The first card game learned by most children in America is undoubtedly war. All you need to play war is the ability to count, and the game is simply a game of chance based on who’ll draw the highest card on a random deal.

Casino War is one of the oldest and most popular games in casinos. All the more reason to learn how to play right? Check out our guide for the history, techniques, and strategies you'll need to get an edge over the house. Casino war can also be known as Royal Rumble or Battle Royale. If you ever get a chance to hit up the casino war table at a casino, the game will probably be instantly familiar to you. Because the rules are extremely simple, it can be a fun game to play, but it can become monotonous after a while. Winning a tie bet is the most lucrative wager available in Casino Wars, with a payout of 10 to one. Tips and strategies when playing Casino War. As previously mentioned, Casino War is a luck based game and there’s not really anything a player can do to alter the outcome of a deal.

War is traditionally played between two people with nothing on the line but pride, but at some point enterprising casino managers decided to turn the kitchen table game into a casino table game. The result of their innovation is casino war, which is by far the easiest game to play in any gaming establishment.

Casino war pits you against a house dealer but the objective of the game remains the same: hope your card is higher than theirs. That’s really all there is to it. While the sight of a casino war table in a brick and mortar casino usually sets the scene for some carefree gambling, the game has made a successful transition to the online casino industry. Today casino war holds its own alongside competing table games across most prominent online casino venues.

Because casino war offers a relatively low house edge, along with a game that requires very little mental gymnastics from the player. People love to pass the time with a few hands of this age old classic. And after all, there aren’t many card game situations more exciting than the revelation of matching cards, prompting you and your opponent to declare war before letting the deck decide your fate.

• BONUS 100% up to £250 Bonus

How to Play

Playing a hand of casino war is simple and stress-free, making it a favorite for newcomers trying to get a little gamble in during their first trip to the casino. To begin, you’ll place a mandatory ante bet in any amount you prefer. Most players begin with a $5 bet to get the ball rolling, before seeing what the deck has in store for them and altering the amount accordingly.

After you ante up the dealer will toss out one card to each player at the table (or just you during online play), before dealing themselves a single card as well. All cards are dealt face up.

Casino War Techniques Against

In casino war, standard hand rankings are applied. Aces are always high and suits are irrelevant. With the cards dealt out, the dealer compares each player card to their own, and the highest card wins. Winning bets are paid out at 1-to-1 while losing bets are claimed by the house.

The excitement of casino war comes when your card happens to tie the dealer’s card. When this scenario occurs, players are given the option to surrender and forfeit half of their ante bet, or to declare war by placing an additional wager equal to the ante. You won’t receive additional information to tilt your decision one way or another, so there are no strategic implications at play, and most players simply go to war and hope for the best. And besides, why play casino war if you’re not prepared to do battle?

When war is declared and the additional bet is placed, the dealer will burn three cards face down before delivering the player a second card face up. This process is repeated so that the dealer receives a second card, and these are compared to determine the winner.

One thing to keep in mind when playing casino war is that going to war and winning does not result in the payout you might expect. Let’s say you’ve wagered $10, your card matches the dealer’s, and you’d like to go to war. This will cost you an additional $10 wager, but when you win the war your payout is only $10. That’s because the rules of casino war state that only the additional bet is paid out when you win a war, while the ante bet is only pushed.

This is a crucial difference because the house derives its edge based solely on this payout discrepancy. Anytime you need to risk $20 to win $10 in a game of chance, you’re taking the short end of probability’s stick.

Many casinos both live and online, do pay out both wagers when your second war card winds up tying the dealer’s war card. Make sure to check the rules for the room you’re playing to be sure whether or not this provision is in place.

Finally, you may also see a small betting circle marked tie near the primary ante space. This is used for a special side bet, one which pays out at 10 to 1 in the event your first card ties the dealer’s first card.

Proper Strategy

Real wars involve intricate strategic considerations if victory is to be accomplished. Casino war? Not so much.

The game is essentially predicated on pure chance, so you’ll be left hoping to see high cards while the dealer is sunk by a long run of lows. Other than hope though, there’s not much you can do to influence the outcome of an individual hand.

One thing you can do when trying to turn a profit during a session of casino war involves savvy game selection. Casino war games that utilize house friendly rules, such as not paying out a bonus equal to your ante when you tie the dealer during a war, clearly put the player at a disadvantage. Conversely, if you can find casino war tables that do pay out the bonus when you tie at war, these games reduce the house edge while increasing your expected value over the long run.

The other strategy is you should always go to war on a tie.

In the end though, casino war should be approached as a source of entertainment, and not a battlefield on which strategy plays an essential war. Bring a few bucks you can bear to part with, sit down and square off against the dealer, and relive a surprisingly nostalgic part of your childhood. And if you happen to turn a profit by the time the last hand is dealt, that’s all the better.

• Casino War is a fun and simple game to play online
• You can play it at online Casinos for free or for real money
• Casino War rules, strategy, and tips are explained in this article

Although Casino War is probably not the smartest game you can play at a Casino, its simplicity and resemblance to other popular card games are what usually convince everyone to sit at the table and play a game or two.

If you don't know what Casino War is or you want to find out how to play Casino War the right way, keep reading this article. You are going to find answers to all of your questions.

However, if you don't know anything about this Casino game and need a detailed rundown of the rules, you can visit the page where I tell you how to play Casino War step-by-step.

What is Casino War?

Casino War is possibly the easiest card game you can find at a Casino.

In a game of Casino War, six decks of cards are used. The dealer deals one card (face up) to all the players in the game and themselves.

Once all the cards have been dealt, you have three scenarios:

• Your card is higher than the dealer's one: you win.
• Your card is lower than the dealer's one: you lose.
• Your card matches the dealer's card: tie - the fun begins.

In the event of a tie, you can choose to surrender or to go to war.

The first option allows you to leave the game at the cost of half your original (Ante) bet.

The 'war declaration' offers you the chance to stay in play. As long as you can bet an equal amount to the original Ante wager, that is.

Once you go to war and place your bet, the dealer burns three cards and deals one card to you (and to all the other players who have decided to go to war) and to themselves.

If your second card is lower than the dealer's second card, the dealer wins and you lose both bets. But if your second card matches or beats the dealer's second card - your original wagers go back to you and you win even money for the war bet.

Casino War: One (Dirty) Trick to Avoid. Experienced players, especially the ones who really like to gamble, know that there's a small Casino War trick that can help them to win (or lose) a lot of money.

Now, although this bet pays 10 to 1 (!!!), my advice is not to go down this road. It gives the Casino an advantage of 18.65 percent.

Casino War: Strategy and Odds

Let’s make one thing clear: if you’re looking for a fast-money-making online Casino game, don't play.

Casino War is in not going to make you rich.

But if you are looking for a fun game to play that doesn't need to you to stay at the table for hours, Casino War is a solid choice.

Now that I’ve explained the basics of the game, let’s talk strategy.

What’s Better: Surrendering or Going To War?

When you go to war, you risk twice your original bet for only a single payoff.

So, naturally, you will ask - is it worth it to go to war?

Sure, you may think that there's no reason to risk your money to win only half of your bet. But it is definitely better to risk two units than to sacrifice one just because you don't feel like gambling.

And, if you don't believe me, let's have a look at some numbers of Casino War odds:

• Casino War strategy that states you should always go to war in case of a tie has a house edge of 2.88%.
• Casino War strategy that states you should always surrender in case of a tie has a house edge of 3.70%.

Because of the betting and payout when you go to war, Casino War house edge may seem a bit high for Blackjack or Baccarat players.

But if you prefer games of chance and enjoy simplicity of the game play, Casino War is a perfect choice.

With all that in mind, still up for playing Casino War games?

You’re in for a treat. But before you start, read five Casino War tips you should always keep in mind.

Casino War Tips

1. Never surrender. Every time you decide to quit, the house edge moves from 2.88 to 3.70 percent.
2. Always go to war. By doubling your initial bet you force the dealer to deal one more card and bring the house edge from 3.70 to 2.88 percent.
3. Never take the side bet. If you want, you can bet on the fact that your first card will match the dealer's one. But remember that while this bet pays 10 to 1 it gives the house an advantage of 18.65 percent. Think twice before you sign up for an edge like that. In any Casino game.
4. Really, it's a sucker bet. The house gets a better edge only in games like Sic Bo, Big Six, Keno, and some Slot games. Avoid this sucker bet at all costs.
5. Keep an eye on the Aces. The Aces are the highest cards in Casino War which means that once you get an Ace you can only win or tie. If you see that no aces have been dealt for an extended period of time, you can be sure that one will appear shortly on the table.

Where to Play Casino War Online for Real Money

Casino War isn't as popular of a game as Blackjack, Roulette, or Slot machines are. So, you won’t find it at every single land-based or online Casino.

While I can’t advise you which brick-and-mortar Casino to choose, I’ve played at a fair share of online Casinos to know which ones have the best Casino War(s) games.

Casino War Strategy

This Casino offers beginner-proof games at very low stakes. Also, before you dive in with real money, you can sign-up and practice the games completely free. And there is a pretty neat welcome bonus involved if you ask me.

But I don’t want to spoil it too much - visit the best Casino War site and see for yourself.

Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That’s what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!

Bonus info: Terms and conditions apply to the offer. If something isn't clear, have a look at our review of OrientXpress Casino for the T&Cs in full. The offer on this article might have expired by the time you read it. Please refer to the review pages for the latest bonuses and promotions available.