Skill-Based Casino Games

Traditional casino games are pure luck. A new category blends gambling with actual player skill—your reflexes, aim, or decision-making directly affect how much you win or lose. These games sit somewhere between a slot machine and an arcade, and they are slowly making their way onto regulated casino floors.

What "Skill-Based" Means

The house still has an edge, but skilled players lose less (or win more) than unskilled ones. Think of it like a slot machine where the bonus rounds are video game challenges: hitting targets, solving puzzles, or timing button presses. A player who performs well in the bonus round earns a higher payout than one who performs poorly—but the base game and overall return are still governed by regulated minimums.

This is fundamentally different from pure-RNG slots, where the outcome is determined the instant you press spin. In a skill-based game, there is a window where your input matters. That window is real, but it is also bounded—the house edge never disappears entirely.

Types of Skill-Based Games

Fish Table Games: A Closer Look

Fish table games originated in Asia and gained popularity in Asian-American communities across the US. Players use a joystick or touchscreen to shoot at fish swimming across the screen. Each fish has a point multiplier; larger or rarer fish are worth more but harder to hit. You spend credits (ammo) with each shot, so target selection and efficiency are genuine skills.

In a licensed setting, these games are regulated like any other electronic gaming machine. Outside of that, the payout percentages are unknown and enforcement is inconsistent.

How Skill Modifies House Edge

In a traditional slot, the Return to Player (RTP) is fixed by the game's math model. Every player gets the same expected return regardless of how they play. Skill-based games introduce a variable RTP range:

Regulatory Status

Nevada was the first state to allow skill-based slot machines in 2015, followed by New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Despite the regulatory green light, adoption on casino floors has been slow. Most casino operators still prefer traditional slots because they generate reliable, predictable revenue. Skill-based machines tend to attract a younger demographic but haven't yet proven they can match traditional slot revenue per square foot.

Regardless of the skill element, states regulate minimum RTPs on all electronic gaming machines. A skill-based slot in New Jersey must still meet the same floor requirements as a traditional one.

Video Poker: The Original Skill-Based Game

Video poker has been on casino floors since the 1970s and is technically the oldest skill-based casino game. Unlike slots, your decisions about which cards to hold and which to discard directly affect your expected return. With perfect strategy, 9/6 Jacks or Better offers a 99.54% RTP—one of the best returns in the entire casino.

If you are drawn to the idea of skill-based gambling, video poker is the most proven and widely available option. Read our full Video Poker Basics guide to learn optimal strategy. You can also explore our full practice games library to try before you play for real money.