Cards have been able to capture the imagination and interest of people globally since their inception. Different card-playing styles and concepts exist, with many of these iterations being created independently across the globe.
Incredibly, some were created at different times in different locations with the same concepts and structure, the only difference being the name. Starting as a new table game player on sites like XON.bet can be intimidating and daunting, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Here’s how to play popular card games.
Poker
Did you think this list would begin with any game but Poker? Poker is deeply ingrained in our culture and frequently represented in movies and media. The classic form of poker, Texas Hold’em, is usually played between two to ten gamblers; these players have the main objective of building the best five-card poker hand possible.
The gambler with the highest combination of cards wins and clears the pot. It’s a simple concept that most people can quickly understand.
“Five of a Kind” is the highest possible hand a player can end up with, and it occurs when a wild card, such as a joker, is drawn alongside other “high” cards. “Straight Flushes” are similar to five-of-a-kind, but they occur when no wild cards are in play. When a game begins, everyone gets dealt two cards for their eyes only.
Then, bettors place their bets before being dealt another card, it’s at this point that trades can happen. Once trades are completed, three extra cards are placed on the table for players to create their ideal card combination.
Winning requires a player to “prove” that their hand is higher than others, alternatively, titles can be won when a player makes a bet nobody is willing to match or makes other gamblers withdraw from a game.
Blackjack
Blackjack can be described as poker with restrictions. Sometimes referred to as 21, the objective of this game is for a bettor to hold cards that are as close to 21 without exceeding that number. It’s often up to the player to decide if an Ace is worth 1 or 11, “face cards” are worth 10 points, while all others are worth their “face value.”
If a bettor scores more than 21, they automatically lose. Each player is dealt two initial cards. Here are potential actions you can take if you feel satisfied with your initial hand.
Players need to HIT if they need to record more points; you can also decide to STAND if you’re comfortable with your points total. SPLITTING is possible if two cards are identical, and after this, the player doubles their bet by playing for two.
If you choose to DOUBLE DOWN, you’ll be eligible to receive one additional card. It’s possible to insure against a dealer’s hand when the dealer’s card is an ace, but the payout is 2:1. SURRENDER is an option if you believe your hands are bad enough that you have no chance of winning – you lose half your bet in such a scenario.
Baccarat
Baccarat is another world-famous card game, it’s also similar to Blackjack in many ways. The two games share the same principle, but the main difference is that with Blackjack, you can get as close to 21 as possible without going over, while with Baccarat, the goal is to collect a combination of cards with a total number of 9.
The dealer and gamblers receive two each at the start. The Ace is worth 1 point, while all cards are worth between 2 and 9. “Face cards” are often considered worthless in Baccarat and give 0 points.
Unlike Blackjack, going over the target number doesn’t automatically disqualify you; if your total hands are worth more than 10, 10 is deducted from the total. For example, if you receive a five and a 7, 10 is subtracted from the total (12), giving the player 2 points.
If the sum of a gambler’s first two cards is less than 5, they receive a third card. The dealer can also receive a third card if they hold between 0 to 4 points. Bets are returned when the dealer and player have an equal number of points, meaning the “draw” bet wins.
When a bettor scores a combination of cards with a total of 8 or 9, it’s considered a “natural or successful hand.” Meanwhile, a hand is considered “baccarat” when a gambler only has zeros.
A non-card casino title to consider as a newbie card gamer is:
Roulette
Roulette is considered to be a game of luck. It involves a player guessing what number appears on a reel. A croupier throws a ball on the roulette table, and where it lands determines whether a bettor has won or lost.
Roulette works a bit differently in online casinos, but the mechanisms and concepts are the same. Roulette tables in the USA often feature 38 numbers, while those across the pond in Europe feature 37.
What’s the Perfect Card Game for You?
As a new player, you should consider creating a list of card games you’re interested in, trying them out physically and virtually, and settling on the options you plan to become an expert in. If you do this consistently, you’ll find your interest and also build your experience over time.