Casino Games That Even Sports Bettors Will Like

Sports bettors are filling casino sportsbooks in record numbers. The thrill and excitement of the action unfolding on the giant walls filled with TVs create an electric atmosphere.

Sports betting combines strategy and skill, which gets bettors invested emotionally. This emotional investment is part of the passion and enjoyment derived from sports betting.

Many sports bettors are venturing out of the sportsbook and spending time on the casino floor. These casino games will have sports bettors ditching the sportsbook for the casino floor.

Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the most exciting casino games for many gamblers. The game is a solid blend of strategic gameplay and watching the excitement unfold before you.

In fact, baccarat, much like real money sports betting, all comes down to making a decision. Of course, sports betting requires an intense amount of research to be successful.

Baccarat takes much less information when making a decision. The player either bets on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie.

The object is to get as close to a value of 9 as possible. In the event that the cards total double digits, the first digit is dropped.

So, 17 becomes 7, and so on. Aces are worth 1 point, and 10 – K are valued at 0. The numbered cards hold their face value.

The banker’s hand has the lower house edge at 1.06%. Still, many players shy away from this bet because of the 5% commission charged by the casino.

The casino’s house edge for the player bet is only slightly higher at 1.24%. Even with the 5% commission, the banker bet is the better play.

The tie bet may look appealing with it’s 8 to 1 payout. Don’t fall for it; the tie bet in baccarat is one of the biggest sucker bets in the casino.

Sports bettors can make the easy transition from the sportsbook to the baccarat table. The game is straightforward to learn and can offer some of the most exciting action on the casino floor.

Caribbean Stud Poker

Poker variations are extremely popular with sports bettors. The necessity of skill associated with poker is beautiful to sports bettors.

After all, any sports bettor that doesn’t spend years to hone their skills will never experience long-term success.

However, so many poker derivatives are floating around the casino floor these days; it can be tough to decipher where skill is required and where it isn’t.

Fortunately, a game where chance is still firmly in the driver’s seat can be hedged with proper strategy.

Caribbean Stud is one of these games. 

The dealer starts a hand by dealing 5 cards to the players and 5 cards to themself. The dealer then shows the players one of their cards.

Now, the player has the decision to play the hand through or not.


The dealer must have a King or higher for the hand to qualify. If not, all the money on the table is pushed.

The strategy comes in the option to fold or play your hand. You get to see 1 of the dealer’s cards, which is a pretty significant advantage, given that it’s stud poker.

Given the fact that you’ll be raising on your good hands, the house edge will be around 2.25%. That’s not great, but it beats slot machines.

Most of the Caribbean Stud games in the U.S. are also attached to some progressive jackpots. It’s not uncommon for these jackpots to climb into the six-figures.

You don’t have to be a sports bettor to want to shoot your shot for a chance at over $100k.

Spend some time reading up on the best practices and playing strategies while watching your game in the sportsbook. Then hit the casino floor and see if you can score at Caribbean Stud.

3-Card Poker

There are several great things that 3-Card Poker has going for it that sports bettors will love.

Most popular sports are fast-paced; this keeps us glued to our seats and our eyes glued to the action. 3-Card Poker moves at a brisk pace as well.

The dealer deals the 3 cards to build a hand for the players and the dealer. The players are then faced with the decision to add to their ante or fold.

Much like Caribbean Stud, this is where the strategy is involved. Of course, the first factor a player needs to consider is their own cards. 

If you have a strong hand like a flush or a straight, you can’t afford not to play it. Some of these caveats make it tougher when you have a weak hand.

There’s a qualifier that if the dealer doesn’t have at least a queen, the hand is pushed. So, if you have a weak hand, all hope isn’t lost.

You may choose to place the additional wager and take your chances that the dealer doesn’t have a queen or higher. Regardless of whether or not the dealer’s hand is better, all money is pushed without a queen or higher.

Unfortunately, this can also bite you because if the dealer doesn’t qualify and you have an incredible hand, it’s still a push.

3-Card Poker has another significant draw for players, the jackpots. Sports bettors are going to love the fast-paced action and how easily the game is learned.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker splashed onto the casino scene over 30 years ago. In an ever-evolving and changing landscape, where fad games experience a short run of popularity then become obsolete, Pai Gow Poker has endured.

Actually, Pai Gow Poker has thrived, and it’s easy to see why. Most casino games give the player very few choices.

Pai Gow Poker gives the player a plethora of options. Play begins with the player and dealer each receiving 7 cards.

They must then build a 5 card and 2 card hand. However, the 5 card hand must be better than the 2 card hand.

This opens the game up to a ton of strategy as the player builds both of their hands. One beneficial aspect of this hand-building is that it takes time in addition to being extremely engaging. Any time that play is slowed, it serves to extend your casino bankroll and keeps you gambling longer.

For a player to win, both of their hands must beat both of the dealer’s hands. If the dealer has the player beat on both hands, the dealer wins.

If the dealer and player each win one of the hands, it’s a push.


Serious table players often overlook Pai Gow Poker. Still, it’s hard to find a more strategic and engaging game in the casino.

Sports bettors can quickly learn the game. The constant barrage of decisions is comparable to coaches trying to outmaneuver the opposition.

Let It Ride

Let It Ride Poker is another game that many sports bettors will quickly become adept at.

Again, the player is facing off heads up against the dealer. Each player is dealt 3 cards after a round of betting to determine whether the player wants to fold or bet and continue to see the 2 community cards.

Each round is full of strategy as the player tries to determine whether or not it’s worth building their hand. The pay scale is based on your hand’s strength, and it can make for tough decisions.

A royal flush will pay your original bet at 1,000 to 1. So, it’s tough to pass on the opportunity to see the community cards whenever you have a chance.

Obviously, it’ll be an infrequent instance when, or if ever, you actually get the tremendous payoff. Sports bettors will enjoy the constant action and a large amount of strategy involved in playing Let It Ride. 

Texas Hold’em

Most of the sports bettors in my circle are also serviceable Texas Hold’em players. Sports and Texas Hold’em seem to fit hand in hand. 

In fact, Texas Hold’em is probably as close to an actual sport as you can find in any casino. The skill involved is akin to the necessary skill to play sports.

The best sports bettors on the planet aren’t lucky; they’re good. In the same manner, the best Texas Hold’em players in the world are highly skilled professionals.

Not unlike the athletes that showcase their amazing ability on the court or field.

However, being a casual sports bettor doesn’t qualify you to sit down in a casino poker room. Winning small home games on Saturday afternoons isn’t a qualifier either.

If a sports bettor takes time to read about the best poker strategies and gathers a basic understanding of hand odds, they have a shot at making some money.

Really, with all of the underprepared poker players flooding the casino poker rooms, any player that spends the time to learn the game can rake in the cash.

Poker is a perfect blend of strategy and skill. You should know that skill will always kick luck in the jaw at the poker table over any considerable period of time.

Conclusion

These games take sports bettors from the sidelines to the middle of the action on the casino floor. If you’re new to table games and looking to branch out, be sure to learn as much as you can about the games before you buy-in.

Casino games that will have sports bettors ditching the sportsbook are a phenomenal way to spend downtime in the casino. They can also open up the door to casino gaming for those on the fence and those who never gave the casino itself much thought.