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Top 5 Skill Games

Ranked #9,271 in Games, #457,508 overall

Play these skill games and keep your mind sharp

I shudder to think how many hours I've spent playing games of skill. It must be thousands. Yet I don't regret a single minute. The mental challenge of playing skill games keeps me sharp. And of course I love the social aspect as well. I guess you could say that I believe that playing games is "time well wasted."

Now on to my list of the Top 5 Skill Games...

#1 Othello (also known as Reversi)

No human can beat the best computer players

You might know Othello by another name: Reversi. No matter what you call it this is one challenging game. No human can beat the best computer players. That will give you an indication of the game's complexity.

And even though Othello strategy is complex, the rules are extremely simple.

Othello video

Othello World Championship 2006

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Othello books and games

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Othello stuff on eBay

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#2 Rummy

Challenging card game with many popular variations

Rummy is my favorite card game. A lot of people play different variations like Gin or Oklahoma but I like Straight Rummy which is sometimes called Traditional Rummy. There's a lot going on during a game of Rummy. I like the action and how the game tests my memory.

“Best Place to Play Rummy is Rummy Royal

Rummy video

A casual Rummy game at the kitchen table

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Rummy books and games

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Rummy stuff on eBay

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Recommended skill game sites

Two good sites for games or games information

Skill Games Rules and Strategy Tips
Lots of information on a variety of skill games at the LearnPlayWin Skill Games Guide
GameColony
Good place to play Cribbage, Checkers, Backgammon and other skill games

#3 Cribbage

In some parts of the world, like the UK and parts of Canada, Cribbage is extremely popular. In other countries the game is virtually unknown. If you've never played Cribbage before I hope you'll give it a try. I think you might get hooked. You can learn Cribbage rules and strategy here.

Cribbage video

Cribbage players in action

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Cribbage books and games

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Cribbage stuff on eBay

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#4 Backgammon

Combines luck and skill

No game combines elements of luck and skill better than Backgammon. Even the greatest players in the world can fall victim to the dice.

Backgammon video

Underwater Backgammon Championship

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Backgammon books and games

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Backgammon stuff on eBay

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#5 Checkers

A good mental challenge

I don't think Checkers gets the respect it deserves. This game poses a fascinating mental challenge. And there are plenty of game variations to experiment with.

Checkers video

People playing checkers

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Checkers books and games

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Checkers stuff on eBay

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Why is Chess not on this list?

For one simple reason: I'm a terrible Chess player! :-(

More card games

Here's a link to another "top games" list. This one is called "Best Two-Player Card Games"

Games and tournaments online

Good players, especially those with a high skill level and plenty of experience, can find it profitable to play in online games and tournaments. If you choose to play online, make sure you sign up for a rakeback program. Rakeback is essentially a rebate of part of the commission or fees that the gaming site charges players to participate in the games or tournaments. Using rakeback is a quick way to gain an advantage.

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TeddyJr

TeddyJr lives in the Pacific Northwest. it rains a lot so he has many indoor hobbies.

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