Online Casino War

At one point or another, most children learn the card game of war. It’s such a familiar concept that casinos have adapted it as a game you can gamble on, known as Casino War. It is the simplest and easiest game to play in casinos, requiring very little strategy. It’s the perfect game for players who are new to casino gambling, or those who just don’t want to think very much at the table! It’s also a great game at online casinos, where the game is fast-paced and offers good odds for such a simple game.

Best Online Casinos for Casino War

Let’s Get Started – How to Play

The object of Casino War is to have a higher card than the dealer. The game begins with each player making a bet. Each player is then dealt one card, as is the dealer.

Each player’s card is then compared to the dealer’s in order to see which is of a higher rank. Cards are ranked as in poker, with aces always being high. If the player’s card is higher, the player wins even money on his bet. If the dealer’s card is higher, the player loses his bet.

If the player’s card is of the same rank as the dealer’s card, the player then has a choice as to how to continue. The player can choose to surrender, at which point he forfeits half of his bet and the hand ends, or the player can choose to go to war.

If the player goes to war, he must make a second wager equal in size to their initial bet. The dealer will then burn three cards and give both the player and the dealer another card. If the dealer’s card is higher than the player’s card, the player loses both bets. If the player card is either higher than or equal to the dealer’s card, the player will win even money on one of their bets, while the second bet will push. In some casinos, a tie will result in both player bets winning even money.

In addition, players have the option of taking a ‘tie’ side bet. This bet wins if the player and dealer tie on the first two cards, and pays odds of 10-1.

Online Casino War for Real Money

All online games of war follow the same rules, meaning that the gameplay, payouts and odds will be the exact same in each; the only difference will be in the graphics and interface of the game. In some online casinos – specifically, those using software provided by Real Time Gaming or Vegas Technology – the tie bet is not offered. We’re not sure if this is actually a disadvantage, but if you enjoy making that bet for any reason, then you’ll want to avoid those software platforms when choosing where to play.

Strategy

While it is an incredibly simple game, there actually is some strategy required to play the game optimally. The player has one important decision to make during game play: whether to surrender or go to war. In all cases, no matter the number of decks being used or whether there is a bonus given for a second tie, going to war is always the better option for the player.

Crunching the Numbers – Is it a Favorable Game for the Player?

In a standard six-deck shoe game, with the normal rules in place, the house edge is approximately 2.88% if the player chooses to go to war. This is significantly better than the 3.70% advantage the casino has if the player chooses to surrender. If the casino offers a bonus for a tie after going to war, the house edge drops further to 2.33%. The house edge is slightly lower if fewer decks are used in the shoe.

The tie bet is a sucker bet, and should be avoided by players at all time. In a six-deck game, it has a house edge of 18.65%. For this bet, the house edge actually increases (rather dramatically) when the number of decks is reduced.