Casino war rules

The simplest game in a casino, and the children's game War with a house edge attached.

The table

Up to six players sit at one table, each betting against the dealer on their own. Everyone is compared with the same dealer card, so one card can beat some players and lose to others. Casinos usually deal from six decks.

How it plays

You bet, then you and the dealer each receive one card. Aces are high. The higher card wins even money, and the lower loses the bet. Suits are ignored.

The tie

Everything interesting happens here. On equal ranks you choose:

Surrender and lose half your bet. Go to war: place a second bet equal to the first. The dealer burns three cards and deals one more to each of you. If you win, you are paid on the second bet only and the first is returned — so you risk two units to win one. If you lose, both are gone.

Some tables pay a bonus if the second round ties again.

When the war ties again, both bets come back. Where the bonus is paid, you are also paid even money on the original bet.

An example

You bet 10 and are dealt a nine; the dealer also has a nine. You go to war and put up another 10. The dealer burns three cards, then deals you a queen and themselves a seven. Your second bet is paid 10, and the first comes back: you walk away with 30 for the 20 you put up.

The odds

With six decks a tie comes about once in thirteen hands. The house edge is about 2.9 per cent if you always go to war, and about 3.7 per cent if you always surrender.

The tie bet

Many tables offer a side bet that the first two cards will tie, usually paying ten to one. It sounds generous and is one of the worst bets in the building.

Going to war is the better of the two choices despite the odd payout, and surrendering is the worse one. There is nothing else to decide.