Top 10 Unique Casino Games: A Break from the Traditional

Roulette, Poker, and Blackjack got you down? The Slots just don't cut it anymore? Perhaps you’re just looking for a break from the traditional casino games that we all know and love. 

The gambling industry has been an innovative one, to say the least, and with online gambling becoming more popular, new games and more traditional games are also becoming relevant again. 

Lucky for you, most of these casino games have many variations to keep you entertained for a long time. Tried them all as well? No worries, we will also be including some niche and incredibly weird games available in casinos around the world that will give you something to look out for when playing abroad. 

Let’s take a look at the top 10 unique casino games out there. 

10. War

[source: wikihow.com]

War is one of the simplest and most nostalgic games often found in casinos nowadays. The objective is simple, win all the cards. Betting is available in each turn, and the player with the highest value card wins, making it one of the easiest and luck-based games in a casino. 

After shuffling and equally dividing cards among players, the game begins, and each player shows their topmost card simultaneously. The player with the highest card wins the cards and adds them to their deck. The game heats up when players reveal cards of equal value which is when war is declared. 

During a war, three cards are wagered, with the topmost card deciding the victor. The game has a house edge of 2%, which makes losses manageable. The origins of this game have been lost to history, but it still holds its title as a simple yet fun way to enjoy your time gambling. 

9. Sigma Derby

[source: youtube.com]

Tired of real horse racing and betting? Maybe a mechanical 5-horse racing track is more up to your speed? First introduced in the 80s, Sigma Derby, also known as Royal Derby, could be the answer to your problems! Not only is it a classic found around casinos in Vegas, but it is also a beautifully crafted retro machine. 

In Sigma Derby, there are five horses that move around a miniature track, and the first to cross the finish line is considered the winner. Horses have different payout rates, and bets typically start from $2, allowing for an affordable and fun experience! Players can bet on the winner, top two, or even top three if they want to play it safe. 

However, all is not well and good as the house edge on these games can range from 10% to 20% depending on the machine and casino and has an RTP of 96.22%. It won’t be a game that will help you win big, but it sure can prove to be a fun few bets between your games. 

8. Pachinko

[source: sciencephoto.com]

Can’t decide whether to play a pinball machine or slots? Pachinko could be the game for you! This Japanese game blends the best of pinball and slots with shiny steel balls taking the place of the traditional slot reels. 

Although most of these machines can only be found in Japan, some have managed to come abroad as well, and some even have fun twists on the already interesting combo. 

To play, players must purchase a set amount of steel balls and launch them inside the vertical machine with a plunger. 

Once inside, the balls bounce around and land in different pockets with special pockets containing bonus rounds and free balls, just like free spins in slots. With bets ranging from a few cents to $1, it is a game that can be enjoyed for quite some time without completely draining your bankroll. 

7. Let It Ride

[source: youtube.com]

First things first, no, it's not a game based on Beyblade as much as some of us would want it to be. Let It Ride is a poker-based table game that requires no strategy or bluffing. This game can be found all over the world and is played with a standard 52-card deck. 

The game starts when players put in three equal bets and get one card each from the dealer, along with two community cards. The fun comes as players get to retrieve their bets or “let it ride” every hand. The payout structure is also slightly different, with players getting their bet back with pairs of 10 and up and bonuses for three of a kind and higher. 

This makes it an excellent game for beginners as players aren’t actively competing against each other, and there is potential for a big payout. The house edge is 3.5%, which is on the higher side, and minimum bets range from $5 to $10. 

6. Red Dog (Yablon)

[source: en.wikipedia.org]

Red Dog is a simplistic card game also known by the name Yablon. This game’s origins are disputed, with people claiming Jewish to Chinese connections. The game was heavily popular with the British Navy in WW2, and now it's been adapted by companies like Betsoft to give it an online twist. 

To start the game, bets are placed, and the player is dealt two cards. If the player can predict whether or not the third card that they will get will fall between the two cards, they win. Additionally, consecutive number cards get bonus payout, and consecutive numbers let you get your bet amount back. 

With a house edge of 2.75%, Red Dog can be an excellent and thrilling game to play, especially with its simplistic nature. 

5. Caribbean Stud Poker

Coming to a variation of the more traditional five-card stud, Caribbean Stud Poker is a refreshing take on the standard formula. Instead of each other, players will be competing against the dealer in this game. A mandatory ante bet is placed, and the game starts off with fairly high odds for the player. 

Each player gets five cards, and the dealer gets four cards facing down and one facing up. Players will have the option to fold or place higher bets. After players have made their decision, the dealer reveals their cards and has to have an ace or a king to qualify. 

If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the players get their bets back, and when the dealer qualifies, the player’s cards are compared to the dealer with the person with higher cards winning. 

Ante bets at most casinos start at $1, which is surely great for new players. The catch is that the house edge is 5.2% which is higher than usual. The RTP ranges from 90.33% and 97.44%, making it an easy game to start off with. 

4. Teen Patti (Three Card Poker)

[source: quora.com]

Teen Patti is a popular game in the Indian subcontinent which is also known as three cards poker in some places. The game is played on a standard deck of 52 cards with three to six people. The game has been popular in casinos in South Asia and online casinos operating in the Indian subcontinent. 

The game starts off with an initial bet, and three cards are dealt to each player. With each passing hand, players can either bet higher or fold with the ultimate goal of having the best cards by the end. The payout system of Teen Patti is similar to poker, so it is an easy and fun choice for people who are already familiar with the game. 

There are several side bets to keep you entertained as well, ranging from betting before the cards and dealt and betting after the same. 

The house edge of Teen Patti is estimated to be around 3.37% and has an RTP of 96.63% which isn’t as compelling as poker but fun regardless. 

3. Keno

Keno is a lottery-like game that has been standard across many casinos over the decades. It has its origins in ancient China during the Han Dynasty. The game came to America in the 1800s and has become massively popular with online casinos, even offerings free bets on Keno today. 

To start the game, players need to choose numbers between 1 and 80, and the choices can range from 1 to 20, depending on the casino. The more numbers that match after the round, the bigger the payout is. Some casinos also offer payouts for combinations that sweeten the deal. The fact that you can win multiple payouts in a single game is the best part about Keno. 

The typical RTP of Keno ranges from 75% to 96%, depending on how many numbers you’ve selected. However, don’t think you will win really big as the house edge is very high, ranging from 20% to 35% depending on the bonuses and casinos. 

2. Sic Bo

[source: en.wikipedia.org]

Sic Bo is another massively popular Asian gambling game that got popular in the West during the 80s and 90s. The name means “dice pair” in Chinese and is played with three dice and a variety of betting options to choose from. 

The game starts when players place their initial bets on the table. The dealer will then get the three dice and roll them, seems fairly unintuitive, right? The fun with Sic Bo comes with the betting itself, with players being able to bet on what will land. A wide range of outcomes like specific numbers, number combinations, and a range of numbers can be bet on, and the game quickly gets addictive and fun.  

You have to watch out for the rules, though, as they can massively influence the house edge from 2.7% to nearly 19%.

RTPs usually vary from 95% to 97% when playing online, but the game feels empty without the social aspect of it. 

1. Pai Gow Poker

[source: wikihow.com]

Pai Gow Poker is picking up steam again, and we had to include it on our list. The game is based on a traditional Chinese game called Pai Gow and can be played with up to 6 people. Trading in the dominoes in favor of playing cards also means a variety of betting options, and Pai Gow Poker has many. 

The game starts with seven cards with each player, and the objective is to create two hands called the front hand consisting of two cards and the back hands consisting of five cards. After arranging, the dealer will show his cards, and if both of your hands have a higher poker value, then you win. Coming to the betting aspect, you can bet on the player’s hands, the dealer’s hands, and any variation in between! 

The game also has a slow and methodical play style and carries a house edge of 2.84%, making it both fun and profitable if you play your cards and place your bets right. The game also generally has an RTP of around 97% or higher, therefore, it is excellent for long sessions. 

There you have it! Those are the top 10 unique and fun casino games that will make you feel like diving into uncharted territories again. These games also have an exotic aura around, which is why they are exciting. 

From the strategic Pai Gow Poker to the pure hands-off fun coming with Sigma Derby, these games will help you enjoy yourself that much more when visiting a casino. Don’t get me wrong, poker, roulette, and blackjack can be fun but trying out new games and learning about their history and cultural significance can be that much more rewarding!