Canada is home to a thriving casino community. It took a couple of decades for gambling to reach such a high level of popularity, but now that the ball is rolling there’s no stopping the ever-expanding realm of casino gaming.
The trouble is, with so many different types of games to choose from, how do you know which ones are most popular? After all, online casino games come in all shapes and sizes and most of them can be found and played in any online casino in Canada.
After doing some research, we’ve finally got an answer for which games are favoured the most. So without further ado, here are the most popular games Canadians like to play on online casino platforms.
1. Baccarat
Baccarat is the ideal game to play if you enjoy big bets and low house edges. It can seem like a complicated game at first, but it becomes incredibly easy once you realize that luck is the only thing you really need.
Essentially, baccarat is a game of comparison. Every round (or coup) has two hands, designated as the “player” hand and the “banker” hand. The names are used to differentiate between the two hands and players can bet on either hand or both.
There are three main types of baccarat, namely punto banco, banque and chemin de fer. Punto banco is the variation most casinos use. Dealers and croupiers facilitate the flow of play and make the betting process as streamlined as possible, leaving you to focus on having fun and being in the moment.
2. Slot games
Slot machines remain as popular as ever, regardless of whether they’re real casino slots or online slots. It’s not too hard to understand why, especially when you consider that progressive jackpots and thousands of variations are available.
The simplicity of slots is what draws most of us to them. All it takes to get started is the pull of a lever or the press of a button. Combine three or more matching icons and that’s it; you’ve hit the jackpot. You don’t get much simpler than that.
Online casino slots for mobile devices are played in every corner of the country, thanks to advances in connectivity and smartphone technology. There’s no skill required and everything is automated, so you can play anywhere and anytime. Slots offer convenience and accessibility and it’s no wonder they are some of the most popular games.
3. Bingo
Bingo provides a unique gaming experience. It’s a lot more group-focused than the other games on our list and the opportunity for social interaction is one of the main reasons why this game has been around for centuries.
The rules are as simple as can be. Each player gets a card with a set of numbers. An announcer calls out one random ball at a time, and players must match enough numbers to complete a row or column. The first player to get a match wins the round.
Playing bingo with a group of friends usually leads to a good time for everyone involved. Like slots, the straightforward nature of bingo is the key to its success and the explosive growth of live casino games is proof of that fact.
Blackjack
Blackjack is the most popular “casino banking” game in the world. Not only can the basics be learned in a matter of minutes, but there’s also a high skill ceiling, ensuring that blackjack appeals to novices and veterans alike.
Up to nine players can play a standard game and as many as eight 52-card decks can be used. The aim is to draw cards until you get a card count of 21 – or at least get as close to it as possible. Anything over 21 is a bust, which eliminates the player for that round.
Because there’s a hard limit on the number of cards that can be dealt, there’s an element of strategy involved in every game. Skill and experience can be deciding factors in blackjack, which is probably the main reason why it’s enjoyed by so many of us.
Roulette
Roulette is one of those casino table games you always see in films where a crowd of spectators and a queue of bettors gather around a table. Even if you haven’t played it before, you can probably recall roulette’s iconic sights and sounds with your eyes closed.
The mesmerizing spin of the wheel decides where the ball lands and the ball can land in any one of 38 numbered and coloured pockets. Pockets are either black or red and add up to 36 numbers in total, but there’s also a double-zero that remains neutral.
Players can bet on a number, a colour, several numbers at once, odd or even numbers or high and low groups of numbers. Once all bets are placed and the ball is rolling, absolutely anything can happen. The end result is completely random, ensuring that luck is the only factor.
Poker
Fans of casino games will be all too familiar with poker. Millions of spectators watch online broadcasts of professional tournaments and a growing number of households have begun to play informal games on a regular basis.
Poker can be played in several ways but all variations use the same rule: the player with the strongest hand wins. What’s interesting about poker is that, even if your hand is weak, you can still bluff your way to victory and the dealer will hand you your winnings.
The dealer is a critical part of every game. Nothing beats the real thing, but live dealer casino games come pretty close. Don’t feel like heading out to the casino? Try out a few live dealer online casino games. You won’t be disappointed.
Register with BetMGM
If you want to learn how to play casino games register now for instant access to a vast library of games. We have online slots, casino table games and live dealer games to suit every taste.