Card games are gambling games played with cards. They differ in terms of structure, type, rules and strategies players can apply.
Card games are classified into two categories, luck-based and skill-based card games.
At land-based and online casinos, players can choose from three main card games types: poker, blackjack and baccarat. All other card games available offline or online stem from these games.
The main difference between a card game and a board game is in the equipment used for playing. While card games use playing cards, board games use different components, including tiles, chips, pawns and special cards. Also, card games can be played at casinos with real money, while social games are mainly played among friends and no real money stakes are involved.
Card games require certain skills, so they can help players keep their brains sharp. At the same time, like other gambling games, card games can be addictive. The main advantages and disadvantages of card games are listed below.
- The advantages of gambling card games are:
- Available online and offline
- A low house edge
- Have a social element
- Not based solely on chance
- The disadvantages of gambling card games:
- Take time to master
- Offer low payouts in the main game
If you want to find out more about what card games are, stay tuned for all details on various types and their variants.
What is the general card games structure?
Based on their general structure, gambling card games can be classified as follows:
- Single or multiplayer card games
- Single or multi-hand card games
- Single or multiple card decks in play
- Fast-paced card games
- Low or high-risk card games
- Card games based on chance and skill
Depending on whether card games are played at a land-based or online casino, they may require only one player or more players. All card games available online can be played by a single player, so you can enjoy them all by yourself. On the other hand, the same games can be played among two or more players at land-based casinos. Consequently, the rules of these games can slightly vary, depending on whether they are played online or offline.
Some card games are played in a single hand, while others allow players to play multiple hands simultaneously. Card games that can be played in more than one hand are video poker and blackjack.
Whether playing card games online or offline, you can choose from games that use a single card deck or multiple card decks. Typically, single-deck cards are easier to play, yet they have other rules that balance the house edge and do not allow players to gain leverage over the casino.
Not all card games require the same amount of time. Some card games are fast-paced, meaning that more rounds can be played within an hour. Video poker and Baccarat Speed are examples of fast-paced card games.
While most card games come with a lower house edge than other gambling game types, some of them involve more risk than others. Blackjack, video poker and certain poker variants are well-known for their low house edge. However, side bets available in some of these games involve more risk as winning on them relies on sheer luck. Speaking of the low house edge in card games, we have to underline that players can benefit from it only when playing according to the optimal strategy. Players can apply strategies when playing skill-based card games where each decision they make can affect the outcome of rounds.
Which are the most popular strategies for card games?
Now that you are familiar with the basic rules of card games available at casinos, let’s find out which strategies can help you beat them.
- Poker: Poker strategies players can apply differ from game to game. The tip that can help you be successful at all poker variants would be to start playing at lower stakes. Learn the strategy for the game you want to play and avoid playing side bets.
- Blackjack: Like with poker, each blackjack variant has its own rules, meaning that the strategy for each game variation is different. A useful rule of thumb would be to get to know the blackjack variant you want to play, find the cheat sheet with the basic strategy for it and make the moves it suggests.
- Baccarat: Baccarat is a card game based on chance, so no strategy can help you beat it. However, it is recommended that players wager on the Banker side and avoid playing the Tie bet.
- Pontoon: The optimal Pontoon strategy is complex since recommended moves depend on the player’s hand total and the number of cards in it. Like with blackjack, it is recommendable that you find the Pontoon cheat sheet and follow it.
- Red Dog: The optimal Red Dog strategy is straightforward: the player should raise only when their spread is seven cards or more.
- Casino War: While Casino War is a game of chance, it has a strategy that can help you beat it. According to it, the player should always go to war and risk twice the original bet for a chance to beat the game.
Card games rules
Each card game has its own rules. Below, you will find the main rules of the most popular card game types.
- Poker: The main goal of poker is to create a better ranking 5-card poker hand to beat the dealer or other players. Some poker variations offer side bets that can award higher payouts.
- Blackjack: In blackjack, the player should create a hand of a higher value than the dealer without going over 21 points. Side bets are available in some blackjack variants, providing players with a chance to risk less with higher payouts.
- Baccarat: In baccarat, the player has to guess correctly which side, Player or Banker, will have a hand closer to 9 or whether the round will end in a tie. Side bets are available, enabling players to predict other outcomes for a chance of payout.
- Pontoon: The main objective in Pontoon is to create a 21-point hand or a 5-card hand without going bust.
- Red Dog: The player wins at Red Dog if the middle card dealt face-down has a higher value than the first and third card dealt face-up.
- Casino War: To win in Casino War, the player must receive a card of a higher rank than the dealer.
These are only the basic rules for the listed games. Keep in mind that rules for the main game can vary from variant to variant. Since some of these games are based on skills, make sure to learn all the rules and strategies that can help you beat them.
Which are the main types of card games?
The main types of card games are the following:
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Pontoon
- Red Dog
- Casino War
At online casinos, these games are grouped under the Table Games section in most cases. Sometimes, card games make up a standalone category. When it comes to brick-and-mortar casinos, card games are grouped in so-called pits, separated from slot machines and other sections so that there can be enough space for spectators to watch the action.
Poker
Poker is a card game that can be played at land-based and online casinos by persons who are 18 or older. In the US, you must be at least 21 years old to play poker. When playing poker online, it is the player against the house. On the other hand, some poker games available at land-based casinos require more players.
Poker is a skill-based game that requires certain abilities. It can stimulate the brain and help players develop concentration, patience and discipline. Besides, poker players can learn how to control their emotions, which can affect their lives positively. At the same time, poker can be highly addictive because of all the excitement and anticipation players can feel while playing it.
When playing some poker variants, players can bluff, meaning that they place a bet or raise with a hand that is not the strongest. The goal of a bluff is to make at least one player fold. However, when playing poker online, bluffing is not possible because players play against the dealer or computer.
Skills one needs to play poker successfully include the ability to observe and understand situations as well as the ability to calculate the odds of winning. Using mathematical skills like counting cards may be crucial to winning. However, these can be applied to land-based poker only.
Many consider poker an intellectual game. The list of the advantages of playing poker is long and it includes improving learning ability and enhancing mathematical and social skills as well as developing logical thinking skills. When played responsibly, playing poker can help gamblers improve their focus and concentration and learn discipline. Poker is an inclusive game that can be played by anyone. However, real money poker can be played by adults only.
When played offline, poker is a social game. Still, some players can feel anxiety at the poker table. The game can help them overcome it and learn how to control their emotions. Also, players can learn to read opponents’ minds. Due to excitement, some players can develop an addiction to poker. Compulsive gamblers can control the addiction by using willpower or seeking treatment.
Playing poker has a few disadvantages as well. They include risking more than they can afford to lose and spending a lot of time playing the game, which can lead to gambling addiction. Playing poker can make one develop an unhealthy lifestyle or become antisocial if they enjoy this form of entertainment online. As a skill-based game, poker takes time to learn how to play and master, so players who do not do it can lose a lot.
Poker is one of the most popular card games. According to some sources, around 100 million people play poker online regularly. In the US only, approximately 60 million people play poker. Besides the US, the countries where poker is highly popular include Canada, Brazil, Malaysia, the UK, France, Italy and Germany.
When it comes to the rules and gameplay, poker is not hard to learn. Still, depending on the preferred game variant, it may take a long time to master the best strategy. Like in blackjack, in poker, it is crucial to make moves according to the optimal strategy. Each decision the player makes can affect the outcome of the round. Although there are fewer options to choose from in poker than in Blackjack, you cannot play this game instinctively and hope for success.
The game of poker emerged in the early 19th century in the US. According to some sources, it was brought by French settlers to New Orleans. Others have tried to dispute the French origins of the game, claiming that it was based on As-Nas, a Persian card game. The Irish Poca, the French poque and the German pochen have been also considered as the possible predecessors of poker.
The first version of poker played in the US had a 20-card deck in play. The game spread throughout the US on Mississippi riverboats where it was the favourite pastime activity. Poker has come a long way since the 19th century, and today players can enjoy a range of game variants online and offline. The most popular game variants are video poker introduced in the 1970s, Oasis Poker invented in 1982, Texas Hold’em invented in the 1920s and Omaha Poker available since the 1980s. Some of the most famous poker players of all time are Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth.
As we have previously mentioned, poker is available at land-based and online casinos. The variants gamblers can play vary from casino to casino. Most online casinos today offer RNG-operated and live dealer poker games. On the internet, gamblers can join dedicated poker rooms and take part in tournaments for a chance of a share of a prize pool. Poker tournaments are available at brick-and-mortar casinos as well. The most popular poker tournament formats are single and multi-table tournaments, sit & go tournaments, freezeout and satellite tournaments.
Poker is legal in most countries in the world. Still, a few countries have outlawed poker, including the United Arab Emirates and North Korea where both land-based and online poker are banned. Surprisingly, both forms of the game are also prohibited in Japan. Another country where poker is illegal in Israel. When it comes to the US, the legal landscape of gambling and poker varies from state to state. Some US states, like Alabama and Georgia, punish both players and operators who offer poker games offline or online.
The reasons why poker is prohibited by some governments vary from country to country. In some of them, religion and tradition are the main reasons why casino games, including poker, are not legalised. However, in some cases, courts have ruled that poker is a game of skill, so gambling laws do not apply to it. For instance, the federal court in New York ruled that Texas Hold ‘Em poker as a skill-based game could not be characterised as gambling by the Illegal Gambling Businesses Act (IGBA), a federal statute passed in 1970.
Playing poker can be a solitary or social activity, depending on the version of the game gamblers choose to play. Virtual poker games available at online casinos require a single player who needs to beat the computer with a stronger poker hand to win a prize. On the other hand, live dealer poker games have a social element to them since they are hosted by real-life dealers and offer the live chat feature players can use to interact with each other. Land-based poker is a social game accepting multiple players at the table simultaneously.
As a skill-based game, poker may not be the game you should play simply to have fun. On the other hand, gamblers who master the game can get some returns while playing poker. Some estimates suggest that 30% of poker players are winners in the long run, while only 10% of players make it or can make a living by playing poker. The most successful poker players are those who manage to control their emotions and make the right decisions.
How many players are required by a poker game varies from variant to variant? As we have already stated, RNG poker games are created for one player. Live casino poker games can also be played by a single player, yet most tables accept an unlimited number of players. At land-based casinos, the number of players can be from 2 to 10. Whether you play poker online or offline, you have to learn the basic strategy for the game you want to play. Although some techniques cannot be used at online casinos, players still can gain an advantage over the casino by making optimal moves in given situations. When playing poker offline, gamblers can bluff to deceit opponents and make them fold. Other techniques poker players can use when playing face-to-face include hand reading, which refers to making an educated guess about the cards opponents may have based on previous actions and tells, which is a term for trying to identify changes in the opponents’ behaviour.
Some of the leading providers of poker games include Betsoft, Wazdan, Microgaming, IGT, 888 and more. When it comes to video poker, online casinos offer games powered by Microgaming, Habanero, Playtech, Red Rake and others.
The most popular poker games are listed below:
- Video poker – A casino card game played on a machine. It is based on a 5-card poker hand. Video poker comes in multiple variants and is one of the player favourite games because of a low house edge. To beat the game, players should apply optimal strategies.
- Omaha Poker – Like Texas Hold’em, Omaha is a community card poker game where the player combines cards they have been dealt with community cards. Online, Omaha is available at specialised poker rooms.
- Oasis Poker – Another straightforward poker-based game where the player beats the dealer with a stronger 5-card hand. The game allows players to switch one or more cards at a certain price if they want to improve their hands.
- Texas Hold ‘Em – The goal of the game is to create a better 5-card poker hand by combining the cards you have been dealt and community cards. The biggest difference between online and offline Texas Hold’em is that in the online version of the game, you play against the dealer.
Video Poker
Video poker is a poker-based casino game played on a machine. It is a game operated by the Random Number Generator (RNG), which makes it similar to a slot machine. Available online and offline, video poker comes in multiple variants provided by various companies, including Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Rival, Betsoft and more. Video poker is a solitary game where the player needs to create a 5-card poker hand to beat the machine. The game is available at land-based and online casinos to adult players.
Some of the most popular video poker variants are listed below:
- Jacks or Better: A video poker variant provided by Microgaming, Play’n GO and Genii, to name a few. To win at Jacks or Better Video Poker, the player must create a hand containing at least a pair of jacks.
- Deuces Wild: Play’n GO, Amatic and Habanero are some of the providers offering Deuces Wild Video Poker. In this game variant, deuces act as jokers, so you should not discard them. A three of kind is the lowest ranking hand in Deuces Wild.
- Bonus Poker: At online casinos, players can go for Bonus Poker by Red Rake, Habanero and other providers. The game variant is based on Jacks or Better and offers bonus payouts on hands containing four of a kind.
- Tens or Better: Habanero is one of the suppliers who offer Tens or Better in single-hand and multiple-hand format. It is similar to Jacks or Better, with the only difference being the lowest ranking hand. In Tens or Better, it is a pair of tens.
- Aces and Faces: This version of the game is available at Microgaming-powered online casinos. In Aces and Faces, players can grab bonus payouts when creating a four of a kind hand consisting of aces or face cards.
- Joker Poker: EGT Interactive, Wazdan and Genni are some of the suppliers who have Joker Poker in their portfolio. The game uses a 53-card deck that includes one joker. It can complete any poker hand. To get a feel of Joker Poker, the player must create a hand containing at least a pair of kings.
Omaha Poker
Omaha Poker is a card game derived from Texas Hold’em. Like in Texas Hold’em, in Omaha Poker, players combine community cards with the ones they have been dealt to make the best 5-card poker hand. The only difference is in the number of cards the player receives and the way cards are combined. In Omaha Poker, players receive four hole cards, which is twice as many as in Texas Hold’em. Also, the player must use two of their hole cards and three community cards to create a 5-card poker hand, while in Texas Hold’em, none of the cards they have been dealt can be included in the combination.
The most popular Omaha variants are listed below:
- Pot-Limit Omaha: Shortened PLO, Pot-Limit Omaha is one of the most popular Omaha variations, especially in Europe, US brick-and-mortar casinos and online. It is known as the poker game with the highest stakes.
- Limit Omaha Hi-Lo: Also known as Omaha/8 or Omaha Hi/Low and Omaha 8-or-Better is a game variation where each player must make a separate 5-card high hand and a 5-card low hand. The pot in this game is split between high and low.
- 5 Card Omaha: Players are dealt 5 hole cards and the same number of community cards are placed face-up on the table. To make the best 5-card hand, players must combine 3 community cards with 2 hold cards.
- Courchevel: Similar to 5 Card Omaha, but with a few differences in the gameplay. It can be played in several formats, including Limit Courchevel, Pot-Limit Courchevel and No Limit Courchevel.
Oasis Poker
Oasis Poker is a poker-based game, or more precisely a poker variant based on Caribbean Stud Poker. As such, it is played against the dealer or the house. Although it emerged in online casinos, today if you want to play Oasis Poker, you should do it online. At online casinos, players can choose from Oasis Poker games powered by Betsoft, Evoplay, NetEnt and more. In Oasis Poker, there is no bluffing. The main difference between Oasis Poker and Caribbean Stud Poker is that it offers players to swap some or all of their cards at a price ranging from 1x up to 3x the ante.
Texas Hold’em Poker
Texas Hold’em is probably the most played poker-based casino game. Available offline and online, the game differs based on where you play it. In Texas Hold’em, each player receives two face-down cards, while five community cards are placed face-up on the table. They are dealt in three stages. The first three cards are called the flop. The second card is called the fourth street and the final card is the river or fifth street. The player should create the best 5-card poker hand by combining the cards they have received and community cards.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a gambling card game based on chance. Available online and offline, baccarat comes in several variants. In each of them, the player plays against the dealer. The main objective of the game is to predict which side, Banker or Player, will have a hand with a value closer to 9. Another possible outcome of the game is Tie, meaning that both sides will receive cards with the same total.
As a game of chance, baccarat is one of the easiest games to learn. Also, no strategy can help players beat the game. However, according to some experts, betting on the Banker side is a preferred option since this bet has a lower house edge.
Playing baccarat is all about luck and entertainment, with no bluffing, mathematical skills or strategy needed. This makes the game perfect for beginners. It is one of the biggest advantages of baccarat. Some baccarat variants offer side bets that add more excitement to the gameplay offering payouts that are considerably larger than those available in the main game.
At land-based casinos, baccarat is highly popular with high-rollers due to high stakes baccarat tables support. What’s more, baccarat is a game with a high potential, which may keep players coming back for more and lead to gambling addiction. Controlling emotions when placing bets, not being greedy and not chasing losses can help you become successful at the game of baccarat.
One of the disadvantages of baccarat is that everything comes down to luck. Adjusting the bet and not wagering more than they can afford to lose is the only thing the player can do to gain an advantage over the house.
It is believed that the origins of baccarat date back to 15th century Italy. It was invented by Felix Falguiere or Falguierein, who called the game baccara which means zero in Italian. According to some records, the game was popular among French noblemen who played it in private gambling rooms. The earliest version of the game was Baccarat Banque. It was succeeded by Chemin de Fer and Punto Banco, which share the features with the game of baccarat as we know it today.
Today, various versions of baccarat are popular around the globe. The game is particularly popular in Asian countries, including Macau-based brick-and-mortar casinos. The land-based and online versions of the game differ in the number of players that can join it. Offline, baccarat tables 7 or 14 player seats. On the other hand, when playing online, players can join RNG or live baccarat tables any time they want since they accept an unlimited number of players.
Although baccarat is not as popular as blackjack and poker among professional gamblers, a few baccarat players have been extremely successful in this game. Most of them are high-rollers, also known as whales, who have wagered immense amounts on the game. Akio Kashiwagi and John W. Gates were among them. Kashiwagi once spent 80 hours playing baccarat wagering $100,000 per hand, according to the former president of Taj Mahal Casino, US. Gates is remembered as a whale who wagered $1 million on a single hand.
Baccarat enthusiasts can choose from multiple game variants at online casinos:
- Speed Baccarat: A fast-paced baccarat variant available at live casinos provided by Evolution where each round lasts 27 seconds instead of the regular 48 seconds.
- Mini-Baccarat: Play’n GO is one of the providers of RNG Mini-Baccarat, while Playtech offers the live dealer version of the game that accepts a single player.
- Baccarat Squeeze: Another live dealer baccarat game from the Evolution Gaming portfolio where the dealer squeezes cards revealing part by part for added excitement.
- No Commission Baccarat: Available at virtual and live tables, No Commission Baccarat removes a 5% commission on Banker bet wins and offers the Super 6 side bet paying 15:1. Switch Studios and OneTouch are some of the companies that offer this game. Players can give it a go at live casinos powered by Evolution as well.
- Live Dragon Tiger: offered by Evolution, Playtech, Ezugi and Pragmatic Play, Live Dragon Tiger is a game based on baccarat where players predict whether the Dragon or Tiger side will win. The game is available at virtual tables powered by Habanero and some smaller game studios as well.
Blackjack
Blackjack is, together with poker, the most popular card game. Another feature blackjack and poker share is that both games are based on skill. So, the game of blackjack can be beaten by applying the proper strategy. Available online and offline, blackjack is played against the dealer. The player must have a hand of 21 or closest to it without going over to beat the dealer.
At online casinos, players can choose from a multitude of blackjack variants available at RNG and live dealer tables. Some of the best online blackjack providers are NetEnt, Microgaming, Betsoft, Realtime Gaming and Playtech. When it comes to the providers of live casino solutions, the leading names in the industry who offer live blackjack are Evolution Gaming, Playtech and Pragmatic Play.
Being a game of skill where each decision the player makes affects the outcome of a round, blackjack is the game many professional players choose to play. Its rules are straightforward, but the strategy to beat it is difficult. Optimal moves depend on multiple factors, including the player’s hand, the dealer’s face-up card and the basic rules of the chosen game.
There is no bluffing in blackjack, yet mathematical skills can help you become a successful player. However, which techniques you will apply depends on the version of the game you play. In land-based blackjack, advantage players use card counting. Although it is not banned, card counting is not encouraged by casinos. On the other hand, a player who gets caught while counting cards may be kicked out and prevented from coming back.
To play blackjack successfully, one should focus on the gameplay and make decisions whether they will hit, stand, split or double down based on each hand and the optimal strategy. That’s why it is important to control emotions and concentrate on the game. Don’t let anger and disappointment prevail and make you play irresponsibly.
Some believe that playing blackjack makes people smarter. All the decisions you have to make during a single round will improve your critical thinking while understanding the odds and devising your strategy based on them will enhance your mathematical skills.
Online blackjack comes with a few disadvantages, though. First of all, you will play the game alone, meaning that you will not benefit from its social element. Also, online blackjack is fast-paced, meaning that you can play more hands per hour and wager more than when playing at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Although blackjack dropped in popularity with the introduction of online casinos, today, it is one of the most popular casino games online and offline. The emergence of live casino solutions helped blackjack recover its popularity due to the realistic gaming experience players can enjoy. The US, Canada, Europe in general, Mexico and the UK are parts of the world where blackjack is the most played game, especially when it comes to its online format.
The exact origins of blackjack are not known. Still, it is believed that it originated from the game vingt-et-un popular in French gambling halls in the 18th century. Thanks to its simple rules, it was welcomed by gamblers in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Truth be told, blackjack was not that popular initially, until it was recognised by mathematicians as a game of skill, where players can use skill to gain an advantage over the house. By the end of the 20th century, Blackjack became one of the most popular games in the US, Australia and Europe.
The biggest blackjack wins in known history was beaten by Kerry Packer, the Australian media mogul. He won $40 million in 40 minutes by playing blackjack at Hilton Casino in Las Vegas. Other famous blackjack players are Don Johnson, Bill Benter and Erica Shoenberg. The history of blackjack would be incomplete without the story of the famous MIT Blackjack team who used their mathematical skill to count cards and hit it in the 80s and 90s.
Some of the most popular blackjack variants include the following:
- American Blackjack: Also known as Classic Blackjack, it is one of the most widely played game variants. In this game, the dealer receives a hole, face-down card, so players make decisions based on the cards they have received only. Betsoft, Habanero, Playtech and Novomatic are some of the providers who offer American Blackjack.
- Vegas Strip Blackjack: Its name comes from South Las Vegas Boulevard where most hotels and casinos are concentrated. The game variant brought to online casinos by Switch Studios, Microgaming and Red Rake, to name a few, has a twist to it in the dealer peeking for blackjack if their face-up card is an ace or has a value of 10.
- European Blackjack: Another highly popular blackjack variant available in most online casinos. Play’n GO, Microgaming and Betsoft are some of the suppliers of European Blackjack, where the dealer receives the hole card after the player decides whether they will hit, stand, split or double down.
- Blackjack Switch: The main attraction of Blackjack Switch is the feature that allows players to play two hands separately and can swap the second card in each hand between the two hands. The providers of Blackjack Switch include Red Rake, Novomatic and GamesOS.
- Double Exposure Blackjack: Offered by Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, NetEnt, Habanero and other gaming companies, Double Exposure Blackjack allows players to see both dealer’s cards and make decisions based on them.
Pontoon
Pontoon is a gambling card game similar to blackjack. Available at online and land-based casinos, Pontoon is played against the dealer whom the player should beat with a hand closer to 21 without exceeding it. Offline, the game can be played by 2 to 8 players, while online, it is the player against the computer. As a casino game, Pontoon can be played by adults.
Online Pontoon is offered by many software providers, including Betsoft, Playtech, NetEnt, Nucleus Gaming and more. Like other gambling games, Pontoon can be addictive if not played responsibly. Bluffing does not work in Pontoon, but a proper strategy can help you beat it. Knowing which move you should make in certain situations can help you gain leverage over the house. So, playing Pontoon can be good for the brain, especially when it comes to improving concentration and focus.
While many think that Pontoon is a blackjack variant, some claim that both games have originated from the French game vingt-et-un (twenty-one). Pontoon is considered to be the British variant of this game and it is one of the most popular card games in the UK. Its name dates back to World War I when British soldiers played it. Thanks to the similarities with blackjack, Pontoon appeared in casinos. In the 1980s, it was the third most popular card game among British people.
One of the advantages of playing Pontoon is that the player can beat the dealer with the so-called 5-card trick. It means that the player who has a hand consisting of 5 cards with a total lower than 21 can beat the dealer even when they have a pontoon, which is equal to a blackjack. Also, the player can double down when they have 3 or 4 cards, unlike in blackjack where doubling down is allowed only on 2 cards. It is worth mentioning that the advantage of playing Pontoon online is a lower house edge than in its land-based counterparts.
Pontoon comes with a few disadvantages, though, especially when compared with the game of blackjack. First of all, Pontoon has a higher house edge than blackjack. Furthermore, if a round in Pontoon ends in a tie, the player loses their bet. Also, payouts in Pontoon are lower than in blackjack, 2:1 as opposed to 3:2 in blackjack. One of the things that make some players give up on Pontoon is that the dealer receives both cards face-down, meaning that the player can make their moves based on the cards they have received only.
Besides the UK, Pontoon is popular in Commonwealth countries, particularly in Malaysia, Australia and Singapore, where it is also known as Malaysian Pontoon. This game, like regular Pontoon, uses twist and stick instead of hit and stand, used in blackjack. The Malaysian or Australasian version of the game has a few differences when compared with the British version of the game. In most cases, this game variant uses 6 or 8 decks of cards with 10s removed from them.
Pontoon is somewhat difficult to learn, and the same goes for the strategy needed to win it due to certain rules that make the game unique. When played offline, the game has a social element to it. Still, you have to focus on the gameplay if you want to play it successfully.
Casino War
Casino War is probably one of the easiest card games available at land-based and online casinos. Shuffle Master, Pragmatic Play and 1X2gaming are some of the brands that offer this card game. While the game can be played at home by children, its casino version is created for adult gamblers who can wager real money on it.
One of the reasons why gamblers like Casino War is that the game is based on sheer luck. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer with a card of a higher ranking. Once the player places the bet, the dealer and the player receive one card each. The side that receives the card of a higher-ranking returns. If both sides get the cards of the same value it is a tie and the player has two options: to surrender or go to war.
Although no strategy can help players enhance the odds of winning, the rule of thumb is to always go to war. It will double the original player’s bet and provide them with an additional opportunity to get returns. Bluffing or counting cards cannot help the player beat the dealer. Like Baccarat, Casino War also offers the Tie bet which pays 10:1. It is a risky bet, so players should avoid playing it due to high volatility.
The advantages of Casino War as a gambling game type include its simple rules and no strategy needed. The game is available at online casinos and players can join RNG or live dealer Casino War tables for the sake of having fun. They can get payouts with no need to learn complex strategies.
Some players are not enthusiastic about the games of chance, so they stay away from Casino War. One of the biggest disadvantages of Casino War is that players cannot affect the outcome of the game. Besides, it is not widely spread at online and land-based casinos, so it may take time to find a gambling facility that offers it.
Casino War is a relatively young game when compared with other casino games played with cards. The game traces its history back to 1993, when Bet Technology, a Nevada-based company, filed the patent for it. Casino War was introduced to brick-and-mortar casinos in Nevada a year later. One of the most popular providers of Casino War today, Shuffle Master, became the owner of the game patent by acquiring Bet Technology. War of Bets is one of the game variants available at Betgames-powered live dealer tables.
Red Dog
Red Dog is a casino card game of chance. It is also known as Red Dog Poker, although it has nothing to do with the game of poker as we know it. The game is available offline and online, and depending on the format of the game you choose to play, its rules are different. When played online, it is just the player against the dealer. At land-based casinos, more than one player can play Red Dog at the same time.
Betsoft is one of the most popular suppliers that offer online Red Dog. When it comes to Red Dog as a gambling game, it can be played by adults only. It is a simple and fast-paced game, so players may get overwhelmed by the excitement and wager more than they can afford to lose if they do not manage their bankroll.
Red Dog is a game of sheer chance, yet there is still a strategy that can help the player maximise their risk-free strategy. The game starts with the player placing the bet and the dealer placing two cards on the table. If the player believes that the third card will have a value that is in between the first and the second card on the table, they can double the ante by clicking on the Ride button. Otherwise, they can stand.
The simple strategy would be to raise the bet when the spread between the two cards is at least 7 cards. On the paytable, players can notice that the smaller the spread, the higher the payout, which simply means that these situations involve more risk. So, when the spread is bigger, less risk is involved and the game allows players to double the ante.
The biggest advantage of Red Dog is that it has straightforward rules and gameplay. Learning the basic rules takes a little time and players can start playing it almost immediately. However, it is recommended that they get familiar with the rules and simple strategies before they start wagering money on Red Dog.
The fact that the game is based on luck is its biggest disadvantage. It is played with a single deck which is shuffled before each round, so card counting cannot help players know which card could be dealt between the two main cards. Also, it has a higher house edge than card games based on skill, such as blackjack or poker.
China and Cambodia are some of the countries where Red Dog is popular. It is also known under several other names, including Yablon, Maverick, Ace-Deucey and Between the Sheets. The game was invented in the 19the century US as In-Between. According to some sources, it was originally a simple game that was not the players’ favourite as they could not cheat. In the 1930s, after a few new rules had been added to it, the card game was introduced to Vegas-based casinos as Red Dog Poker.
Casino War
Casino War is probably one of the easiest card games available at land-based and online casinos. Shuffle Master, Pragmatic Play and 1X2gaming are some of the brands that offer this card game. While the game can be played at home by children, its casino version is created for adult gamblers who can wager real money on it.
One of the reasons why gamblers like Casino War is that the game is based on sheer luck. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer with a card of a higher ranking. Once the player places the bet, the dealer and the player receive one card each. The side that receives the card of a higher-rankings. If both sides get the cards of the same value it is a tie and the player has two options: to surrender or go to war.
Although no strategy can help players enhance the odds of winning, the rule of thumb is to always go to war. It will double the original player’s bet and provide them with an additional opportunity to score. Bluffing or counting cards cannot help the player beat the dealer. Like Baccarat, Casino War also offers the Tie bet which pays 10:1. It is a risky bet, so players should avoid playing it due to high volatility.
The advantages of Casino War as a gambling game type include its simple rules and no strategy needed. The game is available at online casinos and players can join RNG or live dealer Casino War tables for the sake of having fun. They can get payouts with no need to learn complex strategies.
Some players are not enthusiastic about the games of chance, so they stay away from Casino War. One of the biggest disadvantages of Casino War is that players cannot affect the outcome of the game. Besides, it is not widely spread at online and land-based casinos, so it may take time to find a gambling facility that offers it.
Casino War is a relatively young game when compared with other casino games played with cards. The game traces its history back to 1993, when Bet Technology, a Nevada-based company, filed the patent for it. Casino War was introduced to brick-and-mortar casinos in Nevada a year later. One of the most popular providers of Casino War today, Shuffle Master, became the owner of the game patent by acquiring Bet Technology. War of Bets is one of the game variants available at Betgames-powered live dealer tables.
What are other card game classifications?
Besides luck-based and skill-based gambling card games, card games can also be classified as follows:
- Banked or banking card games: Card games played against the house, like blackjack or baccarat.
- Community card games: Card games where players combine cards they receive and community cards, like Texas Hold’em or Omaha poker.
- Comparing card games: In these games, hand values determine the winner. Examples of comparing card games are baccarat, blackjack and poker.
These classifications of card games exist to help players choose games based on the way they are played. However, some games appear under more than one group.
Casino card games by genre?
By genre, card game types can be classified as follows:
- Online card games: Online card games are gambling card games operated by the Random Number Generator (RNG). They include poker, blackjack, baccarat, Pontoon, Red Dog and Casino War.
- Land-based card games: Land-based card games are card games available at brick-and-mortar casinos, including poker, baccarat and blackjack variants, Pontoon, Red Dog and Casino War.
- Live casino card games: Also referred to as live dealer card games, these games are available at online casinos, but are operated by real-life dealers. At live dealer tables, players can choose from Live Poker, Live Blackjack and Live Baccarat variations or try their luck at War on Bets, which is the live casino version of Casino War.
This classification of card games tells players how games they want to play are operated and how their main features vary based on their genre.
Casino card game types by brand?
Casino card games are developed and provided by a wide range of providers. Players can filter games by the brand name in most online casinos and pick those games supplied by providers they like best. Some of the leading brands when it comes to RNG card games include Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Betsoft. As for the live casino niche, most gambling sites offer live dealer games powered by Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live, Playtech, Betgames.tv and more.
Which are the card game types by age?
All gambling card games can be played by adult players only. Minors are not allowed at online or land-based casinos.
What are the card game types by player count?
How many players play a certain game depends on multiple factors. Card games available at online casinos require one player, whether you play them at RNG or live dealer tables. When it comes to land-based casinos, a player count differs from game to game. For instance, 3-player card games include poker, blackjack and baccarat. Still, these games can also be played by 4 or 5 players.
Which types of card games can be played in online casinos?
Card games that can be played at online casinos include variants of poker, including video poker variations, blackjack, baccarat, Pontoon, Red Dog, Dragon Tiger, Teen Patti and more.
Playing card games at online casinos is a convenient option since gamblers do not have to travel to local gaming halls. Furthermore, online casino-goers have a wider range of games at their fingertips and can access them from the comfort of their homes or on the move.
Classic card games to play online – Which are they?
Classic card games are considered card games that are played at home, mostly among children. They include Hearts, Solitaire, Snap, Spades, Go Fish, Slapjack, Rummy and more. While these games can be played online on dedicated websites, they are not available at online casinos in real money mode.
Which are the card games that are the easiest to learn?
The easiest casino card games to learn are luck-based games, like baccarat, Casino War and Red Dog. While blackjack is played by straightforward rules, it takes time to master the optimal strategy. So, unlike the afore-mentioned games of chance, blackjack is not suitable for beginners.
Card Game Terminology – What exactly is it?
Card game terminology is a set of terms used in card games. The glossary of card game terms includes the following:
- Ante: An initial bet the player must place to qualify for the game
- Dealer: The person who operates the game and deals cards
- Fold: Giving up on a hand and quitting the round
- Hand ranking: The classification of poker hands based on their strength
- Hole card: A card dealt face-down
- Pip: A symbol on a card that determines its suit and value
- Raise: A bet the player places to keep playing the game and increase a potential payout
- Shoe: A device that holds multiple decks of cards
Whether the player wants to play skill-based or luck-based card games, they should get familiar with the terminology used for the game they want to play.