There are many classic casino games that have been around as long as the concept of casinos themselves. Some for even longer.
Over time, casino games have developed and evolved in response to evolving technology, such as the shift of the casino online. Today, we’re going to take a look at a few of the most popular and enduring casino games – from Roulette to Slots – and explain just how these classics work.
Slots
Out of the games we’re looking at today, Slots are undoubtedly the newest. The first slot machines only emerged at the tail end of the 19th century, using complicated mechanics to spin the reels when players pulled a lever.
Modern Slots look quite different in some ways, with so many different themes and differing mechanics, but at their core, they are still the same as those earliest designs.
Slot games centre around a set of reels – usually between three to five – which feature a set of varying symbols. When a player initiates a spin of the reels, they wait to see whether matching combinations of symbols line up on the game’s pay lines.
But these days there are slot games that use other mechanics such as clusters, where matching combinations are counted as long as a specified number of matching symbols land next to each other.
Roulette
Distinct from the other table games, Roulette centres around its spinning wheel and the various numbered pockets along its rim. It was first created in France, and there are now three major variants that all feature slightly different designs or rulesets: European, American and French.
In a game of Roulette, players will wager on where they think a spinning ball will land among the wheel’s pockets. From wagers on specific numbers to larger pools of numbers or characteristics like red/black or odd/even, there are plenty of options for players to choose from.
Blackjack
A game that’s been around for centuries and descends from one of the oldest known card games, Blackjack is a true casino staple. The simple core concept combined with elements of player decision-making means that there’s a lot to explore here.
Players aim to get a hand value that’s closer to 21 than the dealer, but without ever going higher than 21. At the start of the game, they are each dealt two cards, with the players both being face up but only one of the dealers on show.
Based on the cards in their own hand – as well as the dealer’s visible card – players can choose to take a few different actions on their turn. These include hitting (taking an extra card) to standing (keeping their hand at its current value) or doubling down (taking just one additional card and doubling their wager).
Baccarat
A slightly less common card game is Baccarat, which is famous for being a favourite of James Bond in books and in older movies.
Players have three options to wager on: the ‘player’ hand, the ‘banker’ hand or a tie between the two. Two cards are dealt to each hand, with the hand closest in value to nine being declared the stronger.
And there you have it, a selection of some of the most well-known and iconic casino games explained.
