There seems to be a general agreement that casino gaming originated in Italy during the 17th century when card games were played using a deck of just . As gambling evolved, so did the number of cards in a pack and the variety of that grew exponentially as nations got involved and started adding their own twists to popular games such as baccarat and blackjack.
Today, there are thousands of different casino games, from slots to video poker and everything else under the sun. Below, we have collated an extensive list of casino game types found both online and at brick-and-mortar venues around the world. We have also included a glossary of terms related to each specific type.
Table Casino Games List
The most popular casino games can be split into two categories: those that take place at a table and those that do not. The first section of our casino games list features the most common table games that can be found in casinos across the United States, as well as at leading online casinos.
1. Blackjack
Blackjack Game
Blackjack is one of the world's most popular casino games and has been since it came about in the 1800s. Also known as , vingt-et-un, and twenty-one, this comparing-card game is enjoyed by millions of players every day, making it one of the most lucrative for online and brick-and-mortar casinos.
The game pits players against the dealer and the aim is to get as close to a value of 21 with your cards without going over. Before the start of each round, players must place their bets and once the betting window is closed, the dealer will deal each player two cards and then two cards for themselves.
Players will then have different based on the total value of their cards. These actions include asking for another card (hitting), sticking (standing), or doubling/splitting their bets. Once all players have made their moves, the dealer will play, following strict rules outlined at the beginning of the game (for example, the dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17 or more).
Any hands that remain below 17 are losers, with the winner being the hand that is closest to 21. If the player and the dealer have the same value of blackjack, this is considered a push and a new round will begin.
Top Blackjack Casinos
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Wynn - boasting a slick and modern lobby, Wynn Online Casino offers a superb live dealer version of the game, as well as traditional RNG titles from industry leaders like Evolution, IGT, and AGS.
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ATLANTIS CASINO - boasting a wonderful selection of single-deck and multi-hand games, Atlantis Casino is a great online site for blackjack fans that want plenty of choice and flexibility.
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Borgata - Borgata Online offers several exclusive blackjack games including Borgata Peak Blackjack, which offers a progressive jackpot feature and 99.41% RTP when playing with perfect strategy.
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Golden Nugget - Golden Nugget Online Casino boasts more than a dozen digital blackjack games including Virtual 1st (which uses a human dealer) and MutliBet Blackjack, a fun game that allows players to make additional side bets.
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Hard Rock - Hard Rock Online Casino features seven exciting blackjack games including Multi-Hand Blackjack and Single Deck Blackjack. What makes these games extra special is the addition of the patented UpCards feature, which promises bigger blackjacks and more excitement.
Recommended Blackjack Games:
- Peak 21 (Wynn)
- Unlimited 21 +3 (Atlantis)
- Borgata Peak Blackjack (Borgata)
Learn more about the in New Jersey and why they are fully licensed and regulated.
2. Roulette
Roulette is arguably the second most popular type of casino game after blackjack and is recognized around the globe thanks to its distinctive spinning wheel and table layout. It is often referred to as a casino game of chance due to the random nature of where the ball will land, but savvy players can use to their advantage.
Essentially, roulette involves predicting where the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning. Players can wager money on any number or range of numbers, or they can try more complex bets such as column, line, odd/even, or red/black. When playing in a land-based casino, players place their chips on the table; online, they use a digital racquet to make their selections.
When the winning number has been determined, the loses are collected and the dealer will place a marker on the winning number so the player can collect their winnings. If he/she decides to wager again, they can place chips on the table before the next spin/round of play gets underway. A croupier may also offer a proposal or “favorites” that players can choose to bet on if they wish.
Top Roulette Casinos
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EVOLOUN CASINO - Evolution Casino Champions is widely regarded as the best roulette site online today thanks to its wide selection of roulette tables, high table limits, and innovative features such as the Aggregate Delta.
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888 Casino - Booming Boulevard Roulette, Private San Marco and War of the Classes Roulette are just some of the exclusive roulette games you can play at 888 Casino. There is also a fantastic welcome bonus up to $1,500 that can be used to test out these titles risk-free.
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Golden Nugget – Golden Nugget Online Casino features nearly 50 digital roulette games including First Person Lightning Roulette and Roaring 20’s Roulette. One neat feature that sets these titles apart from the competition is the UpCards bonus, which can boost winnings and make every spin more exciting.
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BetMGM – BetMGM is home to dozens of exciting roulette games, including ten variations of American Roulette and Live Speed Roulette, an exciting twist on the classic game that sees the wheel spin much faster than usual.
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Elite Casino Residents of Colorado, Indiana, and Virginia can enjoy a stellar selection of roulette games at Elite Casino, an online betting platform with links to Strip stalwarts like the MGM Grand, Excalibur, and the Luxor.
Recommended Roulette Games:
- Lightning Roulette (Evolution)
- American Roulette (BetMGM)
- First Person Lightning Roulette (Golden Nugget)
3. Baccarat
A casino game of choice for James Bond and many other millionaires and billionaires around the globe, baccarat dates back to Italy or France (depending on who you ask) and involves a lot of cards and very little decision-making from the player. In fact, the only choice you will ever have to make when playing baccarat is which box the meager hope you have of winning your money back will go. These boxes will either say “Banker” or “Player”, and that’s pretty much all there is to explain in terms of the bets you can make.
However, before any cards are dealt, the player and the banker will be given the opportunity to wager on either a tie between the two hands or certain props such as whether the overall game will end with a total of 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. There are also side bets that can be placed, such as the Player Pair or Banker Pair bets.
Once all the side bets have been placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each side. There are strict rules regarding how natural (two initial cards that add up to 8 or 9) and non-natural hands (all other totals) are resolved, which can be found via a scorecard located next to the shoe at a land-based casino or within the help files of an online game.
Top Baccarat Casinos
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DraftKings – DraftKings offers several excellent baccarat games developed by industry leader aggregate SG Digital. We recommend trying their single-player version of Baccarat for a simple and stress-free experience.
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BetMGM – BetMGM is home to a fantastic selection of baccarat games, including Squeeze and Controlled Squeeze versions developed by Evolution.
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PartyCasino – If you’re looking for something a little different, be sure to check out Partycasino’s range of EGR baccarat games. Available exclusively online, these titles boast sharper graphics, slicker animations, and a wider range of side bets than their live counterparts.
Recommended Baccarat Games:
- Controlled Squeeze Baccarat (BetMGM)
- Baccarat (DraftKings)
- Premium Baccarat (partycasino)
4. Poker
There aren’t many casino games that can beat poker when it comes to global popularity and the sheer volume of variants that can be played. From Texas Hold’em to Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven-Card Stud, there are hundreds of ways to enjoy this iconic type of casino game.
The object of poker depends on the variant you are playing but in general terms, the aim is to have the best five-card hand at the end of the round. However, unlike video poker (more information on this casino game type can be found lower down in this listing), poker is a game of skill and strategy as well as chance. This means experienced players can use their knowledge and abilities to sway the odds in their favor.
All good poker games will feature a series of betting rounds and a “flop,” “turn,” and “river.” These terms relate to community cards that are dealt in the middle of the table. These cards can be used in conjunction with a player’s own unique cards to create the best possible hand.
In a land-based environment, poker is usually played at a round table with up to eight or nine people. Blinds or ante bets are put in place to distribute prize pools, with players receiving cards one by one. There will be several rounds of betting and action (where players can fold, check, or bet), followed by the dealing of the flop (three community cards). After another betting round, the turn (a fourth community card) is dealt and another betting round takes place. Finally, the river is dealt (the fifth and final community card) and another round of betting ensues.
If more than one player is left in contention, they will reveal their cards and the best hand will win the pot. Sometimes, players will bluff and claim to have the best hand in order to win the prize without having to show their cards at all. However, if they are called, they will lose their bet and may also be forced to reveal their hand.
Top Poker Casinos
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888 Poker – 888poker offers a 100% up to $300 deposit match bonus for new customers. You can use this free cash to learn the ropes of various poker formats, including No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
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BetOnline – Thanks to its state-of-the-art poker platform, BetOnline is one of the best sites in the business for virtual poker. Enjoy a generous 100% deposit match worth up to $1,000 when you sign up today!
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Borgata – Home to a thriving online poker community, Borgata offers loads of real money poker games for players of all budgets and abilities. Learn the basics of Texas Hold’em with our step-by-step guide, or dive right into the action and see what all the fuss is about!
Recommended Poker Games:
- Texas Hold’em Manager 3 (desktop app)
- No Limit Texas Hold’em (888 Poker)
- Pot Limit Omaha (BetOnline)
5. Craps
While craps may look complicated with its intricate table layout and a sea of players shouting out various calls and commands, it really is a very simple game to understand. Essentially, one player at a time at the craps table will have the opportunity to roll two dice against a backing wall covered in a table.
Before rolling, this player (known as the shooter) must place a bet in the “pass line” area of the table. Once this initial bet has been made, the shooter rolls the dice. If they roll a 7 or 11, they will win. However, if they roll a 2, 3, or 12, they will lose. Any other number rolled becomes the “point,” which the shooter will then attempt to roll again before throwing a 7.
If the shooter rolls the point before rolling a 7, they will roll the dice again and this time if they hit the point, they will win. Losers must remove their bets from the pass line while winners can choose to let their bets ride for an additional roll with an added payout or they can take away the win and make a new bet.
Most craps tables will feature several additional bets surrounding the main proposition bet of pass line/don’t pass line. Some of the most popular craps bets include come/don’t come, place bets, big 6/8, field, any 7, any craps, 2 (or 12), and horn bets.
Top Craps Casinos
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DraftKings – DraftKings offers a fantastic selection of branded craps games developed by some of the best software providers in the business, including aggregator Scientific Games.
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BetMGM – Enjoy a completely immersive craps experience from the comfort of your own home with BetMGM’s live dealer craps tables. Alternatively, you can visit the casino’s dedicated row of virtual craps games for non-stop action at your own pace.
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Golden Nugget – With more than half a dozen virtual craps games in its online catalog, Golden Nugget is one of the best places to play craps online. We particularly recommend their Exclusive 100X Craps game, which offers an industry-leading 100x odds bet.
Recommended Craps Games:
- Virtual 100X Craps (Golden Nugget)
- Craps (DraftKings)
- Live Craps (BetMGM)
6. Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is a famous fixed house edge table game created by ShffleMaster in 1988. It was inspired by the five-card stud variation of poker and can support up to five players at a time. However, in a digital format or at a table that isn’t manned by a live dealer, players can enjoy the game at their own pace without having to wait for others.
To start a round of Caribbean Stud Poker, each player (there won’t be any other players besides yourself when playing on an automated table or at a virtual casino) will be asked to place an initial bet in the “ante” area of the table. Additionally, some casinos will give players the option to place a 5+1 or Progressive Jackpot bet.
Once all the players have made their ante bets, the dealer (or computerized random number generator) will deal each player (including themselves) five cards and five cards for itself (the dealer in this instance has one card face up). The player’s cards are faced up whereas the dealer has one face-up card, and four face-down cards.
After checking their cards, players can fold (lose their ante bet) or make a raise (make a additional raise bet that is double the amount of their ante). The dealer then reveals its missing cards and deals with any players that have raised. To qualify, the dealer’s hand must have at least a pair. If the dealer does not qualify, players who have raised will have their raises returned to them.
The hands are then compared and the winning hand will be the one with the highest ranking poker combination. Just like in poker, a winning hand in Caribbean Stud Poker will be a Five of a Kind, followed by Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pairs, and Pair. Ties go to the player. Any winning hands will pay out according to a paytable (this can be accessed through the settings menu on an online game).
Top Caribbean Stud Casinos
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Elite Casino Residents of Colorado, Indiana, and Virginia can play a fantastic selection of Caribbean Stud games at Elite Casino, an online betting platform with links to Strip stalwarts like the MGM Grand, Excalibur, and the Luxor.
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888 Casino – 888 Casino features a range of unique Caribbean Stud games, including Progressive Jackpot Carribbean Stud and 5 Card Bonus Poker. Each game accepts minimum bets of just 20 credits.
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betsson – Enjoy a 100% up to $100 deposit match when you sign up for a new account with betsson casino. This reputable operator offers a diverse range of Westinghouse Air Brake Games, including Caribbean Stud and Bonus Poker.
Recommended Caribbean Stud Games:
- Caribbean Stud Poker (888 Casino)
- 5 Card Draw (betsson)
- Caribbean Hold’em Poker (Desert Nights)
7. Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a game dominated by tiled, rather than cards. Featuring Chinese symbols rather than traditional icons associated with gambling, this game is actually based on an ancient Chinese game called Pai Gow – meaning “making nine.”
In a nutshell, Pai Gow Poker involves players attempting to create two poker hands from seven randomly-drawn cards. One hand needs to be a five-card poker hand with a value of five or higher, and the second hand must be a two-card poker hand with a value of two pairs or better.
Once players have arranged their cards, these hands are set (or pai gowed) and compared to the dealer’s hands. The bottom hand (the two-card hand) always compares with the dealer’s bottom hand, and the top hand (the five-card hand) compares with the dealer’s top hand. If a player beats both of the dealer’s hands, they win. If the dealer beats both of a player’s hands, the player loses. If they tie with the dealer, it is declared a push.
Most Pai Gow Poker games will feature a Bonus bet that pays out based on the strength of a player’s single seven-card hand.
Top Pai Gow Poker Casinos
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Rich Palms – Rich Palms Casino offers more than a dozen Pai Gow Poker games, including progressives and special bonuses like free chips and reloads.
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SlotsandCasino – Take advantage of SlotsandCasino’s excellent welcome package (up to $1,000/£1,00) to try your hand at Pai Gow Poker and other Asian-inspired casino games.
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BetOnline – Enjoy a thrilling new twist on Pai Gow Poker with BetOnline’s Asian-themed Super 100x Pai Gow. This fast-paced table game offers massive 100x super bets and a top jackpot of 8,000 times your stake.
Recommended Pai Gow Poker Games:
- Progressive Pai Gow Poker (Rich Palms)
- Pai Gow Poker (SlotsandCasino)
- Super 100x Pai Gow (BetOnline)
8. Let It Ride
Let It Ride is a fairly modern casino game, designed in 1993 by Shuffle Master (the company behind Caribbean Stud). The objective in Let It Ride is to create a pair of tens or higher. You do this by letting previously undealed cards “ride” closer to your poker-style hand.
Initially, a player will be dealt three cards face down, with these cards held in a line on the table. The player will then receive another card face down which is held off to the side. The player must then decide whether to let the undealed card slip “behind” any of their dealt cards in an effort to create a stronger hand. They can slide zero, one, or all three cards.
Once a card has been let behind a bundle of cards, it cannot be touched or removed. The player will then be dealt another face-down card off to the side, and this process is repeated. Another decision must be made about sliding cards behind any of the bundles in play.
After the second card has been examined and a decision has been made, the dealer will reveal his two or three cards (this depends on the strongest hands that have been revealed at the table). The player’s bundled cards will be turned over and a winning hand will see the player receive a payout based on the size of their bet and the strength of their hand. The rank of winning hands starts with 25 D’s (a Hand of 25 Consecutive Cards), Royal Flush, 5 of a Kind, Straight Flush, 4 of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, and any Three of a Kind or Higher.
Top Let It Ride Casinos
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BetUS – Play Let It Ride from anywhere in the US with this top mobile casino. BetUS offers a healthy welcome bonus of 200% for new players, as well as weekly reload bonuses and monthly prize draws.
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Everygame – As the internet’s original Let It Ride casino, Everygame is the best place to play this unique fixed dealer house edge table game. We love the colorful presentation and flexible betting options on this longstanding casino favorite.
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BetOnline – Enjoy three different versions of Let It Ride at BetOnline, including Let It Ride Ultimate Poker. This exciting twist on the classic game lets you switch in up to all three of your dealt cards.
Recommended Let It Ride Games:
- Let It Ride (Everygame)
- Let It Ride Ultimate Poker (BetOnline)
- Let It Ride (BetUS)
9. Pontoon
This British variation of blackjack is hugely popular in the UK and can be found at many casinos that operate across the pond. However, as it is sometimes seen as a watered-down version of blackjack due to slightly different rules and a fancy name, more operators should offer pontoon in our opinion.
The goal of pontoon is the same as blackjack: to get as close to 21 without going bust. The rank of card values is also identical to blackjack, with a few key points to note:
- Five-Card 21 – If the value of your hand is exactly 21 from five cards, the casino will pay you 3:2.
- Twist/Hit – Rather than “hit,” a player will request another card from the dealer by asking to “twist.”
- Stick/Stand – Instead of “stand,” a player will announce “stick” to tell the dealer they are happy with their current hand.
- Pontoon – A pontoon is defined as an unbroken run of ten points or more (eg 10, J, Q, K, A). Only two pontoons can be played per round and one can only be formed by the player, never the dealer. Hitting a pontoon is also known as “burning” a pontoon. If the dealer finds pontoon, they will only pay even money to players who have not also hit a pontoon. Anyone who has bought a pontoon can claim an extra half of the original stake.
- Forces – Forcing is only available on hard 16 and allows the player to divide their hand into two separate hands, with an increased stake for doing so.
- Five-Card Bonus – Players who achieve a five-card hand that exceeds 21 will be paid a bonus based on the strength of that hand. This is not dependent on the dealer’s hand.
Like blackjack, pontoon will give an automatic win to the player when they achieve 21 before the dealer has reached 17. Insurance is also available in case the dealer makes 21 with their first two cards. However, instead of calling insurance, players must twist for insurance. If successful, they will receive a payout of 2:1.
Top Pontoon Casinos
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Duelz – As well as offering pontoom, Duelz also features a full library of slot games from industry leader NetEnt. Check out Duelz Casino today to claim a 100% up to $500 welcome bonus.
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Betiton – Whether you prefer to play on desktop or mobile, Betiton Casino offers a fantastic selection of unique online casino games, including several variants of pontoom.
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Videoslots – As well as pontoom, Videoslots Casino offers one of the biggest video slot collections online – complete with cash spins, daily reload bonuses, and over 4,000 games.
Recommended Pontoon Games:
- Pontoon (Duelz)
- Pontoon (Betiton)
- European Pontoon (Videoslots)
10. Spanish 21
As the name suggests, Spanish 21 is a spin on the classic game of blackjack, however it swaps regular cards for those without suits. This means all cards are valued the same regardless of whether they are spades, clubs, hearts, or diamonds. Spanish 21 was invented in 1999 by Stephen Aaron Hoogewerf and is now a firm favorite among online casino game enthusiasts.
Spanish 21 can support multiple players in a physical setting but when played on a computerized platform, each player controls their own decisions and actions. Before any cards are dealt, each player (or seat) will place their stake on the space marked “Spanish 21” and will be dealt two cards face down. The dealer will also receive two cards, with one face down and one face up. Players then decide whether to twist (hit) or stick (stand).
Just like blackjack, Spanish 21 aims to reach 21 or as close as possible without going bust. However, there are some major differences between these two that make Spanish 21 a far more lucrative casino game:
- Bonus Payments – Certain combinations of cards will trigger a bonus payment. This includes things like suited cards, runs (straights), and sets (three or four of a kind). Bonuses are paid according to the rarity and value of the cards in question.
- Late Surrender – A player can surrender at any point, even after the dealer has checked for blackjack.
- Double Down – Players can double their stakes and receive just one extra card in specific situations. For example, after splitting or to increase to a multiple of three stakes when the player has a 10 or 11 and the dealer has a 6 or 9.
- 21 with 5, 6, 7, 8 Cards – If a player hits 21 from five, six, seven, or eight cards, they will receive a 3:2 or 2:1 bonus payout (depending on the number of cards).
- 21 from 7, 7, 7 – Hitting a triple seven 21 will result in a cool $5,000 bonus payout.
- Spell or Special Hand – If a player spells 5-SPA-DES or 5-CLU-BS-HEA-DIAM-SOCURVE with their cards (in any order and with any suit), they will receive a bonus payout worth $250.
- Push on 17 – If the dealer goes bust, players who stuck on a 17 will receive a push (return of their original stake).
- Two Way 21 – A player will achieve two ways if they get to 21 using six cards or fewer. For example, if a player has a 10 and a king for 20, and then hits a 5, 6, and joker for 21 or a 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for 21. This will bag the player an extra 10% bonus on top of their standard stake.
Top Spanish 21 Casinos
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BetUS – Play Spanish 21 on the go with this highly rated US mobile casino. All new players will receive a 200% welcome bonus (legit up to $5,000) when signing up for an account.
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everygame – Sign up for a new account with everygame and you can play Spanish 21, plus eight other variations of 21, for up to $777/€777/CA$1,000 in bonus credits.
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BetOnline – Choose from six different variations of Spanish 21 at BetOnline, including Zapp It! Total Blackjack and Bonus Spencer 21.
Recommended Spanish 21 Games:
- Spencer Stealth 21 (BetUS)
- Zapp It! Total Blackjack (everygame)
- Bonus Spencer 21 (BetOnline)
11. War
War is a simple casino game based on the children’s card game of the same name. To play War, each player places a bet and is initially dealt one card facing up. Whoever has the highest-ranked card (starting with the dealer on the left) wins their bet back plus the same amount. The winner then places another bet and the process repeats. If both the player and dealer have the same ranked card, this is deemed a “war.”
In the event of a war, the player and dealer must double their stake and each party is dealt three cards face down. All three are then turned over and the highest-ranked card wins the bet plus the original stake and an additional amount equal to the wager. If the cards are tied again, the process is repeated until someone wins.
It is important to note that in a war, the player will never win 100% of their stake back. Instead, each win will pay out 2:3 with the exception of a tied war, which will pay out 3:2. This gives War a slight edge in favor of the dealer.
Variations of War may implement bonus payouts for certain cards. For example, a spade war with a face card from each party would pay out 5:1. A six-card war would bag a payout of 30:1, and a seven-card war would reward players with a huge 60:1 bonus.
Top War Casinos
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LaserCheck – Claim up to $250 in bonus bets when you sign up for an account with LaserCheck Casino, home of unique online casino games like War.
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BetOnline – Try Six Deck War, Blackjack War, and Regular War at BetOnline, one of the leading US online casinos for bonus bets and alternative table games.
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Everygame – Everygame may be known for its range of Jacks or Better, but it also features a solid selection of unique casino games, including War.
Recommended War Games:
- Regular War (BetOnline)
- Blackjack War (Everygame)
- Six Deck War (BetOnline)
12. Sic Bo
Originally from China, sic bo is a game of pure chance as it involves the rolling of three dice. Also known as tai sai (meaning “big and small”) and dai siu (meaning “big winning”), sic bo translates as “precious dice.” The object of the game is to predict the faces of the dice that will appear after they have been shaken in an elaborate glass cage called a big. Various bets allow players to wager on singular or combined totals for each die, along with totals for all three, relative ranges, and specific sequences.
Sic bo has a large array of bets that can seem overwhelming at first. But once you become familiar with the possible outcomes, predictions, and potential returns, it becomes a relatively easy game to get to grips with. The main bets you can place in sic bo are:
Best Online Blackjack Sites - Top Blackjack Casinos in 2023- Total Big/Small – A bet on the total of all three dice being either “small” (between 4 and 10) or “big” (between 11 and 17).
- Total Specific Number – A bet on the total of all three dice equaling a specific number between 5 and 17. The numbers 4 and 17 cannot win this bet on their own, although they can form part of a winning total.
- Two of Three Dice Total – A bet on two of the three dice displaying the same total, ranging from 5 to 17.
- Triple – A bet on all three dice showing the exact same number, from 1 to 6.
Many online sic bo games feature a table to the side that shows all possible bets, returns, and odds. This is very handy for beginners learning the nuances of sic bo.
Top Sic Bo Casinos
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Everygame – Loaded with live sic bo, slots, scratchcards, and other specialty games, Everygame Casino is the best place to play sic bo online.
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BetUS – Play live sic bo and pre-recorded games with an exclusive 33% reload bonus at BetUS Casino.
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**SlotsandCasino