Best Fish Table Games September 2024

Fish table games, also known as fish shooting games or fish hunting games, allow players to shoot and catch fish by firing at them in an underwater setting. When you play fish games, you're given virtual cannons, you decide the cost of each bullet, and with aim and accuracy, shoot and capture as many fish as possible for lucrative cash prizes.

Think of it like being at the carnival, except the payouts are much better than cheap stuffed animals. The amount of real money you make depends on the game, the rarity and strength of the fish, and how good your aim is.

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Fish games have become popular in the United States as they provide solid, real money payouts using skill. It's one of the first that combined video game hand-eye coordination with the style and payouts of lucrative slot games.

ocean king fish table game
Ocean King fish table game on desktop

If you've enjoyed online gambling long enough, you know that slot games are all about where the reels randomly land, while card games like Texas Hold'em are not about what hand you're dealt but how you play it. However, skill and hand-eye coordination was never really part of the casino world outside of card tricks.

That is until the early 2010s when news started spreading in the U.S. of a unique experience that combined the skills reserved for a PlayStation with the payouts and excitement of casino games: Fish table games.

Fish table games for real money online casinos are legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.

Unlike real money casino games like slots or blackjack, more states have access to fish table games because they are considered skill games, not games of chance. If you're quick on the draw and accurate with your shots you should be able to make money.

When offering fish games in social and sweepstakes casinos - casino games that mostly use virtual currency and not real money - they are legal in over 40 states. However, your rewards depend on what prizes are redeemable with your points or how much virtual coin you can exchange for real money.

Therefore, if you want to play for real money, ensure you live in one of the states above. If not, you'll have to play the social version.

History of Fish Table Games

The history of fish games starts in approximately 2005 in the arcade halls of China and Singapore. With gambling a part of Asia's everyday culture, it's no surprise arcade-style games with a gambling touch thrived in those markets.

Eventually, its popularity began to spread to Asian communities around the world. Fish table games began to pop up in states like California and Hawaii, although at that time a lot of these games were hidden from U.S. gaming restrictions as they looked like arcade shooters.

By around 2015, authorities realized real money was being wagered within these fish table games and started to crack down on them in bars. It was at that point that some brick-and-mortar locations began to change the game into the social and sweepstakes versions we see in 40-plus states today.

However, with a focus on skill and accuracy over the randomness of a traditional slot machine, fish games were ultimately considered skill games. The laws against playing fish table games began to change. And with the eventual online gambling laws changing in certain states like New Jersey and West Virginia, fish table games began to thrive without scrutiny.

Now, you'd be hard-pressed to find an online casino in the U.S., whether for real money or points and credits, that doesn't offer a handful of fish tables on its platform. Considering that the United States' views on online gaming entertainment are changing year by year, there's no reason why we won't see more Americans play fish table games in the future.

Where to Play Fish Games Online

Dragon King fish table game
Dragon King fish table game on Android

As stated earlier there are fish table games in online casinos across the U.S. The only question is whether you want fish tables for sweepstakes casino coins or real money.

You won't have a hard time finding sweepstakes casinos nowadays, you can even find some versions available in Google Play, and on iPhone devices you'll find casino apps that feature some fish games.

It all ultimately depends on the state you play in and their laws regarding online gambling sites and fish table gambling games.

See above, some of the fish table game online sites whether you want to play online for real money or for sweepstakes casino coins.

How to Play Fish Table Games Online

The cool thing about fish table games is they've been around long enough to provide a wide variety. But though some sweepstakes casinos offer unique multiplayer options, most games play the same and follow a similar set of rules whether it's real money or sweepstakes coins.

How to Play Real Money Fish Table Games

  • To get started, pick one of the popular fish table game sites from our list above, or another online casino if you have one in mind.
  • Find the signup link or age and enter your info and email to set up an account. You may be asked to verify your age, location, etc.
  • Make sure you claim the online casino bonus code if you signed up with a particular promo in mind.
  • Search the site and choose your fish table game to play. You can usually find fish table games in the specialty games section. If you have a specific game in mind like "Fish Catch" that's what you should enter in the available search bar.
  • Set a bet amount per shot.
  • Aim your cursor at the fish you want to hit.
  • Shoot the fish that appears on the screen until its health bar is completely gone.
  • When you've successfully defeated the fish the game will automatically "catch" it for a cash payout.

Understanding how to play and catch fish is that simple. Where things get more complicated is that some fish are worth more than others. Generally, the larger the value of the fish the larger the the bets you need to place per bullet and the more accurate you need to be.

The difference when it comes to the multiplayer games is you'll be competing against opponents for points that you purchased beforehand.

Real Money Fish Table Game Features and Functions:

When you're playing certain real money fish games like Fish Catch you should keep your eye open for game features and functions that could help you get that payday you're shooting for:

  • Choose Your Gun Wisely: In most games, the amount you decide to bet alters what kind of cannon you receive. You'll shoot better fish or even receive better multipliers based on your gun's risk amount.
  • Payout Menu: Check out the game's menu or help section to understand the payout for each fish. The more you know the value of each fish game in each game, the quicker you'll react when they appear on screen.
  • Bonus Payout: Some games provide random bonus payouts based on the multiplier that comes with your cannon. You may even see a random payout. Fish Catch offers a "Mermaid's Luck" bonus that provides 250 times the amount you bet.
  • Auto Aim: The Auto Aim function on fish table games allows you to lock onto a fish and attack it until it's caught. Think of this function like you would in a video game. Once you've chosen a fish you want, click on it and Auto Aim will fire until it's yours.
  • Auto Fish: This auto feature will allow you to choose the type of fish you want the Auto Fish to target in your fish game, and it'll focus its bullets there.

Tips for Playing Fish Table Games

Like all games of skill, fish table games have certain strategies players can employ to improve their totals:

  • Choose your gun (AKA bets) wisely: In most fish shooting games, the type of gun you choose can affect your experience. For most, when you decide how much you want to bet on each shot, you'll receive a gun of a certain strength and power. This also helps you understand what kind of fish you can attack. For instance, if you're only betting $0.01 per fish then you likely need to stick to the smaller fish. However, if you're betting $1.00 per fish then you should attack the big fish when they appear and take the big points they deliver.
  • Your gun can also provide a multiplier on each shot. Again, the smaller the cost, the lesser the multiplier you receive. Choose the gun that best fits your bankroll and allows you to get the most bang for your buck. We wouldn't recommend going for the biggest gun in an online fish table game unless you have the funds to play for a long time.
  • Don't get distracted by big (or small) fish: When playing fish games, you can choose to attack the lower fish or the rare fish based on the amount you're betting. When you've decided what gun fits you best, don't get distracted by small fish if you have a big gun or big fish if you have a small gun.
  • Study your fish games: We understand the desire to jump into any fish table gambling game and figure things out as you go. But like a true fisherman, you should know what you're shooting at. Not only could certain fish be difficult to capture, but there are fish that are meant to block you completely from shooting any fish at all. Before starting your new fish game click on the menu and get to know all the fish, what they're worth, and what gun/bullets you need to take them down.
  • Play the demo: Once you understand the fish you're hunting, you can still play it safe by enjoying a demo of the best fish table games. Use the demo to get acclimated to the feel, rhythm, and graphics before betting real money. Most top online casinos offer free fish table games to try for hours before making real money bets.
  • Don't waste bullets: Just like in real life, bullets cost real money. Each bullet you fire depletes your bankroll unless you kill a fish to balance things out. Therefore, we suggest getting the timing down and aiming properly while playing. The fewer bullets that miss, the better it is for you.

Choosing Where to Play Online Fish Tables

The toughest part of playing popular fish table games is finding the online casinos that host them. There's a huge amount options out there for players to choose from, but there are certain features and functions that players should look if they want to start playing.

Online Fish Table Game Types

Here are the different fish table games available at the best online casinos:

  • Fish Game Multiplayer Options: Some fish table games allow for multiple players to compete at once. You'll mostly find this version in the sweepstakes casino version of the game. In the game, players compete in a round for the highest amount of points from all the fish available. Generally, you have a maximum of four players on fish tables online, but in brick-and-mortar casinos, there are up to 10 spots per game.
  • Fish Game Power-Ups and Weapons: Players can enjoy fish arcade games using various power-ups and weapons. Some games include huge power-ups or unique weapons. As we said, games like Fish Catch even include a random bonus mode called, "Mermaid's Luck" that can trigger randomly while playing and provide a real money multiplier based on how much you wager.
  • We suggest looking at these fish game features and deciding which power-ups and weapons fit your budget and overall enjoyment.
  • Fish Game Boss Battles: Some fish table games feature actual boss battles like you're playing an old-school Nintendo game. Games like, "Ice and Fire Fishing" feature four boss battles which are difficult to kill and capture but offer huge rewards.
  • If you've gotten sharp with fish shooting games and are looking for an extra challenge, a fish game with a boss battle is the way to go.
  • Fish Game Themes: Even when you're trying to win real money, having a theme that you enjoy does matter. Some of the best fish table games have memorable themes that either touch on actual fishing, like Fish Catch or delve into the realm of fantasy with Dragon Hunter. Considering you'll probably be spending hours playing fish gambling games, it's best to choose one that your eyes and ears enjoy the most.

Bonuses & Promos

Dare we say it's not worth playing with online casinos that have no bonuses or promotions? If you're going to play fish shooting games we suggest looking at various online casinos for the best perks you can find. When you're trying to win real money, having bonuses help you play longer puts the odds in your favor. There are different kinds of bonuses and it's up to you to decide which fit you best.

  • Free Play Bonus: Sometimes before committing any funds on fish tables, you may want to use some free play first. Some online casinos offer free play bonuses when you sign up after your first deposit.
  • Match Bonuses: If you're ready to make your first deposit immediately and want a little extra, fish game casinos with a healthy match bonus are the way to go. You'll usually see online bonuses with 100% match bonuses up to $1,000, allowing you to double your bullets and playtime in online fish table games.
  • Cashback Rewards: Online casinos usually offer cashback for their slot games and in most cases, fish table gambling sites are no different. Cashback is a percentage of your net losses returned on a daily or weekly basis. It's never a bad idea to have a little money back when you're having a bad run, and that's possible, even in online fish table games.

Read more about no deposit bonuses

Banking Options

You can't play online fish table games for real money unless you can make a deposit. So when you're looking for fish tables meant for you, it's best to go with a site with the deposit option that makes you most comfortable. Here are some of the standard deposition options below:

  • Credit Card: We assume this would be the preferred method for most players trying to win real money. Luckily it's also the one you'll find at most online casinos offering fish table gambling games. Sites like Caesars Palace Online Casino offer Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Keep in mind, that the ability to use certain cards may vary depending on how you choose to play fish table games.
  • Digital Wallet: Another simple and often-used method in casino games is digital wallets to make deposits. Safe and secure wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Click to Pay are great options in online casinos.
  • Bank Transfer: While becoming a bit of an older deposit method, if it's one you prefer sites like FanDuel do offer this method.
  • Other Banking Methods: If a more unique method is how you want to deposit, there are methods like GreenDot MoneyPak, PayNearMe, GiftCards, and even Venmo in some cases. Those methods are out there depending on the place you choose to play fish table casino games.

Safety & Security

  • Make Sure the Site is in the U.S.: Safety and security have to be a part of your decision on where you choose to play fish table games. First, players should look if the site is regulated in the United States and more importantly in your state. This will ensure that if any issues arise with the software or with deposits and payouts the law will be on your side.
  • SSL Encryption: Players should also look for SSL encryption on fish table game sites to ensure the information they provide (personal and banking info) remains secure and untouched.
  • Random Number Generator: A proper random number generator (RNG) is a needed feature not just for casino games, but for the best fish table games. While fish gambling games are still considered games of skill, to ensure the fish appear randomly and based on mathematical odds, an RNG is needed.

Fish Table Games on Mobile

As of 2024, it's more common to see players enjoy online gaming via their iPhone or Android devices. That's why it's integral to make sure your fish table game is available on mobile devices. Even if you frequent online fish tables via desktop, you never know when you'll be on the go.

Any site that offers a sweepstakes app version tends to be up to date with the latest software and features. If you have a choice between two sites offering the same fish games, choose the one with a mobile experience just in case.

Fish Table Game Online FAQs

If you have any lingering questions about fish tables online, we've answered some common questions before you start.

Are fish tables rigged?

No, they're not. Every fish in online fish games has a set amount they pay and a certain amount of bullets required to catch. An RNG helps ensure the appearance and behavior of the fish are not predetermined.

How do I win at fish games?

Although nothing is guaranteed, to win at online fish games we suggest you work on your aim. Understand the value of each fish in the online fish game you choose. And only decide a bet amount that you can afford and sustain over a long period.

Can I play fish tables online for real money?

Absolutely. You can play and win real money by playing online fish games in the following US states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.

Where can I play online fish table games?

If you're playing in sweepstakes casinos you can enjoy fish games in over 40 states. As stated above, real money fish games are only allowed in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.

Are fish table apps available on mobile devices?

Yes. Some of the best fish games like Dragon King, Fire Kirin, and Ocean King are available in Google Play or the App Store.