The games you find at online casino sites have varying origins, and one of the most common is in Asia. Indeed, many titles come from the populous continent, including famous ones like Baccarat, Sic Bo, and Keno. Each of these Asian casino games offers unique gameplay, and we’ll explain all you need to know about them in this post.
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Why Are Asian Casino Games So Popular?
Before we start outlining the games, let’s freely look at why they’re so famous. Asian and Chinese gambling games boast significant popularity mainly because the region has considerable influence in the gaming markets. To illustrate, Asia represents approximately 60% of the world’s betting population. Therefore, any casino targeting players in the continent must feature the games.
Furthermore, Asian online casino games are unique from Western types. They appeal to players who want something different yet familiar. For instance, Baccarat is an Asian card game casino players love, and it’s similar to European blackjack.
We can also highlight festivals as one reason why casino games from Asia are widespread. Options like sic bo and mahjong have deep roots in East Asian cultures, and many people play them during social gatherings and celebrations. Thanks to this, they’ve remained popular over generations.
Common Asian Casino Games
Without further ado, below are the popular Asian casino games that rank among the most common at casinos today:
1. Mahjong
The first one is an iconic game that originated in China. For decades, players have continued to love Mahjong because it allows complex strategy and skill, and it also holds strong cultural significance in Asia.
Unlike the regular options, Mahjong is a tile-based Chinese casino game that allows up to four players at a time. The target is to create specific tile combinations to win. Notably, playing Mahjong demands having a sharp memory and solid focus. Also, you’ll do a lot of planning to build the right tile combination.
Based on our research, Mahjong has maintained a stranglehold in Asia because it’s not just about gambling. The game also serves as a social and recreational activity. Hence, people play it during family gatherings, festivals, and on special occasions.
2. Sic Bo
If you prefer dice games, Sic Bo is one to check out. It’s another classic that has its origins in ancient China. After centuries, it still stands strong as one of the most popular Asian casino games to play. Notably, the name Sic Bo means dice pair, but you actually play with three dice.
In Sic Bo, it’s all about placing bets on various dice combinations, and the returns vary based on the probability of each result. Straightforward, right? It sure is, and this simplicity is one reason why the game has a strong appeal.
With Asian card game casino options such as Baccarat and Pai Gow Poker, you need strategy and skill to come out on top. However, Sic Bo relies purely on luck. This makes it accessible to players of all experience levels, as you won’t have to learn much. Plus, the dice game has a wide range of outcome options, from single-number to complex combinations. It’s up to you to choose which you prefer.
3. Keno
At number three, we have Keno, a lottery-style Chinese gambling game that’s trending among casino players. What makes Keno unique? Well, the game is simple and fast, making it a favorite alternative to a more popular option like Bingo.
Based on our findings, Keno has been played for centuries. There are even reports that funds from it were used to carry out large projects like the construction of the Great Wall. To play, you just need to select numbers from a set range. Then, there’ll be a random draw to determine the winning numbers.
You’ll win based on how many of your selected numbers match the drawn ones. Typically, the more matches you score, the higher the return. This game will continue to draw attention since it doesn’t require advanced strategies. Whether you’re a newcomer or a casual player, you can easily pick up and enjoy at online casinos.
Chinese Games
You can’t talk about Asian casino options and leave out Chinese gambling games. Most of the former came from China, and the most popular ones are Mahjong, Sic Bo, and Pai Gow. From China, these titles have since spread to casinos worldwide. Check them out below:
- Mahjong: A tile-based game that’s said to have been created around the mid-19th century during the Qing Dynasty. You can play it if you enjoy applying complex strategy and skill requirements.
- Sic Bo: This ancient Chinese casino game is believed to have been around for thousands of years. It involves predicting the outcome of dice, which is why it appeals to players who prefer fast-paced sessions.
- Pai Gow: Here’s a domino-based game with roots tracing back nearly 1,000 years. Pai Gow is also simple to play; you only have to create high-ranking combinations from domino tiles. This game led to the launch of Pai Gow Poker, a variant popular in Western casinos.
Asian Card Games
At this point, let’s have a closer look at Asian and Chinese casino game options involving cards. These are the two most popular:
Pai Gow Poker
With Pai Gow Poker, you get a game that combines the ancient Chinese Pai Gow and Western poker. As mentioned already, the original Pai Gow was played with dominoes. The poker variant was developed in the 1980s by Sam Torosian, a casino owner in California.
Notably, Pai Gow Poker has the same strategic gameplay as the ancient Chinese version. Because it combines the popular card game, it’s now widespread in casinos in Asia and North America, among other parts of the world.
To play this Chinese gambling game, you need a standard 52-card deck plus one joker. Typically, the joker can be counted as an ace or to complete specific hands like a straight or flush. At the start of the round, you’ll receive seven cards from the dealer. You must split them into two hands: a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand.
Ultimately, the target is to create double hands that’ll beat that of the dealer. In other words, both your hands must outrank the dealer’s for you to win. What if only one hand wins? Well, the round becomes a push, and you get back your money. If you’re wondering, card values in Pai Gow Poker follow standard poker rankings. However, the highest is five aces (if the joker is used).
Tien Len
Also known as Vietnamese Poker or Go Forward, Tien Len traces its origin to Vietnam. The game has a social appeal, which is primarily why it’s popular across the Asian gaming niche. Like Pai Gow Poker, you can play Tien Len with a standard 52-card deck. It typically requires four players, though fewer people can also play.
In this Asian casino game, the objective is straightforward — be the first player to get rid of all your cards. Notably, the cards are ranked by value, with 2 being the highest card. It’s followed by Aces, Kings, and down to 3 as the lowest. Meanwhile, suits are ranked from strongest to weakest, and here’s the order:
- Hearts
- Diamonds
- Clubs
- Spades
To give an example, getting 2 of hearts is the highest possible card. When the game begins, you’ll be dealt 13 cards. The player with the lowest card, the 3 of spades, usually begins by playing a single card or a combination — like pairs, triples, or straights. Then, you and other players must play a higher-ranked card or combination of the same type or pass.
If everyone passes, the last person to play starts a new round with any card or combination. That’s how the game continues until one player eliminates all their cards and wins.
Most Popular Asian Casino Games
So far, we’ve talked about common casino games from Asia and the card types. In terms of popularity, which titles take the lead? There are three of them: Pachinko, Baccarat, and Mahjong. Find out how they work and the reasons behind their fame below:
Pachinko
This is a unique and highly popular game in Japan, and it mixes slot gameplay and pinball. If you know how both games work, you’re sure to love Pachinko. It originated in the early 20th century as small mechanical games similar to bagatelle. In case you’re wondering, bagatelle was imported to Japan from Europe.
By the 1930s, Pachinko machines were widespread, most of which is thanks to the post-World War II era. There were several dedicated parlors for the Asian casino game across Japan. Today, Pachinko remains iconic in the country’s gaming culture, and some use it as a recreational pastime.
How do you play Pachinko? The first thing to note is that this game has high volatility. You’ll insert metal balls into the machine and try to control their speed and direction to land in winning pockets. The balls can activate other game features and even win additional balls as rewards. It all depends on the exact type you’re playing.
However, Pachinko is less common in the United States and Western casinos despite its popularity in Japan. Many players see it as new or unusual rather than the mainstream game it is. The good news is that many online platforms have Pachinko among their Asian casino games. These digital variants have the same mechanics as physical machines, but they offer quicker gameplay.
Baccarat
As a classic card game, Baccarat really needs no introduction. What’s fascinating about this title is that it’s not actually an Asian or Chinese gambling game. On the contrary, Baccarat originated from Italy in the 15th century. The game then made it into France, where it gained popularity among kings and other nobles. Eventually, it evolved into the version everyone plays today.
When Baccarat spread to Asia, it was widely accepted by players in the continent, especially high-rollers. It gained so much popularity that casinos began releasing local versions with Asian themes and designs. Despite its premium status, Baccarat is easy to play. It only involves comparing the hands of two parties — the player and the banker.
At the start, each side is dealt two or three cards, and the goal is to get a hand with a total value closest to nine to win. Face cards and 10s are worth zero, and aces count as one. Meanwhile, all other cards retain their face values like in poker. You can choose whether the player’s hand or the banker’s hand will win or if the result will be a tie.
Globally, Baccarat is a popular Asian card game casino players love. Its low house edge is a key contributing factor. In most variants, the banker has a house edge of around 1.06%, while that of the player is about 1.24%. This translates to a 98.94% RTP and 98.76%, respectively.
Mahjong
Already, we’ve explained that Mahjong is a traditional Chinese gambling game and one of the most iconic in Asia. We’ll go into specifics on how it’s played. First of all, the game involves a set of 144 tiles and requires four players. You’ll take turns to draw and discard tiles, with the target of creating combinations. These combinations are also known as melds.
Notably, the first player to complete four melds and a pair wins. A winning hand can include sequences, triplets, or other tile sets based on the Mahjong variant. Indeed, different Asian regions have variations in the rules and tile values, but the basics don’t change.
Mahjong has indeed earned a reputation as one of the most popular games in Asia. Specifically, it’s widespread in casinos across China, Japan, and Korea. It’s true that you may not find it among the popular options at online casinos. However, this is gradually changing as more gaming sites are introducing the digital Mahjong variant.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Asian casino games are popular because they’re simple to play and have rich cultural origins. As highlighted in this post, the most popular ones are Mahjong, Sic Bo, Keno, Baccarat, and Pachinko. Options like Pai Gow Poker and Tien Len also boast a good following. Each of these games has something special to offer, and you may want to try them at our recommended online casinos.
