Toronto Mike

An intro to the two top casino games available to Canadians online

We cover a vast range of topics on this site, widened even further by the number of interviews we have managed to carry out. In today's topic, we're going to take a look at roulette and blackjack: two of the most popular casino games, especially when it comes to online gameplay. For those who have never played casino games before, but are intrigued by the various offers available, you've come to the right place. Here's a quick guide to get you started.

Roulette

"Roulette" (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by amespiphoto

The roulette wheel is the iconic symbol of the casino. You'll probably recognise this game from your beloved James Bond movies, but they're also available at the top online casinos in Canada and the keen deal-hunter won't have to look too far to find a selection of deposit match bonuses with which to get started. With a deal in place, roulette is a relatively simple concept. You place a bet with a certain amount of chips, which is either lost or won when the ball settles on its final number on the wheel. You can place 1:1 bets on red or black or odd or even, 2:1 bets that cover ranges of 12 numbers, or singular bets on numbers between 1 and 36. The ‘outside’ bets (not on specific numbers), give you better chances of winning.

Learning more about the potential winnings of the roulette table allows you to place clever bets spreading your money across the table and increasing your chances of profiting. The thrill of the game is always there on the roulette table.

Blackjack

"blackjack" (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Shannon K

Blackjack is a quick card game, the aim of which is to beat the dealer to 21. You are dealt two cards to begin with, and then you have a choice: to hit or stand your initial hand. If the two initial cards are 21, this is blackjack and you have won straight away, and sometimes get a 1.5x return. Though of course the game is based on luck - blackjack odds change depending on what you are dealt, and what the dealer has - there is an element of control.

There are good and bad hands, and each requires different tactics. For example, 10, Jack, Queen and King are all 10s, so two of those would give you 20, the second-best number, and you would probably want to stand/stick with that. A low number (normally below 17) would encourage you to hit and hope for a new card/cards that make up a higher number. However, the risk is that you'll end up with 22 or above, in which case you go bust - you lose. It also depends on the dealer. They have to stand on 17 but their hand can vary hugely, and that is what you are trying to beat.

There are a few other blackjack moves to play in certain situations. Doubling down is when you double your bet for one more card. Splitting is when you split your cards into separate hands and double your overall bet. This generally works well for pairs, for example splitting two 8s to make two separate hands.

The best way to fully understand these two casino games is, of course, to try them out! Both iconic casino games are extremely fun. It’s easy to understand why they’re so popular after giving them a go.

Author image
About Toronto Mike
Toronto
I own TMDS and host Toronto MIke'd. Become a Patron.