#1. Dreidel

unique casino gamesDreidel is a well-known Jewish game, usually played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The game wasn’t initially a gambling game, but over the years, it has made its way into a number of casinos around the world. However, as far as we know, there has yet to be an online version of dreidel.

The game is simple and is played with a spinning top with four sides called a dreidel.

The Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hey (or chai), and shin are written on each of the four sides of the dreidel, and the outcome depends on which one it lands on.

  • "Nun" = Nothing - The player loses
  • "Gimel" = Everything - The player wins everything
  • "Hey" = Half - The player gets half the pot
  • "Shin" = Put in - The players must place a bet in the pot

Everyone starts with the same number of game pieces (or casino chips), usually between 10 and 15. Each player puts one piece in the “pot” and spins the dreidel. When it stops, the player has to do something based on the letter on the side facing them.

In three of the four possible outcomes, this action changes how much money is in the pot. Just like poker, one player is eventually left with the whole pot.

#2. Sigma Derby

You might have played something like this at an arcade by the beach, and there are still one or two games like this at some of the biggest casinos in the US, but Sigma Derby is pretty much out of style these days. However, it was the predecessor to virtual horse race betting, which has become somewhat popular today, so the concept isn’t all dead.

Sigma Derby is a real-life game based on horse racing without any real horses involved. The game is closer to a roulette table in size, with a horse track and plastic horses.

Players pick which horse they think will finish first and bet on it. Then, the machine pulls the horses randomly along a horse track, just like a regular horse track. The odds for each combination are shown digitally, so just like with real horse racing, they can change.

Each time, a different horse comes in first and second, so it’s a crapshoot as to whether or not your bet will win, but it’s a lot of fun to watch the race using miniature models on a replica track.

Even though this game has become a cult classic, it never caught on with most people and hasn’t stood the test of time. It’s a strange hybrid game that doesn’t fit in, and it takes up a lot of space on the casino floor. Casinos could make more money if they put more slot machines on the floor, which is what many of them have done.

#3. Rat Roulette / Rodent Roulette

In 1946, creative workers at a funfair in Nebraska came up with a new way to play roulette. This game with the strange name “rat roulette”, also known as “gerbil roulette” or “rodent roulette”, became popular until angry animal rights activists called the police and eventually stopped it.

Live rats were used in this strange betting game, and a round of rat roulette went on like this:

  • Two rats are put on a special roulette wheel changed to fit them.
  • Players place their bets on a table similar to regular roulette.
  • The croupier spins the wheel.
  • When it stops, the rats, who are now very dizzy, land dazedly in two of the holes, which payout to the players who bet on them. In other words, the rat was the ball, also called the pill.

Even though this must have been shocking to see, we’re glad that someone stepped in to stop the cruel treatment of animals. Needless to say, we are hoping for a similar game of online casino roulette with virtual rats to be released!

#4. Pachinko

Pachinko is a gambling game that started in Japan, and frankly, it is still highly popular over there. However, the rest of the world has yet to adapt to this Japanese trend, even though some nations have their own adaptations.

But, you might ask, what is Pachinko? Basically, it is a mix between a pinball machine and a slot machine put together. It may sound like an odd mix, but the games that come out of it are a lot of fun and don’t require much strategy other than when to throw the ball.

Players try to win as many balls as possible by dropping a tiny ball into a hole or catcher and hoping that more balls come out of the machine. Then, these balls are traded for a prize. That’s all there is to it. You can find online pachinko machines that work closer to a slot machine as the results are randomly generated.

#5. Kronespillet

In Norway and a few other Nordic countries, the game “Kronespillet” is highly popular. It is somewhat similar to Pachinko, with the differences being that coins were used instead of small balls, which ended up piling up at the bottom of the machine as they, one by one, came tumbling down.

You win all the coins that fall over the edge. It always looks like you only need one more coin before a bunch falls down, which is the whole magic of the machine.

The game was commonly found in faires around Norway until the mid-2000s when gambling regulations banned these machines. Due to its success, Unibet actually created an online variety just for the Norwegians to play, but sadly it never became as successful as the original.

#6. Casino War

Casino War is perhaps the easiest game there is, and that might be why it never really took off. It’s just too simple!

A round of Casino War goes like this:

  • Both the dealer and the player are dealt a card.
  • Both cards are turned over.
  • The winner is the person with the highest card.
  • Finish.

It could be called fast-paced because each hand is played in about 10 seconds, but that doesn’t make it exciting.

The only complication is if both hands are tied. In this case, the player can either give up and lose half their bet or go to war with the dealer, which means they both place another bet and get another card.

If they lose, they lose both bets. If they win, they only get their first bet back. If they tie, they lose their first bet but get their second stake back. There was also a side bet that paid out 10:1 if the game ended in a tie.

As you can see, it’s not only a bit boring, but with a 3% house edge, it heavily favours the casino.

The casino game might have been an attempt to get slots players, who are used to easy games that don’t require much skill, to play table games. Even though the game still exists in some online casinos, it’s not very popular. Still, casinos still offer Casino War because the house edge is in their favour.

#7. Faro

Faro used to be highly popular back in the day but is now more or less extinct. This game was said to be very popular in the saloons of the Wild West.

In Faro, 13 spade cards are laid out face up on the table. Then, the players put their bet(s) on the number they think the dealer will pull next. The dealer then shows a card from the rest of the deck, which now has 39 cards and only 3 suits left. Bets on that number lose.

The dealer draws the second card and all bets on that number win. On the other 11 cards, you can either let your bets ride or push.

It sounds like a fun and easy game, but as time went on and gambling became a real business, owners realised they could make more money from other games, so Faro slowly went away.

The other problem was that smart players could keep track of which cards had already been drawn and only bet on numbers that were more likely to be drawn based on what was left.

#8. Pusoy Dos

This “shedding game” version of poker is played in the Philippines’ Quezon Province, which is way out in the western Pacific.

The goal of the game, which is usually played by three or four people, is to play all of your cards on the table before anyone else. You can do this one at a time or in groups.

Strangely, the two is the highest card, followed by the ace, king, queen, etc., all the way down to the three. The suits also have a certain order. In each round, the person who has the most cards when the winner gets rid of all their cards and “goes out” is the loser. Then, they get punished based on the value of the cards they still have.

Frankly, we don’t quite get the rules, but it sounds more similar to the weird game Barney Stinson played with the Japanese businessmen in that one How I Met Your Mother episode.

#9. Teen Patti

The card game Teen Patti has its roots in India but never really became popular outside of the nation. It is played on the street, especially during the festival of Diwali, and in some casinos across South Asia. It may have been based on the English three-card brag game, with a bit of poker thrown in for good measure.

Before the game starts, each player pays the same amount to get into the “pot.” Then, the bets are made.

Before each round, each player must put an “ante” into the pot. This is because if players fold every round, they will lose money over time, so this gives them a reason to play a hand instead of folding. So, the more people who stay in the hand, the bigger the pot gets and the more fun it is to play.

#10. Kratzen

The 33-card William Tell or German-suited deck is used to play this Austrian trick-taking card game (whose suits are acorns, leaves, hearts, and bells.) All of the sixes have been taken out of the deck except for the Weli, which is a six of bells and the second-highest trump card.

Kratzen is made up of two parts. In the first part of the game, no one can fold, and everyone must put an ante into the pot. During the second part of the game, people play for the money in the pot. If it looks like they won’t be able to take the minimum number of tricks, they can drop out.

Other Unique Casino Games You Can Play Online

If any of the unique gambling games above tickles your fancy, we’re afraid they most likely are not available to play for real money. Although there are exceptions, like Teen Patti in Indian casinos, they are too unique to have found a stable following online.

Still, if you are tired of the same old casino games like slots and roulette, we have found a few games that can give you a unique gambling experience and are quite commonly found on online gambling websites.

Crash Gambling Games

Crash gambling games, epitomised by the likes of Aviator, are intense, real-time games where players bet on a rising multiplier. As the multiplier increases, so do potential winnings. But there’s a catch: the multiplier can “crash” at any moment, resulting in a loss. The challenge? Players must cash out before the crash to secure their winnings. Its unpredictable nature makes it a heart-pounding experience.

Deal or No Deal Live

Inspired by the famous TV show, the online version of Deal or No Deal Live involves players picking briefcases and negotiating with the virtual banker. It’s a game of strategy and intuition, as players must decide whether to accept the banker’s offer or continue in hopes of securing a higher prize.

Bac Bo

Originating from Asia, Bac Bo, also known as Sic Bo, is a dice game. Players bet on the outcome of three dice rolls, predicting specific numbers, total sum, or combinations. With its myriad betting options and reliance on chance, it offers a unique blend of suspense and excitement.

Slingo

A delightful fusion of slots and bingo, Slingo online requires players to spin reels to mark off numbers on a bingo card. Completing lines or patterns leads to wins. With multiple variations available, each with its own set of rules and jackpots, Slingo adds a refreshing twist to two classic games.

Monopoly Live

Transforming the beloved board game into a live casino experience, Monopoly Live features a host and a virtual Mr Monopoly. Players bet on the outcome of a giant spinning wheel, but what truly sets it apart are the augmented reality bonus rounds that bring the Monopoly board to life.

Lightning Roulette

Revolutionising traditional roulette, Lightning Roulette introduces lucky numbers and multipliers each round. Players can win up to 500x their bet if the ball lands on a lucky number. With electrifying visual effects and the potential for huge payouts, it’s an exhilarating take on a classic game.

author
Kate WebbEditor in Chief

With over ten years of experience working with gambling and writing about casinos, Kate brings a lot of knowledge to CasinoTop3.com. Kate oversees all the content written on CasinoTop3.com to ensure it contains factual information with value to you as a player.