
Casino Games – An Intro
Casinos are fun places where people can enjoy fun games, socialise and try their hand at winning money. While there are various games to choose from, some of them require specific skills, and others rely solely on luck.
Regardless of your favourite casino game, it’s always good to understand the rules and strategies to maximise your chances of winning. So, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, read on to explore our ultimate guide to casino games.
We’ll delve into the most popular casino games, their rules, and the different strategies you can use to improve your gameplay.
Let’s get started!
What Games Are Played in Casinos?
Casinos offer a wide variety of games to entertain players and entice them to part with their hard-earned cash. These games range from traditional card and table games to the more modern video slots and electric casino games.
Traditional casino games include:
1. Blackjack
2. <a href="https://remycasino.com/tag/roulette/”>Roulette
3. Baccarat
While these games have been around for decades, they continue to be favourites in casinos worldwide. Casinos also offer various machine games, including:
1. Video poker
2. Slots
3. Roulette machines
The machine games are incredibly popular due to their jackpots and the allure of easy money.
Besides these games, casinos also offer dice games like Craps, but these are not as common.
Casino games typically have a favourable house edge, which is statistically calculated to give the casino the advantage over its players. Over time, this house edge means that casinos will always make a profit, albeit with a small percentage of all the money wagered.
It’s important to note that while you can significantly improve your chances of winning with the right strategies, there is no guarantee of success. Casino games are primarily for entertainment, so gamble responsibly and only bet money you can afford to lose.
Now, let’s delve into some of the essential rules and strategies of specific casino games.
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One, is a popular casino table game. The objective is to beat the dealer’s hand by getting a score of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going bust (going over 21).
If you’re new to the game, here are the rules you need to know:
1. The Deal
The dealer deals each player and themselves two cards face up. The dealer’s second card is dealt face down.
2. Card Values
Cards 2 – 10 have their face value. Kings, Queens, and Jacks have a value of 10 points. Aces can count as either 1 or 11 points.
3. Checking Your Hand
If your two cards total 21, e.g. an Ace and a 10-point card, you have Blackjack and automatically win unless the dealer also has Blackjack. This results in a push.
4. Insurance
If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you can take out insurance to protect yourself in case they have Blackjack. This option allows you to place another wager, up to half of your original bet. If the dealer does have Blackjack, you’ll lose your original bet but win the insurance bet.
5. Basic Strategy
The strategy in Blackjack is to beat the dealer without busting. You can decide to:
– Hit – take another card
– Stand – stick with your current cards
– Double Down – double your bet and take one more card
– Split – split your cards into two hands if you have two of the same value
6. Betting Options
You place your bet before the deal and can choose to double down or split your bet after.
7. Winning
You win if your score is closer to 21 than the dealer’s score, or if the dealer goes bust. If you score the same as the dealer, it’s a push, and you get your bet back.
8. House Edge
The house edge in Blackjack can be low, typically around 0.5%, but it can go up to 2% depending on the casino.
9. Variations
There are many Blackjack variations, including Spanish 21 and Blackjack Switch, which have different rules and betting options.
Basic strategy charts are a great tool to help you decide the best action to take based on your cards and the dealer’s face-up card.
Roulette
Roulette is another popular casino game that is easy to learn and fun to play. This game involves a little wheel and a ball that lands on a number once the wheel stops spinning.
The rules include:
1. Bet Placement
Before the wheel spins, players place their chips on the table to bet on various numbers, groups of numbers, or colours. You can place multiple bets on different spots on the table.
2. Betting Options
Common bets include:
– Betting on a specific number for a higher payout
– Betting on groups of numbers, e.g. odds or evens, reds or blacks
– Betting on the lines between numbers – these are known as columns or dozens
– Betting on colours – red or black
3. The Spin
Once the bets are placed, the croupier (casino employee) spins the wheel and drops the ball onto the wheel.
4. Winning
When the wheel stops, the ball lands in a numbered pocket, and any winning bets are paid out. If the ball lands on 0 (or 00 in American Roulette), all bets on red or black, odds or evens, columns or dozens lose.
5. House Edge
The house edge depends on the type of roulette you’re playing. For European/French Roulette, it’s as low as 1.35% on bets where the casino pays out at true odds. The house edge is higher in American Roulette due to the extra 00 slot, usually between 5% and 7%.
6. Variations
There are different types of Roulette, including American, European, and French Roulette. The main difference is that French and European Roulette have a single 0, while American Roulette has 0 and 00.
This gives the latter a higher house edge, thus offering worse odds for players.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a casino card game that is popular in Asia and among high-rollers. Although it has a reputation for being a sophisticated game, Baccarat is straightforward to play.
The objective is to bet on the hand you think will be the closest to 9 or tie.
Here are the rules you need to know:
1. The Deal
The dealer deals two cards to the player and banker hands. In some cases, a third card is dealt depending on the total of the initial two cards.
2. Card Values
Cards 2 – 9 keep their face value. Aces are worth 1 point, and 10s and face cards are worth 0 points.
3. Adding Up the Cards
The values of the two cards are added together to determine the value of the hand. If the total is 10 or more, the left digit is ignored (e.g. a hand of 9 and 8 has a value of 7).
4. Betting Options
You can bet on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand or tie. It’s worth noting that the house takes a commission on winning banker bets (usually 5%). This gives the banker bet a smaller house edge than the player bet.
5. Winning
If you bet on the correct outcome, you’ll be paid out at even money (1/1). A tie bet typically pays 8/1 or 9/1, depending on the casino.
6. House Edge
The house edge is relatively low in Baccarat, usually around 1.5% for the banker bet. It’s slightly higher for the player bet (usually 1.25%) and much higher for tie bets (over 14%).
7. Variations
There are several Baccarat variations, including Mini-Baccarat, which is played at a smaller table with fewer players.
Roulette Strategy – Core Tips
1. Set Your Budget and Stick to It
It’s essential to set a budget for yourself and stick to it. Decide how much you’re willing to lose before you start playing and ensure you stop once you’ve spent it.
2. Start with Simple Bets
Simpler bets, such as reds/blacks or odds/evens offer you a nearly 50/50 chance of winning. These are the best bets for beginners.
3. Consider the Surrender Rule
If you’re playing American Roulette, consider whether the surrender rule is in effect. This rule typically applies to even-money bets. If the ball lands on 0 or 00, you only lose half your bet if you’ve placed an even money bet.
4. Use a Strategy Chart for Blackjack
If you’re playing Blackjack, it’s helpful to have a strategy chart that outlines the best moves to make based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard.
It’s a good idea to learn this chart by heart to help you make the best decision quickly.
5. Take Advantage of Bonuses
Many casinos offer bonuses to attract new players. These bonuses can help you get extra value when you’re playing.
Just make sure you’re aware of the wagering requirements and terms and conditions attached to the bonuses.
6. Practice Makes Perfect
The more you play, the