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We explain how to master the gambling entertainment found in most casinos and on online platforms such as Revery Play, where players can enjoy a wide range of games. The range of modern casino games is extensive, with many different variations and types available. Gambling games can vary in complexity and risk, and there are numerous versions of well-known games such as poker, blackjack, and baccarat. However, most players prefer games with ‘classic’ rules.
Here, we explain how to play the most popular casino games.
Rules of poker
In classic Texas Hold'em poker, 2 to 10 players participate. The main goal is to make the best combination of five cards. The player with the highest-ranking combination wins and takes the pot.
Poker combinations are ranked as follows:
- Royal Flush — the five highest cards of the same suit.
- Straight Flush — five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Four of a Kind — four cards of the same rank.
- Full House — a combination of a Three of a Kind and a Pair.
- Flush — five cards of the same suit.
- Straight — five consecutive cards of any suit.
- Three of a Kind (Set) — three cards of the same rank.
- Two Pairs — two pairs of cards of the same rank.
- Pair — two cards of the same rank.
- High Card — a single card; the higher its rank, the better.
At the start of the game, each player is dealt two face-down cards, which only they can see. Players then make mandatory bets. Next, a card is revealed on the table, and during the betting round, players can:
- Bet — place a wager.
- Call — match an opponent’s bet.
- Raise — increase the bet.
- Fold — give up the hand and discard your cards.
- Check — pass the turn without betting if no additional bets have been made.
After the first betting round, three community cards are dealt face up on the table. Players can use these cards to form their five-card combinations.
When all remaining players have completed and matched the final bet, they reveal their cards. To win, a player must either:
- Show the highest-ranking combination of cards,
- Make a bet that no one matches, or
- Convince opponents to fold by implying a stronger hand than they hold.
Blackjack rules
Blackjack is one of the easiest card games to learn. The aim is to beat the dealer by having a higher total without exceeding 21 points. If a player scores more than 21, this is called a bust, and they automatically lose their bet.
The game is played with one or more decks of 52 cards, which are combined into a single deck. The dealer deals two cards to each player face up, while only one of the dealer’s cards is face up. These two cards form the starting hand, which the player can improve by taking additional cards. The winner is the player with the hand closest to 21 without going over.
Card values:
- Cards 2–10: face value.
- Jacks, Queens, Kings: 10 points.
- Aces: 1 or 11 points, at the player’s discretion.
- Suits have no value in the game.
Player options after receiving the first two cards:
- Stand — keep the current hand.
- Hit — take another card.
- Split — if the first two cards are of equal value, split them into two separate hands, doubling the bet.
- Double Down — double the original bet and receive only one additional card.
- Insurance — place a side bet if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, protecting against a dealer blackjack. Payout is 2:1.
- Surrender — forfeit half the bet if the hand is unlikely to win.
- Bust — exceed 21 points, losing the bet immediately.
Dealer rules:
The dealer acts after all players have completed their moves. The dealer must take additional cards if their total is less than 17 and must stand if the total is 17 or more.
Best hand — Blackjack:
The strongest hand is blackjack, which consists of an Ace and a 10, Jack, Queen, or King (totaling 21). Blackjack pays 3:2 unless the dealer also has blackjack, in which case the hand ends in a draw.
Winning and losing:
- If the player’s total is higher than the dealer’s without busting, the player wins.
- If the dealer’s total is higher, or if totals are equal and neither has blackjack, the player loses.
Rules of the game of Baccarat
Baccarat is similar in principle to Blackjack, but the goal is to achieve a hand totaling 9 points, not 21. The hand closest to 9 wins.
Once bets are placed, both the dealer and players receive two cards each. Card values are as follows:
- Cards 2–9: face value.
- Ace: 1 point.
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: 0 points.
If the total of the first two cards exceeds 9, 10 is subtracted from the total. For example, two 8s give a total of 16 → 10 is subtracted → 6 points.
Third card rules:
- If the player’s total is less than 5, they draw a third card; if 5 or more, they do not.
- The banker draws a third card if their total is between 0 and 4.
- If the banker has 5 points, whether they draw depends on the player’s third card.
If the player’s and banker’s hands tie, bets on the Tie option win, and other bets are returned.
Special combinations:
- A total of 9 or 8 points in the first two cards is called a natural and is an automatic win.
- A hand consisting entirely of zeros is called a baccarat
Rules of Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games worldwide. The objective is to predict which number the ball will land on after the croupier spins the wheel.
The roulette table consists of a wheel and a betting field where players place chips. European tables have 37 numbers, while American tables have 38 numbers.
Types of bets and payouts:
- Straight Up — bet on a single number. Payout: 35:1.
- Split — bet on two numbers, chip placed on the line between them. Payout: 17:1.
- Street — bet on three numbers in a row. Payout: 11:1.
- Street with Zero — bet on three numbers including zero. Payout: 11:1.
- Corner (Cross, Square) — bet on four numbers, chip placed on the corner between them. Payout: 8:1.
- First Four — bet on four numbers including zero. Payout: 8:1.
- Sixline — bet on six numbers across two rows. Payout: 5:1.
- Dozen — bet on a group of 12 numbers: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Payout: 2:1.
- Column — bet on a vertical column of 12 numbers. Payout: 2:1.
Winning bets are paid according to the odds, while losing bets are forfeited.
Rules of the game of Craps
Craps has many variations, but the most popular version in casinos is standard Craps.
Any number of players can participate, and two six-sided dice are required. One player acts as the banker, who rolls the dice according to the rules. The goal is to predict the sum of the dice.
Basic outcomes on the first roll (the “come-out roll”):
- 7 or 11 — the banker wins. The dice are then passed to another player. This is called a pass.
- 2, 3, or 12 — a craps or “missed shot,” and the player loses.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — a point is established. The player continues rolling until either the point is rolled again (win) or a 7 is rolled (loss).
Craps is played on a specially marked table where players place bets:
- Bet on Win (Pass Line) — bet that the shooter will win, i.e., 7 or 11 on the first roll or by making the point.
- Bet on Lose (Don’t Pass Line) — bet that the shooter will lose, i.e., 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll.
- Bet on 6 or 8 — bet on specific numbers; the player wins if 6 or 8 comes up before a 7.
- Come Bet — similar to a Pass Line bet, but applies to the next roll after the bet is placed.
- Don’t Come Bet — similar to Don’t Pass, but applies to the next roll.
- Field Bet — bet on several numbers at once (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12), often considered one of the most profitable bets.