Popular Card Games in Online Casinos

Card games are among the classics of games of chance. Visit any online casino and you’ll be presented with plenty of opportunities to play cards. However, not all card games are created equal. Let’s take a look at the most popular card games you can play at online casinos.

Blackjack is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly casino games in both land-based and online casinos. Anyone can learn this game in just a few minutes thanks to its simple, easy-to-understand rules. However, you must learn key blackjack strategies to master the game.

The objective in blackjack is to get a higher card total than the dealer without going over 21. Each player is dealt two cards, and they can ask for additional cards to increase their total or "stand" if they are satisfied with their hand. It is possible to take as many cards as you wish, but you must avoid exceeding 21, which results in an immediate loss.

Blackjack offers several other features that make the game more strategic. Players can choose to split their hand when dealt two cards of the same value, doubling their chances of winning. There’s also the option to buy "insurance" if the dealer shows an Ace, protecting against a loss if the dealer should land a blackjack. And of course, achieving blackjack—having an Ace paired with a ten-value card in your first two cards—offers the highest payout, surpassing even other hands that total 21.

No list of the most popular online casino card games is complete with a mention of poker. It comes in many variations that require risk, strategy, and skill. The basics always remain the same: put together a hand that wins the round or bluff and convince your fellow players to fold in time.

And when you’ve mastered your game strategy at private or online tables, you can test your skills at online poker tournaments. Here, you can win big. Even though poker requires a fair bit of skill for success, there’s always an element of luck that could help you win the pot.

If you've tried a standard game of poker before, you might also enjoy Texas Hold'em, Deuces Wild, or Three Card Poker. There's something unique about poker that opens up endless different possibilities for players.

Another favorite card game is Baccarat. Baccarat involves hands played between the "Player" and "Banker" in each round. To win, a hand needs to get as close to nine points as possible. Bettors place bets on the Player or the Banker before each round. Once all bets are placed, both sides are dealt two cards. Baccarat rules count face cards (J, Q, K) and 10s as zero points, aces for one position, and cards 2 through 9 for their face value. The values of all cards dealt to a camp are added together until a single digit number emerges. For example, if the Player receives a 9 of clubs and a 9 of spades, the total of 18 is broken down into single digits (1 + *) for a final total of 9, a winning hand.

Part slot machine, part five-card draw, video poker is one of the most engaging card games you'll find at an online casino. This game’s interface is similar to slots in many ways, but it’s played with cards and the goal is to make a good hand. Many variations of video poker exist, some being more beginner-friendly than others. However, all versions of this game have one thing in common: a really good payout percentage.

Maybe you have a favorite card game that you're more interested in for fun than for the odds. But if winning is your main concern, you'll want to know which card game offers the best odds.

Unlike slot machines, you can expect the highest values here. Baccarat offers RTPs (payout rates) over 98%, blackjack usually over 99%, as does video poker. All card games in online casinos break the 98% mark and are, therefore, among the most lucrative games.

Blackjack is the casino card game with the highest odds of winning. At 49%, blackjack beats every other casino game in terms of the probability of winning. In most online casinos, the house edge on blackjack is less than 1%.

Video poker is close behind. Particularly Jacks or Better, which has RTPs around 99%, depending on the casino and the specific paytable. To give you an idea of the payouts, a video poker machine can pay you 1x for a hand in Jacks or Better and up to 800x for a royal flush. Additionally, some video poker card games offer progressive jackpots, making them a very attractive option.

Next comes Baccarat. The odds of winning a bet on the Player hand are about 44.6%, while betting on the Banker hand offers slightly better odds at 45.8%. Ties occur 9.6% of the time. If you ignore ties, the Banker hand wins approximately 51% of the time, giving it a slight edge over the Player hand.

The variety of card games available at online casinos means there is something for every player, from seasoned gamblers to casual players. Your best chance of winning at card games is to find a player-friendly blackjack table. In this case, you can expect an RTP of 99.5% or higher.

If you don't want to put a lot of work into your time at the tables, opt for Baccarat. The Banker bet offers a 98.94% return on investment, whether you play online or in Las Vegas.

Once you get beyond these two games, the RTP drops below 98%, so you need the right strategy in these games to achieve the highest possible return. Nevertheless, card games still pay more than most slot machines. With live dealer options, numerous game variants, and increasing accessibility, the virtual card tables are always ready for a fresh shuffle and a new round of bets.