Casino War
Casino War is the simplest casino table game in existence — a direct adaptation of the children's card game War. One card is dealt to the player and one to the dealer; the higher card wins. No decisions, no strategy, no complexity. The game was introduced to casinos in the early 1990s and spread quickly due to its appeal to beginners and players who want pure luck-based entertainment. The house edge is approximately 2.88% on the base game, which is moderate but acceptable given the game's accessibility. Casino War is particularly popular in Las Vegas as an introductory game for casino first-timers.
Rules & Gameplay
Player and dealer each receive one card face up. Higher card wins; player wins pay 1:1. In case of a tie, the player has two options: Surrender (forfeit half the bet) or Go to War (double the bet). If the player goes to War, both player and dealer receive one additional card and the higher card wins — but a War win pays only 1:1 on the raise portion (the original bet pushes). A Tie side bet pays 10:1 if the first two cards tie. Card rankings follow standard poker order: Ace is always high. Suits are irrelevant. Standard game uses six decks. House edge: base game = 2.88% (Go to War decision), Surrender option slightly worsens expected value, Tie side bet = 18.65% house edge.
Basic Strategy
Always Go to War on a tie rather than surrendering — the math slightly favours War over Surrender in most casino configurations. Never place the Tie side bet (18.65% house edge). Beyond these two points, there is no strategy — every outcome is determined entirely by the random deal. Casino War is best treated as entertainment spending rather than a game to win. Its value is in accessibility and low cognitive demand. If playing for an extended session, the moderate 2.88% house edge means bankroll erosion is slower than many other games, making flat betting the appropriate approach.
At a Glance
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- Card Games
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- Rules + Strategy
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