How to Hone Your Gaming Skills on a Smartphone

Last year more than 200 billion mobile applications were downloaded from the Apple and Google online app stores. Out of all these apps, a huge percentage would have been for entertainment, namely, games. 

There are around 3 billion people in the world who actively play games on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. Considering the number of smartphones that are in the world, and the percentage of internet users that access the web through their devices, it would be fair to say that a lot of gamers use mobile apps.

The problem with mobile gaming, at least with some genres, is that the size of the device can be limiting. Trying to spot an enemy running in the distance on PUBG is much harder on a 5-inch screen than it is on a 45 HD television screen. 

So, how can you hone your gaming skills when you are using a mobile device, or more specifically, a smartphone. 

Does your favorite game genre fit well with mobile gaming?

Before you read on, perhaps consider the type of gaming you like to enjoy. If your favorite game is Candy Crush then a smartphone is perfectly adequate to run this. Candy Crush was one of the first freemium games to generate over $1 billion, so it would be fair to say it is a favorite game for many.

However, some other games don’t suit smartphones and gamers so well. They may run perfectly well on the devices, but due to limitations with controls, sound, screen size, and processing power, it can feel like you are missing out on something.

There are alternative ways to play though. 

Use an emulator

If you are finding that you aren’t getting the best out of Call of Duty or Cyber Hunter, then using a PC might help. This doesn’t mean forgoing your smartphone apps, but using better technology to run them. 

Bluestacks is an Android emulator. This means it can run .apk files from games such as PUBG Mobile on a PC. Of course, one of the reasons that many gamers stick to smartphones is due to the cost of consoles and PCs. Try getting hold of an old PC, then you can turn it into a gaming machine. 

You can log in to your Google Play account through Bluestacks so your progress will continue whether you use the PC or your smartphone. The benefits include better processing power and a larger screen. Plus potentially better sound quality. 

Big screens increase the experience

As you probably know, it can be difficult to spot enemies or work out what is happening on a small screen. This can produce frustration, disappointment, and a lot of deaths. Simply switching to a bigger screen can lead to a vast improvement in your gameplay.

You don’t need a PC and Bluestacks to do this. You can stream the action from an Android to an old TV even. This won’t just improve your gaming results, but it can lead to improvements in other areas of home entertainment.

You can stream downloaded movies or Netflix from your Android in the same manner. Or, you can bring a casino gaming experience to your living room. One of the newest ways that casinos are bringing entertainment online is through the use of Live Shows. These are live-streamed versions of popular games such as Craps, Megaball, and Deal or No Deal.

While a big screen won’t improve your skills in a game of luck, it could lead to a lot of fun by casting it. 

Use a proper controller

One of the ways that many mobile games let down players is through the controls. They are often tricky to use on small screens, and they also cover some of the action. Indeed, it can seem that your thumbs are getting in the way of what is happening on the screen sometimes.

One way around this is to use an external controller. This not only gives you full visual use of the smartphone screen, but it also provides a tactile way to control your character.

While touchscreens are a fantastic invention, most gamers like the feel of buttons when playing. The Bluetooth controllers from a PS4 can be paired with an Android device to improve the player's controls. This will almost certainly lead to an improvement in gaming skills. 

Learn tactics and strategies

No matter what type of game you are playing, there will be a wealth of information online from walkthroughs to tactics. Taking the time to study these can seriously pay off in the long run.

For example, if your favorite game is blackjack then you should spend time studying and learning basic strategies. The house edge on blackjack can be somewhere around 1.5%. By studying basic strategy you can enter an online casinó to play blackjack and reduce that house edge to 0.5% and give yourself a far better chance of winning. 

Using the freebies and bonuses that games give out is also a great way to give yourself an advantage. 

Use free gold and bonuses, but avoid certain loot-boxes where possible

Many games use tokens, credits, silver, and gold, as in-game currencies. These are usually earned through side missions, quests, daily sign-ins, and from watching adverts.

Although they can be tedious, putting some time in to watch adverts or perform certain tasks can lead to better weapons and thus better results. Loot boxes can be costly and unrewarding, so try and avoid them unless they are of the transparent type used in Fortnite.

Similarly, if it is casino games or bingo that you like to play, look for apps and sites that give out free spins, extra cards, or sign-up bonuses. Free-to-play games allow you to practice your skills before you start depositing cash. 

Summary

One of the best ways to hone your smartphone gaming skills is to treat your device as if it were a console or PC. Borrow or buy a Bluetooth controller and pair it to your smartphone. Then use a Chromecast or other mirroring device to project your favorite game onto a big screen.

You should find your skills improve much faster, and you won’t be getting shot by players who appear to be invisible anymore.