, especially the standard versions, is another luck-heavy game. A player can place bets on red, black, odd, even, or specific numbers. But the outcome depends on where the ball lands, and nothing before or after influences it. There’s no past spin to study and no system that beats it. Each spin is its own thing and relies on the reel, which has been around since this game was first invented way back in the 1700s.
Evaluating the options
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer here. It comes down to what someone wants from the experience. Every player should be able to choose the sort of game they want to play, and the fact that top casinos give so many options is a real plus point.
Skill-based games offer more control. For those who enjoy making decisions and using logic or memory, these games can be satisfying. There’s a structure and sometimes even a feeling of improvement over time.
But skill games often demand more attention. They don’t play themselves in the background.
On the flip side, luck-based games are straightforward. Slots don’t ask much of the player. The same goes for roulette or simple dice games. It’s more about watching what unfolds.
These games can be appealing when someone just wants to watch and enjoy a bit of spectacle without much effort or thinking about what they might do next.
One of the entertaining things about casinos is that there are a lot of different options for players now, and that means that people can choose the right level of involvement and strategy. People can choose whatever is most entertaining for them.
Simon has held senior content leadership positions at online casinos and sportsbooks for 20+ years. He leads a team of quality writers who produced trusted and authoritative iGaming content for casinos, sportsbooks, poker and bingo sites. Simon is Managing Director of Magic Word Media.
