How To Win Skill Games

Skill-based gaming is nothing new. It debuted in Atlantic City and Las Vegas around five years ago to mixed success.

• Online Skill Game
• How To Win At Skill Games
• How To Play Skill Games
• Skills To Win Training
• How To Win Pennsylvania Skill Games
• How To Win In Pennsylvania Skill Games

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However, skill slots are currently the hottest thing in Pennsylvania’s gaming market. Numerous people are playing these slots at bars, convenience stores, restaurants, and other types of businesses.

A PA skill game works a little differently from a regular slot machine. Assuming you’d like to know more about these games, you can learn about them below.

How Does a Pennsylvania Skill Slot Machine Work?

A Pennsylvania skill game looks and plays very similar to a regular slot machine. You begin playing these games by inserting your money into the terminal.

Next, you spin the reels and hope to line up matching symbols in paylines. Most of these games show how much each winning combinations pays through a pay table on the side.

Again, you can see that these games aren’t much different from standard slots. But each can differ from the next regarding the skill element.

Here are various examples on how these slots incorporate skill:

• A pre-reveal mechanism that allows you to see if you’ll win or lose the next spin.
• You must touch wild and/or scatter symbols to activate them.
• Skill-based bonus rounds.

Starting with the first option, pre-reveal slot machines first gained infamy in Florida. They give you an option, or force you, to see if the upcoming round will be a winner or loser.

Knowing the result of the spin enables you to determine whether it’s worth playing. Normally, though, you can only see the result of a single spin.

The second feature, where you touch certain symbols to activate them, doesn’t really bring much skill into the fold. It simply introduces a manual element to the game.

Finally, skill-based bonus rounds can see you do all sorts of things. One example is a memory game, where the slot shows you a series of flashing dots.

At first, you’ll have an easier time remember which dots flash. But these games get tougher and tougher as more dots flash and really test your memory skills.

How Do Skill Games Differ From Regular Slot Machines?

A skill slot machine looks and plays much like standard real money slots. You probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two under most circumstances.

However, PA skill games feature more action than just spinning the reels. As described before, they see you doing everything from tapping symbols to playing fun bonuses.

Pace-O-Matic, one of the biggest manufacturers of such terminals, designs these games in a specific manner so as to avoid the normal gambling distinction.

After all, convenience stores, laundry mats, and bars can’t just offer a regular slot machine without a license. But they can feature a skill-based terminal without breaking laws—at least for now anyways.

These machines also give you more influence over the results. You might not be able to use your abilities to control 100% of the outcomes. However, you may have the ability to control approximately 3% of the action through skill.

The companies that develop PA skill slots aren’t required to divulge return to player (RTP). Their operators don’t need to offer this information either.

This aspect heavily differs from the regulated Pennsylvania gambling market. Land-based casinos must work with gaming regulators and offer RTP figures.

In What Ways Are Skill and Regular Slots the Same?

These games may offer the promise of skill-based gaming. In the end, though, they aren’t much different than standard slot machines.

Online Skill Game

Both use random number generators to determine the bulk of the results. Your odds of winning heavily rely on the luck associated with each spin.

For example, a PA skill slot might feature 90% RTP on the spins alone. But it would give you the ability to influence another 5% of the RTP through a bonus round.

With expert play, you could bump the payback up to 95%. Of course, this figure doesn’t differ much from casino slots, which typically offer between 90% and 95% payback.

Another similarity is the fact that the house wins in both cases. Some players mistakenly believe that they can win guaranteed profits if they play a skill-based game just right.

The truth, though, is that they don’t have any better chance of winning at a convenience store than they do a casino. The skill aspect is mostly an illusion that’s designed to float Pennsylvania gambling laws.

Of course, you can always get lucky with a skill-based or regular slot machine and win the jackpot. You’ll be relying on luck to win in both cases, though.

Skill Slots Are Quite Controversial

PAIG also takes exception to the fact that these games aren’t regulated. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board doesn’t have any jurisdiction over the makers or operators of skill terminals.

Furthermore, the bars, convenience stores, and restaurants that offer these machines don’t pay additional taxes. They only cover standard income taxes on profits.

Contrast this situation to the state’s 12 land-based casinos. Each must pay a licensing fee to operate along with a 54% tax rate on revenue.

This 54% rate makes Pennsylvania one of the toughest markets for earning casino gaming profits. Meanwhile, skill-based operators gain a competitive advantage by paying far less in taxes.

How To Win At Skill Games

Will Pennsylvania Ban These Slot Machines?

PAIG has made some headway in bringing light to the hypocrisy surrounding skill-based gaming. The group is drawing more attention to their mission of getting these games shut down.

Police in certain Pennsylvania jurisdictions have seized these terminals during crackdowns on illegal gambling. Pace-O-Matic responded with a lawsuit against the Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement.

As of now, the two sides are embroiled in a murky legal battle where nobody has tasted victory yet. In January 2020, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled that Pennsylvania State Police can seize skill-based games while the matter is being decided in court.

This ruling doesn’t mean that authorities will seize relevant terminals all over the Keystone State. Instead, it just lifts a ban on the practice of doing so as law enforcement sees fit.

State police argue that the skill-based machines are only a small part of their crackdown on illegal gambling. They’ve only seized a few dozen of the 20,000 skill games operating throughout the state.

For this reason, the Commonwealth Judge saw no reason to ban such seizures. Of course, the games will be given back if Pace-O-Matic wins its case.

Neither side has presented a compelling argument on why these terminals should or shouldn’t be legal. But Florida might provide a preview on what will happen with this case.

The Sunshine State had a problem with pre-reveal slot machines running rampant throughout its borders. The Seminole Tribe, which holds a gambling pact with Florida, argued that pre-reveal games violated its agreement with the state.

After careful consideration, a judge decided to ban these machines. They ruled that pre-reveal slots fall under the definition of illegal gambling.

Pennsylvania doesn’t have a tribal gaming pact with any Native American tribes. However, it does have a licensed gambling market with 12 casinos.

The state may ultimately rule against Pace-O-Matic to preserve its good relationship with the licensed gambling establishments.

Conclusion

A PA skill slot differs slightly from casino terminals by including some element of skill. “Some” is the key word here, though, because these games don’t give you a true chance to overcome the house edge.

You might be able to influence 5% of the RTP through your abilities. But if the base RTP is 91%, you can only achieve up to 96% RTP.

Skill-based slots remain a mixed bag. They include different elements than a standard slot, but they’re also somewhat deceiving in how much control they give you over results.

PAIG is currently fighting against these terminals and believe that they constitute illegal gaming. The jury is out, though, on if these games will ultimately be outlawed.

Games like solitaire, bubble shooters and quizzes have been online for as long as the internet has been around. Until recently, you were not able to play them for realmoney.

Well, this is where Skillz comes in. You can enter tournaments or head-to-head format games against other players, winning real cash (or enjoying the fun-money versions).

Skillz is set up as a platform that game developers can add to, which means new games are coming online all the time.

To prevent experts from winning all the games, Skillz automatically matches players at similar ability levels, which gives everyone a fair shot at winning every time they play.

On this page, we cover the Skillz platform in depth.

You’ll find out more about the games, how to deposit and cash out, plus how to access the games on a variety of devices.

What is a Skillz game?

The list of games will have a familiar feel, with many having names that are similar to popular app titles (though they avoid the copyrighted names).

Some are traditional table and blackjack games; others involve lining up gems or shooting bubbles.

The difference is that you can play these games in a tournament format. The platform matches you with others at similar skill levels.

You then play knockoutgames, which see the entrants narrowed down to a single winner. Depending on the number of entrants, you’ll get paid based on how far you progress.

The smallest tournaments are head-to-heads with bigger bracketed contests also available.

There are a lot of game options. You can play for real money or use “Z,” which is a virtual fun-money currency. You can also join leaderboard contests or set up private tournaments for your friends.

All Skillz games are designed to work on mobile phones. You can download an app for Android or iOS devices. The app will handle your account and payments, and will give you access to all the latest game titles.

Most popular Skillz games for Android / iPhone

Is Skillz legal in the US?

These are skill games, and so they don’t fall under the rules covering online gambling in the US. The developers refer to themselves as an esportsplatform.

Skill-based games are under the jurisdiction of individual states. Skillz has been running since 2014.

You can enjoy these games legally in 38 states. Here are the places where real money Skillz games are not currently available:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Montana
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee

In Indiana and Maine, you can play many of the games, although not any titles that include playing cards as part of the gameplay.

Can I play Skillz games and win real money?

These games are skill-based, which removes them from the definition of gambling.

You have two ways to enjoy the games:

1. Skillz For Fun: Skillz uses a virtual currency that it calls “Z.” It is for entertainment only and doesn’t have a redeemable value. Winning a tournament for “Z” money gives you bragging rights only. Using “Z” is a great way to get familiar with the games before you make a deposit.
2. Skillz For Real Money: You can deposit using credit cards or PayPal, and then enjoy the games for real money. Here, you can win real-cash prizes that you can withdraw. As you’ll see below, match codes can give you a boost on your deposit to enjoy specified games.

Skillz games match codes

Match codes let you enter specific games for free. Developers and promoters use these to generate interest in their games.

Instead of applying to your entire deposit (like a matched bonus), match codes are passwords that give you access to a freeroll tournament.

You can find these through the Skillz games social media accounts or third-party websites.

Many fans of these games will be actively looking out for the match codes, which will often make the tournaments busier.

Match codes are game-specific. You’ll need to download a new game via the platform, then use a code (usually a word or combination of two words), during a specified time.

If you win a tournament after entering with a match code, you will receive the winnings in real money.

Our reviews of individual Skillz games include match codes; here is the current list:

• 21 Blitz
• Bubble Shooter Tournaments
• Cube Cube
• Jewel Blitz Block Puzzle
• Strike! esports Bowling
• Solitaire Cube

How to play for free?

There isn’t a requirement to deposit money to enjoy Skillz games.

You can play all of them for free using “Z,” a play-money currency. You’ll get free “Z” via the platform, and can top this off regularly by keeping an eye on social media.

You then use “Z” to enter freetournaments, winning more and climbing either public or private leaderboards. Currently, it doesn’t have a redeemable value, and you can’t swap it for anything of value in the Skillz ecosystem.

Skillz games for mobile

Skillz games work on your mobile phone via apps.

There isn’t a desktop version, though you can check the website for instructions and guides. Most of the games are available for both Android and iPhone / iPad devices. A smaller number of games have skipped the Android platform and are available on iOS only.

When you first join, you are assigned a random username. You can update it at any time (along with your picture and contact information) via the “Account” icon.

How to download Skillz Games on Android

To access Skillz’s Android games, you first need to go to Games.Skillz.com in the browser of your phone or tablet. This page will give you a list of the available titles. Each will have an Android icon next to it, which you click to start the download process.

You can download these games from Skillz, and not the Google Play Store. Most devices will give a warning message, saying you are downloading from an unknownsource. You can click “OK” here to complete the download process.

How to download Skillz Games on iPhone / iPad

iPhone and iPad users can access Games.Skillz.com to see the list of available titles. This page puts the popular games, like Solitaire Cube, at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can find these games in the Apple App Store. Simply click the download button to install the game.

How to deposit and cash out?

When you play Skillz games, you will set up a username and password, which will work with all the titles. You can keep track of your deposits and withdrawals from a single account page.

Depositing is easy.

Furthermore, withdrawals will use the same route as the deposit whenever possible to protect against fraud and money laundering.

Here are your main deposit options:

• Credit Card: You can use your regular bank card to deposit in the same way you’d make an online purchase. Visa and Mastercard are welcome.
• Prepaid Debit Card: This type of card is available via convenience stores. You’ll need to keep your card, even after you spend the balance, to make sure your withdrawal can be processed.
• Apple Pay: For iPhone or iPad users, Apple Pay makes a fast, convenient and secure payment option.
• PayPal: The popular e-wallet service adds a secure third-party system between your bank and the Skillz platform.

Withdrawals up to the amount you deposited must occur via the same method wherever this is possible.

For anything above this amount, you can request a paper check that will be sent to your home. The withdrawal process is slower than other online platforms, four weeks or more.

You can access the deposit and withdrawal methods via the “Store” icon at the top of the app.

Bonus cash and other Skillz game rewards

How To Play Skill Games

You can collect bonus cash by referring Skillz to your friends.

Skillz will give you $10 in bonus cash for every friend you refer that plays for real money. You can also find (time-limited) bonus cash offers through social media.

You can use the bonus cash to enter tournaments, but you can’t withdraw it. If you do make a withdrawal while you still have a bonus cash balance, it will be forfeited.

Other rewards come via a loyalty reward scheme.

Skills To Win Training

You can win “ticketz” and trophies. You accumulate “ticketz” based on your entry fees in real money Skillz tournaments. You can redeem these for prizes from the store, with new items being added to the listing all the time. You can also redeem your ticketz for cash to enter into real money Skillz games.

There is also a VIP system for big spenders.

How To Win Pennsylvania Skill Games

You’ll need to reach the blacktier of the loyalty program to be considered a VIP. This level comes with perks that include a big “ticketzmultiplier” for every contest you enter.

How To Win In Pennsylvania Skill Games

Add to this the matchcodes (free entry codes), and you’ll see that Skillz looks after its players well.