Skill games at online casinos

Skill games at online casinos

One of the first thoughts people have regarding online casinos and gaming is whether or not it is safe. The short answer is yes. To even qualify to be considered for use in an online casino, games have to undergo rigorous testing, prove they operate under the highest security systems and be scrutinized by several governing bodies.

So what are some of these safe and certified casino games that aren’t just for the brainless masses but actually require some thought and skill on the punter’s part? We will have a look at what games are more skill based, the security measures they boast and the governing bodies they have to please before they can be made readily available for you to play.

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Blackjack and its derivatives

Blackjack is a very player dominated game because so much of the play is dictated by the punter. There is a true art to reading a game of blackjack and acting, not only on your own cards, but the dealer’s card too.

Blackjack comes in two forms online, either completely computerized Random Number Generator (RNG) form or Live Dealer.

Production companies like Microgaming, NetEntertainment and BetSoft have blackjack games that operate on an RNG system. Here are some of their titles.

  • Microgaming

    • Classic Blackjack – house edge of 0.13%
    • Vegas Strip Blackjack – house edge of 0.35%
    • Vegas Single Deck Blackjack – house edge of 0.35%
    • Atlantic City Switch – house edge of 0.36%
    • Spanish Blackjack – house edge of 0.38%
    • Pontoon – house edge of 0.38%
    • Vegas Downtown Blackjack – house edge of 0.39%
  • NetEntertainment

    • Standard Blackjack – house edge of 0.44%
    • Blackjack Classic Series – house edge of 0.44%
    • Double Exposure – house edge of 0.67%
    • Pontoon – house edge of 0.34%
  • BetSoft

    • 21 Burn Blackjack – house edge of 0.54%
    • Single Deck Blackjack – house edge of 0.38%
    • Super 7 Blackjack – house edge of 0.46%
    • American Blackjack – house edge of 0.65%
    • European Blackjack – house edge of 0.66%

Poker and its derivatives

If you really want to test your skills and forward thought, here are some poker table game derivatives on offer from the following production companies.

  • Microgaming

    • 3 Card Poker house edge of 3.37%
    • Cyber Stud Poker house edge of 5.01%
    • Pai Gow Poker house edge of 2.72%
  • NetEntertainment

    • Caribbean Stud house edge of 5.21%
    • Oasis Poker house edge of 1.03%
  • BetSoft

    • Let it Ride house edge of 3.51%
    • Caribbean Stud house edge of 5.22%
    • Oasis Poker house edge of 1.04%
    • Pai Gow house edge of 2.72%
    • 3 Card Poker house edge of 3.37%

Safety precautions

Safety and fairness is expected from online punters. This is ensured by a two pronged approach. First each gaming production company must pass and be endorsed by several governing bodies. Then the online casinos that actually host the games must pass testing from governing bodies to ensure player fairness too. Here are some of the independent bodies that oversee and ensure online gaming fairness. You can check which of these safety precautions and checks are used by your online casino by checking the bottom of their homepage where you will see the organisation’s logo.

  • Secure Sockets Layer encryption

    You will find that most online casino software is supported by a 128 or 256-bit SSL encryption. This is a data encryption program to protect online or electronic transactions. This is the same level of software used by banks to protect their online customers too.

  • eCOGRA

    Founded in 2003 the e-Commerce and Online Game Regulation and Assurance body has grown to be one of the most trusted independent gaming assessors in the business. They assess companies and software on their eGAP (Generally Accepted Practices) requirements. Each game or online venue is assessed yearly to check they meet elements of player protection, gaming fairness and responsible behavior from the service provider.

  • RNG Certification

    This is usually obtained through an independent company like iTech Labs. They test each RNG product with a three step examination. The RNG certification ensures statistical randomness, the internal state of the RNG, unpredictability, non-repeat-ability and re-seeding and cycling.

  • MGA

    The Malta Gaming Authority became the first European Union country to regulate remote gaming in 2004. Since then they have carved out a reputation of responsibility with all MGA approved casinos and ssoftware producers meeting the stringent guidelines of the Remote Gaming Regulations Act of Malta.

  • AGCC

    The Alderney Gambling Control Commission strives to maintain the highest levels of online gaming responsibility and integrity. Through their high standards of game fairness and player safety they hope to attract major gambling brands who wish to strengthen their reputation for player safety, game fairness and integrity. Gambling is considered one of the biggest sources of income for Alderney, the small Island nation, and they take their responsibility to players and operators very seriously.

  • UK Gambling Commission

    The Gambling Commission of the UK was established as a regulatory and enforcement body to uphold the the Gambling Act 2005 of Great Britain. They ensure that gambling regime’s remain crime free, is fair and open and that operators ensure children and vulnerable people are protected and not exposed to gambling products.

  • Curacao eGaming licence

    Curacao eGaming has been around since 1996. They offer a single licence covering online casinos, sports bookmaking, lottery and games of skill or chance. The Curacao eGaming licence isn’t the strongest licencing body around but it’s better than nothing.


Live dealer

Live dealer casino games operate under the same sort of scrutiny and casino rules as a bricks and mortar casino. A dealer sits and deals the game as they would at a real casino and the game is streamed to you live via a state of the art webcam. Many games like blackjack and roulette can be played via live dealer, which gives some players more peace of mind because they can see the cards being dealt in front of them.