Card games – rules and how to play
Whether you’re new to the world of casino card games or you’re an experienced hobbyist looking to brush up on some strategies, we’ve got you covered with our in-depth guides. Simply choose the game you want to learn more about below and we’ll help you to understand it a bit better. Before you know it, you’ll be a master!
Best card games
Play poker online
Build up the best possible hand or bluff to your heart’s content. Poker is a card game that plays out differently online compared to a real in-person game since there are no subtle facial cues to look out for in your opponents when playing online. You can still bluff by raising the stakes but be careful! Playing free poker online against AI is a great way to learn the game if you haven’t had much experience.
Play blackjack online
Try to beat the dealer’s hand, but be careful not to go over 21. Online blackjack can be a lot easier to play than real-life blackjack in a brick-and-mortar casino – this is because you’ll get as much time as you like to decide on whether to hit or stick – and you simply hit a button to do this rather than make hand signals or talk to a dealer.
Play baccarat online
Channel your inner James Bond by betting on the player or bank and get as close to 9 as possible. As one of the most glamorous casino card games, online baccarat is definitely one worth learning if you haven’t already. The great thing about it is that it’s a game of pure luck, meaning anyone can jump in and potentially win a great deal of money – why not try playing free baccarat first so you can get the hang of the game before testing yourself?
Play pai gow poker online
A spin on classic poker, where you get even more hands to play with. As pai gow poker is more complicated than the traditional version, it would be a good move to make sure you’ve mastered original poker first before giving this a go. With that being said, if you want to have some fun you can try out pai gow for free first and see if having two different poker hands brings you any luck!
Play pontoon online
To get a “pontoon”, you need an ace and a 10. Feeling lucky?
Think of online pontoon as a variation of blackjack and you’ll find it easier to get to grips with. The goal is to beat the banker’s hand by coming as close to 21 as possible – sound familiar? If you’re feeling confident, you can jump into a real money pontoon game, but as always, we recommend brushing up on your skills by playing for free first.
Real money card games
All of the card games listed on this page can be played for real money at online casinos – if you’re feeling confident enough and you know all the rules, then why not give it a go! Just make sure to check out our real money page for our most trusted and highly-rated casinos – they’re safe, secure and reliable when it comes to classic table games.
Live dealer card games
If you want an experience that’s a lot more like a real-life casino, then live dealer card games are the way to go. The games work in the same way and have the same rules, but you’ll be able to see a real-life croupier via a live video link – the only difference between live and non-live dealer titles is that you won’t have unlimited time to make a move while playing. You can find the best live poker, blackjack and baccarat on our site!
Explore our other game guides
Card game FAQs
In casino settings, there are quite a few games that you can play with cards. Some of the most popular ones include blackjack, poker, baccarat, 3 card rummy, pai gow, pontoon, and other variations of poker like Texas hold'em and 3 card poker. Check out our real money casinos page where you can find the best online casinos to play these games at.
Outside of casinos, you can try things like crazy eights, snap, and go fish, but these just don’t quite cut the mustard for us. If you’re looking to get into casino card games, blackjack is widely regarded as one of the easier card games to learn for newcomers. And, luckily enough, we have a complete guide on how to play blackjack right here!
Classic 5 card poker and blackjack are still good options if you only have 2 players – the games might finish a little quicker than usual but they’re still great fun.
Yes, you absolutely can play online card games for free! Start by checking out our free games page for some fun top picks to get you started. You’ll be able to find free versions of most of the card games mentioned on this page from there.