New to card games and want to dip your toes into gambling? You’re in luck. There are a whole bunch of card games that are easy, fun and fast – perfect for beginners who don’t want to be buried in strategy guides or rulebooks. And the best bit? Many of them are super easy to learn so you get just enough challenge to be exciting without feeling like a brain marathon. From quick wins to light strategy, here are some of the easiest gambling-themed card games to get you started with just a few hands.
Let’s get started then and look at some of the easiest and most fun gambling card games out there. These games are chosen not just for their simplicity but for their charm, and you’ll find they’re easy to learn but hard to put down.
War is one of the simplest games you can play, so it’s perfect for beginners. Here’s how it works: each player is dealt half the deck face down and players reveal the top card from their piles at the same time. The player with the higher card wins the round and takes both cards. If there’s a tie a “war” ensues where each player lays down extra cards until someone wins. Whoever wins all the cards, wins the game.
War is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t require any skill or strategy – luck is the only force at play. It’s the kind of game you can play with no preparation so it’s great for when you just want to get in and play a quick competitive game. And while it’s a game of chance, it’s the unpredictability of each round that makes it oddly compelling. Plus, War is a great way to get used to gambling games as you get used to betting without having to worry about strategy.
Blackjack is a casino classic that’s quite easy to learn even for beginners. The objective is simple: get your cards as close to 21 as possible without going over. Each player is dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt two cards, one face up. Based on your hand value and the dealer’s up card you can choose to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep your hand as it is).
Blackjack is a great game of balance between simple and exciting and a bit of basic strategy will give you an edge. One tip for newbies is to remember that you should “stand” if your hand is 17 or higher as going over 21 means an automatic loss. Blackjack also has low house edges so you have a good chance of winning even with no experience. Many online casinos have free Blackjack, too, where you can practice with no risk before you’re ready to play for real.
If you want instant gratification, High Card Draw is the game for you. In this game, each player draws one card from a shuffled deck. The player with the highest card wins the round—simple as that. Since it doesn’t get any easier than comparing two numbers, High Card Draw is one of the fastest and simplest gambling games you’ll find.
High Card Draw is great for group play and is often played as a drinking game in social settings. There’s no strategy involved, so it’s a great option when you just want to chill and rely on pure luck. Since it’s such a quick game you can play High Card Draw many times in a short period, so players have plenty of chances to try their luck with minimal downtime.
Baccarat may seem intimidating at first but it’s actually one of the easiest casino games for newbies. In Baccarat, your only goal is to bet on which hand—either the “Player” or “Banker”—will get closest to nine. Players don’t need to worry about handling cards directly as the dealer does all the work. All you have to do is decide where to place your bet.
What makes Baccarat appealing is that it’s easy to play but still has an air of elegance and thrill. You’ll find this game in almost every casino, often in a roped-off section with a bit of fanfare. And while it may feel formal, Baccarat is as newbie-friendly as it gets—no complicated rules, no strategy to learn, just a simple bet and the thrill of watching the cards fall.
Red Dog, also known as Acey-Deucey, is a fun and easy game that even total newbies can play. The game starts with the dealer placing two cards face-up on the table. Players then bet on whether the third card will fall between the values of the two. If it does, you win; if not, you lose.
The beauty of Red Dog is you don’t need any skills to play. The game moves fast and the payouts are big when the odds are in your favor. It’s a great game for anyone looking for a simple game with simple betting. Plus, it’s a nice change of pace from other more complicated games where you can play with some predictability and still have some luck.
If you’re interested in online card games but want to test your skills and luck on the gambling front, check out these promos at many online casinos – they’re full of welcome offers, free spins and other goodies to make your introduction even sweeter. With offers on the table, learning a card game or two could be a low-risk way to have some fun.
Whether it’s the fast-paced action of War, the slickness of Blackjack or the sophistication of Baccarat, each game has its own vibe. So go ahead and try them out and see which one suits you best. And with online options, you can try out a few games and even practice before you put any money down. Good luck and have fun.