They are both dated games but if you can get over that then you'll find yourself in a pretty cool RPG world filled with stuff to do. Oblivion is similar to Skyrim in many ways (but it has deeper RPG mechanics like a class system) while Morrowind is quite different (it's more like a tabletop RPG), and even more dated. Jan 11, 2021 Warzone website looks to help identify Skill-Based Matchmaking. Released a few weeks ago, the new website is called sbmmwarzone.com. In short, the site tracks all of your previous games and then gives the individual lobbies a rating. That rating is fully dependent on the skill of the other players in the lobby. Download Skill Games Monthly Report (XLSX). Download Monthly Report Instructions (PDF). Starting in the month of August 2020 and each month thereafter, all categories listed on the monthly report shall be filled out and submitted by the 20th of each month.
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
| Jewel Blitz | 21 Blitz | Freecell Solitaire Cube | Pro Pool |
| Cube Cube | Texas Hold'em Solitaire | Blackout Blitz Bingo |
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:
 "Skill")
- 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.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Add to this the matchcodes (free entry codes), and you'll see that Skillz looks after its players well.
Online skill-based games are online games in which the outcome of the game is determined by the player's physical skill (like fast reaction or dexterity) or mental skill (logic abilities, strategic thinking, trivia knowledge). As in off-line games of skill, the definition has legal meaning, as playing games of chance for money is an illegal act in several countries.
Categories[edit]
Most skill-based games, or skillgames, fall into five categories:[1]
- Arcade games involve quick fingers and quick thinking. These games are generally sped-up puzzle games.
- Puzzle games rely on logic abilities and require the user to solve certain types of puzzles. While not as fast-paced as arcade games, these games often come with a time limit.
- Word games are puzzle games using word problems, like rearranging letters to make words.
- Trivia games test the user's knowledge of trivia in specific categories or in general.
- Fantasy sport games rely on the participants ability to assemble the best group of players.
- Card games are played with playing cards online and requires good use of probability and other mathematical tactics.
History[edit]
Around 2000, Disney invested millions in a new online skill-based game company called Skillgames.com (formerly PureSkill.com). Manhattan-based Skillgames, with endorsements by Disney-owned properties such as ESPN and ABC, was to develop skill-based games such as 'Hole-In-One Golf,' 'Soap Opera Trivia' and others implemented as Javaapplets on their site. Players could win prizes up to a million dollars their first time playing. Skillgames, the brainchild of Walker Digital, also the parent company of Priceline.com, fell on hard times in 2001. Congress had begun to threaten a crack-down on Internet gambling, and although the company was confident of the distinction between games of skill and games of chance, Disney decided to withdraw its investment. Skillgames management announced a business model change in late spring of 2001 and rounds of layoffs followed. After Skillgames was forced by the September 11th attacks to relocate from its offices in Manhattan's Woolworth Building, the company failed to define a new direction, eventually going out of business in November 2001.
The first commercial launches of major skillgame sites in the US occurred in late 2000 when both WorldWinner and SkillJam (previously known as EGamesGroup) released the first versions of their respective online skill game systems.
In 2002 several large US-based portals, including MSN and Yahoo integrated SkillJam's and WorldWinner's services into their game platforms, thereby providing the first major distribution channels for wider skill game adoption.
King, the world's largest online skills-game site, was launched in 2003. In January 2009, more than 350 million games were played at King, which is available in nine languages. King has featured the skill-game versions of such TV shows as American Idol, The Biggest Loser, Deal or No Deal and 1 vs.100.
Following the success of poker sites, online casinos such as Casino On Net and GoldenPalace.com learned that users want to play against each other instead of the house, and attempted to launch skill-based game sites in 2004 and 2005 with mixed results.
Several efforts have been made to include poker under the definition of game of skill to legalize Internet poker in the US. On May 26, 2007, representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, and on June seventh, 2007, representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 2607, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act. In 2009, both Frank and McDermott reintroduced modified versions of these bills. In combination, these bills would legalize and regulate online gambling.
In August 2009, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) proposed the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act, suggesting to license and regulate online poker and online skill-based games such as backgammon, bridge and mahjong in the US.[2]
In May 2013, Skillz launched a third party real money gaming platform through a game by Glu Mobile on GooglePlay. Google promptly shut down all real money games later that summer, as it was determined that not all aspects of the games launched were in-line with the company's policies against gambling. Google has yet to re-open real money gaming on GooglePlay.
In August of 2013, Cashplay launched the first real money skill games on Apple's iOS mobile platform, paving the way for thousands of developers to have a channel to introduce their own real money skill games.
Also in August 2013, Oulala Fantasy Football launched on the premise it was the first fantasy football (or fantasy soccer) game to include an extensive scoring matrix as opposed to the normal 5 to 10 that most other games operate, thus supposedly making it a true skill fantasy football management game.[3]
In October 2015, Kickback launched a service that let users play video games for real money.[4]
Supporters of online skill-based game legalization and regulation include the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, which believes 'the government should regulate Internet gambling to ensure proper consumer protections are in place.'[5]
Mechanics[edit]
Skill Based Games Online
Like poker sites, many skillgame sites take a rake from head-to-head and tournament games; however, this oft-ignored practice is de facto illegal in the U.S. Unlike casino games or games of chance, the outcome of a skill game is predominantly determined by the user's skill level. In many U.S. states, the outcome must be determined entirely by the user's skill level.
Successful skill games heavily modify the game play of 'regular' casual games such as solitaire or sudoku in order to remove as many random events as possible.[6] The analogy is that the influence of chance in a skill game should not exceed the influence of chance in any other pro sport competition, such as golf or football.
- 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.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Add to this the matchcodes (free entry codes), and you'll see that Skillz looks after its players well.
Online skill-based games are online games in which the outcome of the game is determined by the player's physical skill (like fast reaction or dexterity) or mental skill (logic abilities, strategic thinking, trivia knowledge). As in off-line games of skill, the definition has legal meaning, as playing games of chance for money is an illegal act in several countries.
Categories[edit]
Most skill-based games, or skillgames, fall into five categories:[1]
- Arcade games involve quick fingers and quick thinking. These games are generally sped-up puzzle games.
- Puzzle games rely on logic abilities and require the user to solve certain types of puzzles. While not as fast-paced as arcade games, these games often come with a time limit.
- Word games are puzzle games using word problems, like rearranging letters to make words.
- Trivia games test the user's knowledge of trivia in specific categories or in general.
- Fantasy sport games rely on the participants ability to assemble the best group of players.
- Card games are played with playing cards online and requires good use of probability and other mathematical tactics.
History[edit]
Around 2000, Disney invested millions in a new online skill-based game company called Skillgames.com (formerly PureSkill.com). Manhattan-based Skillgames, with endorsements by Disney-owned properties such as ESPN and ABC, was to develop skill-based games such as 'Hole-In-One Golf,' 'Soap Opera Trivia' and others implemented as Javaapplets on their site. Players could win prizes up to a million dollars their first time playing. Skillgames, the brainchild of Walker Digital, also the parent company of Priceline.com, fell on hard times in 2001. Congress had begun to threaten a crack-down on Internet gambling, and although the company was confident of the distinction between games of skill and games of chance, Disney decided to withdraw its investment. Skillgames management announced a business model change in late spring of 2001 and rounds of layoffs followed. After Skillgames was forced by the September 11th attacks to relocate from its offices in Manhattan's Woolworth Building, the company failed to define a new direction, eventually going out of business in November 2001.
The first commercial launches of major skillgame sites in the US occurred in late 2000 when both WorldWinner and SkillJam (previously known as EGamesGroup) released the first versions of their respective online skill game systems.
In 2002 several large US-based portals, including MSN and Yahoo integrated SkillJam's and WorldWinner's services into their game platforms, thereby providing the first major distribution channels for wider skill game adoption.
King, the world's largest online skills-game site, was launched in 2003. In January 2009, more than 350 million games were played at King, which is available in nine languages. King has featured the skill-game versions of such TV shows as American Idol, The Biggest Loser, Deal or No Deal and 1 vs.100.
Following the success of poker sites, online casinos such as Casino On Net and GoldenPalace.com learned that users want to play against each other instead of the house, and attempted to launch skill-based game sites in 2004 and 2005 with mixed results.
Several efforts have been made to include poker under the definition of game of skill to legalize Internet poker in the US. On May 26, 2007, representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, and on June seventh, 2007, representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 2607, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act. In 2009, both Frank and McDermott reintroduced modified versions of these bills. In combination, these bills would legalize and regulate online gambling.
In August 2009, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) proposed the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act, suggesting to license and regulate online poker and online skill-based games such as backgammon, bridge and mahjong in the US.[2]
In May 2013, Skillz launched a third party real money gaming platform through a game by Glu Mobile on GooglePlay. Google promptly shut down all real money games later that summer, as it was determined that not all aspects of the games launched were in-line with the company's policies against gambling. Google has yet to re-open real money gaming on GooglePlay.
In August of 2013, Cashplay launched the first real money skill games on Apple's iOS mobile platform, paving the way for thousands of developers to have a channel to introduce their own real money skill games.
Also in August 2013, Oulala Fantasy Football launched on the premise it was the first fantasy football (or fantasy soccer) game to include an extensive scoring matrix as opposed to the normal 5 to 10 that most other games operate, thus supposedly making it a true skill fantasy football management game.[3]
In October 2015, Kickback launched a service that let users play video games for real money.[4]
Supporters of online skill-based game legalization and regulation include the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, which believes 'the government should regulate Internet gambling to ensure proper consumer protections are in place.'[5]
Mechanics[edit]
Skill Based Games Online
Like poker sites, many skillgame sites take a rake from head-to-head and tournament games; however, this oft-ignored practice is de facto illegal in the U.S. Unlike casino games or games of chance, the outcome of a skill game is predominantly determined by the user's skill level. In many U.S. states, the outcome must be determined entirely by the user's skill level.
Successful skill games heavily modify the game play of 'regular' casual games such as solitaire or sudoku in order to remove as many random events as possible.[6] The analogy is that the influence of chance in a skill game should not exceed the influence of chance in any other pro sport competition, such as golf or football.
References[edit]
Skill Based Games Xbox
- ^Gaming for Money: Online Games of Skill, Dave Spohn, about.com. Accessed on line December 22, 2007.
- ^Senator Menendez to Introduce Online Poker Legislation on Thursday Cypra Dan for Poker Daily News August 5, 2009
- ^'True Skill Fantasy Football'. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^Kyle Russell (2015-03-02). 'YC Backed Kickback Offers an Easy Way to Play Minecraft Competitively'. Techcrunch. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- ^'Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative'. Archived from the original on 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^pp. 49–50, 2003 IGDA Online Games White Paper, 'Archived copy'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 2007-01-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Skill Based Games Like Runescape
