How can you play against 30 million gaming enthusiasts and win cash prizes via your mobile? Simple: Skillz.com. Going live in 2012 and bringing something fresh to your mobile, this platform takes the best bit from various factions of the gaming world and merges them into one.
In this Skillz.com review, we’ve unpacked what it’s all about and how you can get the best out of it. From the Skillz welcome bonus worth $10 to Ticketz that can get you a Porsche Boxster, this guide tells you everything you need to know about this dynamic platform. What’s more, you’ll also explain how each competition is based on skill rather than luck.
So, if you’re eager to get started and learn more about this innovative platform, lets get on with this Skillz gaming review.
What is Skillz.com?
Skillz is a completely unique platform that combines eSports, casino betting and mobile gaming. By taking the best bits of each industry, this operator is able to offer a vast array of games where skill matters and the payouts are real. Before we dive into the nuances of Skillz.com, here’s a brief overview of the site and what it offers.
In simple terms, Skillz is a mobile gaming site that allows you to compete in eSports-style competitions against people from around the world. Like traditional sports and eSports contests, the aim of the game is to beat your opponent using a combination of skill, experience, and a dash of luck. However, in something of a twist on the genre, the games aren’t quite what you expect.
What we mean by this is that the term “eSports” usually conjures up images of MMOs, first-person shooters and MOBAs (multiplayer online arena games) like Dota 2. At many of today’s leading online sportsbooks and eSports betting sites, you can wager money on these contests. In other words, you can place bets on the outcome of a pro-level competition in the same way you would a soccer match or basketball game.
At Skillz.com, things are a little different. Yes, the core concept of competitive gaming remains in place. However, instead of betting on someone else, you’re backing yourself. What’s more, the games are different. When you scroll through the Skillz game library, you’ll find thousands of what we’ll call “social” gaming options. Think Angry Birds and Words with Friends and you’ll get close to what Skillz.com has to offer. Once you’ve done that, throw in some casino vibes and you’ll be somewhere nearer to the mark.
Basically, Skillz gives you a way to play mobile games against others and win money. It does this by drawing on elements from three different sectors of the gaming industry and combining them into one neat package. This, in turn, means there’s literally something for everyone. From hardcore eSports fans and casino pros to casual mobile gaming fans, Skillz caters to anyone that loves a bit of virtual action.
Skillz Promotions and Bonuses
Because this isn’t an online casino or eSports betting platform in the traditional sense, the promo system is a bit different. Basically, when you join Skillz.com, you’ll be able to unlock added value in a variety of ways. However, before we list the main ways of doing this, let’s break down the basics of Skillz bonuses.
In general, there are two ways to increase your potential when you play Skillz games:
Bonus Cash
Skillz bonus cash can’t be withdrawn. Because of that, you don’t have to worry about wagering targets or betting restrictions. The reason bonuses can’t be withdrawn is that they’re used as a way to offset the cost of playing real money games. When you receive bonus credits at an online casino, you can use them to play slots, table games etc. Then, anything you win can be withdrawn once you hit at certain wagering target. At Skillz.com, you can’t use bonus credits in their entirety.
Basically, if you receive a bonus, you can use it to offset the cost of tournament buy-ins. The general rule is 90:10. This means that, when you have a bonus, 10% will be put towards an entry fee. For example, if the tournament costs $10 and you’ve got bonus credits, $1 can be used for the buy-in. The remaining $9 will be taken from your real money balance.
If you don’t have enough cash to cover the 90%, more bonus credits will be taken (assuming you have enough). However, in general, the 90:10 rule will be in place. For online casino players making the switch to Skillz, this system may leave a lot to be desired. Why? Well, because it’s not what you’re used to. However, don’t dismiss it out of hand. Using bonus credits to offset the cost of a buy-in is a nice way to increase your potential win rate.
In other words, you’re paying less to win the same as you would if you paid the whole buy-in. That’s like buying a half price lottery ticket but still being able to win the jackpot. Yes, it’s not instantly rewarding. However, if things go your way, it’s a great way to improve your ROI (return on investment).
Ticketz
In tandem with Skillz.com bonuses are Ticketz. These are given to you each time you play a tournament. Regardless of whether of whether you win or lose, you’ll receive Ticketz when you take part in any real money tournament. Naturally, the bigger the buy-in and the better you perform, the more Ticketz you’ll get. However, the main point to grasp here is that these credits are given to every active real money player.
That’s important for two reasons. Firstly, this is similar to the point system used by the leading online casinos. Join some of the top casino sites and you’ll receive loyalty points each time you make a bet. As you accumulate points, you can trade them for bonuses, VIP rewards and more. This brings us on to our second point. Ticketz are your ticket to extra rewards. Once you start collecting Ticketz, you can spend them in the Skillz store.
At the lowest levels, you’ll be able to trade 1,000 points for stickers and novelty items. Additionally, you can use Ticketz to purchase bonus credits (i.e. what we described in the previous section). As you collect more credits, you’ll be able to purchase bigger and better prizes. The store is constantly being updated, but some of the highlights we found during our Skillz.com review included coffee machines, Fitbit watches, flatscreen TVs and more.
At the top of the shop, you can spend your Ticketz on speedboats and Porsches. If that’s not enough to pique your interests, we’re not sure what will be. Indeed, there are few online casino loyalty schemes that can match these sorts of prizes. What’s more, the fact everyone earns points, regardless of whether they win or lose, is fantastic. Even if you’re playing for low stakes and a complete novice, you’ll still earn Ticketz and, therefore, have the ability to get a Porsche!
How Do I Get Skillz.com Bonuses?
We already know that you’ll earn Ticketz just for playing real money tournaments. These credits can then be used to purchase prizes and bonus cash. However, that’s not the only way to get bonuses at Skillz. Once you follow our sign-up link, download a game/s, and create an account, you can get something extra in the following ways:
Skillz.com Welcome Bonus: As a newbie, you’ll receive some bonus credits when you make your first deposit. This has been plucked straight from the online casino playbook and it’s a nice way for newbies to get something extra. The one thing to note here is that the offers aren’t eternal. Instead of a standard deal that’s available all the time, the Skillz welcome bonus can and will change.
During our Skillz.com review, the opening offer was worth $10. However, we also know this was time limited. The promo team seems to like this approach. Even though it causes some uncertainty, it’s also exciting as you never know what you’re going to get when you join.
Personalized Skillz Bonuses: Once you’re an active customer, Skillz’s promo team will send you offers and rewards via email. These will be tailored to your circumstances and preferences. Therefore, if you gravitate to certain types of games and stakes, the team will try to create deals that match.
Skillz Trophies: Another idea borrowed from casino and social gaming, Skillz Trophies are basically achievements. Each time you complete a certain task, you’ll earn a trophy. These trophies help you unlock extra Ticketz which, as we know, can be used to get prizes and bonus credits.
VIP Rewards: The final way to get more for less is play. As you earn more Ticketz, you’ll climb the VIP ladder. At each level, you’ll unlock a Ticketz multiplier that will boost the rate at which you earn credits. For example, at level one, your multiplier is 1X. At level six, you’ll earn 6X as many Ticketz.
This is important because, as we’ve said, the more Ticketz you have, the better prizes you can buy. So, as you’re playing, keep in mind that being active matters. As a guide, here are the six VIP levels and the number of points you need to collect each month to reach them:
- Earn 0 Ticketz to become a Bronze VIP and unlock a 1X multiplier.
- Earn 250 Ticketz to become a Silver VIP and unlock a 2X multiplier.
- Earn 50,000 Ticketz to become a Gold VIP and unlock a 3X multiplier.
- Earn 150,000 Ticketz to become a Platinum VIP and unlock a 4X multiplier.
- Earn 400,000 Ticketz to become a Diamond VIP and unlock a 5X multiplier.
- Earn 800,000 Ticketz to become a Black VIP and unlock a 6X multiplier.
*Once you reach a new level, you’ll stay there for the following month. However, the number of Ticketz you’ve earned is calculated on a monthly basis.
Skillz Betting – How to Play Skillz Games
So, now we know the basics of Skillz.com and how it aims to give everyone added value, let’s take a look at how you play Skillz games.
1. Search
The first step in your Skillz journey starts with a visit to the main website. The best way to think about Skillz.com is that it’s gaming hub. When you use our Skillz.com link, you’ll be taken to the main site. There, you’ll find a database of mobile games. These games have been created by more than 20,000 third-party developers and linked to the Skillz Network.
This means the games can be played for real money using Skillz’s smart-match technology. The database is stocked with thousands of options, all you have to do is find one that suits. When you’ve done that, you move on to the second step in the process, namely installing the app. Before we talk about that, here are some of the main gaming categories you’ll find inside the Skillz.com database:
- Word games
- Puzzle games
- Sports games
- Board Games
- Action games
- Card games and a lot more.
2. Install Skillz Games
When you find a game you like the look of, the next step is to hit the “get” button. As we’ve already said in this Skillz review, the main website is a hub. You don’t play games on the site. Instead, you download them to your iOS or Android device.
The neat thing about this set-up is that you can install games individually. So, if you like a particular card game, you can add that to your mobile device and nothing else. Obviously, that means accessing your favorite games is easy.
At a traditional online casino, you have to scroll through the gaming lobby to find what you’re looking for. When you download a Skillz game, it’s there on the home screen. What’s more, by installing games one-by-one, you don’t have to worry about draining your mobile’s memory unnecessarily.
3. Create an Account
The first time you open up a Skillz game, you’ll notice that you can play for free using a virtual identity. This option will always be available. However, if you want to play for real prizes, you need to create an account. This can be done inside any Skillz game app, but it has to be done before you make a deposit.
Once you’ve registered, your details will be stored on the network and, thus, accessible via any connected game. Again, this goes back to the point about Skillz being a hub for competitive gaming. Creating an account is easy. As long as you’re aged 18+ and in a valid region (almost every country/region is valid), you’ll be able to play.
4. Buy-In, Match and Compete
The final step in the Skillz experience is playing. Once you’ve installed a game on your mobile, created an account and made a deposit, you can enter contests. Buy-ins start at $0.60 and you’ll play against real people for real prize money.
Unlike traditional casino games, luck isn’t the major determinate in the outcome of a game. In fact, Skillz games are a lot more like poker in the sense that the most skilled will, more often than not, win. Of course, there’s a small amount of luck involved in any competition. However, this site works on the basis that skill matters.
Now, to ensure novices aren’t at a disadvantage, Skillz has patented matching technology. When you enter a contest, sophisticated algorithms will scan all the available players and pit you against someone of similar abilities. This smart-match system is fantastic because it means tournaments are competitive.
In turn, this makes everything more enjoyable while keeping things potentially lucrative. Indeed, that’s the final part of the equation. If you can emerge victorious, you’ll win cash prizes. That’s identical to poker tournaments and casino games. However, as we’ve said, skill is the key to victory here. So, the better you become, the better your chances of winning will be.
How to Deposit Money on Skillz.com
We’re almost done with this review of Skillz.com. So far, we’ve told you what it’s all about, how to get bonuses and the playing process. The only thing left to do is run through your payment options. As we’ve said, you can only win real prizes if you pay to play.
Each game has free-play options that are available to everyone. But, if you want to put your skills to the test and make a profit, you need to make a deposit. As a legal entity that complies with all standard business practices, Skillz will look after your money. The site and connected apps are protected by 128-bit encryption technology and your funds will be stored in secure bank accounts.
On top of this, you can make deposits and withdrawals using a credit card or PayPal. There are five fixed deposit amounts to choose from ($2, $5, $10, $15 or $30) and the funds should appear in your account instantly. Withdrawals will take around 24 hours to be processed, meaning you should get your winnings within a few days.
Customer Service – How to Contact Skillz Customer Support
If you’re in need of a helping hand, you can contact a member of the Skillz support team via the main website or any connected app. If the main FAQ isn’t enough, there’s a live chat/messaging option powered by Zendesk. Simply input your query into the chat box and you’ll receive a response within a few hours.
Skillz.com FAQ
Is Skillz.com Legal?
Yes! Because this is a skill-based gaming platform, it’s not subject to the same gambling laws as casino or eSports betting sites. Therefore, as long as you’re 18+, you’ll be able to compete for cash prizes with players around the world.
Is Skillz.com Available in the US?
Yes. Again, because Skillz games aren’t classed as gambling, you don’t have to worry about breaking any gaming laws. However, because real money is involved, there are some restrictions. If you live in Maine or Indiana, you won’t be able to play Skillz card games for money. Additionally, real money tournaments are blocked in the following states: AZ, AR, CT, DE, FL, LA, MT, SC, SD, and TN.
Is Skillz Safe?
It is. Skillz uses the latest security software to ensure its games are not only safe but fair. Add to this the standards of quality you’d expect from a mobile app, and you shouldn’t have to worry about safety when you play.
Are Skillz Games Fair?
Yes! In fact, fairness is one of the defining features of this platform. Because the smart-match technology pits you against opponents of a similar skill level, you’re assured of a fair, competitive game.
How Much Can I Win at Skillz?
The amount you win will depend on the tournament buy-in and number of competitors. Mass-participation competitions will naturally offer bigger prizes compared to one-on-one showdowns. One thing we do know is that Skillz distributes more than $60 million in prize money to players each month!
Experience Esports in a New Way at Skillz.com
If you’re a fan of gaming in all its guises, you’ll love Skillz.com. This platform brings a truly unique, truly entertaining twist to the mobile betting and gaming sector. By taking the best bits of multiple industries, coming up with its own innovations and add value at every opportunity, Skillz has become the go-to place for competitive types. If you want to join the network and see if your skills can win you some cash, follow our Skillz.com sign-up link and start playing today.