Key Takeaway - What games are played in the casino?

• Table Games: These include all card games and dice games such as blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and poker variations (like Texas Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud).
• Slot Machines: Often the most numerous games in a casino, slot machines include classic slots, video slots, fruit machines, and progressive jackpot slots.
• Video Poker: A computerized version of poker that is played against the machine rather than other players. Common versions include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
• Specialty Games: This category includes games that don't fit neatly into the other categories, such as keno, scratch tickets, lottery games, and bingo.
• Live Dealer Games: With the advent of online casinos, live dealer games have become popular. These include live versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, where a real dealer is streamed live from a studio.

Table Games in Online Casinos

Let's dive into some of the most popular table games found in casinos, with a brief introduction and overview of their rules:

1. Blackjack

Blackjack is a card game where players try to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. It's played against the dealer.

Basic Rules:

• Players are dealt two cards, as is the dealer, but one of the dealer's cards is face down.
• Players can choose to "Hit" (take another card) or "Stand" (keep their current hand) to beat the dealer's hand.
• If a player's hand exceeds 21, they "bust" and lose the bet.
• If the player stands, the dealer reveals their hidden card and may hit based on predefined rules (usually standing on 17 and above).
• A "blackjack" is when the initial hand is an ace and a 10-value card, paying out more than a regular win.

2. Roulette

Roulette involves a spinning wheel with numbered slots, a ball that lands in one of these slots, and bets placed on where the ball will land.

Basic Rules:

• Players bet on various outcomes, including specific numbers, a range of numbers, red or black colours, or whether the number will be odd or even.
• The dealer spins the wheel and then spins the ball in the opposite direction.
• When the ball rests in one of the slots, winning bets are paid out based on the odds of their wager.

3. Baccarat

Baccarat is a card game where players bet on which of two hands, the "Player" or the "Banker," will have a hand value closest to nine.

Basic Rules:

• Each hand starts with two cards. Depending on the totals, a third card may be dealt to either hand according to specific rules.
• Face cards and tens have zero value, aces are worth one, and other cards are worth their face value.
• If the total is more than 10, the second digit is the value of the hand (e.g., a 9 and a 6, totalling 15, make a five-point hand).
• Players can bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie.

4. Craps

Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcomes of rolls or a series of rolls of two dice.

Basic Rules:

• The player rolling the dice is the "shooter." The first roll in a round is the "come-out roll."
• Players bet on the "Pass Line" or "Don't Pass Line."
• If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win. If it's 2, 3, or 12, Don't Pass bets win (with 12 sometimes being a push).
• Any other number becomes the "point." The shooter then rolls until they hit the point again for a Pass Line win or roll a 7 for a Don't Pass win.

5. Poker Variations (e.g., Texas Hold'em)

Poker is a family of card games that combine gambling, strategy, and skill. Texas Hold'em is among the most popular, where players seek to make the best five-card hand from a combination of two private cards and five community cards.

Basic Rules (Texas Hold'em):

• Each player is dealt two private cards ("hole cards").
• Over several rounds of betting, five community cards are dealt face-up in the centre of the table.
• Players must make the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards.
• Players bet, raise, or fold in rounds of betting: Preflop (after seeing their hole cards), on the Flop (after the first three community cards are dealt), on the Turn (the fourth card), and on the River (the fifth card).
• The best hand at the showdown wins the pot.

Each of these games has its unique appeal and complexity, offering something for every type of casino enthusiast.

Online Slots

Online slots are digital versions of traditional slot machines, designed to mimic the experience of playing a physical slot machine but available on various devices, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Here’s a general overview of how online slots work and some of the most famous titles:

How Online Slots Work:

• Random Number Generator (RNG): At the heart of every online slot is a Random Number Generator, which ensures that every spin is completely random and independent of the previous one. This technology guarantees fair play.
• Reels and Paylines: Online slots typically feature a set number of reels (vertical columns) and paylines (patterns where symbols can line up to produce wins). Classic slots often have three reels and a single payline, while modern video slots can have five, seven, or even more reels with hundreds or thousands of paylines.
• Symbols: Slots come with various symbols that fit the game's theme. Matching these symbols in certain combinations leads to wins. There are often special symbols like wilds (which can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations) and scatters (which can trigger bonus features or free spins).
• Bet Amounts: Players can usually adjust their bet size per spin. The potential winnings are proportional to the bet amount.
• Bonus Features: Many online slots include bonus features like free spins, mini-games, or gamble features, which can significantly increase the potential winnings.
• Progressive Jackpots: Some slots are linked to progressive jackpots, which grow every time the game is played and not won. These jackpots can reach massive amounts, sometimes in the millions.

Famous Online Slots:

1. Mega Moolah: Known for its massive progressive jackpot, Mega Moolah is a safari-themed slot that has made several players millionaires over the years.
2. Starburst: A visually stunning game with vibrant colors and exciting gameplay, Starburst is known for its expanding wilds and re-spins feature.
3. Gonzo’s Quest: This slot features a unique avalanche or cascading reels feature, where winning symbols explode and are replaced by new ones, potentially leading to multiple wins on a single spin.
4. Book of Ra: An Egyptian-themed slot, Book of Ra is popular for its free spins feature and expanding symbols, which can lead to significant wins.
5. Thunderstruck II: Based on Norse mythology, this slot is known for its multiple levels of free spins and a variety of bonus features tied to the gods Thor, Odin, Loki, and Valkyrie.

These games are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online slots. They have become popular due to their engaging themes, innovative features, and the potential for big wins. Each game offers a unique experience, appealing to different types of players.

Video Poker

Video poker blends elements of traditional poker with slot-style gameplay, offering a game of skill with a strategy component that can affect the outcome. Here's how video poker works, its basic rules, payouts, and some of the most famous versions:

How Video Poker Works:

• Objective: The aim is to make the best possible five-card poker hand. After the initial deal, you have the option to hold or discard any of the cards in your hand, to achieve a winning combination.
• Random Number Generator (RNG): Similar to online slots, video poker uses an RNG to ensure that each card dealt is completely random.
• Play Process: You start by making a bet. Then, five cards are dealt. You decide which cards to keep and which to discard. New cards replace the discarded ones, forming your final hand. If your final hand matches one of the winning combinations on the paytable, you win.

Basic Rules and Payouts:

• Starting Play: After placing your bet, you're dealt five cards.
• Choosing Cards to Hold: Select the cards you wish to keep; the rest will be replaced on the next draw.
• Final Hand Evaluation: Your final hand is assessed against the game's paytable to determine your winnings.
• Payouts: Payouts vary based on the strength of your hand, with higher payouts for more difficult-to-achieve hands. A typical paytable starts with a pair of Jacks or better, offering even money, and scales up to a Royal Flush, which typically offers the highest payout, often 250 to 1 on a single coin bet and up to 4000 coins on a maximum bet of five coins.

Most Famous Versions of Video Poker:

1. Jacks or Better: Considered the most basic form of video poker, payouts start with a pair of Jacks. It's known for its straightforward strategy and relatively high payout percentage.
2. Deuces Wild: In this variant, all twos (deuces) are wild, meaning they can substitute for any other card to form a winning hand. This can lead to more winning hands, but the paytable is adjusted accordingly.
3. Double Bonus Poker: Offers higher payouts for four of a kind, especially with Aces. The trade-off is typically lower payouts for other hands compared to Jacks or Better.
4. Joker Poker: This game includes one or more Joker as wild cards. The addition of the Joker(s) means the minimum winning hand is usually higher, such as Kings or better.
5. Bonus Poker: Similar to Jacks or Better but offers higher payouts for certain four of a kind hands.

Strategy and Skill:

What sets video poker apart from many other casino games is the element of skill. By knowing which cards to hold and which to discard, you can significantly affect the game's outcome. Optimal play can lead to higher returns, with some variants offering an RTP (Return to Player) of over 99% when played with perfect strategy.

Each variant has its strategy based on its specific rules and payables, making video poker a compelling choice for players who enjoy games that require thought and decision-making.

Speciality Games

Speciality games in casinos refer to a broad category that includes games not typically classified under the traditional categories of table games, slots, or video poker. These games often have simpler rules and are easy to play, making them appealing to a wide range of players. Here's an overview of some common speciality games and their basic rules:

1. Keno

Keno is a lottery-style game where players select numbers from a board ranging from 1 to 80. After all players make their selections, 20 numbers are randomly drawn.

Rules:

• Players choose anywhere from 1 to 20 numbers on a keno card.
• The house then randomly draws 20 numbers.
• Payouts depend on how many numbers the player matched and the total number of numbers chosen. The more numbers matched, the higher the payout.

2. Bingo

Bingo is a game of chance where players mark off numbers on cards as the numbers are drawn randomly by a caller. The first to mark off a complete predetermined pattern on a card wins.

Rules:

• Each player gets one or more bingo cards featuring a grid of numbers.
• Numbers are drawn randomly, and players mark off matching numbers on their cards.
• The first player to complete a specific pattern (line, blackout, etc.) calls out "Bingo!" to win. The win is verified, and a new round begins.

3. Scratch Cards

Scratch cards (or scratch tickets) are small cards where one or more areas contain concealed information. Players scratch off the opaque covering to reveal whether they've won a prize.

Rules:

• Purchase a scratch card and use a coin or similar object to scratch off the covering.
• Match symbols, numbers, or patterns as indicated on the card to win instant prizes.

4. Wheel of Fortune (Big Six Wheel)

The Big Six Wheel is a large vertical wheel spun, with players betting on which segment the wheel will stop on.

Rules:

• Players place bets on the segments of the wheel, each marked with symbols or numbers.
• The dealer spins the wheel, and if it stops on a player's bet segment, they win.
• Payouts depend on the odds of the segment, with more common outcomes paying less.

These games are often appealing for their simplicity and the immediate gratification they offer. They can usually be found in both land-based casinos and online casinos, providing a fun and straightforward gaming experience for players looking for something different from the traditional casino fare.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are a fusion of online and traditional casino experiences, offering the convenience of online gaming with the authenticity of a real dealer. These games are streamed live from a studio or a real casino floor, allowing players to interact with dealers and sometimes other players in real time. Here's how they work and the technology behind them:

How Live Dealer Games Work:

• Real-Time Streaming: Players join a game through their computer or mobile device, where they can see a live video feed of a dealer at a gaming table. The game is broadcast in real-time, without significant delays.
• Interaction: Players can place bets digitally through the user interface on their screen. They can also interact with the dealer and sometimes other players through a chat function. The dealer can see the messages and respond verbally.
• Gameplay: The dealer conducts the game as they would in a physical casino, dealing cards, spinning roulette wheels, or rolling dice. Optical character recognition (OCR) technology ensures that the results of the game are transmitted to players instantly.
• Wide Range of Games: Live dealer setups often include popular table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variations.

Technology Behind Live Dealer Games:

• Cameras: High-quality cameras are used to stream live video. Multiple cameras can capture different angles of the game and the dealer, providing an immersive experience. For example, roulette games might use one camera for a wide-angle view, one for the wheel, and another for the table.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): OCR technology is critical in live dealer games. It translates physical transactions made by the dealer, such as the outcome of a roulette wheel spin or the cards dealt, into data that the software can use to immediately update the information for players. This allows for seamless gameplay and instant results.
• Game Control Unit (GCU): Each table has a GCU attached to it, which is essentially the heart of the game. This device encodes the video that is broadcast. It's also responsible for capturing and processing all the game details and ensuring that the video stream is delivered in real time.
• User Interface (UI): The UI is what players interact with. It displays the live video feed and provides buttons for placing bets, making decisions (like hit or stand in blackjack), and chatting with the dealer. The UI integrates seamlessly with the live video, making it easy for players to follow the game.
• Networking and Software: Robust networking infrastructure and software are essential for streaming high-quality video without lag, ensuring that the betting interface works in real-time, and maintaining secure and fair gameplay.

Live dealer games offer a unique blend of technology and tradition, providing an engaging and interactive casino experience that's accessible from anywhere. The technology behind these games ensures fairness, real-time interaction, and a gaming experience that closely mirrors that of being in a physical casino.