Alternatives to Poker at Online Casinos

Poker is undoubtedly the biggest and most popular card game in the world. It is associated with a coolness played out in countless movies and has even added words and phrases to everyday speech.

Online casinos have taken card games to a whole new level and the popularity of poker is replicated in this universe as well as in ‘real life’. The best betting sites will have countless varieties of these card games. But if you tend to stick to poker rooms, here is a quick guide to the alternatives.

There should be a good choice of card games at most online casinos

Blackjack

Sometimes called ‘21’, blackjack is one of those card games that everything thinks they know how to play. But there are some specific rules that sometimes get forgotten when you play with friends. Obviously, that doesn’t go down too well at the online casinos.

The main thing to mention about blackjack is that you don’t have to beat the rest of the players around the table – virtual or not. To win money you only have to beat whatever the dealer has. That is easier said than done but it is an important point to remember when you go online.

As with other online card games, there is a seemingly ever-growing list of blackjack variations. They usually all come down to the same idea though. You begin with two cards and then have to get as close to 21 without going over. But you still only have to beat the dealer!

Baccarat

This is a traditional table game – as online casinos like to call them – that most people have heard of but many don’t actually know how to play. That might be because it tends to be played for higher stakes in bricks and mortar casinos. It is even the favorite game of James Bond! But the online version allows players to try the game out at a more affordable level.

Baccarat is actually a fairly simple game to play. It is much like blackjack, but instead of working towards 21, here players get as close to nine as possible. Although you are dealt two cards, players are able to bet on the dealer as well as themselves. There is also the possibility of taking additional cards.

Online casinos can be just as good as ‘real life’ ones

Yablon (Red Dog)

Red Dog is sometimes regarded as a poker game. But, although it does use poker cards, it is different. Once again, players receive two cards – the idea is then to predict the value of the third card. The prediction also depends on what value cards you initially receive from the dealer.

There are some other details of the game that should be understood before you start playing online. There are changes in the order of play depending on what cards are dealt and even the payouts relate to the spread – or the difference between the two cards you were originally dealt.

Live Casino is Better

Whichever card game you end up playing online, we would suggest choosing the live casino version if possible. There is nothing wrong with the automated versions, but they are following random number programs. If you want to play in a way that is closer to ‘real life’ cards, look for a live dealer (i.e., you’re still playing online from a computer or mobile device, but you can interact with a real human dealer).

You can get the same kind of interaction with the live casino card games, as the dealer is a real person. There may even be the chance to interact with other players via the chat function. It really is just like being at a ‘real’ casino – but without having to leave your own house.

Poker Rules

Although there is a good selection of other card games at most good online casinos, you will see that poker is still king. The vast majority of options are variations of the game.

Whether it is Caribbean Stud Poker, Three-Card Poker, or any other type of poker variant you play against the house, you will be able to find your favorite poker game online. Just give the others a go as well.