What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word “casino”? Depending on where you live, the options are a grandiose scene from the Las Vegas Strip with lights and people everywhere or roulette, the best-known casino game ever invented. The word might also remind you of all the money one can win (or lose) by playing casino games. Whichever the case, the image that pops into your mind is likely associated with fun. Casino games are fun to play, that’s a well-known fact. Most players, especially those playing online, don’t seek to win a fortune while playing them but to have fun on their own terms, in their own preferred form. Unlike the other widespread forms of gambling – lotteries, sports betting, bingo, and their likes – casino games are not about winning but about having fun. But not all casino games are created equal.
Slot machines
Slot machines are the most diverse kind of casino games available. Although all of them are built on the same tried-and-tested schematic, they have different looks that attract different players. Basically, NZ pokies are the same as the ones you’ll find in Vegas casinos, fun to play and attractive but not particularly challenging to the mind.
Slot machines are entertaining games and all but they are not exactly what you would call a “challenging” game. Casinos, in turn, have many other games that are equally entertaining but also put their players’ minds to the test – games that you should definitely try on your next trip to a casino.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the classic games you’ll most likely encounter in any casino, online or otherwise. The game has a pretty simple set of rules, which makes it easy to learn. At first sight, blackjack looks and feels like just another game of chance. If you take a better look at it, though, and you do your homework, you’ll see that it has quite a few tricks you can master to incline the odds in your favor.
Spending time at the blackjack table and playing a few hands, even with no real money involved, is a relaxing and refreshing experience.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker will appeal not only to casino goers but also to poker players. It’s the “Americanized” version of a classic Chinese table game called Pai Gow, but with numerous elements taken from poker added to the mix.
All players at the table are dealt seven cards that they have to divide into two hands, one five-card hand and one two-card hand, according to standard poker rules, with one exception: Jokers can complete a straight or a flush in the five-card hand, and if it’s not possible, it acts as an ace. In the two-card hand, Jokers always act as aces. When all players have split their cards, the hands are revealed and compared. To win the highest payout, both of the players’ hands must beat the dealer’s hands. If only one of the hands is a winner, the hand is a tie.
Pai Gow Poker is a game that’s far more complex than most others at casinos but certainly highly entertaining and challenging to play.
