Evidence of gambling dates back as far as Ancient Egypt, with the first dice rolling amongst treasures in pyramids and ancient tombs. It’s said that the Romans also enjoyed a spot of gambling, playing Roulette-style games with shields and swords.
It wasn’t until 1638, however, when the very first casino opened in Venice, Italy, that the casino craze was sparked across the world. Since then, many casino games have risen in popularity – many of which are still played today.
Each game has its own unique history, and with many online casinos now offering lucrative casino promotions and offers, playing your favourite game is easier than ever! With each game and all its variations available whatever you’d like, whenever you fancy, it can be hard to know just where to begin, so we’ve comprised a short list of the top five casino games to get you feeling like a pro in no time!
Read on to find out more.
#5 – Baccarat
In fifth place we have Baccarat, a popular card game, dating back to 19th century France, that not only relies on luck, but on guessing and wit. The game is between the player and the dealer – or banker – and there are three possible outcomes for each round. These include an outcome where the player has the highest score, another in which the banker has the highest score, or a tie.
#4 – Poker
At number four we have Poker, originally known as “Pochen” in Germany in the sixteenth century, and later as “Poque” in France, before it was brought over to New Orleans and played on the riverboats up and down the Mississippi. In the 1830s, the game was refined and became known as Poker, with rules and variations being added, making the game even more popular.
Played with a standard 52 deck of cards, the idea is to essentially bet on your own hand being the best – the highest hand being a Five of a Kind.
#3 – Roulette
Taking bronze – in third place – we have Roulette. Named after the French word meaning ‘little wheel’, Roulette is known as a game of luck, with between 37 and 38 pockets, depending on the wheel. A player will place their bets and the dealer will spin the wheel. Whatever pocket the ball rests in decides the outcome of the game.
Roulette originates from 18th century France, and remains popular as it requires little to no skill at all – just luck, chance, and anticipation.
#2 – Blackjack
The silver medal goes to Blackjack, the casino game with the lowest house edge and the highest winning odds – no wonder it’s so popular! The game is said to have originated in French casinos in the 1700s, where it was known as “Vingt-et-Un” – a direct translation of “Twenty-one”.
The game is essentially the player either asking for more cards or not until their hand value reaches 21, but no more. Blackjack requires a little bit of skill, but, like all casino games, is heavily reliant on luck.
#1 – Slots
Finally, taking the gold medal and standing tall in first place are Slots! Slot machines first started to make an appearance in the 1890s, and since then have risen in popularity. At first, prizes would include cigars, drinks and snacks from the bar in which the machine was found, but as technology progressed, so did the prizes!
Classic slot games are available to play online, alongside brand-new games with state-of-the-art technology, graphics and mechanics, with bonus rounds, changing reels and endless possibilities! The games are so easily accessible, with so many to choose from, and the simplicity of having to place your wager and press ‘spin’, for the chance to win big, makes the games some of the most desirable in the entire casino world.
