Slots have been long described as games of pure chance, and this is indeed the case. Let’s admit it, all you do while playing a slot is press the “Spin” button and wait for the reels to stop, which is when you’ll either win a prize or not. The results are purely random, and that’s where the appeal of these games lies for a lot of people. However the past few years have seen a rise of a new type of slot - one where a degree of skill is actually required. This can take a variety of forms, from simple mini games taking the place of traditional bonus rounds to full-blown videogame-style experiences wrapped around the slot format. Curious to learn more about these upcoming skill-based slots? Then continue reading to find out all about them!
How Does a Traditional Slot Work?
For well over a century slot machines have operated on the same basic principle - you place your bet, press a button, and spin the reels. The very first slots were actual machines, with mechanical spinning reels, while modern slots are pieces of software based around Random Number Generators (RNGs), but the results remain ultimately identical. No matter the number of reels or winning combinations, or the sophistication of the visuals, slots remain luck-based games. This means you cannot affect the outcome of your spins, and that’s exactly why so many people love slots.
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What Makes a Skill-Based Slot
As great as slots are for most of, some people find the whole experience unsatisfying. This is perhaps understandable, since a slot can essentially play by itself with no player input. In fact, where available some players actually take this route by using the Autoplay feature. As such, the only control you have over the game is the amount you are betting. Other casino games, such as poker and blackjack, are also based on luck, but they require a level of skill if you’re to play effectively and, hopefully, win.
With this in mind, how can developers add this skill requirement to slots? In a way it’s quite simple - it’s through the addition of features that require control from the player. An early example of a game that can be described as a skill-based slot is video poker. If you’re not familiar, video poker gives you 5 random cards, of which you can discard some in order to form a potentially winning poker hand. Luck still comes into play, but you need to know which cards to keep and which to discard if you’re trying to get a win.
Skill-Based Slots Vs Traditional Slots
Skill-Based Slots Vs Traditional Slots
It’s important to note that, for all the talk of “skill,” skill-based slots are still very much based around RNG. The bones that make a slot remain very much present and accounted for, as you’ll still be spinning the reels and hoping that the symbols land in the right positions to make a winning combination. What changes are the bonus rounds, since instead of a traditional free spins feature you’ll get the chance to show what you’re truly made of!
One of the most famous skill-based bonus rounds can be found in the Space Invaders slot from Scientific Games. This slot is based on the 1978 arcade classic, and you get a chance to actually give it a shot instead of typical free spins when you and 3 or more scatters. In case you’re not familiar, here you’ll get control of a small spaceship that shoots down aliens that are making their way down the screen. It’s actually more difficult than it seems and can give your trigger finger quite the workout!
Space Invaders is just one example of a skill-based slot bonus round, but many of these actually take inspiration from videogames. This makes sense, since videogames are perhaps the greatest competitor for players’ attentions (and wallets!) to slots. As such you can find bonus rounds that take the form of fighting, puzzles, and even races, all adding a new twist on what would otherwise be just another round of free spins.
Do Skill-Based Slots Let You Beat the House?
It’s every player’s dream to use their skills to beat the casino at its own game, but alas this can’t happen by playing skill-based slots. While having a level of skill can give you a bit of an edge with these games, they still require you to first be lucky enough to trigger the bonus round. As a result the game’s Return to Player (RTP) might get tweaked slightly in your favour during the bonus feature or minigame, but otherwise you’ll still be reliant on chance for most of the time you’re playing.
That said, skill-based slots can represent a win-win situation for both casino sites and players. Casinos are always looking for the next best thing in order to attract new players and retain current ones, and skill-based titles might just be what brings fresh blood into the scene. Meanwhile players with a want for something new and exciting can get exactly that with these slots. Traditional slots will always be around for those who prefer them, of course, but the skill-based variety can represent the start of something different, especially when multiplayer elements such as tournaments come into the scene.
Test Your Skills With Your Next Favourite Slots
Test Your Skills With Your Next Favourite Slots
From what we’re seeing in the current slot industry the skill-based titles are still something of a minority. This means that it’s safe to declare that the traditional slot is here to stay, at least for the time being. It’s also the case that skill-based slots remain something of a novelty, and that makes them even more exciting. It’s safe to say that developers will continue working on this style of game, especially as technology continues to improve, so the future is looking bright for slots of all types!
Of course, as fun as skill-based slots are, they remain a type of gambling that should be enjoyed responsibly. Set a bankroll for playing slots, and stick to it. Never chase your losses, as these are something your skills will definitely not help with. Play slots to have fun, not make a profit, and you’ll be set for a great time spinning the reels.
