Gambling and casino games have been around for centuries. For many, these types of game are a great source entertainment; with no shortage of games to choose from, this is no surprise. From skill-based games like poker and blackjack to more chance-based options such as slots and bingo, there’s something for every type of player.
Plus, with most casino games now available to be played online as well as in your local betting shop, trying out different types of gambling has become easier.
To help you get to grips with the gaming landscape, here’s a rundown of the different casino and betting games available.
Types of casino games
Table games
Table games are a staple in physical casinos and are now popular on online gambling platforms too. These types of games, such as poker, roulette and baccarat, typically involve a dealer or croupier and are played on a table layout. Here are some of the most well-known table games you can find at a casino or gambling website.
Poker
Poker is a strategic card game that requires players to read their opponents, calculate odds, and make informed decisions to hold the best possible hand of cards. It involves both luck and skill, with the rules varying between the different types of games. Two of the most popular types of poker, which you’ll likely have heard of, are Texas Hold’Em and Five-Card Draw.
Blackjack
Blackjack is another strategic card game. To win, your hand of cards must add up to more than the dealers, without exceeding twenty-one (“busting”). Blackjack is simple to play and offers better odds than other gambling games, so it is a favourite of many gamers.
Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance where you place a bet on where a small ball will land on a spinning wheel. There are several variations of this game including French roulette, European roulette, American roulette, multi-ball roulette and multi-wheel roulette, with the rules to win depending on the type you play.
Craps
Craps is a fast-paced game where players place bets on the outcome of the roll of a pair of dice. There are various betting options to choose from in this game, and players can either wager on or against the shooter (the person rolling the dice).
Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game with straightforward rules and simple gameplay. Players have three betting options - the player's hand, the banker's hand, or a tie. The player with the hand closest to nine wins. Baccarat is accessible to any level of player but as it's popular with high rollers, it’s often associated with glamour and high stakes.
Slots
Often seen in movies or TV shows set in Las Vegas, slot machines are one of the most widely recognised casino games. They can also offer a substantial jackpot if you’re lucky enough to win. There are several types of slots to choose from including the traditional three-wheel slots, modern five-wheel video slots, progressive jackpot slots where the pot increases the more the game is played, and mega-spin slots where you can play multiple games at once.
Speciality games
The term “speciality games” covers a wide range of options that offer an alternative to traditional gambling and casino games. Those that fall under this umbrella usually require little skill and are won on luck. Some of the best-known speciality games you can find in online casinos include:
Lottery
Entering a lottery involves purchasing tickets and choosing random numbers for a chance to win jackpot prizes. Draws are held at specific times and players hope their numbers match the winning combination. Some lotteries offer smaller payouts to those whose ticket have several correct numbers.
Bingo
Bingo is a game of chance where players mark off numbers on a card as they are called out. To win you must mark off all the numbers in a predetermined pattern. Bingo is generally seen as a social game that can be enjoyed by communities or groups of people either in large halls or online.
Scratch cards
Scratch cards, also called scratch-offs, are physical or virtual cards that have a set of symbols that are covered. Players scratch the card to remove the covering and depending on the symbols shown may win a jackpot or smaller prize.
Wheel of Fortune
To play Wheel of Fortune you simply spin a wheel and hope that the pointer lands on a prize. When played in a casino, players will often need to place a bet on the pointer landing on a certain letter or outcome in order to have a chance of winning.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is a dice game originating from ancient China and means “big or small”. Players place bets on the outcome of three dice rolls. It is a game of chance with various betting options available.
Keno
Keno is a lottery-style game where players choose numbers from a predetermined range. Random numbers are then drawn, and players win based on how many of their selected numbers match the drawn numbers.
Other types of gambling
Sports betting
Sports betting involves placing bets on the outcome of sporting events. Popular with sports enthusiasts, this type of gambling allows those partaking to make predictions and place wagers on the performance of individual players or the results of games and tournaments.
This type of betting is popular as it puts sports fans’ knowledge and predictions to the test. Football (soccer), rugby, basketball, baseball, American football, cricket and horse racing are some of the sports most bet on around the world, but wagers can be made for almost any type of sport.
Staying safe when gambling and betting
As you’ve now discovered, the world of gambling and casino games is vast and diverse, with something to suit every player.
Skrill’s digital wallet allows you to fund your bets quickly and privately, with a balance that’s totally separate from your bank account. Plus, you can easily withdraw your winnings to your Skrill wallet and use them to play again, shop online, or transfer them to another account.
While gambling and betting can be a fun way to spend time, it's important to always gamble responsibly and within your means.
If you're worried about your own or someone else's gambling, get in touch with your local gambling support charity via their dedicated helpline.