There’s nothing quite like the glitz, glamour and all-around drama of a night at the casino, and for the high rollers of the world, it comes with an exclusive, access-all-areas VIP experience that many simply can’t get enough of.
This fast-paced, high-octane environment gives these elite few a dose of the lifestyle they adore, so it’s little wonder that they keep on coming back for more. And, with some huge wins and plenty of perks at stake for those who are prepared to play big, both the wealthiest players and the casinos themselves stand to benefit once bricks-and-mortar doors open once again over the coming weeks.
If you’re eager to join some of the world’s most affluent players in playing and winning big, then it pays to take the time to hone your skills before you start playing big. And while land-based casinos have been forced to close their doors for long periods of time over the past year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, players have continued to get their fix online.
With some of the biggest names in land-based casinos going digital in a bid to stay in their customer base’s consciousness and retain the most affluent players, all of the best games and experiences are now available to them anywhere, anytime, at just the touch of a button. And the same goes for anyone looking to up their game when it comes to mastering the art of professional gambling – so if you’re keen to get some practice in before joining a face-to-face game, then it couldn’t be easier to get started.
The first thing to get your head around, if you’re new to casino gambling, is the rules of the most popular games amongst high rollers. From blackjack to roulette, here we take a look at what you need to know to succeed at the best of them.
Blackjack
The game of blackjack, often known as 21, is undoubtedly one of the most popular games amongst high rolling casino players. While some might feel reckless placing a £20 bet, the most brazen of players prefer to start with a wager of thousands, and may even progress to millions once they’ve warmed up.
In blackjack, each player is dealt two cards, including the dealer, with the aim to get as close to a total of 21 as possible without exceeding that number. Should the latter occur, a player automatically goes ‘bust’ – which means they are out of the round.
Once each player has assessed their two cards, they can choose to stick or twist, effectively staying with the cards they’ve got, or taking an additional card from the dealer. The winner is the person who reaches a total score of 21, or if nobody does, the closest to that total.
There isn’t much in the way of skill involved in the game, and largely, the outcome comes down to luck of the draw – but the more you practice, the more clued up you’ll become in knowing when to stick or twist, eventually improving your chance of a win.
Roulette
The roulette table is the centre of all the drama at any casino, and there’s a reason you’ll see crowds of people standing round it, both to play and simply to watch.
It’s relatively easy to win a small amount from the game, and various ways in which to triumph. Generally speaking, the goal is to predict which number the ball will land on when the wheel stops turning – with additional wins for predicting whether or not it will land on a red square over a black.
Correctly predicting the actual winning number is, of course, the most challenging of the two, and comes with more significant winning potential as a result. There are a few versions of the game, with the primary differences between them is either the use of a European wheel or an American wheel. The European wheel has a single green 0 space, whereas the American wheel has two green spaces opposite each other, featuring zero and 00. This alters the odds of the game, and players generally prefer one or the other.
Over the years, different variations of the game have been played, depending on the casino – and each may provide its own version of the rules. Roulette is a very popular game with the world’s biggest high rollers and has long been seen as one of the most glamorous. It’s a straightforward game of chance with not much skill involved, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the most exciting to play.
Texas Hold ’em
You would expect poker to feature in a list of games preferred by high rolling players, and indeed, it’s most certainly up there with the best of them. Texas Hold’em is a particularly popular version of the game that is played widely around the world and makes for an adrenaline-fuelled experience for anyone who is willing to play big.
Poker can even be played at a professional level, with some of the world’s biggest games and tournaments often televised – and many celebrities have been known to get in on the action. Ben Affleck, for example, is known for having a great love of poker and often plays in large tournaments. James Bond – although a character rather than a real-life A-lister – was also a casino fan, and you may remember that in Casino Royale, he played poker against one of his arch-rivals in the popular movies and books.
Texas Hold’em is a fast-paced game and requires players who are eager to see success to take the time to learn the intricacies and develop skills in order to win. Generally, those who high roll on the poker table bring years of experience and have proven that they are fantastic players that are difficult to beat – and will often go home with even fuller pockets than when they arrived.
Baccarat
The final game on our list of popular high rolling casino games is baccarat. In this game, the player and the dealer (banker) play against each other, and a bet is placed on who will have the winning hand. Two cards are dealt with each player face up, and whoever has a total closest to nine wins.
It sounds, in premise, quite similar to blackjack, but there are significant differences between the two games. The winnings are double the bet you place, so it’s easy to know what you stand to win or lose. And there are some other rules that players must understand before attempting the game to ensure a reasonable chance of success. Obviously, when such a small number is required to win, the odds are tricky, which is another reason the game has become so popular.
Baccarat is one of the oldest casino-based card games in the world and has a long and fascinating history behind it. You’ll likely find this game offered at just about every casino in the world, but access to VIP tables is often reserved for those who can provide a substantial bankroll, so most players don’t get to see them.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
