Casino War Online

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Casino War online is a casino card game where the players draw and show high cards. War is perhaps the simplest and most straightforward of all card games. Players are dealt a randomly distributed yet equal portion of the deck, before turning over one card over at a time. The highest card wins the battle and all cards are claimed by the winner while matching cards spark the titular war.

When players go to war three cards for each are placed face down in the center of the table before players turn over a single card to determine the high card victor.

The following guide will prepare you for the online Casino Wars, beginning with a walk through the game’s rules and mechanics, terminology, and wagering options. You’ll find lists of several major online casinos that offer this game, as well as the software providers which power online Casino War tables throughout the industry. The Casino War strategy implications will be examined, including breakdowns of the house edge players are up against and the game’s fundamental probabilities.

Casinos accepting US players, as our editors rate them

Casino ratings last updated: · 9 operators compared · welcome offers as the single basis

  1. 1El Royale7.7/10Government of Anjouan (Union of Comoros), Curacao eGaming licence · since 2020 · accepts US players230% up to $20,000Wagering 40x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $10 · Bonus code ROYALSHOW~10–15 minCryptoCardsE-walletVoucherPlay at El Royale
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 230% up to $20,000. Wagering requirement 40x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $10. Bonus code ROYALSHOW. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: ~10–15 min. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, E-wallet, Voucher.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in ~10–15 min once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 4 coins on recordWelcome offer starts from a $10 depositListed by 3 of the 8 US review portals we trackWagering 40x (b+d) is on the high side for this listNo free spins in the welcome offerCasino only, no sportsbook

  2. 2Vegas Aces7.8/10Comoros Union Authority licence · since 2021 · accepts US players250% up to $2,500Wagering 40x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $20 · Bonus code VAWELCOME1Crypto · 0–1hCryptoCardsE-walletVoucherPlay at Vegas Aces
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 250% up to $2,500. Wagering requirement 40x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $20. Bonus code VAWELCOME1. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: Crypto · 0–1h. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, E-wallet, Voucher.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in 0–1h once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 6 coins on recordServing US players since 2021Licence on record: Comoros Union AuthorityWagering 40x (b+d) is on the high side for this listNo free spins in the welcome offerCasino only, no sportsbook

  3. 3Slots.Lvsince 2013 · accepts US players100% up to $2,000 + 20 free spinsWagering 35x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $20 · No bonus code neededPlay at Slots.LvSlots.Lv review
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 100% up to $2,000 + 20 free spins. Wagering requirement 35x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $20. No bonus code is needed.

    Pros and cons

    20 free spins come with the welcome offerListed by 5 of the 8 US review portals we trackServing US players since 2013No offshore licence on recordCasino only, no sportsbookNo withdrawal times on record for its payment methods

  4. 4Las Atlantis7.9/10Government of Anjouan (Union of Comoros), Curacao eGaming licence · since 2020 · accepts US players280% up to $2,500Wagering 40x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $30 · Bonus code UNDERTOWCrypto · InstantCryptoCardsE-walletVoucherPlay at Las Atlantis
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 280% up to $2,500. Wagering requirement 40x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $30. Bonus code UNDERTOW. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: Crypto · Instant. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, E-wallet, Voucher.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in instant once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 6 coins on recordListed by 3 of the 8 US review portals we trackServing US players since 2020Wagering 40x (b+d) is on the high side for this listMinimum deposit $30No free spins in the welcome offer

  5. 5Cafe8.7/10Curacao licence · since 2016 · accepts US players250% up to $1,500Wagering 40x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $20 · No bonus code neededCrypto · InstantCryptoCardsBank wirePlay at CafeCafe review
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 250% up to $1,500. Wagering requirement 40x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $20. No bonus code is needed. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: Crypto · Instant. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, Bank wire.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in instant once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 2 coins on recordListed by 5 of the 8 US review portals we trackServing US players since 2016Wagering 40x (b+d) is on the high side for this listNo free spins in the welcome offerCasino only, no sportsbook

  6. 6EveryGame8.2/10Curacao, Saint Kitts And Nevis licence · since 1996 · accepts US players125% up to $1,000Wagering 30x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $20 · Bonus code SIGNUP1000Crypto · 0–1hCryptoCardsBank wirePlay at EveryGame
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 125% up to $1,000. Wagering requirement 30x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $20. Bonus code SIGNUP1000. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: Crypto · 0–1h. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, Bank wire.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in 0–1h once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 3 coins on recordSportsbook on the same account as the casinoServing US players since 1996No free spins in the welcome offerBonus code SIGNUP1000 has to be entered on the deposit formNo live dealer tables on record

  7. 7Red Dog8.2/10Anjouan, Comoros Gambling License Authority licence · since 2019 · accepts US playersUp to $8,000Wagering 30x · Minimum deposit $10 · No bonus code neededInstantCryptoCardsBank wirePlay at Red Dog
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: Up to $8,000. Wagering requirement 30x. Minimum qualifying deposit $10. No bonus code is needed. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: Instant. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, Bank wire.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in instant once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 2 coins on recordWelcome offer starts from a $10 depositServing US players since 2019No free spins in the welcome offerCasino only, no sportsbookNo live dealer tables on record

  8. 8BC.Game8.4/10Curacao licence · since 2017 · accepts US players120% up to $1,000 + 100 free spinsWagering 40x (b+d) · Minimum deposit $5 · No bonus code needed~10–15 minCryptoCardsBank wirePlay at BC.Game
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 120% up to $1,000 + 100 free spins. Wagering requirement 40x (b+d). Minimum qualifying deposit $5. No bonus code is needed. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: ~10–15 min. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, Bank wire.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in ~10–15 min once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 12 coins on recordSportsbook on the same account as the casinoLive dealer tablesWagering 40x (b+d) is on the high side for this list

  9. 9BetUS8.7/10Curacao, Comoros Gambling License Authority licence · since 1994 · accepts US players200% up to $4,000Wagering 35x · Minimum deposit $50 · Bonus code CAS2003–5 minCryptoCardsBank wirePlay at BetUS
    Offer details

    Welcome offer: 200% up to $4,000. Wagering requirement 35x. Minimum qualifying deposit $50. Bonus code CAS200. Withdrawal window quoted by the payment method: 3–5 min. Payment methods on record: Crypto, Cards, Bank wire.

    Pros and cons

    Withdrawals land in 3–5 min once the operator releases themBitcoin and altcoin deposits, 2 coins on recordSportsbook on the same account as the casinoListed by 3 of the 8 US review portals we trackMinimum deposit $50No free spins in the welcome offerBonus code CAS200 has to be entered on the deposit form

21+. Play responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER if gambling stops being a game. Offers are for new customers only and change without notice — check the terms at the operator before you deposit.

Casino War Online Rules

The elegance at Online Casino War lies in that you need to know know nothing more than how to count to play the game. When you sit down at an online Casino War table, the setup might look familiar if you've ever played a board game of any kind. It's you versus the dealer, with a shoe containing multiple decks of cards in the corner, and several betting areas drawn out in the center of the felt. Here is something important to remember now. Online players could also observe an array of chips in different hues somewhere on the screen, typically ranging from $1 to $5 and up to $100 and beyond.

When you sit down at an online Casino War table, the layout should look familiar if you’ve ever played a table game of any sort. It’s you versus the dealer, with a shoe holding several decks of cards in the corner, and three betting areas lined out in the center of the felt. Online players will also see an assortment of chips in various colors somewhere on the screen, typically ranging from $1 to $5 and up to $100 and beyond.

A Tie: Surrender or Go to War!

Similar to the home version, online Casino War gets more engaging whenever the player’s card ties with the dealer’s card. First, if you’ve placed the extra tie-bet, you’ll secure an instant payout of 10 to 1 on your money. Next, you’ll encounter your only decision in the game. Take a deep breath, and choose wisely the next move.

Upon a tie between dealer and player, you’re given an option of going to war or surrendering. Clearly, nobody engages in Casino War online intending to surrender anything, so most likely you’ll be clicking the screen prompt to initiate a war. When this is done, it automatically doubles the initial ante bet. From there, three cards are dealt face down to both combatants, before a fourth card turned face up determines the outcome of the battle. The same high card rules governing the base game are applied during a war.

Choosing the option of surrendering simply implies you reject the war and sacrifice an amount equivalent to half of your ante bet.

With a $5 wager on the ante and a war pending, your two choices are to double the bet by going to war with $10 at stake, or to surrender and regain $2.50 while ending the hand promptly. One thing to remember about Casino War, however, ensures that even though you’ve doubled your bet from $5 to $10 by going to war, winning the war only returns an amount similar to your basic ante bet. So by opting for a war, you’ll risk $10 to win $5, which is how the house gains its slight house edge in this high card scenario.

You May Lose More Money If You Surrender

While the decision between going to war or surrendering might not appear to matter all that much, in reality, the mathematics driving the game dictate a strategy based on unrelenting aggression. In other words, you should always decide to go to war because when you surrender, the house edge stands at 3.7 percent, which significantly higher than the 2.7 percent house edge you’ll face during a war.

Alternate War Rule

Another wrinkle in the rules offered by some online casinos concerns the rare occurrence of a tie after a war is declared. If you’re playing Casino War online at Bovada, for example, you’ll turn a winner for even money on your ante bet for a tie during a war. So on a $5 ante bet, doubled to $10 total after the war, a tie between you and the dealer results in a $5 return to the player, for a $5 loss altogether. Other casinos fail to include this payout, so make sure to check the rules page at your online casino of choice to be sure before playing.

Play Casino War Online

#1

Place Your Bet

To place your wager, simply click on the chip amount you’d like to risk and then click on the betting square labeled “Ante.” For the sake of this walkthrough, the ante bet will be for $5, which is a standard amount among the online table game crowd.

#2

Optional Side Bets

You may also choose to place an additional side bet on whether or not your card will tie the dealer’s card, which generates a war in the process. This side bet option is a simple proposition: for an extra chip (usually $1 when wagering $5 on the ante), you’ll have a shot at a nice 10 to 1 payout in the event of a war.

#3

Go to War Against Casino

With your ante bet in place, along with the optional tie-bet, if you prefer, the dealer then distributes one face up card to themselves and one to you. When playing Casino War online, suits are irrelevant and the cards are ranked from 2 through K as usual, with Aces counting as the highest card in the deck.

#4

Get Paid and Play Again

When the player’s card outranks the dealer’s card, the payout for a win stands at even money on your ante bet. When the dealer’s card outranks the player’s card, both the ante and optional tie-bet are lost.

Best Places to Play Casino War Online

Before playing at any casino, make sure that they cater to players in your country by reading their reviews. The following list includes several of the most reputable online casinos currently operating worldwide that host Casino War online tables:

Slots lv logo sm

Slots.lv Casino (Casino Battle)

Las Vegas USA casino logo sm

Las Vegas USA Casino

Bovada logo sm

Bovada Casino (Casino Battle)

Bet365 Casino

Bodog logo sm

Bodog Casino (Casino Battle)

Aladdins Gold Casino logo sm

Aladdin’s Gold Casino

Casino War Online Providers

The following software providers include a version of Casino War online within their clients:

  • Betsoft
  • Gamesys
  • Microgaming
  • OpenBet
  • RealTime Gaming
  • Top Game

Online Casino War Strategy

The game offers many advantages to players, from a low house edge to an easily learned set of rules. However, there is a lack of Casino War strategy that players can easily use.

Players looking for a way to improve their odds will be left lacking, as no legitimate Casino War strategy for winning more often or reducing the frequency of losses exist. The game is based purely on chance, and all players can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Always Go to War on a Tie

The only Casino War strategy consideration is choosing whether or not to go to war in a tie. The correct decision is to always go to war in a tie.

That doesn’t mean you can’t improve your knowledge of the game, and through that process, give yourself slightly better odds over the long run.

Probability Vs. Number of Decks

The table below depicts the results of a probability analysis conducted by Wizard of Odds, and it includes a breakdown of various house edges based on the presence of the tie after tie ante bet bonus, your choice to surrender, and when placing the tie bet.

DECKS WITH TIE BONUS NO TIE 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%

Note that the number of decks you play with significantly affects the house edge, so if there’s any strategy at all to online Casino War, it’s locating a game played with a single deck and a bonus on ties after a tie. The majority of online casinos spread Casino War using a six deck shoe.

Avoid the Sucker Bet

Finally, you should always avoid the tie bet because placing this optional wager balloons your edge from under 3 percent to over an average of 25 percent.

Casino War Variations

One for the Money

Creating Online Casino Wars

The objective of traditional war is to eventually capture every last one of the 52 cards in play, thereby winning the game. While no strategy whatsoever decides who wins in home game war, countless hours have been passed between players engaged in this classic contest.

In 1993, at the height of the hybrid table game craze that was sweeping through American casinos at the time, a company that was known as Shuffle Master Inc. filed a patent application for a game known as Casino War. By retaining the same basic gameplay structure of traditional war, while providing players a chance to take on the house, Casino War online created the perfect blend of home game entertainment and casino gambling.

Casino Tables

Casino War online tables have been a staple of land based casinos ever since, but the game has also become one of the most popular options found on the menus offered by major online casinos like Bovada. Boiled down to a one on one contest between you and the dealer, an online Casino War online table offers players the perfect place to take a breather in between more challenging games.

Sporting an extremely low house edge, detailed information concerning the game’s odds and probabilities will be included below; Casino War online can be played at a minimal expense while passing the time. For avid online casino fans that spend long periods of time grinding out mentally taxing games like blackjack, putting one’s mind on cruise control for a few hands of Casino War online offers a welcome respite from the proverbial grind.