Casino War
In Casino War, the house edge varies depending on whether or not players choose to go to War. Going to War provides a chance to win more money, but that additional amount you could win is less than the total you could lose. Put it like this: when you go to War you either win. See full list on wizardofodds.com. War is traditionally played between two people with nothing on the line but pride, but at some point enterprising casino managers decided to turn the kitchen table game into a casino table game. The result of their innovation is casino war, which is by far the easiest game to play in any gaming establishment. Eventually, as word of Casino War’s popularity among players – and fairly high house edge to benefit casinos – began to spread, the big boys on the casino game marketing block came calling. In 2004 the rights to BET Technology’s game portfolio were acquired by Shuffle Master, the globally leading casino game design firm which wound up.
There’s a good chance that most of our readers grew up playing War at the kitchen table with family and friends. If you fall into this category, then you should already know how to play Casino War. However, while the former is usually played for fun, the latter is offered at casinos and can result in sizable wins for players.
Casino War is one of the easiest games available on the casino floor or at online casinos. The rules of the game are not that different from the game you played at home during your childhood.
In this article, we’ll examine the rules of the game, as well as look at the house edge under a number of circumstances. By the time you’ve finished reading, you should be more than prepared to play for real money.
Here’s The Best Casino War Sites for 2021
Comparison of Top US Gambling Sites
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Rules of Casino War
Casino War is a one-on-one contest between the dealer and a player. Any number of players may sit at a table and participate, but their objective is always to beat the dealer (not each other). This game is popular among casual gamblers, as the rules and betting structure are fiendishly simple to learn.
The game is played with six 52-card decks. The suit of the cards is irrelevant, and they’re ranked the same as in a game of poker. The ace is always counted as the highest possible card.
In order to begin, the player makes a wager. The minimum and maximum amount for the wager is determined by the casino, and this can vary from one table to another. It’s always wise to check on betting limits offered by the casino before play begins sitting down to play real money.
After the initial wager has been taken care of, both the dealer and player receive one face-up card. The value of the two cards are then compared. If the dealer’s card is higher, the player loses their wager. If the player’s card is higher, they win an amount equal to their wager (even money).
In the case of a tie, the player must choose between two options. The first choice is to surrender, which results in the player losing half their initial wager. The second option, and the source of the game’s name, allows the player to go to war with the dealer.
When war breaks out, the player must put another wager into the pot equal to his/her initial bet. The dealer “burns” (discards) the top three cards on the deck, and then both the dealer and player receive another face-up card.
If the dealer’s second card is higher, then the player loses both their wagers. If the player has the superior card or ties the dealer, then they push (get their money back) on the first wager and receive an even money payout on the raise.
Some casinos offer additional wagers and bonuses. One example is a tie bet, which pays 10 to 1 odds if the player ties the dealer on their initial cards. Another involves two consecutive ties, which pays an even money bonus on the initial wager.
House Edge
Under the harshest casino rules, the house edge for Casino War usually works out to 2.87%. More liberal guidelines (including a bonus for two consecutive ties) lower the edge to 2.33%, while the most player-friendly rules reduce it even further to 1.23%. The latter is unlikely to be found at land-based casinos, but online casinos may offer it.
If you have the option to wager on a tie, I suggest avoiding it. This is a sucker bet, with the house edge ranging from 17.83% to 35.29% (depending on the rules, payouts, and number of decks). Side bets are usually a bad idea when playing casino games and it is the case once again with Casino War.
Winning Strategies
Casino War is largely a game of luck, with both the player and dealer having about a 46.3% chance of winning once the first cards are dealt. The only real strategy comes into play during a tie, when the player is forced to choose between surrendering and declaring war on the dealer.
Assuming that a bonus payout is offered, the player increases the house edge if they choose to surrender after a tie. Due to this fact, it’s always advisable to go to war.
Unfortunately, that’s about the extent of the strategy that can be employed during the game. Keep in mind that Casino War is an adaptation of a children’s card game, so it’s probably unrealistic to expect a number of complex tactics to be available.
Playing Casino War for real money
You will be hard pressed to find a casino which does not offer Casino War on its gaming floor. The game is certainly not as popular as Blackjack or Roulette but being so easy to play, it remains a favorite of many players, especially the less experienced ones.
Depending on the region where you live, you might not be able to visit a casino very often but lucky for you, Casino War is offered for real money in almost every online gambling sites.
The name of the game might change a bit but you will always find a variation of Casino War available to play online, for real money or as a demo version.
If you are looking for an online casino where to play real money Casino War, we can confidently recommend the sites listed on the pages of this website. We have reviewed dozens of options and recommend only highly secure and enjoyable online casinos. All casinos recommended on this page offer real money casino war and they even go so far as offering bonuses to play it!
Casino War bonus play
Most online casinos, and all those that we recommend throughout this site, offer a sign up bonus and other offers to players who play for real money.
These bonuses usually take the form of a match of whatever real money you deposit. For instance, make a deposit of $50 and get another $50 in casino bonus to play with.
Some casinos may have rules surrounding the use of these bonuses but they generally allow playing real money Casino War with these funds and that can help turn a boring evening into a winning one.
Of course some rules apply to the casino bonus and you will usually not be able to wager over $5 per hand of Casino War if you play with a bonus rather than with only real money that you deposited. You will also normally have to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw your winnings, which is known as the rollover or wagering requirement.
Note that playing on slots might allow you to complete the wagering requirement faster but usually Casino War still contributes to the meeting of this rule.
Deciding to play Casino War with a bonus is a personal choice. If you play with a bonus, you will have more chips to play with and therefore maybe a better playing experience and more chances to win. You have however to follow the casino rules, including the wagering requirement, and therefore some people prefer to play only with real money, to not be bound by rules.
Regardless of your choice, rest assured that the online gambling sites we recommend on this page all offer fair and easy to understand rules with their casino bonus. Therefore playing with or without a bonus is a safe choice at these casinos and the only deciding factor should be your preference.
Casino War Strategy
One of the easiest table games in the casino, Casino War’s odds are based on the random drawing of cards from a standard 52-card deck.
At a basic level, since both the player and dealer cards are selected randomly, the odds of winning a round are almost equal for both:
- The chance of ending up with the highest card on the table is roughly 46.3%
The odds of scoring a tie are substantially lower: 7.4%. This is what makes rounds of War more infrequent and exciting!
House edge
The house edge is a statistical advantage the house has over players. Think of it as the profit a casino needs to operate and pay the jackpots that keep things exciting and entertaining.
How the house edge works in Casino War
In Casino War, the house edge varies depending on whether or not players choose to go to War. Going to War provides a chance to win more money, but that additional amount you could win is less than the total you could lose. Put it like this: when you go to War you either win one unit, or lose two—that’s why it’s a gamble.
For example: picture you originally bet $10, and then double your bet to $20 for War. You’d be risking $20 to win $10, while the casino is risking $10 to win $20.
TIP
If you’re looking to extend your play time, consider passing on “going to War” when you get a tie. You’ll miss the chance to double up, but you’ll keep your opening bet safe.
Are you a double-up sort of player? A bit more conservative? Not sure? Take our Style of Play Quiz and find out!