A Comprehensive Guide to Online Casino Skills-Based Games

As technology and the internet advance, gamblers are becoming increasingly demanding on the quality of gambling offered by online casino websites. In Kuwait and a number of other Arab countries, there are many gambling websites offering both simple games of chance and some more sophisticated gambling options that combine luck and strategy. A few decades ago, when casino operators were just taking their first steps in the online world, such advantages as no lines and a wider choice of games seemed to be a boon to gambling enthusiasts. 

Today, however, thanks to the ability to play from the comfort of your home and even right on the go, gamblers' appetites have grown considerably. Land-based gambling venues now seem to have become obsolete, especially thanks to online casino games produced by Evolution Gaming and several other notable providers. But what about classic casino games like poker or blackjack? Unlike land-based casinos, classic casino games are not only far from being obsolete, but they are growing in popularity thanks to their skill-oriented nature. And we're here to tell you about the best card and table games that have been reinvented by the online gambling industry. 

What are Skill-Based Games Available at Arabic Casinos?

Before we talk about skill-focused games, let's take a look at the most popular gambling entertainment available at Arabic online casinos such as VipArabClub. You've probably guessed by now that we're talking about online slots, exciting gambling machines where you spin the reels to land winning combinations and pick up big prizes. Once you have started any slot, you will see a simple control panel with only a few buttons including bet size, the number of coins and (optional) value, and how many paylines you can play (some slots have fixed paylines). You also have a button to start the game round (Spin button). On rare occasions, you can also set it to Auto Play. The bad news for those wanting to try out their hands on slots is that you can't influence the gameplay directly. All you can do is specify your stake and choose how many paylines you want to play, with everything else depending entirely on chance (RNG algorithms to be exact). 

However, skill-focused casino games are a completely different experience. While not new, they draw crowds at VipArabClub because they let you be involved and influence the outcome of game rounds, and this is especially true for live casino table games. So, if you want to rely not only on luck but also on your knowledge and skills, here are the online casino games worth trying. 

Online Poker

Also known as the king of card games, online poker was invented a relatively long time ago. What's more, it has been popular for many decades because it is a game where skill plays a key role. In the virtual VipArabClub lobby, you will find a variety of exciting poker games to choose from, with Omaha and Texas Hold'em which are probably the most popular options. The objective of the game of poker is to make the highest-ranked hand or convince your opponents at the table that you have got one. Keep in mind that there are versions of the card game where the best hand is the lowest-ranked hand. 

Attracting the attention of many gamblers, poker is far more than just a game of chance. Once you have your initial cards dealt, you need to be patient and also observe your opponent's behaviour to make the best decisions in the game. Please note, however, that the above only applies to live poker, where you face your opponent at the virtual table and can see their hands and faces in real-time. 

Notably, VipArabClub and some other Arabic online casinos also offer video poker which is essentially single-player computer poker based on the RNG. When you play video poker, you are battling with a dealer whose role is taken over by special software. Stripped of bluffing and some other features of traditional poker, video poker is still a game of luck and strategy. You can decide which cards to hold and which to fold, thereby affecting the outcome of the game. Whether you play a traditional card game or a computerized version, you'll undoubtedly need to know a lot more than the basic rules of poker. 

Online Blackjack

If you prefer skill-focused games, live blackjack is an option not to be missed. Each card has its own value, and you have to take that into account when making game decisions such as hit or stand. The main objective you have is to accumulate a hand higher than the dealer's one. However, keep in mind that your hand should not be worth more than 21 points, as you will lose. Additionally, if you hit 21, this game situation is known as Blackjack and you will receive a payout if the value of the dealer's hand is lower. You'll only need a few minutes to learn the basic rules of blackjack, but the real fun starts when you get your first 2 cards (the initial blackjack hand). 

So, if you've got a hand worth 12 points, what's the decision to make? If you decide to stand, you should realize that the dealer can make a higher value hand and win. If you decide to draw another card, you run the risk of ending up with a 10 and thus going over 21 points and losing. Fortunately, there's a basic blackjack strategy that's essentially a set of guidelines for a particular game event. First, you can use the basic strategy charts as a cheat sheet. However, you'll need to memorize all these recommendations in order to do so. 

What's more, blackjack is a mathematically correct game for which you can use the so-called card-counting technique. By honing your card counting skills, you'll get a head start on the house, which means you'll be ahead of the game in the long run. The main difference between blackjack and poker is that you have to be, not show. That is, you have to have a really strong hand to win, as there is no room for bluffing. Luckily, the virtual VipArabClub lobby has demo versions of blackjack available to play. You'll have plenty of opportunities to practice and get to know the game before you start risking real money. 

Online Craps

Unfairly overlooked by many Arabic gamblers, this game also combines luck and strategy, though to a lesser extent than blackjack. The game involves dice with numbered edges, and it's the dice that decide the outcome of the game. Does that mean that craps is a pure chance game? The fact is that there are plenty of betting options, with some giving much higher winning chances. While you can't make the dice show the numbers you want, there is an element of decision-making here - whether you want to bet on Pass/Don't Pass or opt for a more sophisticated betting option with a larger payout multiplier. Also, craps can be a good game for those using betting strategies based on numerical sequences. 

Why Play Skills-Focused Casino Games?

Many players prefer online slots because they don't want to spend time learning the game rules and betting strategies. However, when you play online slots, your gambling results depend solely on chance. At the same time, there is a category of gamblers who prefer skill-focused games, and here's why:

• The ability to take control of the game action into your own hands. Skills-focused games such as poker or blackjack are good for those who like to think strategically and make informed decisions. So, poker is an ideal game for those who are able to be observant and notice small details in their opponent's behaviour. Blackjack is good for gamblers looking to develop their memory and thinking skills.
• The ability to manage risk. When you play slots, you can spin the reels for hours and hours, watching your bankroll melt away. And because the gameplay can be too monotonous, you run the risk of getting carried away and losing a lot. Skill-focused games force you to make smart decisions and manage your bankroll more wisely.
• Larger potential winnings. While nothing beats the top prize a progressive jackpot slot can offer, skill-based games can make you a really rich player. So, there are plenty of poker tournaments with multi-million pots. However, you have a long way to go to develop the skills needed to compete against the poker sharks. 

So, skill-focused online casino games can provide you with an exciting and highly profitable gaming experience. However, if the above hasn't convinced you to try your hand at poker or blackjack, you can still play the simpler and more fun gambling options available in the virtual lobby of VipArabClub.