Over the past couple of years, the online betting industry has soared through the roof all around the world, including India. But despite the recent rise in popularity, there’s still a large number of Indians who aren’t aware of how the online games are played. For this reason, we’ve gone out of our way to prepare a comprehensive guide of the most popular online games. We shall cover the basics along with the different variations you are bound to come across in the Indian online casino industry.
Blackjack
The basics of blackjack
Blackjack is by far the most popular online casino game all around the world. It is especially popular in India and has featured in many TV shows and movies with some stories revolving around it.
The beauty of blackjack is that it is easy and simple to learn. The basics favor online beginners.
The goal of blackjack is to get a high score and beat your dealer’s hand. However, this has to be done without going higher than 21 in the sum of the cards you have in hand.
There are varied strategies you need to learn. But the most important is knowing the value of the cards. Numbered cards have the same value in blackjack. But aces count as 11 or 1 while the J/Q and K cards count as 10.
Depending on your cards or those of your dealer, you may opt to get hit (take an extra card), or stand (not take extra cards). There’s also the option to Double or Split your hands in some cases.
Types of blackjack games you can play in India
Blackjack basic rules remain the same in all the different types of blackjack games. The only differences come in the number of decks used in the game, the payouts and the gaming options. Before embarking on any game type, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the minor rule differences that exist.
American Blackjack
The rules in this type of blackjack are simple;
- You can surrender at the start of the game when your turn comes
- You always have the option to double down, regardless of the value of the cards
- The dealer has to hit when they get a soft 17 (meaning an ace and six-point cards)
European Blackjack
The European blackjack is played with two decks of cards. This is one of the best types. The two cards that a dealer deals a player are face up. A single card is also dealt with the dealer. The face-down card (referred to as the hole card) isn’t dealt until the player decides how they want to play the cards. The player can either choose to stand, double the cards or hit.
Atlantic City Blackjack
This type uses eight decks. The dealer has the liberty of peeking at the face-down card and standing on what players call a soft 12. The player can opt to re-split a total of 3 hands.
Insurance and late surrender are an option in the Atlantic City blackjack game.
Big5 Blackjack Gold
The Big5 Blackjack gold is similar to the classic blackjack. However, the difference is in the fact that Big5 Blackjack gold uses five decks. And at the start of the game, you are allowed to make a bet on all the five lines by either starting, doubling after every split or doubling after every deal.
Blackjack variations
Vegas strip
In this variation, the game is played using four decks. As a player, you can only split two aces once. But on the other hand, you can opt to double down on two cards of your choice. If you split your cards, you lose your insurance.
It’s also important to note that once you split, you can only double the bet if the cards that you initially split were aces. If you get a 21 after a split, it doesn’t count as a win. And if you split two aces, you can only receive an extra card and no more.
Perfect pairs
The standard blackjack game is made even more exciting with the option of placing a side bet on ‘perfect pairs.’ As a player, you win if the first two cards are a pair. For instance, if the cards are two tens or two eights you win. And the best part is that the amount you win is higher if the pair is of the same color and even higher if they are an identical suit.
Blackjack switch
In this variation, you have the luxury of playing two combinations with only two cards at the same time. You can swap the second card between your two hands.
If your dealer gets to 22, you get your bet back. While this essentially means you don’t get to win the bet (as would have been the case in the regular blackjack game), you don’t lose either. Instead, it means the game ends in a draw. Moreover, you get a reward in the ratio of 1:1 and not 3:2 as is the norm in the standard blackjack.
Double exposure blackjack
In this variation, both dealer cards are dealt face up. This gives you the player an advantage. Because of this advantage, the other rules are designed to place the dealer back on the same level as you.
In this blackjack variation, you lose your bet if you tie with the dealer. And if you win, the payments are made in the ratio 1:1. Last but not least, you are only allowed to spit your cards once.
Roulette
This is a fascinating and straightforward game. Though it is a game of chance, it has grown in popularity the world over in both land-based and online casinos. We doubt there’s an Indian who hasn’t heard of this game.
If you plan on playing it professionally, you should learn the basic strategies and the different variations available.
The basics of roulette
Roulette has a wheel with black and red slots. These slots are numbered from 1-36. The wheel also has either one or two green slots labeled zero, depending on whether you are playing the American or the European roulette.
Aside from the wheel, there is a table that has several numbers on it and extra sectors you can bet on. Once every player has placed a bet, the dealer will spin the wheel and throw into the wheel a tiny ball. Where the ball lands is the winning slot number.
Types of roulette games you can play from India
French roulette
This game originated from France and has its history dating back to the 17th century. Initially, players enjoyed the game with 36 numbers between 1 and 36. But in the 18th century, zero was added. This increased the total number of slots to 37.
The French roulette has two rules;
En Prison – this rule allows you to place an even-money bet on the slots. Once the results are in, you can take half of the bet or let it run for another spin if the ball stops on zero.
La Partage – this rule allows you to get half of the even-money bet placed when the ball stops on zero.
European roulette
The European roulette is played on a large table. The wheel is divided into red and black numbers. Zero is always green. The odd numbers ranging from one to ten and nineteen to twenty-eight and the even numbers between eleven and eighteen and between twenty-nine and thirty-six are red. On the other hand, the odd numbers between eleven and eighteen and between twenty-nine and thirty-six and the even numbers ranging from one to ten and nineteen to twenty-eight are black.
Multi-wheel roulette
This is an online roulette variant. It follows the rules of the European roulette. However, instead of placing a bet on a single game, you can spin up to eight roulette wheels simultaneously. The game has only a single betting table so the bet you place will apply to all the tables.
Multi-wheel roulette offers the chance to win big with each bet. But this also means you run the risk of using up your bankroll fast. You should, therefore, set limits when it comes to multi-wheel roulette.
Royal Panda roulette
Royal Panda is an online casino that has gained a lot of traction in India in the recent past. It offers a wide range of bonuses, payment options and has friendly customer support. But in addition to this, the casino has a range of roulette games from Evolution Gaming and other gaming software developers it has partnered with. Though the themes used may be different, the game rules are similar to the standard roulette.
Age of Gods live roulette
This is a live roulette game variant by Playtech. This variation uses the European roulette rules. However, it has some additional perks, including a multi-level progressive jackpot along with a prize fund, which accumulates with the addition of 1% of the bets.
The variant sports an ancient Greece theme. The studio is designed into a temple, and the roulette table and wheel are decorated excellently.
Multiplayer roulette
If you think single-player roulette is exciting, you haven’t tried multiplayer roulette. It is available either as European or French versions. The only difference is that there are many players placing bets at the same time. Once all the bets are in, the dealer spins the wheel.
Poker games
Poker is a game of chance. But it can be quite technical and require some skills. Before you jump into it, you should read through the various winning strategies.
The basics of poker games
Poker features a deck of cards with 52 cards. The cards are arranged in descending order, starting from the ace to the Kind, Queen, Jack, all the way down to the Ace (depending on the dealer, the Ace can either be high or low). All the four suits are equal to each other.
Each poker hand has five cards. The player with the highest hand wins the game. The hands are ranked as below;
- Five of a kind
- Straight flush
- Four of a kind
- Full house
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pair
- Pair
- High card
Types of poker games that you can play in India
Pot-limit Omaha
This is the favorite for most players after Texas Hold’em. In this variation, you will get four face-up cards, and the maximum you can bet or raise is equal to the value of the pot.
Texas Hold’em
The goal of this poker game is to win as many chips as possible in a pot. The game is often broken down into three sections; the setup, betting rounds and the showdown.
The game starts by picking a dealer and consequently the blinds. The players to the left and right of the dealer are the big and small blind, respectively. The players are then dealt with cards, and the game kicks off.
Chinese Poker
This game is a little more like poker, given that there is a bit of skill and combination required. But on the other hand, it’s quite different because there is no betting, hand reading or bluffing.
At the start of the game, every player gets 13 cards. The play then arranges the cards into three hands for comparison with that of the opponents.
Seven-card stud
A few years back, this was the most popular game. However, it has since been overtaken by Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
The game is ideal for those who love slower games with betting limits. The game also rewards players with a good memory.
27 triple draw
This is a limit game which uses blinds, but lacks community cards. The Triple Draw is straight forward, but you need to understand the basics to win. The goal of the game is to have the best 5-card low hand.
Baccarat
The basics of Baccarat
The rules of baccarat are simple. You can place three bets during the game, including Banker’s Hand, Tie or a Player’s Hand. If your bet matches the outcome, you win.
Each round starts with the Banker and Player getting two cards. Occasionally, either or both of them will receive third cards.
No one decides whether they get a third card. The rules dictate this. Face cards and the ten are counted as zeros. The ace is a one, and numbered cards are worth their respective numbers.
When adding numbers during the game, you only add the last digits. As such, 19 is a 9 and 14 is a 4. Also, the closest hand to a nine wins the game
Types of baccarat games you can play in India
Live speed Baccarat
This game is perfect for players who are looking for maximum opportunities in betting and in-play sessions. It is a fast alternative to standard baccarat and other variants.
In the standard baccarat, a round lasts for 48 seconds. In live speed baccarat, it’s even shorter. The dealer deals the cards face up, and each round is completed in 27 seconds.
Classic Baccarat
This is the standard version of the game and the rules explained above apply.
Live Baccarat squeeze
This is a multi-camera live baccarat or Indian players who are in love with squeeze. More than 15 cameras are used to capture every angle of the game. The squeeze is performed by a dealer.
This game takes online gambling to a new level.
Slot Machine Games
Slot machines are the most popular attraction in India and the world over. The appeal of slot machines is in the fact that you can win at any time.
All you have to do is wager real money and click a button. You stand a chance to win big.
Slot machines run on advanced gaming technology, which randomizes the outcomes and makes it fair to players and the casino.
The basics of slot machine games
To play slot games, you need to understand a couple of key terms. These include;
Bonus games – these are special and extra rounds triggered by specific symbols on the reel.
Paylines – these are the lines of the slot machines that determine whether your spin is a winner or not. A combination of different symbols need to land on the payline to win a reward
Payout – this is the amount you get when your spin is successful
Reels – these are the rotating wheels that spin when players pull levers or press ‘spin.’
Symbols – these are the images that appear on the reels. The symbols vary depending on the theme
Slot machine games you can play in India
Different casinos have different slot games to offer. These games are often availed by top gaming software companies in the industry. Below are some that are available to play in India:
- Reef run online slot
- Planet of the Apes online slot
- House of doom online slot
- Book of dead
- King of clash
- Thunderstruck II
And with that quick rundown, you should be more than ready to get started on your online gaming journey and enjoy great success. You can make money from the above games if you take your time to learn the different strategies.