2 Hand Casino Hold’em
Evolution
Dave Dealer
Facebook
"Cards are power; learn to harness that power, and you will be forever rewarded." James Swain, an American writer
Introduction to Card Games Guide
As for me, card games are the most beautiful and exciting in gambling. Particularly, because they depend not only on your luck; most of them require intelligence, skills, strategies, and intuition.
All online casino card games can be divided into two groups: live dealer games (the guide to them is here) and virtual (also called RNG) games on which this page will focus and which will further be called casino card games or just card games.
Popular casino card games, general rules and variations
As it has already been said the most popular casino card games are Blackjack, Poker, and Baccarat. Here I’m going to tell you about the general rules of each of these games and their most played versions. But you should know that while playing any RNG card game you can press the help button and find all this game’s details.
Blackjack
Blackjack is probably the most played game at both online and land-based casinos. The game is also called 21 (and this lucky number is a part of some casinos’ names).
The game rules are quite simple. Blackjack is mostly played with a standard 52card deck (or decks). The cards from 2 to 9 cost what they display. Face cards ( King, Queen, and Jack) are worth 10. An ace can be counted as 1 or 11.
You play against a dealer. In order to win, you have to get more than the dealer but not more than 21. In other words, you win if the dealer’s total is lower than yours or exceeds 21 (bust). If you get less than a dealer or bust, you lose.
To start the game, you place your bet (the bet options are displayed). Then both you and the dealer are dealt with the first cards face up. Your second card is dealt face-up, the dealer’s one — face-down. If you have 21 with these two cards it’s cold Blackjack or Natural. If the dealer’s face-up card is not a 10, a face, or an Ace you win and are paid immediately. If yes, he turns the face-down card. If the dealer’s cards also give a count of 21. It’s called Push or Tie or Stand-Off; in this case, you get your stake back.
If you don’t have Blackjack at once, the game continues.
With most versions of the game, if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you are offered a side bet called insurance (usually 2:1). You can agree or refuse.
Anyway, you have two options: stand (keep your two cards) or hit (get one or more cards until you stand or bust). If you bust, the game is over. You lose. When you stand, the dealer’s face-down card is shown. If his total is more than yours, you lose. If it is less than yours but more than 16, he must stand. You win. If he has less than you and less then 17, he must hit until he beats you or goes bust. An equal score (push) means that you just keep your bet.
The differences between numerous variations of Blackjack are not significant and mostly refer to:
- The number of decks. Usually, 6 to 8 decks are used but there are other versions including single-deck games.
- Using traditional or Spanish deck.
- The number of hands you can play at the same time (1 to 7).
- Some betting and payment rules.
- Insurance option.
- Split option etc.
You might like Classic Blackjack Gold by Microgaming (RTP 99.91%), Pirate 21 Blackjack by Betsoft, or try any other of dozens of Blackjack versions on my website.
No matches were found
Classic Blackjack Gold
Microgaming
Pirate 21 Blackjack
Betsoft
Pirate 21 Blackjack
Betsoft
Baccarat
Although you can find a huge variety of RNG Baccarat games they really don’t differ a lot. Almost all of them are based on Punto Banco ( American Baccarat) which is considered a standard version. Other popular variations such as Chemin de Fer (Chemmy) or Baccarat Banque are not played at online casinos.
The rules of virtual Baccarat are not complicated at all. And in addition, you don’t influence the game at all. To win, you can only make the right bet. Then you just watch and wait for the result to be announced (and/or displayed). The game goes automatically according to the rules. Anyway, you should know these rules.
Online Baccarat is usually played with 6 or 8 standard 52 card decks, but the value of the cards is a bit specifical: cards from 2 to 9 cost what they show, 10s and faces are worth 0, and Aces are counted for 1.
There are two hands, a Banker and a Player. The goal of the game is to end with a total of 9. The hand whose score is closer to 9 wins. The score might be equal, it’s called a Tie.
So, you have three options; You can place your bet on the Banker, the Player, or a Tie (it pays the best, but happens quite seldom).
After the bet (or bets) is made, both the Banker and the Player are dealt with two cards.
As a total can’t exceed 9 the points are counted in the following way: if the score is a two-digit number, only the last digit is counted, i.e., for example, 8+7 is 5, not 15.
If one of the participants has 9 or 8 (and the other has less) he wins; it's called a natural win. If both of them have equal totals of 8 or 9 — a Tie wins. In other cases, the game continues.
The Player and the Banker (or one of them, depending on the initial score and specific game rules) are dealt with the third (and the last) card. The winner is the participant with the closer to 9 total. A Tie wins if the score is equal. You win if you have placed your bet on the winner.
All variations of RNG Baccarat are so similar to each other that once you try one of them you can easily play any other. Baccarat Professional Series by NetEnt (RTP 98.96%) or Baccarat by Pragmatic Play (RTP:98.76%) are excellent to start.
Poker
Of all casino card games, Poker is my ever and indisputable favourite. It’s truly exciting, and you can really influence the result.
Poker variations vary a lot, but the main rule is common: To beat a dealer you have to collect the higher card combination on your hand than he has. Here are these combinations:
- High card
- Pair
- Two pair
- Three of a kind/ trips/ set
- Straight
- Flush
- Full house
- Four of a kind/ quads/
- Royal flush
Poker Is usually played with standard 52 card decks; sometimes decks with Jokers are used.
It’s just impossible to describe all existing kinds of virtual Poker in one guide. So, let’s talk about the most played ones.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is undoubtedly the leader of both online and land-based casinos.
To make a five-card poker hand, you can use seven cards. Two of them are your private or ‘hole cards’. Five community cards the dealer also can use.
After you make a bet, both you and the dealer are dealt with two cards. Then you can call (or raise in some versions) or fold. If you call three first community cards (flop) are dealt with. Again you have two options: call or stand (check). Then another card (turn) is dealt, and you opt to call or stand once more. The last card is dealt and the dealer’s cards are turned face-up. The better hand wins.
Texas Hold’em Professional Series Low Limit by NetEnt (RTP 99.37%) and Texas Hold’em by Bgaming are excellent examples of this thrilling game. Casino Hold'em by NetEnt (RTP 98.75%) and Caribbean Hold'em by Habanero 96.8% are very similar to Texas Hold’em.
No matches were found
Texas Holdem Professional Series Low Limit
NetEnt
Texas Hold'em (BGaming)
BGAMING
Casino Hold'em (NetEnt)
NetEnt
Caribbean Hold'em
Habanero
3 card Poker
3 card Poker rules are not complicated at all.
You and the dealer get three cards, yours face-up, the dealer’s face-down. You decide whether to call or fold. If you call, the dealer’s cards are shown. The better hand wins. Of course, not all of the Poker combinations can be made with only three cards. Three Card Rummy has some specific features.
Try and play Three Card Poker by Scientific Games,Trey Poker by Bgaming or Three Card Rummy by Betsoft.
No matches were found
Trey Poker (BGaming)
BGAMING
3 Card Rummy (Betsoft)
Betsoft
5 card Poker
To play 5 card Poker is as easy as to play the previous game, just all possible poker combinations have to be considered.
Your five cards are dealt face-up, the dealer’s first one face-up the others face-down. If you opt to call (or bet, as it sometimes displayed) the dealer’s cards are turned and the winner is announced.
Enjoy Cyber Stud Poker by Microgaming (RTP 97.54%), Caribbean Stud by Felt Gaming, or Caribbean Poker by BGaming.
No matches were found
Cyber Stud Poker
Microgaming
Caribbean Stud (Felt Gaming)
Felt
Caribbean Poker (BGaming)
BGAMING
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker (also known as double-hand poker) borrowed its name and rules from a Chinese game played with dominoes. Therefore, these games are usually designed in Chinese style.
To beat the dealer, you have, using seven cards, to make two combinations of five and two cards, which will be stronger than his.
Choose the game from your favourite providers such as Pai Gow Poker by Playtech (RTP 97.15%), or Pai Gow Poker by Play'n Go (RTP 97.15%), or any other on this page.
No matches were found
Pai Gow Poker (Play'n Go)
Play'n GO
Pai Gow Poker (Playtech)
Playtech
Video poker
Video poker is not exactly a virtual card game, It's a cross between a virtual Roker and a slot. Here you have no opponent, you play by yourself trying to make as strong a combination as it’s possible. At some online casinos, video poker games make a separate section, at the others they can be found among other card and table games.
Although all video poker titles are variations of 5 card Poker they vary a lot. The distinctions can be in the following:
- Pair (rare other combination) is not counted.
- Only certain kinds of Pair are counted.
- Jokers are or aren’t used.
- Option to double the winning, etc
The common rule is that you get five cards and can exchange any number of them once.
Deuces Wild by NetEnt (RTP 97.97%), Jacks or Better by iSoftBet (RTP 95.48%), All American Poker by Microgaming (RTP 99.37%), and Joker Poker by Habanero (RTP 98.6%) are the samples of quite different kinds of video poker.
No matches were found
All American Poker (Microgaming)
Microgaming
Joker Poker (Habanero)
Habanero
Deuces Wild (NetEnt)
NetEnt
Jacks or Better (iSoftBet)
iSoftBet
Rarer but Also Exciting Card Games
Some casino card games are relatively seldom mentioned in casino guides. However, these games are worth your attention, believe me.
Casino War
Casino War ( also known as Top Card Trumps) is probably the easiest game you will ever play. The rules are just a piece of cake: You and the dealer receive a card each. High card wins. If your cards are of the same kind, you choose whether to keep your bet (or half of it) or double it and start the war i.e.compare your next cards. That’s all.
Try Casino War by Pragmatic Play (RTP 97.27%) or Casino War by Shuffle Master (97.83%) and make sure how fun and often profitable this fast and simple game is. Top Card Trumps by Betsoft and War by Habanero won’t disappoint you either.
No matches were found
Casino War
Pragmatic Play
Dragon Tiger
Dragon Tiger is a Chinese-style card game that is similar to Baccarat and Casino War at the same time. You don’t play, you can only make a bet on the Dragon, the Tiger, or a Tie. Both the Dragon and the Tiger are given the only card. The hand that holds a higher card wins. Keep in mind that an Ace is not the highest but the lowest card (worth 1)
Despite having the same name, games from different providers have certain distinctions in betting and payment rules. Find out these specific details before you start playing.
I think Dragon Tiger by Habanero (RTP:96.27%), Dragon Tiger by Pragmatic Play (RTP 96.5%), or Dragon Tiger by OneTouch (RTP 96.27%) will bring you a lot of fun.
Solitaire
As for me, Solitaire (and other kinds of patience as well) isn’t the most thrilling card game. However, it has an army of fans. And, for sure, playing Solitaire for real money makes it more exciting.
If you are a Solitaire admirer, play 7 Solitaire by Spigo (RTP 85%) or Retro Solitaire by Gamevy (RTP 96.8%) right now. If you are not familiar with this game, try and play to clear up whether it suits you.
I would be glad to introduce such great card games like Royal Rummy, Gin Rummy, Scopa, Cassino, Cribbage, etc. But I haven’t found trustworthy casinos offering these games to place them on my website yet. I'll keep trying, I promise.
My Guide to Card Games Casinos: Five Steps
As I want you to play your favourite games only at the best casinos I select them very mindfully. I tested the brands with the longest casino card games lists using my usual evaluating criteria. To know if each casino meets my requirements, I took five steps and found out whether:
1. Checking a casino’s reliability
All the fun you have of gaming and winning might turn to nothing if you can’t get your money paid or discover your data leak. That’s why a casino’s honesty and safety are the things that I almost always check first.
The most vital signs of a reliable casino are a license from a respectable regulator, a good reputation, certificated games, and a high level of security.
You can trust Casimpo casino. It holds UKGC and MGA licenses. Launched in 2018, it earned the credence of thousands of players. The software provided by such industry giants as Microgaming, NetEnt, SG Gaming, etc. assures hassle-free and fair gaming. Casimpo uses the latest 128-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption and firewall technology to protect customers’ personal and financial information and guarantee secure transactions.
Launched
19.Oct.2017
Up To 125 Free Spins
Up To 125 Free Spins
Bonus fornew customers,
WR50x,
Min Dep £10
- Launched 19.Oct.2017
- Withdrawal Methods Bank Wire Transfer, Euteller, Maestro (by MasterCard), MasterCard, PayPal, Paysafe, QIWI, Skrill, Trustly, VISA, Webmoney
- Software NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution, NextGen, Elk
- Licenсes UKGC, MGA
2. Studying payment methods
Wide choice of payment options, fast deposits, secure withdrawals, and additional fees absence is what every player looks for.
You will probably like Cyber Casino 3077. There, you can use Visa and Mastercard (but don’t forget: now in the UK, only debit cards are allowed for both deposit and withdrawal, credit cards can be used just for payout). The casino also offers instant bank transfer and instant bank payments. You can try Klarna to make a deposit.
And for those players who prefer cryptocurrencies, there is Coinspaid — an innovative crypto payment gateway.
All deposits are instant, withdrawals won’t take more than 48 hours, and no fees are charged.
3. Welcome offer and other promotions scrutiny
It’s not a secret that lots of players look for bonuses. Casino welcome offers usually seem very tempting and easy to claim. But I warn you again and again, in each of my guides: read T&C carefully. There are a lot of details you should consider and some shady tricks hidden there. Some conditions might be okay for one player but absolutely unacceptable for another.
The welcome bonus offer by Harry’s casino looks really generous. 650% match up to £5000 for three first deposits with a min deposit of £25 sounds attractive. The wagering requirements of 50x is too much in my opinion but decide yourself.
You should also pay attention to other casino promotions such as daily cashback, extra cashback, VIP programme, etc.
Welcome Bonus: 650% up to £5000
Bonus fornew customers,
WR50x,
Min Dep €25,
CodeWELCOME1
- Launched 05.Sep.2020
- Withdrawal Methods Bitcoin, ethereum, Litecoin, MasterCard, VISA
- Software Betsoft, Tom Horn, Mr. Slotty, Rival, Booongo
- Licenсes Panama
4. Mobile version testing
The number of people who do almost everything including playing casino games on their mobiles and tablets is growing every day. That’s why mobile versions of online casinos must be at least not worse or even better than desktop ones.
At Fortune Clock casino, the games are developed with HTML5 technology, which allows you to activate them without downloading an application. All of them are adapted to work in a browser on all devices running Android or iOS. There is also an option to download the Fortune Clock app. When you install it, you can also get a no deposit bonus.
You can play any games of the casino collection for money after creating an account or try most of them for free without registration.
The mobile-friendly design makes your gaming easy and smooth.
100% bonus and 100 free spins for you!
Bonus fornew customers,
WR40x,
Min Dep €20
- Launched 30.Nov.2019
- Withdrawal Methods ecoPayz, Jeton, MasterCard, Payeer, Perfect Money, QIWI, VISA, Webmoney, Yandex Money
- Software NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Betsoft
- Licenсes Curaçao
5. Customer service checking out
When you come across any problems with registration, depositing, getting a bonus, gaming, withdrawal, etc., you need help. and this help must be fast and professional.
You will be delighted by the customer support service at Lucky Tiger casino. They can be reached 24/7 via live chat and email. I prefer and suggest that you use live chat. You will wait for the answer for no more than 30 seconds. Support agents are knowledgeable and helpful. Insignificant problems can also be solved by finding answers in the FAQ section.
260% Slots Bonus + 100% cashback
Bonus fornew customers,
WR30x,
Min Dep $25
- Launched 13.Sep.2020
- Withdrawal Methods Bank Wire Transfer, Bitcoin, MasterCard, VISA
- Software Real Time, Visionary iGaming
- Licenсes Curaçao
I’d like to note that all the casinos listed above are good not only in corresponding nominations. They all are trustworthy and have an excellent choice of casino card games.
Conclusion
All the games recommended above have been selected according to my taste. But there are dozens else similar high-quality games on my website. If you know exactly what game you want to play, just search it. Use filters to find games of certain types or/and from your favourite provider.
You can try most of the games for free on this page or some casino sites (but not on all of them) And I’d suggest that you do that if you are not familiar with a particular game. But don’t waste too much time on demo versions. Remember, while you are playing for free, other players win real money. So, find out the necessary details, feel the game spirit, and start playing card games for money.
“Money won is twice as sweet as money earned,” an Irish proverb says. And I wish you great winnings.
