Your Guide to Forgotten Card Game Strategies

Everyone wants to know the best poker and blackjack strategy. Not only are there countless guides claiming to have the best respective strategy ever, but there are twice as many articles falsely claiming to have "cracked" these mainstream games. But what about the forgotten games? Which strategies can you use for your favorite oriental and niche games? Join us as we explore the strategies of games that other sites simply forget about.

Spanish 21

A poker variant that has been brought to you all the way from sunny Spain. The game is played with a 48-card deck that has had all of its 10s removed. The game is teeming with player-friendly rules and exciting bonuses that give skilled punters a fighting chance. However, most players miss these simple strategies:

• Chasing the Bonus – Forget about the main game and focus on the bonus combinations. A great example is if you have two 7s and the dealer is showing a 7, split and give yourself the chance to snag the “7-7-7” bonus.
• Late Surrender – Do not shy away from minimizing your losses with a surrender at a later stage of the game. If your hand is likely to lose, cut your losses. Remember, pros know when to quit.
• Doubling Splits – There is more wiggle room after a split than you think. Simply always double when splitting and receiving a favorable card. This will help you maximize potential wins. However, this does come with additional risk.

Read more about Spanish 21 in our extended guide.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker, not to be confused with the Chinese dominos-focused Pai Gow, is a card game based around a 53-card deck. Each round has you form two poker hands: a 5-card high hand and a 2-card low hand. It is in these hands that great strategies are hidden:

• Balance or Bust – Shoot for a balance between your high and low hands. Having a strong 5-card hand and a weak 2-card hand results in no wins.
• Value Your Joker – Your Joker card can be an ace or even complete straights and flushes in your 5-card hand. Always treat it as your most valuable card.
• Observe the House – Before diving into the action yourself, observe the dealer’s habits and overall strategy.

Red Dog

By far the simplest game in this list, Red Dog is based on betting on whether the value of a third card will be between two dealt cards. This simple gameplay leads to some very simple strategies:

• Safe Side Bets – Avoid side bets on rounds that are very unlikely to win, as losing is quite likely and possibly not work the risk.
• Pay Attention – Large spreads, such as a 2 and a 10, make winning far likelier than small spreads. Use this as a regulator of your gambling enthusiasm, as it is better to be safe than sorry.

Casino War

Some people say that Casino War is the simplest casino game, which is a fair argument. The game, after all, revolves around a high-card showdown between the player and the dealer. Where the game becomes tricky is the strategy aspect, which includes these two gems:

• Look Around – Not all Casino War games are made equal. Some feature better odds or fewer ties, which can make or break your gaming session. Looking for them is, therefore, a simple passive strategy.
• Always Go to War – A slightly risky strategy that has you always double your bet with the hopes of breaking even in the long run. It is not recommended for casual punters.

Let It Ride

Another poker-based gem that has players form 5-card hands. However, each player can withdraw or leave bets in play as the cards are being revealed. It is this additional control that makes this game stand out. Check out these strategies that more than stand out:

• Stick to Payout Charts – A comically simple strategy that simply has you compare your hand with payout charts. An integral aspect of it is keeping your bets active only if they are strong.
• Little by Little – Reduce your risk by simply withdrawing bets early when minimal gain is made. This conservative approach might be tedious, but it is the only true counterweight to large risk strategies.

What’s the Next Step?

Now that you are familiar with a variety of simple and slightly more complex strategies for the most obscure games in gaming, it is time to try out your favorites. Start by picking a game that speaks to you, be it because of the gameplay loop or the win potential. Once you choose your favorite, head on over to one of our dedicated guides and learn the basics. It should only take you a few minutes to grasp the basics anyway. After that, jump into one of our recommended online casinos, where you can test your knowledge and new-found strategies for free in demo games or for your preferred betting amount in real money variants. Regardless of how you go about it, make fun your priority!