- Blackjack is one of the best casino games that aren’t slots because you can use skill.
- Baccarat has three main bets you can place, including the banker, player, or tie.
- Craps may look intimidating, but it’s simple to understand the layout and wagers.
If you want to try , you might think your only option is slot games. While there are , there are plenty of other casino games you should know about.
They often get ignored, but some casino games to play that aren’t slots can be more exciting. This puts an end to the confusion and leads you to games operating on chance or skills.
Many of them are quicker than slot machines, which means you can play through more over the course of an hour. Not only that, but they often have a much higher RTP (Return to Player) rate than most slot machines as well.
Our team has put together a list of casino games like slots that you should learn more about. Whether you prefer playing games with skill or chance, there’s something here for everyone.
Best Rush Games Slots at Wild Casino - El Gran Fall guyBlackjack
(One of the Best Gambling Games That Isn’t a Slot)
Blackjack is one of the top gambling games that isn’t a slot in many regard s. For starters, this game gives you the opportunity to use skill to win.
If you prefer casino games where you can affect the outcome, blackjack is a great choice. There are also fewer decisions to make in compared to poker.
igeting BetterBet.Casino Casino Payouts Fast & Easy in UKBlackjack is also one of the casino games you can win money from with a very high RTP. If you play with perfect basic strategy, the RTP will be around 99%. The version at Bovada even has an RTP of 99.41%!
The goal of blackjack is to get 21 in the first two cards, or as close as possible without going over. If you get exactly 21 with one card, you’ll win a bonus payout.
Every hand after the first two is a decision-making process. Should you hit, stand, double down, or split?
Understanding the mathematically-correct decision for each hand is the key to lowering the house edge as much as possible.
Playing with basic strategy in blackjack is definitely one of the best ways to beat the casino. It doesn’t get as much attention as counting cards, but the former is much easier for beginners.
If you want to improve your chances of winning, I strongly recommend using basic strategy. The below chart will help you out the next time you play blackjack online.
Simply put, the top right of the table tells you what to do based on the dealers up card.
Let’s say their card is a seven. If your total is between 12 and 20, hit. If you have six or less, or 20+, stand.
It’s a little more complicated when you have a hard 17, 18, or 19. The left side of the chart tells you how to play based on your hand. Hard means that you don’t have an ace that can count as 11.
Against a dealer 7, you should stand with 18 and 19, while hitting with 17. So many amateurs stay pat with 17 in this spot, surrendering a significant advantage.
Bovada is one of the top sites for . They welcome you to their site with a 100% up to $3,750, which you can use to play blackjack.
This site has 11 different blackjack variations, so be sure to give a few of them a try.
Roulette
(One of the Best Real Money Casino Games That Aren’t Slots)
Blackjack is a great choice if you want to use skill to win, but sometimes I just want to place my bets and watch the action unfold.
Roulette is one of the classic casino games that aren’t slots and instead relies on pure chance. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand the layout.
Any numbers that fall in your selected pocket result in a win. Different bets cover more numbers and pay more as a result.
Here’s a closer look at the different roulette bets.
- Straight/Single Bet – As the name suggests, this is a wager on a single number.
- Split Bet – This type of bet covers two adjacent numbers.
- Street Bet – A street bet covers three numbers by placing your chip on the line at the end and naming the number nearest to the chip.
- Square Bet – Also known as a corner bet, this covers four numbers by placing your chip on the corner where four numbers meet.
- Six Line/Double Street Bet – A six line bet covers three numbers per vertical line on the table (nine numbers total).
- Street Basket Bet – Also known as a first four bet, this covers the zero and the first four numbers.
- Trio Bet – Covers the intersection of three numbers.
- Top Line Bet – Also called a basket bet, this includes zero, double-zero, and the numbers 1, 2, and 3.
- Column Bet – Places an equal amount on fifteen numbers in a vertical or horizontal line on the table.
- Dozen Bet – Wagers on twelve consecutive numbers.
- Red or Black Bet – Includes all the red or black numbers on the wheel.
- High or Low Bet – Wagers on either 1–18 or 19–36.
- Odd or Even Bet – Includes all odd or even numbers.
- Snake Bet – Named after the shape the numbers make, this bet includes the numbers 1, 14, 27, 34, 6, 19, and 34.
- Four Number Snake Bet – Covers the numbers 23, 7, 14, and 6.
As you can see, some bets cover more numbers, making the odds of hitting them better, but the payout is lower.
others only have one chance to land on the wheel, rewarding 35:1 when they hit.
Roulette is one of the easiest casino games like slots because all you have to do is choose your bets. If you’d like to , I recommend using the French version.
Online Casino Baccarat Games to Play Right Now - #7 is NewThe main difference between European roulette and the French variation is the table language. They both have 37 numbers and a 2.70% house edge, but the French table is way more pleasing to look at.
Dionysus was one of the few sites that offered this game when it was predominant among private gamblers. Luckily Dionysus merged with BetOnline, ensuring the game lived on.
You can find this rare variation, in addition to the standard versions of roulette, at BetOnline. New players are welcomed with a 100% deposit boost worth up to $1,000, which you can use to play roulette.
Craps
(Easy Casino Game to Win Real Money)
Casino players often assume craps is a complicated game that isn’t worth learning. In reality, it’s very easy to understand the layout and wagers.
There are a lot of different bets, which might explain why people think it’s difficult. The good news is that you don’t need to learn every craps bet to win.
In fact, you can stick to the most basic wagers to lower the house edge to just 1.41%. This makes it one of the best casino games that aren’t the best slots, in terms of advantage.
Most craps players start by making a bet in the “Pass Line” area. Any rolls made after that are called “come outs.” To win the come out roll, you need to land a 7 or 11. Losses occur from a 2, 3, or 12.
Any other number results in that figure becoming the point. The dealer will move a puck to the “Point” space on the table and begin the point stage.
Taco Fest at Bear River Casino - All You Need to Know!To win on the point, you need to roll the same number as the point. Losses happen on a 7. A win on the point pays out at 1:1.
Another basic craps bet you can make is the “Don’t Pass” wager. In this situation, you hope to lose with the come out roll.
The point still applies here, but now you want the shooter to roll a 2 or 3, while a 7 or 11 is a push. A win on the point pays at 1:1 and occurs on a 2 or 3, while a 7 brings on a loss.
12 is the only number that can push on the point. The Don’t Pass bet is attractive because the house edge is 1.36%, the lowest in the game.
Other basic bets include the “Field,” which pays off at 1:1 on numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, while a 2 and 12 loses. The No. 7 bet wins when the shooter rolls a 7, while everything else is a loss.
Every casino should offer at least one live craps game. I recommend Wild Casino for several reasons, but their top-of-the-line streaming quality is at the top of the list.
Not only can you see every bounce of the dice, but you can also hear the rattling noise they make in the cups.
Visit Wild Casino’s . Play from your computer or download the app to get in on the action. They also welcome new players with a 250% deposit boost (up to $5,000)
Baccarat
(Best Real Money Casino Games That Aren’t Slots)
Craps is one of the easiest casino games you can win money from, but maybe it’s not your speed. What other options do you have?
Baccarat is another one of the top casino games that aren’t considered slot machines. This card game only has a couple of main bets, making it simple to play.
In fact, baccarat might be the simplest casino game that isn’t a slot. Every round, you simply have to choose between the player, banker, or tie.
The version at Bovada has a 98.91% RTP when you wager on the banker (-5% commission). If you prefer casino games where you don’t have to do any math, baccarat is ideal.
All you can do is pick a horse and hope it wins. That said, there are some things you should know about tracking losing bets and the most common mistakes.
Regardless, baccarat could not get any easier than it is at this site. I recommend giving it a look if you’re curious.
That said, there are extended versions of baccarat which add a few more elements into the mix.
For example, Live Texas Hold’em Baccarat allows players to place optional side bets. These include the Banker Pair, Player Pair, Big, Small, and Tie bets.
These extra betting options don’t change the core rules of baccarat. Instead, they give players the opportunity to win in additional ways.
Some versions of baccarat also allow you to make three-card and four-card hands. Once again, these variations don’t make the game any more complicated than it needs to be.
Top Free Slot Machine Games to Play Online in 2023If you’re interested in trying a unique twist on baccarat, I recommend visiting Ignition Casino. Their “Special” section has four different versions of the game, in addition to regular baccarat.
Not only can you try Live Dealers Baccarat and Live Texas Hold’em Baccarat, but you can also play EZ Baccarat and Dragon Bonus Baccarat, too.
If you’re looking for the best casino games to play online, I would absolutely give these a shot.
Be sure to take advantage of Ignition Casino’s 300% welcome bonus (up to $3,000) before you get started.
Pai Gow Poker
(Gambling Games That Aren’t Slots People Like)
Pai Gow is one of the best gambling games that isn’t a slot because it uses a deck of 52 cards. The game originated in ancient China and made its way to America’s casinos in the 1980s.
Ignition Casino or High 5 Casino - Which Is Better?All players receive chips from the dealer to build their own pai gow, which is comprised of a five-card and two-card hand.
The five-card hand must rank higher than the two-card hand. Otherwise, it’s an automatic loss. Both hands are judded according to traditional poker rankings.
Who does each hand get handed to, though? It depends on the type of pai gow poker game you are playing.
In a straight up Pai Gow Poker game, each hand plays against the corresponding hand of the dealer. The front (three-card) hand plays like a Texas Hold’em hand while the back (two-card) hand simply plays straights and flushes.
There are also forms of Pai Gow dominoes and Pai Gow tiered, which involve playing against other players’ hands.
Once you’ve distributed cards into your two pai gows, it’s time to let the dealing continue. Anyone who is playing against the banker will compare their hands versus the banker’s hands.
Anyone who wins both hands (full house, anyone?) wins the hand and gets paid. Anyone who loses both hands loses their wager, just like in classic casino table games. If you win one and lose the other, it’s a tie (and you get your stake back).
Winning both hands usually sees you paid at 1 : 1. There is a 5% commission taken from banker wins, provided you win both hands. Anyone that wins just one hand gets a 50% reimbursement of their wager.
Despite appearing similar to poker (and sharing some similarities), Pai Gow can be learned in minutes. Its roots in Chinese mythology and culture also make it one of the more interesting casino games available to gamblers.
If this sounds intriguing, I recommend visiting Bovada to play Pai Gao under.
Sic Bo
(Exciting Casino Games That Aren’t Slots)
Baccarat is probably the simplest casino game besides slots, but sic bo gives it a run for its money.
Three dice are enclosed in a fish-shaped instrument called a sic bo, hence the name of the game. Naturally, the best casino games that aren’t the best slots also have interesting origins.
Resorts You Didn't Know Had Casino(s) AttachedSeveral Asian cultures believe the dice were originally bones from the head of a dragon that was slain thousands of years ago.
Sic bo translates to “precious dice.” The game is a favorite in , Cambodia, and Macau. The Chinese diaspora spread it throughout Southeast Asia.
The special dice used in sic bo have no number 2. Therefore, the chances of rolling a 3, 4, 5, 6 are slightly greater than a 1, 2.
The Great Wall is one of the top casino games you can play online that that closely resembles sic bo.
Sic bo typically features the following bets:
- Single Big/Small
- Doubles Big/Small
- Triples Big/Small
- Specific Triple
- Any Triple
- Total with NO Single
- Specific Two-of-Three Dice
- Characters or Numbers
- Other Props
As you can see, there are several ways to win at sic bo. You can stick to the big/small bets if you want to lower the house edge to 2.81%.
Anyway, the house edge for this bet is highest at 7:1 and lowest at 1:crankit. Here’s a look at the various big/small bets and their respective house edges.
- 7:1 — House Edge: 9.1 %
- 6:1 — House Edge: 7.9 %
- 5:1 — House Edge: 6.6 %
- 4:1 — House Edge: 5.4 %
- 3:1 — House Edge: 4.2 %
- 2:1 — House Edge: 3.0 %
- 1:1 — House Edge: 2.8 %
Now take a look at the table risk percentage for the various bets on craps, which is considered one of the more favorable casino games to play.
Place bets on the board that offer lower risk percentages and play smartly, and craps can certainly be among the at reputable casinos.
But the fact remains that sic bo offers significantly better odds for numerous wagers.
I recommend visiting Everygame if you want to play sic bo online. It’s one of the best casino games you can play online, especially if you prefer games that don’t require a lot of thought.
Video Poker
(Fun Casino Games Like Slots)
is easily one of my favorite casino games that aren’t slots. I wish I could win like this every time I pull the trigger on a slot machine.
Major Reasons Why You Should Choose Royal Panda CasinoVideo poker gives you the chance to use some skill to win more money.
Holding specific cards can lead to some massive payouts, making it one of the most rewarding experiences in the casino.
The main reason video poker isn’t solely a skill-based game is because you start every hand off with a fresh draw. So, any cards you pick up that aren’t held are completely random.
Video poker comes in many different varieties. Some of the most popular variants include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Pick’em Poker, and Aces & Faces.
The overall concept of the game stays the same, regardless of which variant you’re playing.
First, you place your bet and click the “deal” button to receive five cards from a standard deck. Your ultimate goal is to make a pair of jacks or better, hence the name of the most popular variant.
You have the option to hold any combination of cards after your initial hand is dealt out. Any cards you don’t hold will be replaced during a “hold and draw.”
The replacement cards are completely random; this means that there is always an element of luck involved in video poker.
Holding any pair increases the value of your hand by one step on the paytable. For example, eights are a low pair, while eights can upgrade to a high pair with aces.
A set of jacks, kings, or queens (all the same color) is the lowest possible hand you can cash out. From here, the ladder goes up one step at a time to a high straight, two pairs, three of a kind, straight flush, four of a kind, royal flush, and lastly, a full house.
Five of a kind and wild royal flushes round out the paytable for the best hands in video poker. These are much harder to hit, meaning they come with massive multipliers—often times, upwards of 4,000x your initial bet.
Video poker is not only one of the top casino games that aren’t slots, but it’s also one of the only ones that offers such a high RTP.
Full pay 9/6 Jacks or Better has the highest RTP at 99.54%. This means you are expected to win $99.54 back for every $100 wagered in the long run.
PayPal Casino Apps You Can Count On - #4 is Very PopularOf course, you won’t necessarily see a return on your investment in the short term. However, the RTP gives you an idea of the odds you are facing.
is a great site to visit if you want to play video poker online. They welcome new users with a 100% match bonus (up to $1,000).
You can’t go wrong adding this to your arsenal of the best casino games to play online.
Poker
(Casino Table Games Similar to Poker)
I already covered one form of poker (pai gow), but that doesn’t mean the classic makes me and millions of others around the world.
No other casino game online or off lets you utilize skill to such a high degree. Understandably, that makes it impractical for physical casinos to offer.
After all, they’d rather have experienced players feast on the pool of small fish at your table. The average Joe stands virtually no chance against someone with serious poker experience.
MGM Poker App Review - Bonuses, Promos, Etc.When you have a pro at the table, they’ll only play strong hands. Thus, your odds of winning are greatly reduced.
As you can probably guess, the house edge for poker varies greatly depending on the actions in the hand. Since you have complete control over these actions, it’s impossible to give an exact number.
Poker players often cite the RTP as anywhere from 97 to 99%. Again, these numbers are unverified and likely inflated due to the fact that only you are in control of your actions.
In other words, you can turn any hand into a 0% RTP by only playing the strongest of hands. On the flip side, you could play every hand in the deck and boost it to 100%.
So, what is the best casino game like poker ? Video poker is as close as it gets. As stated above, the RTP can reach up to 99.54% in full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find this game at every casino. Another difference is that you are, in fact, playing against the machine. In other words, you remove the human element of trying to bluff or read others.
Ultimately, this makes video poker a great alternative for those who enjoy the skill aspect of poker.
If you’d rather play the real thing, I recommend 888Poker. They provide multiple opportunities to win bonuses, including a $88 free play and 100% deposit boost worth up to $1,000.
Choosing the Right Online Casino
You now have plenty of ideas for casino games like slots that you can play online. All eight options I covered here are worth trying.
That said, not all gaming platforms are created equally. You’ll obviously want to sign up at a trustworthy casino if you plan to play online.
Top Rated Casinos in Ohio - 2023's RankingHere are a few things to consider if you want to choose the right online casino.
- Reputation
- Payout rates
- Welcome bonus
- Range of games
- Software providers
- Payment methods
- Site design and functionality
All eight of our recommended sites are safe to join, but not all offer these casino games that aren’t the best slots.
For example, you can only play sic bo at Everygame and Pai Gow Baccarat Tiered at Ignition Casino.
Furthermore, some casinos offer much bigger welcome bonuses than others. If you’re willing to sign up for a larger amount of free play, I recommend Dionysus and BetUS.
Of course, others provide smaller bonuses worth a few hundred dollars. You can get $50 to $100 at 888Poker and $50 at the other five sites.
Anyway, I hope this guide helps you find the best casino games that aren’t the best slots. Whether you prefer to play for real money online or in person, you have plenty of great options.
Casino NJ Review - Great Slots & Games to Play in NJ!Once you get tired of spinning, you know where to turn. The best casino games like slots can be just as fulfilling, if not more so.
Footnote:
- provided information on how a day of Pi Day was celebrated at Argonne National Laboratory.
- provided details behind the origins of baccarat.
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more. He also covers other various topics such as entertainment, general sports betting tips, and more.
His favorite teams are the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. He also will be a temporary fan of any team if it means winning him bets.
