Poker is found at casinos across the world, but it is a game that requires skill and a sound understanding of the rules. You also need to always be in control of your emotions when you play poker, which, for some, takes the fun out of it.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other casino games available at brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online, giving gamblers a wide variety of choices. Whether you’re gambling for the first time or a skilled poker player looking to try something new, here are the nine best casino games to play before you head to the poker tables.
1. Slots/Pokies
First up we have slots, also called pokies. Slots are a great way for beginners to ease into the casino scene, as they require very little skill and a lot of luck.
Online slots are a popular choice for many Australians because of the convenience and ease of playing. According to Techopedia, trending real money pokies offer exciting gameplay, fun themes, and innovative mechanics. Classic pokies typically have three to five reels with one to 10 paylines and are known for their high payouts and low bets per spin.
Slots are fun, easy, and highly engaging as you keep betting in the hope of hitting the jackpot.
2. Blackjack
Blackjack is a classic casino game that is easy to learn and offers pretty good chances of winning.
The aim of the game is to beat the dealer by getting your cards to total 21. Numbered cards are worth their value, Aces are worth 1 or 11, and face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10.
The game is simple, but it is highly entertaining and requires you to develop a strategy to improve your chances of beating the dealer.
3. Roulette
Roulette is seen by many as a game of chance, but it does require some strategy, even if you can’t control where the ball lands. The game involves a spinning wheel with numbers in either black or red (and green for numbers 0 and 00), and a ball that is dropped into the wheel. The ball bounces around the wheel as players place their bets on where the ball will land.
Players can bet on either specific numbers, the colour, odds or evens, higher or lower, making it an engaging game with lots of chances to win, depending on how much risk you’re willing to take.
4. Baccarat
Baccarat is a beloved card game thanks to the low house edge and how easy it is for beginners to get involved.
The aim of the game is simple: bet on one of three outcomes. Either the player will have the highest score, or the banker will, or there will be a tie. Two cards are dealt to the players and the banker. Number cards are taken at value, Aces are 1, and face cards are zero. The goal is to bet who will be closest to 9 when the card values are added up.
5. Craps
Craps is a fast game that most players love once they try it out. It is a dice game, and players bet on how the roll of the dice will turn out. They can also bet on a roll sequence.
When the dice is rolled the first time (called the “come out roll”), the bet wins if the number landed on is 7 or 11. If the roll lands on 2, 3 or 12, the bet loses, also called “crapping out”. If the roll lands on any other number, this number is called “the point”. The player needs to land on the point again before landing a 7 to win the bet.
It seems complicated at first, but after a couple of games the complexity will be a thing of the past and you will be sucked in by craps’ energetic nature.
6. Casino War
Casino War is a gambling version of the game War. The casino version works the same as the classic card game, with a poker twist. Cards are ranked the same as in poker, with ace having the highest value. After placing bets, the player and the dealer both draw cards. If the player’s card is higher, they win the wager. If not, the dealer wins.
If there is a tie, the player can “surrender” and lose half their bet or “go to war” by doubling their stake. The game continues like this until there’s a win.
7. Sic Bo
Sic Bo is a Chinese game that is especially popular in Macau. This game of dice requires players to bet on the outcome of dice roles, similar to craps. With Sic Bo, bets are made on three rolls.
There are several betting options, like the dive landing on specific numbers, within certain number ranges, or various combinations.
8. Keno
Keno is yet another Chinese game, similar to the Australian National Lottery. To play keno, you have to select a set amount of numbers from a specific range (typically one to 80). The casino then draws a random set of numbers, and you win if the numbers you choose match the ones drawn by the casino.
9. Bingo
Many online platforms and physical casinos offer live bingo games. Bingo is very similar to keno, however in bingo you receive a card with a pre-determined set of numbers—you can’t choose the numbers yourself. The casino then draws numbers at random. If you have the number on your card, you cross it off. You win Bingo if you have crossed off all the numbers on your card, but you can also win smaller amounts if you cross out an entire line.
Wrapping Up
Poker might be a popular choice for gamblers, but it is by no means the only game available at casinos. If you’re new to gambling and want to give poker a shot, it is best to first try out some less complicated games to get a hang of how gambling works. Online pokies are best for gambling novices as it requires very little skills or strategy. If you want to try a card game, then baccarat is a good option due to the low house edge and simplicity of the game.