If you have heard the terms skill and chance used to refer to online games, you may be wondering what the difference is. You may also want to know why the difference between skill and chance is important.
We are going to take a closer look at the games of skill that are included on some of the gambling sites listed here. This will give you a better understanding of why they are regarded as skill games and why this may be important to you.
What makes a game of skill?
Generally, a game of skill is one that requires a player to undertake a certain amount of learning or practice. People who play games of skill are expected to have a good level of knowledge. They are not expected to simply rely on chance in order to win.
On the other hand, a game of chance can be played without having any skill. This is because the result of this type of game is completely reliant on chance.
Sometimes, the line between a game of skill and a game of chance in a thin one. It’s also worth noting that there are differences of opinion between countries, and states within a country, as to what constitutes a game of skill.
Why is recognising a game of skill important?
The main reason why you need to understand whether a game is regarded as a skill game is legality. This is because, in countries like the US and India, the legal situation between playing games of skill and games of chance differs.
For instance, in India, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 (PGA) prohibits the keeping of a ‘common gaming house’ but creates an exception when it comes to games of skill. This means that the provisions of the act are not intended to apply to pure games of skill. In India, rummy, horse racing and fantasy sports are recognised as games of skill. However, there are legal challenges in progress when it comes to poker.
The situation in the US is different. Poker is recognised as a game of skill. This is important for keen poker players as 33 states allow online skill gaming whereas only three states permit online gambling which can also include games of chance.
In summary
Generally, if you want to know whether a game is one of skill or one of chance, you should think about the amount of learning required to play. However, the situation is a little more complex than this. For most games, skill and chance combine to make a player successful. The level of skill required is taken into account.
This leads to different opinions about what constitutes a game of skill, as seen by the difference in the way poker is viewed in India and the US. Therefore, you always need to pay attention to what qualifies as a skill game in your state or country, if you want to make sure that you are playing legally.
