Card games with a classic feel: Necessary additions to your platform

In addition to user-friendly interfaces, attractive visuals, and enticing offers, online casino platforms attract prospective users through a robust catalog of games. Card games are key components of these catalogs, attracting gamblers with the promise of surprise, challenge, and potential winnings.

In what follows, we explore the main factors behind card games’ enduring appeal. We also dive deeper into less popular yet engaging casino games on the rise – from the hilo game – to Pai Gow as some of the must-have additions for gambling platforms

The appeal of card games, as explained by science 

What makes some card games so entertaining and difficult to put down? This was the core question at the heart of a 2022 study by researchers from the School of Information Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST).

JAIST’s researchers employed artificial intelligence to play numerous card games, looking at a variety of factors, including game refinement or how fun and balanced a game is. Other factors taken into account were “jerks”, how surprising and unpredictable a game is, and the level of sophistication.

The research found that not all card games have the “it” factor that captivates and immerses players. In fact, games that are too simple can cause boredom, whereas games that are too complicated might be challenging to learn. On the other hand, a high degree of predictability makes a game dull.

As such, the most appealing card games succeed at offering a good balance of skill and surprise. The Chinese game Doudizhu presents a good example of this winning combination. According to the study’s leading researchers, such factors have the potential to make any mundane activity, not just games of chance, more engaging and enjoyable.

Must-have card games on your online casino platform

Besides the well-known Texas Hol’em, Baccarat, and blackjack, there are numerous other card games, that evoke a classic casino quality to captivate players. Some examples include Hilo, Pai Gow, draw poker, and open-face Chinese poker.

Pai Gow 

In Pai Gow, players will find a blend of traditional poker and the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow. First, each player and the dealer receive 7 cards. Then, players arrange their cards into two hands: the “high” hand (awhich dheres to the standard poker hand rankings) and the “low” hand (where the highest possible hand is a pair). The high hand, consisting of 5 cards, must always rank higher than the low card, consisting of two cards. To win, both of the player’s hands must outrank the dealer’s.

Hilo 

Hilo is an accessible and straightforward game with a classic feel. Also known as the hi low card game, it starts by displaying a card on the screen. The player must then decide if the next card or number displayed would be higher or lower – some platforms might also offer an “equal” option. If the prediction is correct, the player typically wins. From that point onwards, it is possible to cash out or carry on playing to increase the winnings. 

It is possible to find variations of Hilo online. While the core game mechanics remain the same, there might be different card decks or number ranges, bonus payouts for specific combinations, and visual enhancements.

Draw poker

Unlike the previous two card game examples, draw poker sets players against each other. It is a multi-step game, which begins with players placing their small initial bets and being dealt 5 cards face down. A betting round ensues, where players can fold, call, or raise. After the first betting round, players have the chance to improve their hands. Following next, a second betting round ensues. Finally, in the showdown, players reveal their hands, and the player with the highest-ranking five-card poker hand wins the pot.

Open-face Chinese poker

This poker variant is played amongst 2 to 4 players, with each receiving 5 cards. Everyone proceeds to arrange their cards in three rows: back, middle, and front. After that, the dealer distributes 8 additional cards to each person. Whoever has the strongest three hands in the game wins. However, the allocation of points for beating opponents differs from other poker variants, which makes open-face Chinese poker challenging.