Games & Gameplay

How does player matching work in Arcade?
Skillz uses skill-based matchmaking. When you enter a match, you're paired against a player with a similar skill rating, not whoever happens to be online at that moment.
Both players play the same game under the same conditions (same starting board, same random seed). The better score at the end of the match wins.
There is no live head-to-head play; you each complete your game independently, which means no lag advantage and no cheating through connection speed.

Are Arcade games skill-based or chance-based?
Every game in Arcade is verified as skill-based. That means repeated play, practice, and strategy improve your results -- outcome is not determined by randomness.
Skillz uses patented technology to ensure both players play under identical conditions, so the result reflects pure skill.

What is a free game vs. a cash game?
Free games are played with Gemz -- Arcade's virtual currency. There's no real-money entry fee and no real-money prize. Cash games require a real-money entry fee (starting at $0.60 and up). Winners receive a real-money prize to their Arcade wallet.
You can switch between free and paid modes from the game lobby.

What are Gemz?  
Gemz are Arcade's virtual currency for free play. They let you practice and enjoy games without spending real money. You earn Gemz through daily claims, gameplay, and in-app events. Gemz cannot be converted to cash.
Your daily free Gemz are ready to claim each day -- you'll receive a push notification when they're available.

What is an aborted match?
A match is 'aborted' when it cannot be completed normally -- for example, if a player disconnects or leaves before finishing. If your opponent abandons a match after you have finished your game, you are awarded the win and receive the prize. If you abandon a match, your opponent is awarded the win. In either case, the entry fee is not refunded -- the player who completes their game wins.
Aborted matches appear in your Game History with a status of 'Aborted.'

Why are some of my games showing as pending or canceled?
Pending: The match result hasn't been confirmed yet. Results are usually finalized within a few minutes of both players completing their games.

Canceled: The match was canceled before it started (e.g., no opponent found, or a technical issue). Any entry fee paid is automatically refunded.
If a match stays 'Pending' for more than 30 minutes, contact support with your Match ID.

How do I view my game history and find my Match ID?
Tap the Results tab (or go to Profile > Game History) to see all your past matches.
Tap any match entry to see the full breakdown including score, opponent, result, and your unique Match ID.
The Match ID is what support needs if you're reporting an issue with a specific game.

What happens if I tie with my opponent?
In most games, a tie triggers a tiebreaker round. Both players play an additional round, and the higher score wins. Tiebreaker rounds continue until there is a winner.
For unlimited-event games, the first player to score a higher total wins the tiebreaker.