I used to play slots exclusively. Spin, hope, repeat. Then a friend introduced me to Aviator and Plinko. Different mechanics, different feeling—but was it different for my bankroll? I decided to find out by tracking 50 sessions across both categories.
The results weren’t what I expected. Neither game type dominated completely. But understanding when to play each changed my session outcomes dramatically.
Game variety matters when testing different categories. Retro Bet offers both traditional slots and skill games like Aviator, Plinko, and JetX alongside their 150,000 NOK welcome package—making it easy to compare mechanics without switching platforms or managing multiple accounts.
What “Skill Games” Means (And Doesn’t Mean)
Let’s clarify something. Casino “skill games” like Aviator and crash games aren’t skill-based like poker. You can’t outplay the house edge through superior ability. The “skill” is decision-making: when to cash out, how much to risk, when to stop.
Slots offer none of this. You set your bet, press spin, and watch. The RNG determines everything. Your only decisions are bet size and when to quit entirely.
This distinction matters more than it sounds. In crash games, every round presents a choice. Cash out now at 1.5x? Wait for 2x? Push for 5x? These micro-decisions create a fundamentally different experience.
Session Length: The Surprising Winner
I tracked 25 slot sessions and 25 skill game sessions with identical €50 starting bankrolls. Average session length:
Slots: 34 minutes
Skill games: 52 minutes
Why the difference? Pace control.
Slots auto-spin through your bankroll at whatever speed you allow. Skill games force pauses. Each Aviator round requires a decision. Each Plinko drop needs a bet confirmation. These micro-breaks naturally slow your play.
The hidden benefit: Longer sessions don’t just mean more entertainment per euro—they give you more time to recognize when things are going badly and stop.
Volatility You Can See vs. Volatility That Surprises
High volatility slots can drain €50 in three minutes with zero meaningful wins. You’re watching symbols land, hoping for that bonus trigger that never comes. The volatility is invisible until you’re broke.
Crash games show volatility in real-time. You watch the multiplier climb. You see exactly when it crashes. If you cash out at 1.3x repeatedly, you’re playing low volatility. Push for 10x every round, and you’re choosing high volatility.
This visibility helps with bankroll management. When I’m down €30 in slots, I often don’t understand why—just “bad luck.” In crash games, I can trace exactly which greedy decisions cost me money.
Understanding bonus structures helps with both game types. When evaluating any bônus do cassino, check whether skill games contribute to wagering requirements—some casinos exclude them entirely or cap contributions at 10-20%, making slot bonuses worthless for crash game players.
The RTP Reality Check
Published RTP for most slots: 94-96%
Published RTP for Aviator-style games: 97%
That 1-3% difference sounds small. Over €1,000 wagered, it’s €10-30 extra retained. Not life-changing, but it compounds over sessions.
However, RTP only tells part of the story. Slots can hit bonus rounds that temporarily boost returns. Skill games depend on your cashout timing—poor decisions can push your personal RTP well below the theoretical number.
When Slots Win
Skill games aren’t always better. Slots dominate when:
You want passive entertainment. Sometimes I don’t want decisions every 10 seconds. Slots let you zone out.
Bonus features excite you. Free spin rounds, multipliers, pick-and-click games—slots deliver variety that crash games can’t match.
You’re playing with bonus funds. Wagering requirements often favor slots with 100% contribution versus 10-20% for instant win games.
When Skill Games Win
Crash games and Plinko work better when:
You want control. Setting your own cashout targets creates agency that slots lack.
Budget is tight. The slower pace naturally extends playtime.
You prefer transparency. Watching multipliers climb beats watching mystery symbols land.
My Current Split
After 50 tracked sessions, I don’t exclusively play either. My approach now:
Fresh and focused: Skill games. The decision-making keeps me engaged and prevents autopilot losses.
Tired or distracted: Slots. Less cognitive load, but I set strict loss limits since I can’t trust my judgment.
Playing with bonuses: Whatever the terms favor. Usually slots for wagering contribution.
The Real Lesson
Neither category is objectively better. But understanding the differences helps you choose based on your current state, goals, and bankroll. That awareness—not the game type itself—is what made my money last longer.