What are Card Games: Structure, Types, Rules, Strategies

Card games are a variant of gambling games that specifically use playing cards to execute their gameplay. Card games can be played with a single or multiple decks of cards which all must be identical in shape and size.

Card games can be classified in various ways, taking into consideration their mechanism, objective and the type of cards used. There are hundreds of types of card games, yet only selected versions of specific card games become casino gambling card games.

There is a difference between card games and board games which reflects in the fact that card games have hidden information, whereas board games revolve more around the location of the pieces/placement and maneuvering.

While playing certain card games, like poker, a person can acquire brain skills that improve their memory, concentration, math and reasoning. However, if card game gambling is compulsive it can become problem gambling and eventually evolve into gambling addiction.

The advantages and disadvantages of card games are listed below.

What is a card game? A card game is a challenging, fun activity that is available at online casinos and land-based casinos and players can place bets on the outcome of individual rounds of a specific game.

What is the General Structure of Card Games?

The general structure of card games typically involves the following elements:

• One or multiple packs/decks of cards
• Card rankings
• A player’s hand
• Shuffling
• Dealings

Card games can be classified in many different ways, but the most common classification involves the objective of the games, their mechanism and also the number of players and/or decks that participate. Games played with cards can also involve long sessions or short rounds, which would mean classifying card games according to the amount of time needed to complete a round. Some card games are also riskier than others, and some require elaborate strategies while others do not.

What are the Rules of Card Games?

The rules of card games differ from one game type to another, but they often include the following:

• The deck or decks of cards are shuffled.
• The dealer deals the same number of cards to each player.
• Certain conditions need to be met for a player to be able to act on their hand.
• Actions include various things, from doubling the bet and splitting the hand, to surrendering the hand or drawing more cards.
• Actions sometimes repeat various times while players take turns.
• The winner is the one with the highest score at the end of the game, or the player who is the last one at the table.

Rules for card games can differ in various ways, as some games involve two players, while others can have unlimited players. The rules also depend on the mechanics of the game in question.

The basic rules of poker require that the player has to beat the dealer with a better ranking hand.

The basic rules of blackjack require that the player has to have a hand that is higher in points than the dealer to win, but they can’t exceed 21 points. To achieve this winning result, the player can ask for more cards or play with the hand they have been dealt.

The basic rules of baccarat require that the player needs to predict which of the two evaluated hands (Player and Banker) will be closer to 9 or if it will be a tie.

What are the Main Strategies for Card Games?

The main strategic tips for playing card games at casinos are presented below:

• In poker strategy, it is important to wait for a good hand and bet on strong poker hands, not on every hand.
• In blackjack strategy, it is important to study the optimal strategy charts and learn when to split or double down, as well as when to hit and when to stand.
• In baccarat strategy, it is advised to avoid taking the Tie bet, instead you bet on the banker.
• In Casino War strategy, you should not place side bets. Go to war and don’t surrender, and play small to build up your bankroll.
• For a good Red Dog strategy, go for games with multiple deck shoes to increase your expected value and raise when the spread totals 7 or above.
• In Pontoon strategy, you can refer to existing charts to learn the optimal actions.

What are the Types of Card Games?

According to the card game mechanism there are outplay games, card exchange games, hand comparison games and layout games.

The largest category is the outplay games, which can be further broken down to trick-taking games, beating games, climbing games, adding games, fishing games and war games. They all belong to the same group because they share the same mechanism. While playing outplay games, players have a hand of cards and they have to play out one or more cards to the table to achieve a specific effect. The game ends when the player runs out of cards to play.

The group of card exchange games includes games in which the players have a hand of cards, but they can exchange one or more cards, with another player or from cards that are face-up or face-down cards on the table. The objective of card exchange games is, usually, to collect certain combinations of cards.

Hand comparison games are typically resolved by comparing the cards that are dealt to the players, whereas layout games revolve around specific card layouts on the table and how to move cards to certain positions.

If we look at card games classification by objective, we have the types presented below:

• Capturing cards
• Accumulating cards
• Forming combinations of cards
• Comparing cards
• Other objectives

Poker

Poker is a card game that appeals to various age groups, but mostly males in their 30s or 40s. Poker is played with 6-8 players ideally, but some variants of the poker card gamer require up to 14 players. Poker can be played offline at casino tables and in poker tournaments, whereas online it can be played as casino poker (mostly Texas Hold’em).

Since poker involves luck and skill combined, the fact that various aspects of the game are under the player’s control makes poker a highly addictive card game. On the other hand, poker is an intellectual game that can stimulate the brain and enhance the cognitive processes of the mind.

Offline poker usually includes bluffing and being able to call someone else’s bluff. Unlike with blackjack, counting cards is not frowned upon in poker. On the contrary, it is encouraged as it helps the player gain an advantage over other participants in the game. Counting cards in poker is not the same as counting cards in blackjack, as here it is done to establish equity.

Poker is an extremely popular card game, proven by research that states that there are around 60 million poker players just in the USA. Worldwide, it is believed that 100 million people play poker. Poker is also highly popular in Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, France, the UK, Italy and India. Statista survey shows that 3.9% of respondents (42,588 worldwide) play poker online several times per day for real money.

In terms of difficulty, poker is not a hard game to learn, but it can be hard to become good at. Mastering the game takes more time and effort than mastering blackjack strategy charts, for example.

Having an elaborate poker strategy is notably important, but plenty of luck is involved in poker, as well. Strategies in poker are commonly developed while having in mind player styles which can be tight-passive, tight-aggressive, loose-passive and loose-aggressive.

When playing poker online, you will likely find brands and developers like Microgaming and Playtech, as well as 888 Holdings Plc and Rival. Famous gambling websites popular because they offer poker are Betsson, Bwin, 888poker, William Hill, CoinPoker and Poker Stars.

Below we are presenting the most common types of poker available:

1. Video Poker: Video poker is a computerized game that is inspired by five-card draw poker. The game has similarities to slots, but unlike slots, it allows the player to use skill to beat the house. Video poker is not hard at all and it is very accessible as a gambling game type.
2. Oasis Poker: Oasis poker is a casino poker game played against the house in which players can discard undesirable cards and obtain replacements. Oasis poker is not a hard gambling game type.
3. Texas Hold ‘Em: Texas Hold ‘Em is the most recognizable poker version which starts with players getting two cards and then having to share community cards on the table. The winner is settled in the showdown. Texas Hold ‘Em has a simple proposition, but it also requires insight and practice.
4. Omaha Poker: Omaha poker is a poker variant that is similar to Texas Hold ‘Em, but instead of the players getting two cards at the beginning, they get four. Omaha poker is a gambling game type that offers action and requires high-level strategy.

Video Poker

Video poker is based on random number generator technology and involves no interaction with other players or a dealer. Cards are dealt from a randomly shuffled 52-card deck and the player needs to make certain decisions, which makes video poker machines different from slots even though these two types of gambling games share a lot in common. Payoffs are based on the rank of the poker hand the player creates by choosing to keep certain cards and discard others. Nearly all video poker machines in use today are variations on five-card draw poker. Video poker is a unique subtype of standard poker, one that is played in a computerized form only.

Oasis Poker

In Oasis Poker, the player plays against the house and it is a 5-card poker game inspired by Caribbean Stud Poker. A round of Oasis Poker starts with the players making bets and then receiving 5 cards each. They are dealt face-down, but only one of the dealer’s cards is exposed. The players now must decide to switch one or more cards to improve their hand, and switching cards has a fee. The card switching strategy is what makes Oasis poker gameplay different and flavorful.

Texas Hold ‘Em

Playing Texas Hold’em involves receiving two cards at the beginning of the round and then forming a hand with the help of community cards. The objective is to make the best possible five-card poker hand. A total of five community cards are eventually dealt at the center of the table over the course of a few betting rounds called the Flop, the Turn and the River. It is interesting that in Texas Hold’em poker you can use the community cards and make them into your final hand, without even using the cards you were dealt initially. The winner is decided in the Showdown, unless all players but one quit before that.

Omaha Poker

The Omaha version of poker is also a card game that uses community cards, but not in the same way that Texas Hold’em does. At the start, players are dealt four cards face-down. Five community cards are provided and the player must choose two of their four cards and use both of them in the creation of their final 5-card hand. Omaha poker is considered faster than Texas Hold’em. Omaha poker can further branch out into its own subcategories, such as Omaha Hi, Fixed Limit Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo.

Blackjack

Blackjack is a well-known and extremely popular gambling card game that is mostly based on luck but involves a little bit of strategy as well. Blackjack typically requires 2 to 7 players and can be played both offline at brick-and-mortar casinos and at online casino sites, where some tables can accept an unlimited number of players betting simultaneously.

The accessibility of real money blackjack on computers and phones has led to the game being perceived as more addictive than before. Blackjack is considered to be particularly good to exercise short-term memory and improve brain function. Bluffing is not used in blackjack as in poker, but card counting is a technique that is still used in land-based casinos to obtain an edge in blackjack games.

Blackjack is one of the most famous casino card games worldwide, and one of the reasons for this is because blackjack has a consistent set of rules across all countries and people around the world can easily understand them. Also, blackjack has good odds and a low house edge. In land-based casinos in the 1980s, blackjack occupied 77% of all casino activities. Over time this coverage lowered, but online blackjack had a boom in the 1990s and still the game is popular in its online forms.

Blackjack is one of the most played casino games in the USA, especially between people between 30 and 49 years of age. There are also many blackjack punters in countries like the UK, Malta, Spain, Italy and France.

Compared to other card gambling games, blackjack is one of the easiest to learn, but to become an expert in blackjack can take a fair amount of time. Blackjack originated in France during the 1700s, when it was known under the name vingt-et-un, meaning 21. The card game 21 became noticed more by the middle of the 20th century, as mathematicians started pointing out its potential. Blackjack became a casino staple after Nevada legalized gambling in 1931.

Some of the best online blackjack providers are NetEnt, Microgaming, Betsoft and Playtech, as well as Evolution Gaming which specializes in live dealer blackjack.

Baccarat

Baccarat is a casino card game of comparing hands. The baccarat game is easy, can be played by any number of players and each round can have three outcomes, the player or banker can win or there can be a tie, so all players bet on these three possibilities. There are online baccarat and offline baccarat games, and they do not include bluffing or card counting, as they are purely based on luck.

Baccarat is a fast card game which makes it capable of affecting the players mood quickly, but it is an exciting game with a strong sense of anticipation. A baccarat player does not have to take into consideration what other players are doing at all because their actions do not affect individual bet outcomes.

Baccarat is extremely popular in Asia and Macau casinos. It was originally very popular among Europe’s high class, among French noble people during the 19th century for example, but now Asian countries are more associated with baccarat than other parts of the world. More than 91% of Macau’s casino income in 2014 came from baccarat.

Playing baccarat is not hard at all since the only action the player needs to make is to decide which of the three bets to select. Of course, understanding baccarat rules and card ranks is also needed, but they are not complicated in comparison with poker rules, for example.

Some of the most notable baccarat players are Akio “The Warrior” Kashiwagi, the Greek Syndicate, Phil Ivey and Archie Karas. Baccarat does not have as many variations as blackjack or poker, but some of the most popular are EZ Baccarat, Chemin de Fer (mainly available in VIP areas of European casinos), Mini Baccarat and Punto Banco.

Baccarat players can engage in baccarat games online and offline, with the game being more affordable and accessible online. In the USA, people can play online baccarat in New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania legally. In China, for instance, baccarat is illegal, but in Macau baccarat is allowed and immensely popular.

Baccarat is a game that offers players good winning potential and since it is a game of chance predominantly, it does not require any complex strategies. Banker bets have a house edge of 1.06% and that is why most strategies revolve around making the most out of this particular betting option in baccarat. Having a baccarat strategy can help a player improve their results and various betting systems can also be applied to baccarat, such as Martingale or Fibonacci.

The best software providers from online baccarat are brands such as NetEnt, IGT, Play’n GO, Microgaming and Playtech. Live baccarat tables are provided by Evolution Gaming, and also Playtech, among other brands.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a card gambling game often thought to be a version of blackjack, but it is actually an independent game that shares a predecessor with blackjack. Pontoon usually requires 3 to 7 players, sometimes 5 to 8 players, and modern versions of the game can vary significantly in rules. The objective of Pontoon is to create a hand as close as possible to 21, and the game is suitable for adults. Players can act in different ways during a game of Pontoon, they can declare a Pontoon (when their two-card hand holds an Ace and a 10), buy a card, ask for a twist or stick.

Pontoon is also referred to as British Vingt-Un and similar games to it include American Blackjack, Sette e Mezzo in Italy and Siebzehn und Vier in Germany. It is believed that Pontoon originated in 17th-century Spain and spread across Europe. The name Pontoon was given to it during WWI and pontoon was the most popular game of the armed forces of English-speaking nations in the 20th century.

Today, Pontoon is not nearly as popular as blackjack or poker. Pontoon is less competitive and has fewer rules than poker, and some online casinos offer Pontoon in their collections of real money gambling card games.

Players can use Pontoon strategy charts just like blackjack strategy charts to improve their chances of winning. The house edge of Pontoon is usually around 0.38% when played with optimal strategy. Better than most casino table games played against the dealer.

Live casinos do not offer Pontoon, but at online casinos you will be able to find variants created by Real Time Gaming, Playtech, Betsoft and Microgaming. Pontoon is not a hard game to learn and play, but the limited access may affect its reach among the audience.

Red Dog

Red Dog is a casino card game that is community-based and requires players to bet on having a higher-ranking card of the same suit in hand than the top card from the deck on their turn. In Red Dog, bets are made, each player is dealt five cards, one card at a time and then the dealer flips the top card to resolve the wagers. Red Dog requires 3 to 8 players, typically. You can play Red Dog in online casinos, as land-based casinos are not usually offering it.

Basic Red Dog strategy requires less decision-making than the basic blackjack strategy, which makes it even easier to master. The simplicity of Red Dog is what makes the game easy and light. Red Dog is legal in the countries where card games are legal and casinos are regulated by law. Unfortunately, Red Dog is not the most popular card game at online casinos, it is not always available and it does not have any alternative versions.

NetEnt, Playtech, and Microgaming are the most common brand names you’ll hear that are associated with the Red Dog online card game. The house advantage in Red Dog is 2.78%., so the winning probability is high but it depends on the spread (the difference between the first two dealt cards in terms of how many cards are between them in rank).

Casino War

Casino War is a gambling card game that is simple and uses six standard decks of 52 cards. Casino War is derived from War, which is considered a childhood classic and people often learn to play it very young. Casino War is just a gambling version of the original War game in which a player and dealer are dealt one card each and the higher card wins. If they are a match, the two sides can go to war and receive two additional war cards to decide which side takes the bet (higher rank wins).

Casino War was invented in 1993 by Bet Technology, a company based in Carson City, Nevada. Alternative history accounts state that a Las Vegas casino owner developed the game in the 1970s. Casino War is a fast-moving and exciting card gambling game, with good odds of winning. Casino War is simple to learn and start playing, something that makes it timeless. Casino War is a unique game in the sense that the end of the game is not defined and cards can constantly be reshuffled and used.

Both offline and online casinos offer Casino War tables. Casino War shares betting similarities with baccarat but offers a somewhat higher house edge, although low enough for table games standards. The best tips for Casino War include not taking the surrender option and always going to war, as well as not placing the bonus tie bet. Card counting does not work in Casino War and there is nothing to bluff, so the game is simply fun and entertaining. Casino War shares the legality of other casino card games in regulated gambling markets.

Those looking to play Casino War online can seek out brands like SG Digital, Real Time Gaming, Rival Gaming, Vegas Technology or Top Game.

What are the Other Classifications of Card Games?

There can be various other classifications of card games, and they can be based on various factors, for example the rules of the longevity of the sessions.

The most common classifications are:

• By card game rules complexity
• By luck and skill involved
• By how long the game takes to play

These classifications are objective, but they can also be subjective, for example easy and hard card games where the level of difficulty is determined by the person’s individual capability of mastering the game.

The complexity of the rules can separate simple games from complex card games, whereas the involvement of luck and skill can generate a classification that separates skill-based games from luck-based card games. The longevity of the session differentiates card games with fast-paced gameplay and short rounds from games that take more time and involve more actions within a single session.

What are the Card Game Types by Brand?

Card games online can be differentiated by brands or providers, which include companies like Playtech, Microgaming, Rival Gaming and live poker developers like Evolution Gaming or Ezugi.

Microgaming is a big name in the online poker world, having developed a wide variety of uniquely designed poker games such as Omaha High-Low, Seven Card Stud, Razz and Five Card Stud. Playtech is another highly trusted brand that provides both games and tournament formats (Speed Poker, SNGs etc.) Evolution Gaming is a leading brand in terms of live casino poker, offering games like Live 2 Hand Casino Hold’em, Live Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Live Three Card Poker and Live Caribbean Stud Poker.

What are the Card Game Types by Genre?

Card games by genre can be separated into sociable board games and casino table games. Further, these types of card games can be classified by genre:

• Deck-building card games
• Trading cards games
• Classic card games including casino card games

What are the card game types by player count?

Gambling card games can have 1 player (against the house, also unlimited players playing individually), 3 players, 4 players, 5 players or more.

For three people suitable games are Let it Ride, Go Fish and Rummy. Blackjack can also be played with 3 players. Sette e Mezzo is a subtype of blackjack that requires 3 players.

As for 4-player card games, blackjack and poker can be played with 4 players, but Red Dog is also a game that requires 4 players or more. The best 5-player card gambling games are Texas Hold ‘Em Poker and Seven Card Stud Poker.

What are the Card Game Types by Age?

Card games are NOT recommendable for children, and definitely not gambling card games played at casinos.

Children 18 and below should refrain from playing any type of card games. Those above 18 years old can start to learn the basics.

Adults (age (24-55) are already expected to have skills and experience in card games like blackjack and poker. Seniors are not particularly prevalent in playing gambling card games at casinos, as they prefer roulette or bingo.

What are the Card Games that Can be Played in Online Casinos?

Card games that can be played at online casinos for real money are poker (Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let it Ride etc.), blackjack (Atlantic City Blackjack, Blackjack Perfect Pairs, Classic Blackjack, Blackjack Multihand etc.), baccarat (No Commission Baccarat, Dragon Tiger, Mini Baccarat, Punto Banco), Pontoon, Red God, Casino War, as well as video poker (Jacks or Better, Aces & Eights, Joker Poker etc.).

It is more convenient for many players to play card games at online casinos because they can do it at any time of day without leaving the house. Online casino card games save both time and money which can be invested into the gameplay itself of card games, and also provides anonymity and privacy.

Here are some of the best online casinos tested by Silentbet. We recommend them to anyone interested in online card games for real-money play.

What are the Classic Card Games to Play Online?

The classic card games that can be played online include Solitaire, Bridge, Rummy, Go Fish, Cribbage, Crazy Eights, and Klondike. These card games, however, are not casino card games you can play to gamble, they are for fun only and offer no monetary gain.

What is the Card Game Terminology?

The card game terminology is a glossary of terms and phrases typically used while playing card games.

Some of the more notable card game terms can be found below:

• Ace – a playing card in a standard deck designated by a large letter A. It can be the lowest or the highest card value representation.
• Deal – The action of passing out cards to players (carried out by the dealer).
• Flush – an assortment of cards of the same suit.
• Hand – a set of cards held by the player during a game; it can also indicate one round or a specific deal.
• Sequence – a series of cards of adjacent rank (in some games a sequence also requires the cards to be of the same suit).
• Face-down – a term used to designate a card placed so that its face adheres to the table and its back pattern is showing.
• Face cards – also called picture cards, they include Kings, Queens, and Jacks.
• Shuffle – The action of mixing up the cards, disturbing the ordering and randomizing them, so that players can’t be aware of the order the cards will appear in the game.
• Discard – setting aside cards that will not be used in the further stages of the game, putting away unwanted cards.
• Go out – playing the last card.
• Three of a kind – a set of three cards of the same rank.
• Drawing – taking new cards and adding them to an existing hand.
• Pip Value – numerical values of the numbered cards (2 to 10).

Which Card Games are Easier to Learn?

Blackjack and baccarat are two very easy games to learn. After joining a game of blackjack, each player gets two cards and they just need to try to get as close as possible to 21, without going over. In a game of baccarat, the player just needs to decide what to bet on, the player or the banker (or tie) and the dealer will provide the hands for these two competing sides. Whichever side has a better result, closest to 9, wins.

Another alternative is Casino War, one of the most easily understood casino card games. It is a comparison game where the higher card wins and war happens if the cards match, resulting in an additional drawing of the cards to settle who is the winner and who is the loser. Blackjack may be the most popular of the easy card games because it is widely available in nearly every online and offline casino. Poker may be just as popular, but it is not as easy to master.

How to Play Card Games Online for Free?

At Silentbet, you can find a wide range of free card games. These include video demo versions of the games. Play baccarat, poker, or blackjack. You will not be required to make a registration or download any software. Card games at Silentbet are ONLY in play-for-fun mode. You can try them if you are 18 or older. The demo versions of the card games here do not require real-money bets. You can use virtual credits or coins to start a game here.

Card games in practice mode are a great way to have fun without risking any cash. You can learn the basics if you are new to card games. At the same time, seasoned players can enjoy a range of other benefits by playing demo games at Silentbet.com. For starters, you can hone your skill here. Also, practice mode is perfect for getting to know all the tricks of card games in a safe and hassle-free environment.

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