I think both systems have their place. Games like chess tend to be brain burners, and the skill divide precludes an entertaining game afters a certain ratings d

I think both systems have their place. Games like chess tend to be brain burners, and the skill divide precludes an entertaining game afters a certain ratings difference. Games with some randomness level the playing field somewhat. Better players will still win more than worse players, but at least the worse players have a chance. This is why the best poker, and backgammon players tend to dominate. I would say that social games benefit from some randomness, with chance giving everyone a chance. That said the level of chance in bluffing games like poker is too high for me, and not hidden well enough. I prefer my chance to be more well disguised, like in board games with card driven systems, or even in a card game like Magic: The Gathering. Backgammon is marginal.