10 Lesser-Known Casino Games You Should Try Today
Casino games all contain house edges that tilt in favor of the casino; some more heavily than others. Although counting cards might be illegal (and cause you to be kicked out), blackjack still provides good odds if played strategically.
However, many casinos also provide lesser-known games that provide thrills just as effectively – here are 10 such games!
Fan-Tan
Fan-tan is a game of chance played on a table similar to large craps tables. A banker begins by emptying onto the table a double handful of coins, beans, buttons, or other small objects (usually numbering about 200) which they cover with a metal bowl before proceeding to place another bet on top of these objects.
Players then place bets on what will become the final row of beads based on repeated separation of random selection into four rows, using effective strategies, observation of bead patterns and predictions as tools to win at this game.
Mahjong
Few parlor games have had as much global reach as mahjong, the kinesthetic Chinese icon game (circles and coins representing money; bamboo shoots for ancient weapons and flowers representing Confucian virtues), which Heinz describes as becoming an essential socialization activity among marginalized groups in America such as African American clubwomen, suburban Jewish women and incarcerated Japanese Americans.
Mahjong variants typically follow similar basic rules regarding how tiles are drawn and discarded, suit and honor designation, card dealing procedures and scoring systems; however, some variations have more intricate scoring systems or additional rules.
Craps
Craps is an exciting fast-paced game with numerous betting options and payouts, providing players with numerous betting possibilities and payouts. Before beginning to play however, it is crucial that you familiarize yourself with its rules and odds before beginning play.
At the start of any craps game, a shooter takes two dice and throws them onto a table (or presses an online craps ‘roll’ button) using either hand. If they land either 7 or 11, bets are lost; otherwise a point will be established and bets can be placed upon it.
Baccarat
Baccarat, commonly referred to as chemin de fer, is one of the most glamorous casino games. Yet despite its flashy exterior, baccarat remains an easy and straightforward game of chance; unlike blackjack or roulette which offer multiple betting opportunities, only three bets can be placed during a round of baccarat.
Your choices for betting include Player Hand, Banker Hand or Tie. A bet on either Banker or Player predicts their hand will have an approximate value close to nine; the winning hand is then collected and distributed among its winners by the dealer.
Casino War
Casino War is an accessible, fast-paced card game requiring minimal skill or strategy to enjoy. After placing a mandatory ante bet of any amount, each player receives one face up card from the dealer; in case of a tie between players, either one may surrender or go “to war”, which requires placing an additional bet equal to their initial bet.
After both player and dealer have revealed their second cards – known as War cards – if one player’s War card is higher than that of the dealer they win an even payout on their raise and push their ante bet forward.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a casino table game that requires skill to beat the dealer. It is played on a semicircular table covered in felt that seats up to seven players, where bettors place casino chips into circular or square betting spots on the table surface.
Blackjack’s goal is simple: draw cards that total closer to 21 than those held by the dealer without going over or “beating the dealer’s hand”. Its popularity skyrocketed during the 1950s with Edward O. Thorp’s publication of Beat the Dealer which introduced card-counting techniques that can give a player an edge against house.
Roulette
Roulette has long been one of the most beloved casino games, providing gamblers with excitement since its introduction in 17th-century Europe. Its rules are easy to grasp, presenting gamblers with numerous betting options and offering glamourous experiences to its participants.
Players in this game must correctly guess where a ball will land on a spinning wheel of compartments numbered from 1-10, when placing their chips onto the table they are marked with colored markers to help differentiate themselves from other players.
Successful bankroll management is key to long-term success at the roulette table. While no betting strategy can guarantee regular wins, systems like Martingale, D’Alembert, and Fibonacci offer guidance to manage players’ money more effectively.
