Objective
The objective of Casino War is to have a higher card than the dealer. It is one of the simplest casino card games and closely resembles the children's game "War."
Equipment Needed
- A standard 52-card deck (without jokers). In casinos, often multiple decks are used, typically 6.
- Chips or tokens for betting.
Starting the Game
- Place Bets: Each player places their bet in the designated betting area.
Gameplay
- Dealing Cards: Both the player and the dealer receive one card each without any further draw actions or community cards.
- Comparing Cards:
- If the player's card is higher than the dealer's, the player wins and receives their wager returned at even money.
- If the dealer's card is higher, the player loses their bet.
- Tie: If both cards are equal, the player can choose to "go to war" or surrender.
- Surrender: The player forfeits half of their bet.
- Going to War: The player doubles their bet. Both dealer and player receive another card, and the winner is decided as usual.
Payout
- Winning against the dealer gives the player an even money payout.
- If after going to war the player wins, they receive the doubled wager payout. If there is another tie after the war, the player gets their wager back but no additional payout.
Strategic Considerations
- To Go to War or Surrender?: Often comes down to the player's risk tolerance. In the long run, chances at war are comparable due to the potential payout from a victory.
Important Distinctions: Casino War relies heavily on luck with little room for strategy. It is a fast-paced game, requiring no complex rules or moves.
Conclusion
Casino War is a simple, fast card game with a high luck factor. The rules are quickly understandable and do not demand deep strategic skills.
