Casino
War is without a doubt the easiest card game to play
in the casino. If you have ever played war as a
child, or simply made a bet on who could draw the
highest card, then war will seem instantly familiar.
Following are the specific rules.
- The game is played with six decks. Cards are
ranked as in poker, except aces are always high.
The suit does not matter.
- After the players have made a wager each
player and the dealer shall get one card.
- Each player's card shall be compared with the
dealer's card. If the player's card is higher he
wins even money. If the dealer's card is higher
the player loses.
- In the event of a tie the player shall have
two choices: (1) surrender and forfeit half the
bet or (2) go to war (see rule 5)
- If the player elects to go to war he must
raise his bet by an amount equal to his original
wager. The dealer will do the same but this is
just for show. The dealer will then burn three
cards and give the player and dealer another card
each. If the player's second card equals or beats
the dealer then the player shall win even money on
the raise only and the original wager shall push.
If the dealer's second card is greater the player
shall lose both bets.
- At some casinos, the Mirage and Casino Niagara
to name just two, a tie after a tie will result in
a bonus equal to the original wager. At the Casino
Niagara they say the raise pays 3 to 1 but the
initial bet loses, which is mathematically the
same thing.
- A tie bet is also available, which pays 10 to
1 if the first two cards tie.
I'm often asked where the house edge lays in this
game. It is absolutely true that the probability of
winning is 50%. Where the edge comes from is when
there is a war you either win one unit or lose two.
For example, if you originally bet $5 you have to
double your bet, risking $10, to win only $5.
Bonus Rules
At some casinos, the Mirage and Casino
Niagara to name two, the player will win even money
on original wager and raise in the event of a tie
after a tie.
House Edge
Some Internet casinos use unusual number of
decks. The following table shows the house edge
under the bonus rules, normal "no bonus" rules,
surrendering on ties, and the tie bet itself.
| Casino War House
Edge |
Number
of Decks |
Bonus |
No Bonus |
Surrender |
Tie Bet |
| 1 |
2.06% |
2.42% |
2.94% |
35.29% |
| 2 |
2.24% |
2.70% |
3.40% |
25.24% |
| 3 |
2.29% |
2.79% |
3.55% |
21.94% |
| 4 |
2.31% |
2.84% |
3.62% |
20.29% |
| 5 |
2.32% |
2.86% |
3.67% |
19.31% |
| 6 |
2.33% |
2.88% |
3.70% |
18.65% |
| 7 |
2.34% |
2.89% |
3.72% |
18.18% |
| 8 |
2.34% |
2.90% |
3.73% |
17.83% |
|