There aren’t many card games which can claim that they are simpler than War. As kids, this game was a popular choice because it is very easy to learn and the rules make it a great way to pass some time. All it is needed is a regular deck of 52 cards and it can be played by two or more players at the same time.
Casinos took the game and created a slightly different version which can be played in a gambling establishment. Casino War is very similar to the classic card game but comes with a few differences which can appeal to players when they place their bets.
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The game is normally played with six decks of cards in a casino and the action starts with the player placing the bet. After this, the dealer deals one card to the house and one card to the player. Both of them are facing up and the highest card wins the bet at a rate of 1:1.
The value of the cards is determined the same way as in poker, with Ace being the highest card. In case of a draw, the player is given the chance to either surrender and get half of the bet back or add another bet and play for another round. If the player has the higher card on the second round, he wins only the original bet and if the dealer’s card is higher, the entire amount is lost. The difference is that for the second round, another tie would mean a winning bet for the player but again, this only applies on the original amount. Getting a tie is also known as going to war and this is where the name of the original card game comes from.
Casino War also features an option for a side wager. This is placed before the game starts and it is a bet on a tie with a payout of 10:1. This makes it seem appealing but it actually goes with a very high house edge which doesn’t really make the side bet a good idea, unless it is only used for entertainment purposes. A win ten times the size of the bet can be quite profitable and gamblers generally don’t shy away from a long shot.
The house edge in this casino game is 2.88% and it comes from the additional wager needed in case of a tie since the player can only get a win on the original amount and not on both. In regular play, both the dealer and the player have a 46.3% chance of winning, making it an even game. However, the house edge can be bigger if less than optimal play is used.
Casino War Tips
It is important to understand how the game works in order to avoid making mistakes. First off, surrendering after a tie is never recommended since you will lose half the bet for nothing, instead of just playing another hand for double the amount. By simply opting to surrender on every tied round, the house edge increase to almost 4%.
Another essential tip for playing Casino War is to not get distracted by the available side wager. While it does offer a nice return if successful and there is a reasonable chance for the hands to have the same ranking, the payout rates and the odds in play are not even close and it is not worth the risk. On the side bet alone, the house edge is 18.65%, making it one of the worst wagers which can be done in a casino.
The best way to play the game is to go head-to-head with the dealer, follow up with additional wagers in case of a tie and avoid making side bets. Other than that, Casino War is incredibly simple and there is a very good chance that you will fall in love with it as it can remind you of your childhood.
Casino War is not as popular as other card games in land-based casinos as they prefer to use the floor space for Blackjack or Baccarat tables. However, the endless opportunities offered on the internet make online casinos the perfect place to play this great game.
