Online games have become an important part of our lives. People of all ages from young to old, all are hooked on their smartphones or computers to enjoy their favorite games. Playing games are good for people and the world as it makes them happy. With the advent of technology, fast internet accessibility and the development of skill-based apps have seen the emergence of the new generation who has been keener on playing skill-based games. Two kinds of genres that are often played by millenials - skill games and action games. Let’s understand both these games in detail.

What are skill-based games?

Skill games are the games in which the result primarily depends on the player’s strategies, analytical mindset, and specialized skills to win the particular game. Playing online casino games is same as exercise. Games like chess, Rummy, Poker, Sudoku, etc. are some of the popular skill-based games in India. 

What are action games?

Games such as PUBG, Brothers in Arms 3, Fortnite, and many others are action games. However, there are some action games where the first person is a shooter, and gameplay includes role-plays and combat scenes.

Effects of Action games

It is found that players who play action-packed games do better at activities that include vision and perception. It improves hand-eye coordination and engages their senses. Nonetheless, these games do come with some disadvantages, particularly violent ones. Most action video games are highly addictive and makes players violent and aggressive. Apart from making them aggressive, it also enters in their ideologies. A gradual shift towards skill-based games can be seen amongst the younger audience, as many players prefer to play simpler and entertaining games that act as a brain teaser.

Benefits of playing skill games

Skill games don’t have such harmful effects. The benefits of skill-based games range from improved cognitive abilities to increased self-esteem as a player improves a game that requires skill to win. The advantage of playing games like online Rummy, Poker, chess, etc. greatly surpass their disadvantages if any. Skill games like Poker and Rummy boost memory skills. Rummy games act as a mental stimulant as a player needs to remember different moves. Players also have to decide within the stipulated time; otherwise, they can lose the game. 

Rummy also increases logical thinking as a player cannot play the game by relying on guesswork. They should also pay complete attention to the cards picked and discarded by their opponents. So, they should be very vigilant and think before discarding any card.

Players who play Rummy steadily develop multitasking skills as they need to arrange, pick and discard cards quickly while paying attention to the moves of their opponents. Playing online Rummy games is also a great opportunity to play with players of varied styles from all across the globe. Playing with different players develops various personality traits and improves decision-making skills. 

What could be a better way to spend your free time where you do not have to spend much? Playing online Rummy card games gives players a chance to win exciting rewards. They can also choose to invest in rummy real games. Yes, you heard it right. Apart from playing for free, a player can also play for real money which doubles their entertainment factor.  

The Supreme Court of India has declared Rummy legal to play in India for cash because it is a game of skill. Action games can have their gameplay affected by several factors, whereas skill games like Rummy solely depend on the player’s ability and their opponents. 

What to choose: Action games or skill games?

There is a continuous controversy among skill game and action game as which is better amongst these two online gaming genres. Most of the action games contain weapons and with an aim to kill your opponents, which results in an increase in delinquency or aggression.

Skill-based games are games that test players' intellectual abilities, increase concentration, discipline and patience. Skill games like  social casino games is an excellent way to improve short term memory skills. There are numerous games that involve memorization of cards. This can be particularly helpful for older people to keep their mind sharp. 

Many online gamers grumble about high usage of data and battery and memory consumption. Well, the culprit is the heavy graphics of the game that not only slow down the phone but reduces its life as well. Such problems got solved with the emergence of skill-based gaming apps. They take less time to load, less memory and data usage and continue the game with a clean interface. So, clearly, skill-based games win the battle against action games. 

So, start sharpening your analytical skills by picking your favorite game based on skills. If you want to have some fun with Rummy and Poker online, download the Gamentio app for free and have unlimited fun. If you are new to the game, you can refer to the Gamentio tutorial in order to have a better understanding of the Rummy and Poker game skills. 

Poker has many variations and modes of gaming. One of the most common and popular video poker variants is Jacks or Better. It is an easy, quick, and fun game to play if you know how to play five-card poker. It is an excellent alternative to slot machines for players who want privacy and prefer to play alone. You can easily start playing Jacks or Better and don’t even have to be a pro poker player. All you need to know is about the winning hands in poker. 

The game contains an element of skill additional to luck, as compared to pure luck when playing slot machines. Usually, games like blackjack, roulette, or online slot machines have a house edge that varies between 90% to 97%. On the other hand, this variant of poker comes with a huge house edge of up to 99.54%. But, you must know the rules and strategies well.

Jacks or Better Rules

Jacks or Better video poker follows the same rules as 5-card draw poker. However, you cannot raise or bluff as you will be playing against the computer, not against other players. Your objective is not to have a winning hand but a strong hand that allows a payout. A table is displayed on the screen that tells you how much your hand is worth. The minimum hand required for a payout on a Jack or Better machine is a pair of Jacks. The payout rate increases in line with the hand’s strength. 

Making a ranking hand is vital in Jacks or better. We have outlined the hand rankings in Jacks or Better beginner’s guide, but the best thing about the game is that the information is always in view. The hand rankings and payout table are often displayed on the machine. Thus, all you have to consider is how much you are going to bet. Yet, you should understand what the poker hand rankings are. 

The rules of the game are straightforward. The game is played with a standard52 card pack, and no wilds or any additional cards are used. All you need to know is how many credits you are willing to bet on each hand. You can bet anywhere between 1 and 5 coins. Once you select the credits, press the deal button. You will get a deal of five cards. Choose the cards you want to “lock” by pressing the button displayed under each card. Once you lock the cards that you wish to keep, hit the deal button again. This changes the unlock cards. The ultimate hand is compared against the paytable. Your winning amount will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

This digital video poker variant involves two rounds of cards. In the first round, you can lock/hold cards you wish, whereas the second round is known as the showdown round. You can only hold/lock cards once the cards are dealt with the first time. In the second round, you cannot change or lock cards. 

Jack or Better Tips

Once you have mastered poker Jacks or Better rules and feel confident, you must learn video poker tips that can help you improve your game. This way, you will know what to do for each hand you have been given. Speaking of which, below are some tips on how to deal with cards you have been dealt.  

1. You must be familiar with the poker hand rankings and the related terms. Doing so will help you to make decisions when the pressure is on.

2. Never try to replace your hand if you have already had one of the following: Full House, Four of a Kind, Three of a Kind, or Two Pair.

3. When playing video poker on the internet, make the most of your winnings and hit the max bet button. This is because if you get a Royal Flush, you will be rewarded handsomely.

4. Never swap a High Pair for a hand; hold it and draw three additionally.

5. If you have four cards short of Royal Flush, discard the fifth card regardless of the situation. 

6. If the primary cards dealt with you are a Flush or a Straight, keep them unless you are only one card away from reaching a Royal Flush. 

7. If you don’t have any combinations or cards higher than Jacks, you must draw all five cards.

You may also read: 7 poker tips for beginners

Play free Jacks or Better

Once you are familiar with the rules, practising the game virtually is a great idea before you head over to play for real money. Playing Jacks or Better online for free will help you master the basics and become a pro player. Practising is crucial for beginners poker players and trying different techniques can open new ways to increase your winning chances. There are tons of sites helping you do that, and one such website is Gamentio. It allows you to play online poker free anytime, anywhere. Once you feel confident about your gameplay, you can then gamble for real money. So, grab your phone, download the Gamentio app for free, practice free Jacks or Better and see what all the excitement is about.

All the best!