First launched back in 2013, Skillz is the internet’s leading cash-prize gaming platform. If you haven’t tried it before, the likelihood is that at least some of your friends have. And in the age of eSports and competitive gaming, Skillz has gotten more popular than ever, currently boasting over 30 million registered users and 128,000 monthly active paying members.
Skillz is a real-money gaming site that’s also available as a mobile app on iOS and Android. It comes with a huge ecosystem of over 800 integrated games, ranging from arcade games to puzzles, which you can then play for cash rewards. It’s essentially like regular gaming but with the chance to win prizes thrown on top, so you can see why millions of players have signed up over the years.
How Skillz Works
For those yet to have played on Skillz, or any other type of cash gaming platform before, the way it works is surprisingly simple.
It’s all about online PvP skill games and tournaments. After creating an account, you choose a game, pay an entry fee to enter, and then get matched against another real player from around the world, who will also pay the same fee as you. Whoever wins is then rewarded with the prize pool, such as $20 or $100.
Interestingly, players also have the option to play for free using Skillz’s own virtual currency: 🅩. This currency is just for free-play entertainment, or for those looking to improve their skills at a particular game without the pressure of cash wagers involved. This currency tends to be most popular with casual players, while the competitive eSports-inspired gamers will enter real cash games.
Now, if you turn out to be one of the better players who wins plenty of cash, you’ll then have the option to go to the ‘Withdraw’ section of the platform. From there, you can choose to withdraw cash winnings to your PayPal or bank account, whichever your personal preference is.
The only slight downside our expert team found from Skillz is that withdrawals can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, although they are occasionally faster. So, if you were to win $70 and request a withdrawal of $50, you might not receive it for up to a month. This is because Skillz has hundreds of thousands of active users, meaning processing times can occasionally be quite long.
The Best Games on Skillz
Before you dive into the action on Skillz, it’s important that you know what the best games are.
When you first use the platform, you’ll find that these games are separated into 19 different categories, including ‘Arcade’, ‘Trivia’, ‘Pool’, ‘Chess’, ‘Action’, and more.
From these categories, our top picks for new players are:
♥ Blackout Blackjack: Perfect for casino fans, Blackout Blackjack puts a fresh twist on traditional blackjack.
•˚ Bubble Shooter Arena: An ultra-fun arcade-style shooter where you have to pop bubbles faster than your opponent.
⓼ Speed Pool: A fast and realistic 3D pool game with some of the best weekly tournaments throughout all of Skillz.
♤ Real Money Solitaire: A must-play for Solitaire lovers with classic solitaire tournaments and the chance to become a ‘VIP’
ރ Viking Sword Fight: Test your brain and take part in fun battles against other players
Across any of these games, as well as the hundreds of others that have been integrated into the Skillz platform, you can play using either real cash or virtual currencies. As you become a more experienced player, we also recommend taking part in the available tournaments so that you can really put your skills to the test. These tournaments come with bigger prize pools most of the time, so plenty of rewards are up for grabs.
Gen Z Is Ditching Traditional Gaming, So Platforms Like Skillz Have Taken Over
There’s a lot going on in US gaming at the moment.
One of the biggest shifts is that Gen Z is cutting down on traditional video game purchases, largely because of the cost of living, as well as an overall decline in the quality of AAA games being released.
The other shift is that millions of gamers are moving towards gambling, cash-based games instead, as seen through the rise of online casinos, sweepstakes casinos, and skill gaming platforms like Skillz.
Essentially, players want competitive, fast-paced games with the chance to win prizes thrown on top, which is exactly what they’re getting.
The days of old-school gaming are seemingly on the way out now that the new generation is showing an interest in cash games instead, which are mainly accessed on mobile and PC.
Is Skillz Right For You?
So, if you’re also one of the many gamers out there looking to get into real cash gaming, Skillz is right for you if you play safely.
It has hundreds of PvP cash games and available tournaments mixed together, which you can easily play on iOS or Android while on-the-go.
The only catch worth mentioning is that you need to be aged 18 or over to use the platform, and those living in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, or South Dakota can’t legally access it.
But as long as you’re playing from an eligible state and are above the legal gambling age to play with cash, you’re good to go.
Just remember to play responsibly and practice using virtual coins if it’s your first time playing a particular game, as this will allow you to get better before you start entering real cash games and tournaments.