Game guides

Know the game
before you play.

Short, factual guides to the games that define the casinos in this edit. They explain rules, payouts and etiquette. They do not offer betting systems, because no system overcomes the house edge.

01
Game guide · Baccarat

Baccarat, explained

How baccarat works, from card values and drawing rules to Banker commission, no-commission tables, Tie bets, side bets and the squeeze.

02
Game guide · Blackjack

Blackjack rules that change the odds

How small blackjack rule differences—6:5 payouts, soft 17, doubling, surrender and insurance—change the house edge, and what to look for on the table placard.

03
Game guide · Poker

A first visit to a casino poker room

How casino poker rooms work: cash games and tournaments, stakes and buy-ins, the rake, the waiting list, table etiquette and tipping.

Play responsibly

The house always
has an edge.

Every casino game is designed so that the casino wins over time. If you play, treat it as the price of an evening’s entertainment, with a fixed budget and a fixed finish time. Never chase losses, and step away when it stops being enjoyable. Adults only.

Read our responsible play guidance