Fish table games, also known as fish shooting games, are arcade-style shooters that have become extremely popular online. They offer players the chance to take control of big weapons, shoot at fish, and potentially reel in some big prizes. Here, discover everything you need to know about them. 

What Are Fish Table Games? 

Fish table games first exploded in Asia’s arcades back in the mid-2000s. Players take control of a joystick and ‘shoot’ button before aiming at different fish swimming across the screen. Points are then collected based on the type of fish you capture and you can usually redeem them for prizes, tickets, or cash at the end. 

After players got hooked (literally) in countries like China, fish table games were eventually made available online and became popular in the US. The gameplay is exactly the same online, except you shoot by clicking on the screen instead. And because fish table games are a smash-hit with gamblers, countless online casinos have added them to their libraries. 

Unlike slots and roulette, what makes fish table games unique is that they’re skill-based. In other words, players have greater control over the outcome because they’re aiming a weapon instead of relying on luck, which is why they have a strong player base. They’re among the only gambling games out there with an arcade style and skill mechanics.

Where to Play Fish Table Games Online: Available Options

When it comes to playing fish table games online rather than in land-based arcades, there are quite a few options on the table. These are sweepstakes casinos, online casinos, fish table game apps, and sometimes even regular gaming sites that stock them for fun. Depending on what type of player you are, you’ll be able to make your pick. 

✓ Sweepstakes Casinos 

Sweepstakes casinos are by far the most popular destination for people to play fish table games online. If you didn’t know already, sweepstakes casinos are just like online casinos, except you bet with virtual ‘Sweeps Coins’ instead. If you’re able to collect enough of these coins by playing different fish shooters, you can then redeem them for prizes like gift cards, cash transfers, and sometimes even cryptocurrencies. Most sweepstakes casinos offer fish tables as well, including WOW Vegas (which has the insanely good ‘Lightning FishShooter’) and Rolla Casino.

✓ Online Casinos 

Online casinos are another popular place to play fish table games. The benefit of playing in an online casino is that you bet and win real money directly. Every bullet you fire costs money (usually at least $0.05 per bullet) while every fish you capture comes with a price tag. If you’re focused purely on real-money gambling above everything else, then it’s recommended you play in an online casino 

✓ Fish Table Game Apps 

Over the past 10 years, lots of fish table game apps have been made available on iOS and Android. They’re all available to download for free, with some of them existing just for entertainment and others coming with built-in money mechanics. If you have your mobile device with you right now, some of the best fish table apps to get started with are Fishing Master, Ocean Fishooter, and Dragon King. 

How Fish Table Games Work 

So, you’re locked, loaded, and want to play a fish table game for the first time? Before you go ahead and dive into the deep ocean, you need to know exactly how they work (otherwise, you might find the gameplay a little confusing at first). To get you firing in the right direction, here’s a breakdown of how these popular games work. 

• Pick Your Game

The easiest step of them all. Before anything else, you need to pick from one of the many available fish table games online. If you’re a beginner, we recommend going with a classic like KA Fish Hunter purely to make it easier for yourself. 

• Enter the Lobby 

You’ll then be transported to the game lobby. Most fish tables require players to choose from ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’, and ‘Gold’ tiers based on their skill level. The higher the tier, the more expensive the weapons are to fire. However, you also get more valuable fish to capture, which is why more experienced players tend to go with Silver or Gold. If you’re a beginner, stick with Bronze for now. 

• Deposit Money or Credits

In online fish table games, you take control of different-sized weapons and cannons to fire at the fish swimming across your screen. But to fire bullets from these weapons, you need to deposit money or credits. For example, if you choose the Bronze tier and each bullet costs $0.10 to fire, depositing $10 would give you 100 bullets to unload. 

• Start Shooting!

Once you’ve deposited your money and picked a weapon, it’s time to start shooting. In all fish table games, fish and sea creatures of all sizes will swim across the screen. Your job is to aim your weapon, fire bullets, and successfully destroy them. For instance, you might capture a Crab for $2, or a high-value Mermaid for $25. Remember to check the pay table before you play so that you know exactly what each sea creature is worth. 

• Add More Credits When Needed

If you miss a lot of shots and don’t kill enough fish, you’ll eventually run out of bullets to fire. No need to panic, as fish table games let you add more credits and reload at any time. But until you do that, your cannon won’t be able to fire any more bullets. 

• Stop Playing and Cash Out Any Winnings

The aim in fish table games is to kill fish and earn enough money so that you can cash out and stop playing. Let’s say you start the game with $2 worth of bullets, destroy lots of fish, and rack up $10. In a case like this, you might simply decide to quit the game and cash out your winnings, or keep playing and try to earn even more credits. It’s ultimately the player’s choice. 

The Best Fish Table Games: Top 3 Picks  

One of the great things about fish table games is that there are so many of them to choose from across sweepstakes casinos, online casinos, and mobile app stores. So, if you want to test different ones out, here are some of our top picks: 

🐠💥 Lightning FishShooter

Available in the WOW Vegas casino, Lightning FishShooter is one of the best fish table games to play. It features a crazy number of different sea creatures, ranging from low value Clownfish (2x) and Jellyfish (4x) to the IMMORTAL BOSSES Jaws (40-100x) and Gem Turtle (up to 350x your bet). While you’re shooting at the different fish, you can also enjoy some of the special in-game features, like blowing up Starfish to create whirlpools and shooting Bomb Crabs to cause extra explosions. There’s even the option to upgrade to a ‘Torpedo’ weapon if you want faster and more efficient shooting, but it will cost you more. 

🐠💥 KA Fish Hunter

KA Fish Hunter is an all-time classic in the world of online fish table games. After choosing from the Bronze, Silver, or Gold tiers in the lobby, you’ll get transported straight into the action. What typically happens in KA Fish Hunter is big groups of small fish will swim together in rows, while the high value fish will cross slowly, so you need to pick your targets wisely. And if you enter a Gold lobby, the Sharks can be worth up to $200, making for some big prizes. Plus, we think you’ll like the retro-style graphics and soundtrack. 

🐠💥 Fishing Master (iOS, Android)

Fishing Master is available to download on iOS and Android. It’s a new fish table game with a ton of exciting features, including a huge range of different turrets. The best of them all is the Supreme Crown Cannon, which you can purchase for extra money to experience ultra-fast bullets. There’s also a special VIP Level for extra perks, as well as underwater Gold Treasure chests that players can open if they want to potentially get their hands on some extra rewards. Not to mention, the game’s BIG BOSS pays up to 1,000x, so there’s a lot to play for. 

Top Tips for Playing Fish Table Games and Fish Shooters

What makes fish table games unique is that they’re almost entirely based on skill and timing. You’re not relying on luck here, meaning the best players get the best rewards. So, if you want to improve at fish table games and take your shooting skills to the max, here are some top tips for newbie players: 

Upgrade Your Weapons 

Sometimes, a simple weapon upgrade (where the bullets hit harder) is enough to start helping you reel in some money. Of course, the risk here is that you’re paying more money per bullet, but it also means the fish are easier to kill. That’s why a weapons upgrade is highly recommended if you’re struggling. 

Go for Smaller Fish 

The big money sea creatures in fish table games, such as Sharks and Mermaids, require a lot of bullets before they eventually explode. If you’re a first-time player, avoid them at first and target the much smaller fish instead, as they’re a lot easier to take out. Plus, if you kill a lot of smaller fish, the points you earn will add up nicely. 

Target the Heads 

One trick that sometimes works in online fish table games is to target the heads of the fish. When you aim just right, this can capture them faster. You’ll need to have your aim on-point, though, especially when they’re swimming across the screen in big groups. 

Slow But Steady 

Let’s say you enter a fish table game lobby with 5 other players. Everyone is firing recklessly, so you naturally want to do the same. However, slow and steady wins the race in fish shooting games and you should never rush to fire your bullets. Wait for openings and target easy-to-capture fish or ones that have been damaged by other players but not fully destroyed. 

Memorize the Paytable 

All fish table games have a paytable that tells you the monetary value of all the in-game sea creatures. Usually, the small fish are less valuable while the big fish are worth lots of money. By memorizing them, you can know which ones are worth targeting and won’t accidentally use all your bullets on low value fish without realizing. 

Play with a Budget 

Lastly, always play with a budget. Fish table games generally require you to play with real money in online casinos, which is why you should carefully select your wager amount. For example, don’t spend more than $10 on cannons and bullets if you can’t afford it. 

Can You Hack Fish Table Games? 

Back in the old days, it was said that a lot of players would hack the fish table games inside arcades in order to win additional money. However, this is now virtually impossible, whether you attempt it inside a land-based arcade or online. Instead, the best way to win is to simply play fair with real money, aim well, and find which weapons work best for you. 

Summary 

Fish table games are fresh, exciting, and extremely popular with arcade fans and online casino players at the moment. They’re all about testing your skill instead of relying on luck, so any players out there who prefer skill-based gambling will be hooked. And remember, always play responsibly and make sure to test as many online fish table games as possible, including KA Fish Hunter and Lightning Fish Shooter, to see which you like the most. 

Happy fish hunting!