What Are Fish Table Games? How Gameplay Really Works

What are fish table games? Fish table games, also called fish shooting games or fish hunter games, are arcade-style games based on a simple concept. Players have to shoot and catch fish on a screen and claim the rewards that come with them. Larger creatures or rarely appearing ones offer a bigger payout but require more to catch. This guide explains what a fish table game is, how it differs from a slot, and beginner tips and tricks.

What Are Fish Table Games, Exactly?

They are an interesting mix of arcade-style entertainment. A player faces a screen covered in water with a cannon at the bottom. You have to shoot and catch the fish and other sea creatures swimming across the screen. Rewards are calculated when you catch a fish based on their multipliers and how big of a shot you've made.

Smaller fish often have a low payout, while larger and rarer fish can have a significantly higher payout. These games can also have special fish with special effects, such as lightning chains or bombs that damage all fish on screen. Because of this, every game is different, since the layout and enemies change with every round.

History Behind the Name

It's actually derived from the early arcade-style cabinet version. These machines were popular in Asian arcades, and players gathered around a single large table-like screen. Every player had their own cannon and could shoot and catch the same fish.

This style of game became so popular that it has since transitioned into mobile-friendly versions and computer programs where the same mechanics apply, even though there's no shared screen.

How Do Fish Table Games Work

The mechanics vary slightly from game to game, but every fish table game has certain similarities.

Pick a shot size.

Every shot at a fish uses a certain amount of coins to fire. It's important to note that bigger shots tend to yield higher rewards.

Aim and fire.

You have to aim your shots with a sliding stick or by tapping on the screen, depending on the game.

Hitting a fish will add to your balance.

When you hit a fish, its value is added to your coin balance, depending on your shot size. One important thing to note is that most fish games only kill a fish when it's hit enough times. It's not uncommon to have to spend some coins to get a bigger payout.

Wondering what happens once you’ve built up a balance? Our guide to the Sweeps Coins redemption process walks through it.

What’s There on the Screen

Depending on the game, certain things can appear frequently.

Fish with different values.

Every fish has a certain value. While they are different for every creature, most games will display a number or number multiplier on or near the fish, showing how much coin you get for shooting them.

Bosses.

Larger fish, such as boss sharks, dragons, and whales, are much harder to get but can have incredibly high multipliers.

Power-ups and special shots.

Some games allow you to collect special cannon shots, such as spread shots, lasers, or even freezing shots, that can damage multiple fish at once.

Bonus rounds.

Some fish games have certain fish that can trigger bonus rounds, special features, and better multipliers.

Shared tables.

Some games let other players shoot the same fish as you, and you can sometimes compete for fish.

Fish Table Game Terminology

Some terms tend to pop up in a lot of fish-table games. Here are some common terms to know:

Cannon: The cannon is the turret you use to aim and shoot at fish.

Shot size: A shot size is how much it costs to fire your cannon.

Multiplier: The multiplier on a fish will determine how much you get for shooting and catching that fish.

Boss fish: A boss fish is usually a massive and rare fish that offers a very high multiplier.

Power-up: Power-ups are special shots that you can obtain and use to shoot multiple fish at once.

Bonus fish: Bonus fish are special fish that can open up bonus features, such as free shots or higher multipliers.

Platform terms like Sweeps Coins, playthrough and AMOE can be just as confusing as the in-game ones. Our sweepstakes casino glossary explains them in plain English.

Fish Table Games vs. Slots

Both games can sometimes be found in the same room and are similar at a glance but have some significant differences.

Player involvement

With a slot machine, the whole process is randomized, and you have limited control over the outcome. With a fish table game, however, you have to aim your shots at specific fish, and you have control over which ones you choose. Slots will let you pick how much you spin, but that's usually as much control as you get.

Pacing

Slots tend to let a player control the pace. With a fish table game, the pacing is faster. It's much more similar to a video game at this point.

Decisions

Slots tend to involve fewer decisions than fish table games. With slots, a player usually has limited decisions to make, such as how much to stake. With fish table games, however, a player will have to make a few more decisions, such as aiming their shots and picking which shot sizes to use.

Presentation

Slots and fish table games can't be more different. Slots have a reels-and-symbols interface, while fish table games usually utilize an arcade-style presentation.

If you want t more control and to make more decisions, then a fish table game can be the right choice. If you enjoy a slower, more laid-back experience, then a slot might be a better fit.

Skill vs. Luck: What Drives the Fish Table Games

The short and simple answer is: it's a mix of both skill and luck. Choosing your shots and aiming them properly comes down to skill. It's also a matter of luck, since every game has randomised chances and payouts. While skill can affect your gameplay, it's not guaranteed that a skilled player will always beat an unskilled one. A fish table game is meant to be entertaining and should be treated as such. As always, it's important to set playing limits and never spend more than you can afford to lose.

Beginner Tips

Start with small shots: Spend the first few minutes of a game getting used to the game and aiming before spending large amounts of coins.

Know the value of fish: Most games have a chart or sign on-screen that shows the values of fish. Before shooting a fish, try to get an estimate of the payout that you'll get for shooting it.

Don't always aim for the big fish: Bosses and large fish usually have very high payouts, but it's also harder to get them. It's good to mix up big and small shots to keep your sessions long.

Save special shots for crowded screens: Special shots, such as shot spreaders or lasers, are much more useful when there are a lot of fish on-screen.

Look for patterns: Fish tend to follow patterns in some games, so it's a good idea to watch for them to get easier shots.

Set limits and take breaks: Set a time limit for your gameplay, and stick to it. Taking breaks is also necessary to prevent fatigue or a bad session from ruining your day.

Playing Fish Table Games on Your Mobile or Computer

The online versions of fish games capture the arcade feel and play smoothly. On mobile, you tap and slide your finger to aim and fire, while on a computer, you'll have to click with a mouse. Playing on a mobile or computer also lets you access many different games, shot sizes, and features without having to install any software. Before starting to play, remember to familiarize yourself with any rules or terms of service of the platform you're playing on, so you understand how your local area deals with coins, rewards, and other restrictions.

Conclusion

So, what are fish table games? They're colorful and exciting ways to play an arcade-style game with rewards for shooting and catching fish. They are easy to learn and play and are a great way to take a break from slots, and if you’re comparing other game types, see how slots and table games differ. Get to know the value of fish, start with small shots, and play responsibly.

Players can get an extra 7% of coins on their purchase by applying the promo code “Spinzy7” at checkout when registering in Spinzy.AI.