Casino War
SIMPLEST CASINO CARD GAME — casino version of children's WAR. Dealer + player each dealt 1 CARD; HIGHER CARD WINS. Signature: on a TIE, player must choose to SURRENDER (lose HALF bet) or GO TO WAR (double bet + get 1 more card; if wins tie, only ORIGINAL bet paid — 1:1). House edge ~2.9% (surrender option) or ~2.9-3.7%. Uses 6 standard 52-card decks. Aces HIGH. Available for the mathematically-uninclined casual player; frequently found in tourist casinos + on cruise ships.
Quick facts
Category
Casino & Gambling
Type
Individual
Players
1–6
Duration
~1 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1990s USA (developed by Bee card company); trademarked casino game marketed to Bally Gaming
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Have HIGHER CARD than dealer.
Rules
Basic rules
PLAYER + DEALER each dealt 1 CARD face up
Signature 1-card deal.
HIGHER CARD wins (Ace HIGH, then K-Q-J-10-9...2)
Signature card ranking.
WINNER paid 1:1 on bet
Signature 1:1 payout.
TIE: player chooses SURRENDER (lose half bet) or WAR
Signature tie decision.
WAR: player DOUBLES bet + dealer BURNS 3 CARDS + deals 1 NEW CARD to each
Signature War procedure.
WAR OUTCOMES: player wins tie = original bet paid 1:1 (double bet returned only); loses = both bets lost; tie again = original+war bet both paid 1:1 (rare)
Signature War payouts (favoring house).
TIE BONUS BET (optional): 10:1 payout if you bet tie
Signature tie side bet (high house edge).
Scoring
1:1 for higher card; War outcomes vary.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Win main bet | 1:1 |
| Win War | Original bet 1:1 (war bet only returned) |
| Tie side bet win | 10:1 |
Win condition · Player card higher than dealer, or wins War.
Equipment
6 standard 52-card decks in shoe
Signature multi-deck shoe
Casino War table with basic bet spots
Signature table
Casino chips
Standard chips
Terminology
- War
- Tie procedure: burn 3 cards, deal 1 more to each; player doubles bet.
- Surrender
- Player option on tie: forfeit half bet, end hand.
- Tie bet
- Optional side bet on tie occurring; 10:1 payout.
- Burn cards
- 3 cards discarded before War round.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Casino War— Wikipedia
- Wizard of Odds — Casino War— Wizard of Odds