Most people associate online casinos with online slot games. However, in India, gamblers prefer live casino games. These are real time casino games with a live human dealer or gameshow host. Coming from a culture where they are always skeptical about rigged systems, Indians prefer playing games where results are not pre-determined by a random number generator. Therefore, we made a list of the 7 most popular casino games right now.
Before we get to the most popular casino games list, we should note that live casino games come in a wide variety. Firstly, you have standard table games. The 3 main games are Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat. Secondly, you have dice games which are fan favourites among Indian players. Thirdly, you have unique card games which include variations of Poker and other popular card games. Fourthly, you have lotto or keno style games. These feature a big Bingo ball machine and lotto cards. Lastly, we have live game shows. These are unique games that feature a game show host, and you can enjoy multiple bonus features in the games. So, without further ado, let’s reveal the games!
Blackjack – The Classic Card Game
Online Blackjack is a simple card game, where you play your hand against a dealer. Each player and dealer are dealt 2 cards. Your objective is to reach 21 or as close as possible and have a higher value than the dealer. If you go over 21, then you Bust, and your hand loses. Furthermore, if you reach 21 with your first 2 cards (an Ace and a Ten-Value card), then you have a Blackjack. Winning hands receive a 1:1 payout, except for Blackjacks which usually pay out 3:2.
The main reason online Blackjack is played all over the world, is because it’s a simple game to grasp. And it’s also known as one of the games with the lowest house edge. However, there is a strategy that is applied that helps you make decisions. Therefore, if you stick to the Basic Blackjack Strategy chart, then you can be quite profitable in a short period of time.
Online, you can find 100’s of live Blackjack tables that offer different betting limits. If you want to place big bets, then you can opt for the Salon Prive tables, which are for high rollers and solitary players. Whereas smaller limit tables usually have full tables with 6-8 players on each.
Additionally, you can find unique Blackjack games that feature win multipliers and bonus cards or infinite Blackjack hands. Some of these games offer bigger win potential, options to play out of turn and to surrender your hand.
Roulette – The Thrilling Wheel of Fortune
Another popular casino game is Roulette. It’s one of the most played casino games around the world. Having originated in France, the game features a large horizontally spinning wheel with small pockets for each number presented on the wheel. A croupier spins the wheel while he spins a small white ball in the opposite direction. You can either bet on which number the ball lands on or other winning number attribute bets.
There are three main variations of Roulette: American, European and French. The difference between the first two are that in American Roulette the wheel has a 00 (double zero) in addition to 0 (zero). French roulette features one zero and adds several betting options, related to groups of number segments on the roulette wheel.
Most live casino roulette games follow European Roulette rules and include the French Roulette racetrack. So, you have the additional betting options too while playing. Here too you can find many tables offering different betting limits. Unlike Blackjack, you don’t need to wait for an empty seat to play. You can just “sit” at a table and place your bets. What makes Roulette so entertaining is the thrill of watching the wheel spin and hoping the ball will land on your number.
Roulette is also entertaining because you have numerous betting options. Betting straight up on a number rewards a 35:1 payout, whereas the lowest paying betting option pay out 1:1 payout. For full betting options and strategies, check out our Live Roulette page.
Money Wheel Games – Crazy Time Big Wins
Like Roulette, money wheel games feature a vertical spinning wheel with 54 segments. Players bet on which segment the needle will land on. Betting on the correct segment returns a win. If you bet on a bonus game segment and it lands, then you enter a mini bonus round where payouts can reach up to 10,000x. Therefore, these live gameshow games have a lot of entertainment value.
Today there are quite a variety of money wheel games as compared to the past. However, not all game providers are available in India. So, at some online casinos your choices could be limited. For example, Pragmatic Play was extremely popular in India prior to pulling out of the market. So, their games are no longer available, unless you use a VPN.
Evolution Gaming are the pioneers of the live casino industry. They invented the first live wheel of fortune game called Dream Catcher. And from then on, have inspired other game providers to create their own versions too. Here are two of the most popular money wheel games.
Monopoly Live – a money wheel game that features a Monopoly board game theme. When players land on dice rolls, they play a bonus round on a 3D virtual board game.
Crazy Time – a game that features 4 different bonus rounds with payouts up to 10,000x. The Crazy Time bonus round features its own wheel with big cash prizes. It’s the most popular money wheel game online today, which has spawned several spin-off games.
Poker – Master the Strategy and Win Big
Poker is a popular game around the world. There are different types of poker games, but the most common played game is Texas Hold’em. Players are dealt two cards each and the player with the best hand wins. However, to play against other players you will need to play at dedicated online poker sites.
At casinos, you have different casino poker games available. These include Casino Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker and Teen Patti (3 Card Poker). Having originated in India, it’s no surprise that Teen Patti is a favourite among Indian gamblers.
Teen Patti is usually played among players but at casinos you play against a dealer. In general, poker hand rankings ascend as follows: High card, Pair, 2 Pairs, Three of a Kind, Straight (sequence), Flush, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush and Royal Flush. You and the dealer are each dealt three cards. If you have a better hand than the dealer, then you win the round. If you place an Ante bet and win the round, then you can receive a payout. However, the dealer needs to qualify first by having a hand of Q high and up for the Ante bet to count.
Additionally, Teen Patti games offer a variety of side bets which players find very appealing. This is mainly due to them offering much higher payout odds. For example, if you bet on the 6 Card Bonus in Evolution’s Teen Patti game, and have a very strong hand, then you can win up to 1,000x!
Baccarat – The Elegant Game of Chance
Another popular table game with a low house edge is Baccarat, also known as Punto Banco. Over the years this game has been adopted in many countries with different betting features added. For example, in Asia the most popular version of online Baccarat is Dragon Tiger.
This is a very quick and simple game. Unlike other card games where you play your hand against a dealer, here you need to bet on who will have the better hand: Player or Banker. In Dragon Tiger you have a choice of either Dragon or Tiger instead of Player/Banker.
Each are dealt two cards, and the two card values are combined. If the value is over 10, then the ten is removed to leave just the single digit figure. So, the highest possible total achievable is 9, whereas 0 is the lowest. The value of the first two cards determines If Player and Dealer need to receive one extra card.
Due to the Banker having a slight edge over the Player, the betting odds are slightly under 1:1 for Banker and higher for a Tie. Due to the low odds and higher chances of winning, this game is a favourite among big bettors. So, you will often find high limit Baccarat and Dragon Tiger tables in casinos.
For those seeking higher payouts, there are certain Baccarat versions that offer interesting features. For example, Ultimate Baccarat and Lightning Dragon Tiger award special payouts on randomly selected cards. These come in the shape of win multipliers.
Andar Bahar – The Exciting Indian Card Game
Andar Bahar is another card game that originates in India. Like Baccarat you need to place a bet on where the winning card will be drawn, Andar or Bahar. All Indian online casinos have a good variety of Andar Bahar games, as they’re very popular with the locals.
Andar Bahar is usually played with a full deck of cards with no Jokers. The first card is dealt from another deck to the middle of the table, face up and is known as the Joker. However, many online casino versions use a shoe with up to 8 decks of cards in it.
The joker’s suit determines which side of the table gets dealt to first, the Andar side or Bahar side. Next, the dealer starts dealing 1 card at a time to each side of the table. When a card matching the joker is dealt (value and suit), then the game round ends. The side that is dealt the winning card, determines who wins the hand (Andar or Bahar). Unlike Baccarat, there is not Tie option available. So, you basically have a 50/50 chance of winning your bet.
If you want to take a risk for extra wins, then you can place side bets too. Some games offer bets that determine the suit or colour of the Joker card. Whereas other popular side bets include betting ranges for the number of cards dealt in the round.
Slots – Spin for Big Wins and Jackpots
As mentioned, online slots are not played as much as live casino games. However, Indian players do play slots and especially jackpot slots. Online slots are games of chance that operate with a random number generator. These virtual slot machines usually feature a 5×3 slot grid layout. The 3 reels spin and stop to reveal different slot symbols. A reason why these games are not so popular in India is that you can’t apply any strategy to them. Every spin outcome is purely a matter of luck. Hence, why they’re called games of chance.
However, online slots offer much bigger win potential than live casino games. So, if chasing big wins is your thing, then maybe you should start playing some slots. There are literally thousands of online slots available at online casinos. So, knowing which one to play can be very confusing. And there are live slots that are a mix of a live casino gameshow and slot game where you play together with many other players at the same time, one such game is Extra Chilli Epic Spins among others.
Luckily, most casinos have specific categories for slots in their game lobbies. Therefore, you can narrow down your selection by choosing specific categories, such as Megaways, fishing slots, hold and win slots, progressive slots and more. There are also live casino versions called live slots, that offer a virtual slot machine with live casino bonus rounds.
Progressive slots are games that offer progressive jackpot. These jackpots grow all the time, and every bet on a participating game adds to the progressive jackpots. Some games such as Mega Moolah can reach over 65 Crore.
Why Are These the Most Popular Casino Games
When looking at the characteristics of a typical Indian gambler, you can see that they prefer games where a betting strategy can be applied. Furthermore, they are looking for games that offer high winning probability as well as big win potential. So, what you get is, players either playing games with a low house edge or games with high max win potential.
Blackjack and Baccarat games have the lowest house edges. Therefore, they are 3 of the most popular casino games among Indians. But their main betting odds are sometimes lower than 1:1. So, you won’t be winning a lot in one hand, unless you’re making huge bets.
Alternatively, Roulette and Money Wheel Games offer the most entertainment value for players. These games have many different betting options which offer a range of winning odds, from low payouts to high payouts. Furthermore, money wheel games also have cool bonus games that offer huge win potential.
Lastly, Teen Patti and Andar Bahar are local games. So, it’s obvious that these games will be popular in India. After all, these games are played on holidays with family and loved ones. So, if a casino offers local games, then the locals will play them.
How to Choose the Best Casino Game for You
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to gambling. Some players like simple card games while others like games that have lots of bonus features and special effects. Knowing which are the best online casino games for you can be tricky. So, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
Do I like fast paced or slow-paced games? If you prefer fast action, then card games are your best option. If you like to sit back and chill while gambling, then money wheel games, slots or live gameshows are the way to go.
Am I looking to hit a big win or win more frequently? Games with low house edges offer chances for more frequent wins. Yet their payouts are low such as Baccarat and Blackjack. Even Roulette outside bets is a good option. If you’re looking for big wins, then slots and live game shows have the best win potential.
Overall, finding the best casino game for yourself comes down to if you like a game or not. So, head on over to one of our recommended online casinos and play some games. You will probably even find your next favourite game to gamble on.
Most Popular Casino Games FAQs
In India, the most popular casino games are live casino games. These include Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Dragon Tiger, money wheel games, Teen Patti, dice games and Andar. Online slots with progressive jackpots are popular too.
Winning is not guaranteed in Blackjack as the casino always has an edge on players. However, the edge is very low. So, if you follow the Basic Blackjack Strategy chart, then you can give yourself a good chance of winning.
Roulette has been around since 1720 and is a staple game at many casinos. Players enjoy playing roulette because it offers many different betting options, as well as higher winning odds compared to other table games.
Slots are games of chance based on luck. However, some slots offer bonus buys. Buying bonus rounds guarantees wins but they don’t always cover the cost of the bonus. Another option is raising your bets periodically when wins are scarce.
Money wheel games such as Crazy Time offer wins up to 10,000x. To have a chance at winning such amounts, you need to place bets on the Crazy Time bonus round. When the wheel lands on it, big wins await!
