Online casinos offer players hundreds of games to choose from, each designed to appeal to a specific type of player. Some casino sites cater specifically towards video poker fans, offering dozens of variations of the game including single-hand and multi-hand versions. Other websites provide access to slots, roulette wheels, blackjack tables, craps tables, baccarat tables, keno machines, scratch cards, and other table games. While most online gambling establishments feature multiple varieties of card games, they tend to favor certain kinds of games depending upon what kind of player they want to attract.
Card games have been a staple of the online casino experience ever since casinos were invented centuries ago. There are a number of card games that can be played in a live online casino, but if you opt to play from the comfort of your own home it’s a good idea to know which ones are popular online. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular card games that you’ll find inside online casinos today.
Poker
When it comes down to playing card games at an actual brick n’ mortar casino only one will reign supreme: Texas Hold ‘Em! The classic version of all American variants like Omaha High or Stud has become virtually synonymous with Las Vegas slot parlors throughout North America. On top of that, countless Internet poker rooms also allow their visitors to engage in these same games on public servers 24/7 as well through private sessions.
Another great thing about poker is its versatility. Most people who enjoy playing video poker would probably jump at the chance to try out some live-action poker instead. Even better, thanks to recent technological developments people no longer need to travel to see real life poker tournaments! With many reputable software providers such as Microgaming allowing virtual tournaments featuring both US friendly rules and European style betting options for those living outside of North America, there really isn’t any reason not to dabble in something new.
However, regardless of whether you’re looking to expand into another form of gaming or simply trying to improve your poker skills at home, Live Action Poker is still very much alive and kicking after nearly three decades of being a mainstay amongst land based gamblers. For more information read our detailed guide on playing live action poker online.
Blackjack
As far back as 18th century France the first forms of physical card games called for two decks of fifty face value coins rather than dealing from a standard 52 card deck. Although these early pioneers did attempt to use all ten different suits of money (coins) in place of the modern four colored playing card design, they ended up creating a unique brand of traditional French Gambling called “Poker” where the winning side bets against the dealer until reaching a set point total before losing everything won and having their wager returned minus a small commission fee by the house.
This variant on the original twenty Eurocent denomination was later perfected when 19th Century Englishman Sir William Omer Walsh created the 21st century favorite known as Twenty One. Since then, various adaptations to this concept have attempted to incorporate additional wagers, increased cash values, and even new decks while maintaining the fundamentals of keeping the winner bet plus five times his/her final loss amount plus 10% and paying him 0 points over 21 or busting (i.e.: bust).
But, despite numerous modifications to suit every possible taste, most serious electronic gamers continue employing a simple strategy of getting dealt 2-6 consecutive hands without busting and eventually gaining a head start over either the next closest competitors or the house themselves. Online blackjack remains extremely profitable so long as the proper strategy is implemented and can generate substantial winnings over time provided you maintain a strong mental edge against the less savvy opponent, avoid risk by never becoming too aggressive during initial play, and remain disciplined enough to leave town should conditions warrant a getaway plan formulated before initiating gameplay.
Blackjack offers a variety of online versions, ranging from basic desktop interfaces available via web browser alone to fully featured iPhone apps providing full screen interface control alongside complete 3D graphics capable environments that deliver realistic animated characters and interactive elements.
It doesn’t matter where you begin exploring online casino alternatives, as whatever path you take towards future success will involve learning how to beat the odds and master the basics behind each aspect of online gaming once mastered you’ll be able to comfortably add hundreds of dollars per day onto your bankroll using nothing more than free practice rounds.
Baccarat
Baccarat may seem unassuming at first glance but don’t let appearances fool you; this game requires high cognitive ability and discipline if you hope to succeed. In contrast to other lesser known variations of blackjack which actually include higher level strategic considerations involving multiple decks as compared to just two, baccarat maintains itself completely focused on what matters best: making sure players do not score positive credit.
Simply put, if at the end of the hand neither player wins nor loses by more than 9 to 1 margin then nobody scores anything except for chips placed upon the table surface with the largest chip taking precedence. At this point, a bell rings signaling the beginning of a round which quickly moves past several phases including placing certain minimum amounts of chips on each respective designated line(s), moving chips within specific areas, shuffling cards, drawing them from previously revealed stacks, resolving conflicts between opponents, and finally presenting the outcome of the event to participants so they may decide how they wish to proceed.
While you could certainly devise highly accurate systems centered around pre-determined statistical probabilities derived either directly through an analysis done offline or indirectly calculated depending on previous outcomes obtained, it is unlikely considering the random nature of probability along with the vast number of external factors operating simultaneously. That would make winning predictions far too complex to overcome when combined with human error. What does this mean? It means we must become masters of timing decisions.
Conclusion
While not necessarily the easiest games to learn, there are many reasons why online casinos exist today besides providing entertainment value such as generating revenue profitably based upon user generated content generation and related advertising opportunities.
They also serve as excellent training grounds for those seeking to enhance skills in developing better strategies to combat the inherent unfairness found throughout society, whether social interactions with friends, family members or coworkers, or simply the occasional opportunity to engage in friendly competition and debate with others whose views differ radically from your own personal perspective.
