When it comes to casino card games, there’s often a sense of intimidation that can come with not knowing the rules or how to play. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a step-by-step look at the basics of popular casino card games, covering everything from the basic strategies and Playlive rules to some tips for beginners.
Understanding Casino Card Games
Before diving into specific games, let’s cover what makes a casino card game tick. At its core, a casino card game involves playing with one or more decks of cards against other players or a dealer. The objective is typically to have the highest hand value or win by meeting specific criteria. From there, various rules and strategies come into play.
Popular Casino Card Games for Beginners
Poker
Poker is arguably one of the most popular casino card games out there. Played with six decks, poker involves a mix of skill and chance as players try to create the best hand possible. Here’s how it works:
- Numbered cards 2-10 are worth their face value.
- Jack/Queen/King are each worth 10 points.
- Ace can be either 1 or 11, depending on what’s most beneficial for your hand.
You’re dealt two private cards (the hole) and five community cards on the table. Betting rounds take place between each card deal, with players able to fold if they think their hand is weak.
Blackjack
Next up is Blackjack – a fast-paced game where you try to beat the dealer’s total by getting closest to 21 without going over.
- Numbered cards 2-10 are worth face value.
- Jack/Queen/King are each worth 10 points.
- Ace can be either 1 or 11, depending on what’s most beneficial for your hand.
The game begins with you being dealt two private cards (your initial total), and the dealer showing one of their own cards. You’re then able to hit (take another card) until you reach a desired total, but beware – if you go over 21, it’s an automatic loss!
Baccarat
Last but not least is Baccarat – often called a "high-roller" game due to its complex rules.
- The objective is simple: guess one of two hands as having the higher value or tie.
- Two hands are dealt (Player and Banker), with each hand receiving two cards face-up on top of two more face-down cards known only by their total (the third card).
- Suit values vary:
- Numbered cards 2-9 are worth face value.
- Face-value cards 10-Ace have the following respective point totals: Jack/Queen/King = 0; Ace = 1.
The hand closest to nine is considered the winner. Betting rounds take place before each new deal, with players able to bet on one of three options (Player, Banker, or Tie).
Roulette
We’ve covered a trio of card games so far – but don’t worry, there’s also plenty of action at the roulette table! Roulette can seem intimidating due to its wheel design and multiple betting options. To begin:
- Numbered cards 1-36 are colored red/black or odd/even.
- Zero and double-zero have special rules:
- The American version (single zero) has 18 possible wins, with the house taking advantage of five more zeros than in European roulette.
- Double-zero is used exclusively by casinos operating under US jurisdiction.
Players bet on individual numbers, colors, or whether they will land high/low. Each spin begins and ends within one round; what’s unique about this game? There are multiple versions (including American/Russian/Straight up variations), influencing chances of winning!
Three Card Poker
If you’re feeling eager to learn another casino card game, take a look at Three-Card Poker – offered by many top casinos.
- Each player is dealt three cards face-up.
- The objective: play any combination that adds up higher than the dealer’s hand (no need for pairs).
- Rules are flexible with variations from different game versions.
