Reason #2 why the Wizard likes Bovada:

No-hassle practice games

Most online casinos spend more effort trying to separate you from your money than they do trying to give you a good experience. They have all kinds of popup windows, they usually make you download their software, and if they do offer play-in-browser games then you have to register an account before you can play. And if you register they start sending you emails trying to get you to deposit real money.

But Bovada is different. They have no popup windows at all, and their practice games play right in your browser, with no download, and no registration required. You don’t even have to give up your email address. It couldn’t be simpler: just one click and you’re playing the game.

I wish all online casinos showed this much respect for their players. Other casinos practically ask for your first born child to play for free. Meanwhile Bovada is patient and does not twist anybody’s arm to play for real money. You can play as long as you like for free with no obligation. The real-money games are available if that’s your preference, but if not, you can play the free practice games for as long as you like without hassle.

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Casino War

Last Update: Apr 02, 2004

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. 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.

House Edge

Some Interent 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%

More on War

You might enjoy playing my Casino War game.

Links

German translation of this page.