Card games have a long and storied history in many societies across the world.
In fact, the humble deck of playing cards is so old, that many believe it to have been invented all the way back in the Tang Dynasty in China around the 9th century AD. Although this was a much more rudimentary version of the modern deck of cards we are now more familiar with, the basic format of a playing card with specific suits made its way to Western Europe through the Mamluk era in Egypt, eventually ending up in the games parlours of the Spanish, German and French aristocracy.
Regardless of how exactly playing cards ended up in Europe, what is clear is that this simple invention has been with us for quite some time. Part of what has given this item such staying power, is how simple and adaptable it is.
While UK casinos tend to stick to the same few variations, there are in fact thousands of different games that can be played using them. According to some estimates, the deck of playing cards you see in both in-person and online casinos can be used to play between 1,000 and 10,000 games.
This is according to the International Playing-Card Society, although the actual figure may differ depending on what you classify as a game!
Despite the possibility of there being at least 1,000 different card games you can play using a standard deck of cards, the fact of the matter is that a handful of different games tend to capture the lion’s share of our playing time.
But what are the most popular card games played today, and why should you learn to play them?
Texas Hold‘em
Although it might not be played as much as some of the other card games included on this list, there is no getting around the fact that Texas Hold’em is easily one of the most well-known card games.
Texas Hold’em is one of the two most popular variants of poker and is played at both in-person and online casinos across the world. It has even cemented its place on the professional circuit, with thousands of professional poker players from across the world exclusively playing this variation.
This has helped to make Texas Hold’em one of the most popular card games ever!
A game of Texas Hold’em takes place in four distinct stages:
- Stage 1: The ‘pre-flop’ where everyone at the table gets dealt two cards face down.
- Stage 2: The ‘flop’, where three cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table.
- Stage 3: The ‘turn’, where a fourth card is dealt face up in the middle of the able.
- Stage 4: And finally, the ‘river’, where a fifth card is dealt face up in the middle of the table.
The aim of Texas Hold’em is to make the best five-card hand from any combination of the seven cards that have been dealt. Betting takes place before the flop and after each subsequent deal.
When combined with intense rounds of betting, this simplified ruleset has helped Texas Hold’em to become one of the most popular poker variations played today.
Blackjack
Blackjack, or 21 as it is more popularly known, is easily one of the most popular games in both online and in-person casinos. It has an incredibly simple format and ruleset, which makes it a popular choice with novice players, while still offering a decent enough house edge to keep more experienced players coming back for more!
The game of blackjack has roots stretching all the way back to the 1500s, with an earlier version of the game receiving numerous references in Spanish literature at the time. This game, known as ‘Rinconete y Cortadillo, would eventually find its way to France and Britain in the early 1800s.
The popularity of 21 really started to ramp up once it made its way to America, where it became a staple of both official and unofficial gambling establishments.
Since then, 21 has grown to be a fan favourite and is played across the world — both online and off!
The format is simple; you will get dealt two cards at the start of the game. Depending on how close the sum of the numbers displayed on the cards is to 21, you then choose to either receive another card, split them or to ‘fold’, thereby removing yourself from that round.
This simple format has proved a hit with fans and blackjack is still incredibly popular across the world.
Baccarat
Also known as Punto Banco, Baccarat is one of the most popular card games played in both online and in-person casinos. Although it has a global appeal and is found in casinos across the world, it is particularly popular in Asia.
Although it might have grown to be popular in the Asia-Pacific region, the game is thought to have got its start in and around the 19th century, although this is disputed, with some arguing it is at least 300 years older than that.
Regardless of where it originated from, the fact remains that baccarat is growing to be one of the most popular card games today.
Much of this is thanks to the simple format of baccarat, which can be picked up in a matter of minutes. The aim of the game is to guess which one of three possible propositions will win the next round: the banker, the player or that it will be a tie.
Two hands are dealt at the start of the round, with each hand receiving two cards. You decide which of these hands you want to bet on, and the hand that gets closest to being worth nine wins.
Although the format is simple, this is a highly playable game that is loved by card game fans across the world.
Three Card Poker
Much like Texas Hold’em, it is generally the simplified versions of poker that tend to be the most popular. This is definitely true of three card poker, which is a fast moving, beginner friendly poker variation that continues to be played in casinos across the world.
In three card poker, you are generally playing against the dealer, and other players’ hands don’t really matter to you. Players place their ante bet before being dealt three cards. After that, the player makes a call on whether to match their ante bet or fold.
If a player’s hand is better than the dealer’s, they are paid evens on both the ante and play bets. However, if the dealer doesn’t get a queen high or better hand, only the ante bet will be honoured.
This is a fast moving, easy to pick up poker variation that has steadily grown in popularity at both online and in-person casinos!
Poker
Although its many variations might be more popularly played, there is no getting around the fact that poker is by far the most well-known, if not iconic, card game.
In addition to being played at both online and in-person casinos across the world, it has also become an incredibly popular spectator sport. Professional poker games such as the 2022 World Series of Poker are streamed online by millions across the world, and even receive primetime coverage on sports channels such as Fox Sports and ESPN!
On the professional tournament scene, players compete for prize-pots worth tens of millions of dollars and go on to become well-known sporting figures.
Poker is a relatively slow-moving card game when compared to games such as blackjack or baccarat. However, the intense rounds of betting, gambling and complex strategizing give it an appeal that is hard to beat!