Written by: Kim Birch | The review was last updated: 03 July 2024 | Fact-check by: Jasmin Williams
Card games are a ripper way to have a punt and enjoy yourself, whether you're playing one-on-one or with a group. A standard deck of 52 cards opens up heaps of options for hours of entertainment. Popular variants like crazy eights and blackjack are widely loved and played everywhere from backyard barbies to fancy casinos.
Given how common these games are, most people know at least one or two. But there's still plenty of Aussies who aren't across all the favourites or even the four suits. Collectible card games are also gaining traction, so this article is perfect for those looking to get their head around the basics of card games.
We've put together quick intros to some of the most popular card gambling games out there. Whether it's matching cards, face-up or hidden cards, or playing with two or more people, these games can be just as challenging and skill-based as any board game.
While the French locked in the classic 4-suit, 52-card deck back in the 1400s, card games have been around for yonks, originating in Asia. Over time, heaps of classic gambling games popped up, making cards a must-have for any betting session.
These days, there are loads of different card sets out there, with many games using unique decks. But the classic 52-card deck with spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds is still king. Some of the most popular games like Poker, online Baccarat, and Blackjack all use this standard deck.
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Aussie trick-taking classics and fresh game styles hit the web.
Whether you're playing online or at the pub, most card games use the standard deck. This classic 52-card set is the go-to for nearly every venue.
Let's break down what's in these decks. You've got 4 suits with 13 cards each, plus a joker for each suit.
All up, that's 52 cards and 4 jokers. The jokers aren't part of the standard deck though - they're only used in some games, so you'll need to take them out for others.
Jokers often act as wild cards in games like some casino poker variants. Interestingly, they don't have a set value, suit or rank - they're like chameleons, filling in for whatever card you need to boost your hand.
Clubs and spades are black, while diamonds and hearts are red. Each suit has its own symbol too.
Most card games have rules based on the ranks, suits, and various combinations of these 52 cards.
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Play Card Games online or live at Aussie pokie sites
Card game experts have sorted these games into different categories based on how you play and what you're trying to achieve. Here are the 4 main types of card games you'll typically find:
In these games, players exchange cards with each other or from a deck in the middle of the table. Rummy games are classic examples of this type.
Most trick-based card games involve playing your cards face-up on the table, with everyone seeing who wins each round. These are often the first card games kids learn, and they're usually a hit with the little ones. Hearts, Spades, and Bridge fall into this category.
In these games, players compare their hands to see who comes out on top. Blackjack variants are prime examples of this type.
These card games are typically played solo. The aim is usually to arrange the deck in a specific order using particular rules and methods. Some solitaire games can also be played competitively.
While each card game has its own specific objective, most fall into one of these general aims:
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Player count can impact table manners in card games.
Card games are all about playing fair and square. These games are for decent players, and cheating is a big no-no in every game.
Think of those old westerns - you'll see how crucial basic manners are in games. In those flicks, getting roughed up or worse is pretty common if you're caught cheating at Poker or other games.
So, the golden rule of card games is NO CHEATING. Full stop.
There are other unwritten rules you should pick up on too.
No one likes it when you zone out and slow things down. A bit of chat is fine, but not if it holds up play. When you're in a game, focus on the cards. If you want to yarn, catch up over a beer instead.
If you're hosting, make sure your gear - cards, chips, the lot - is in good nick. No one wants to play with tatty stuff. If you can't sort it, maybe let someone else host.
Unless everyone's careful, it's best to keep food and drinks away from the table. You don't want to mess up the cards or chips.
Stick to the usual card dealing rituals in every game.
Don't peek at your cards until everyone's been dealt.
The dealer should wait for the right moment to ask a player to cut the deck. Cut with one hand only, towards the dealer, who then finishes up and puts the rest on top.
Deal clockwise, starting from the left. One card at a time to each player, then repeat if needed.
Don't have a go at how others play, and keep your thoughts to yourself on hands you're not in.
These are some basic but crucial courtesies to remember when you're playing cards.
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This list covers classic pokie card games you'll spot in the card sections of both online and brick-and-mortar casinos across Australia.
Better yet, you can enjoy these games in live formats, playing with real dealers and other punters.
Just keep in mind that live casino games involve real money. So, make sure you're ready to have a punt before diving in. If you reckon you need more practice, you can always give the demo versions a burl to learn the ropes.
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BlackJack tops the charts for Aussie online punters in 2022.
When it comes to popular card games, BlackJack always gets a mention. Recent polls and rankings show it's now the most popular and widely played card game globally.
Poker used to hold the top spot, but BlackJack's taken over. Many Poker fans are just as keen on BlackJack these days.
In BlackJack, you're up against the dealer, not other players. Your goal is to beat the dealer's hand.
You can win by getting 21 points with your first two cards (that's BlackJack), or by having a higher score than the dealer at the end. Another way to win is if the dealer goes over 21 while drawing more cards.
Like most pokies, BlackJack comes in classic and modified versions. Double Exposure BlackJack, Vegas Style BlackJack, and Pontoon are some of the most popular variants you'll find at the casino.
Details:
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Pokerstars is a top spot for online Poker in Australia
Poker stands out as the only game where punters face off against each other rather than the house. The venue makes its dosh by taking a rake (a scaled commission) from each pot. Despite this, skilled players can still rake in big wins after paying the rake.
Poker's a bit of a complex beast compared to other card games. But it's this complexity that makes it a favourite among serious gamblers. You can develop different winning strategies and systems, outsmart your opponents, and choose your competition. Like any card game, there's no 'perfect' or 'best' way to play Poker – it all depends on who you're up against.
To stay on top of your game, you've got to keep practicing and tweaking your approach. There's always room for improvement, no matter how good you are. Even if you're the best player in the country, someone else could come up with a strategy that trumps yours.
So, if you're keen on playing for big bikkies regularly, you've got to keep honing your skills and adapting your strategy.
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Have a go at Mini Baccarat and learn the ropes
Baccarat's the go-to game for high-rolling punters who love a big flutter, including Phil Ivey, the poker champ, and BETO's own Ricki Kristensen. In Baccarat, hands are played between the Player and the Banker each round. Both sides aim to get as close to 9 points as possible by following the rules.
As a player, you bet on either the Player's side or the Banker's side. New bets are placed after each round. You've got to make your choice before both sides get their 2 cards.
In Baccarat, 10s and face cards are worth zero, aces are worth one, and 2 to 9 cards are worth their face value. The points from the dealt cards are added up for both sides. If the total's over 10, you drop the first digit.
For example, ♠5 and ♥4 add up to nine points, while ♦8 and ♠8 make six points (16 minus the 1).
Once the cards are dealt, the real action kicks off. A total of 8 or 9 points is called a 'natural' in Baccarat. If either side gets a natural, the round's over.
If no one gets a natural, the Player takes a card on totals of 5 or less. With 6 or 7 points, the Player stands.
Then it's the Banker's turn. If the Player's got 6 or 7, the Banker takes a card on 5 or less, otherwise they stand.
If the Player draws a third card, the Banker follows specific rules to either draw or stand. The side closest to 9 wins, no matter what.
Winning Player bets pay even money, while Banker bets pay even money minus a 5% commission. This commission's there because the Banker bet has a statistical edge.
Ties between Banker and Player pay 8 to 1. Some casinos offer side bets like Banker Pair or Player Pair too.
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Get stuck into thrilling Pontoon
Pontoon's a bit of a mixed bag in the card game world, with two different versions floating around. Both are often lumped in with blackjack variants. In most places, it's pretty much like your standard blackjack game. But some spots have their own take on Pontoon that's a bit different.
You can spot the difference between Pontoon and Blackjack by the lingo they use. In Pontoon, you'll hear "Stick" and "Twist" instead of "Stand" and "Hit". Online Pontoon usually uses one standard 52-card deck, with "Stick" meaning "Stay" and "Twist" meaning "Hit".
If you're a blackjack fan, you'll probably feel right at home with Pontoon. But it's always a good idea to give it a go with the free demo versions first to get your head around the rules. Once you've got it sorted, you can jump into the real money games if that's your thing.
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Casino War: A Ripper Card Game That's Dead Easy to Learn
The simplest game in the card games section of a casino would be "Casino War". If you've played "War" as a kid, you'll pick up this game in no time.
In Casino War, each round kicks off with the punter placing a bet. The dealer then hands out one card each to the player and themselves from a six-deck shoe, which is standard in most games.
The goal in Casino War couldn't be easier - you just need to draw a higher card than the dealer. Two is the lowest card, while Ace is the highest. Unlike some other card games, the Ace isn't considered low in Casino War.
The rules are dead simple. If your card outranks the dealer's, you win even money on your bet. If it's lower, you lose your stake.
When you and the dealer draw cards of the same rank, you can opt to go to "War". This means doubling your initial bet. Alternatively, you can fold and surrender half your bet to end the round there and then.
In War mode, the dealer burns three cards before dealing one more to each of you. If you score higher, you win even money on the War raise, while your original bet is a push. If the dealer wins, you lose both bets. This War round is where the real house edge comes from - you can only win one bet but lose two. If there's another tie, you can choose to keep the War going.
Some casinos offer bonus bets for second and subsequent War rounds.
Our card game expert at BETO.com, Kim Birch, reckons the house edge in Casino War is 2.88% if you always go to War on a tie. If you always surrender on a tie, the house edge jumps to 3.7%.
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Ace card games to play with your mates and family at home
Looking for a simple card game to play with a mate, family, or on a first date? There are heaps of easy options that take no time to learn but provide hours of fun. Here are some top picks for easy card games for two players:
This classic game is all about making pairs. It's not just for two – you can play with more people too. You ask your opponent directly for cards. For example, "Got any queens?" If they do, they hand them over. If not, they'll tell you to "go fish", and you draw from the deck. When you make a pair, put it down in front of you. The game ends when all cards are paired, and the player with the most pairs wins.
Crazy 8 is a shedding game where you're trying to get rid of all your cards. In the two-player version, each person gets 7 cards. The rest form a draw pile, with one card flipped to start the discard pile.
Say the top card is a 2 of hearts. You can play:
The round ends when someone runs out of cards.
Duel is a memory game using two full decks. Each player spreads their deck face down. Player 1 flips a card, then Player 2 does the same. If they match, Player 2 keeps the pair. Then Player 2 goes first. The game continues until someone wins 27 pairs.
Memory is key in Duel. Remembering card positions gives you an edge. Strategy matters too – if you know where both queens of hearts are, your opponent might too, so don't flip one first.
While the rules are simple, Duel is intense and challenging. It's all about outsmarting your opponent.
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Card Games: Simple Yet Packed with Aussie Fun
These card games are dead simple but pack a real punch when it comes to fun for two players.
There's a card game for every occasion. You've got your friendly games, brain-teasers, puzzlers, classic casino favourites, and easy games that are perfect for breaking the ice.
Keep in mind that heaps of card games can be played for free right here on BETO.com. We've linked the demo versions of popular card game titles. Have a crack at these demos and you'll be a card shark in no time!
Go for it!
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Card games are a top-notch way to have a ripper time. Grab a deck and you're set for hours of entertainment. Despite being dead simple, there's still a bit of confusion around card games that stops some punters from giving them a go.
We've put together this comprehensive FAQ to sort out any lingering questions you might have.
A typical deck of cards packs 52 in total. You've got four suits, each with 13 cards, plus a joker for each suit. Keep in mind, though, that the joker's not always part of the action - it's left out of many games, so it's not counted in the standard 52.
Cards are a top-notch way to have a bit of fun. Heaps of games have sprung up using these cards, and we call them card games. Some of the big hitters in the world of card games are Poker, Baccarat, and BlackJack - you'll find these at just about any casino or pokie venue worth its salt.
Card games come with a variety of winning strategies. Some require you to ditch all your cards, while others are about nabbing the most valuable ones. These different approaches sort card games into four main types: Exchanging, Trick Taking, Solitaire, and Comparing. Each type has its own set of rules and tactics for coming out on top.
A standard deck of cards has 52 cards split into 4 suits. Each suit contains 13 cards: numbers 1 to 10, followed by the Jack, Queen, and King. The cards typically follow this order in terms of rank, with higher numbers and face cards outranking lower ones. This basic structure forms the foundation for many popular card games played in pubs, clubs, and casinos across Australia.
Absolutely, you can enjoy card games without putting any money on the line. Just skip the betting part and play for the thrill of winning or losing. It's a great way to have a bit of harmless fun. For instance, you could organise a poker night with your mates, handing out free chips to everyone.
Card games are a big hit at online casinos. You'll find virtually every card game you'd play in person, from Baccarat and BlackJack to Pontoon and Bridge. Just pop into an online casino that offers card games and take your pick. It's that easy to get stuck into your favourite.
When it comes to card games, good manners are crucial. If you're keen on playing at a serious table, you'll need to stick to the rules and follow proper etiquette. The golden rule? Don't cheat. It's not just bad form - you could cop a lifetime ban from casinos or even end up behind bars if you're caught. Keep the game flowing smoothly by avoiding distractions, and make sure the cards and chips are in top nick.
These days, online casinos are dishing up Live Card Games where you can play your favourite card games with real dealers, all from your couch. These live games actually happen in a studio somewhere, and the action's beamed straight to your screen via the internet.
Looking for a quick card game to play with a mate? Duel, Crazy 8, and Go Fish are top picks. These ripper games are dead easy to learn and perfect for two players. You'll pick up the rules in no time, and before you know it, you'll be shuffling and dealing like a pro at the local RSL.
Keen to up your game? Practice makes perfect, and that goes for card games too. The good news is most online card games offer free demo versions. These are spot on for honing your skills without risking a cent. Here at BETO.com, you'll find demos of all your favourite card games ready to go.
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