There are certain types of game which transcend the fads and whims of modern trends and remain endlessly enjoyable to play. These games have been around for decades, and sometimes centuries, but they never lose their appeal. What’s more, here in the digital era, you can get your hands on these classic games with minimal effort.
Playing card and table games digitally is easy when you know where to look. Pretty much any classic game you can think of, whether that’s dominoes, MahJong or even an exotic casino game like roulette, can be played on any internet-connected device. Plus, with all the different types of games available, once you start playing, you’ll probably discover several variants that you’ve never played before.
Even if you’re tech-phobic, there are still easy ways to enjoy board, table and card games digitally. Read on to find out more!
Which Games Can Be Played Digitally?
First things first, you’re probably wondering what kinds of classic games can be played digitally. The more accurate question might be – what can’t you play digitally? If you can think of a card, board or table game, then the chances are pretty high that you will be able to find several digital versions of it. Even some of those games that you might think of as more obscure or less commonly played, such as rummy, are also immortalized in the digital realm.
Here’s a summary of some of the most popular classic games you can play here in the 21st century.
Baccarat
Given that baccarat belongs to the category of table games at the casino – which are games that are operated by flesh and blood croupiers rather than by mechanical devices – you might think that it would be impossible to play digitally. Well, like the other table games you’ll find further on in this list, there are actually several different ways to play baccarat without having to leave the house.
This game has origins that can be traced back to 15th-century Italy, so it’s pretty embedded in mainstream culture. However, these days it’s more widely known as James Bond’s favorite casino game.
Monopoly
Hasbro’s iconic board game has kept gatherings of friends and loved ones equally entertained and enraged since it was released in the 1930s. It’s also a game that has a rich and fascinating history. Did you know, for instance, that special editions of the game were manufactured by the British Secret Intelligence Service for distribution during the 1940s?
Monopoly is licensed in over 100 countries and, in its board game format, has been printed in no less than 37 languages, so, of course, this board gaming staple is available digitally.
Poker
Poker is a card game that has a long history and is played around the world. It usually involves a group of people and involves playing with a set of cards based on the rules of the game. Depending on the variation, poker players compete against each other to build their best hand from the available cards, or to bet chips on which hand will be best (or in some cases, which hand will lose!). Poker can involve additional rules for betting, like ‘pot-limit’ or ‘no-limit’ betting, as well as ways to win called ‘draws’. Common variants of poker include Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha Hold’em and Draw Poker. Other variations include Razz (a form of seven-card stud), Badugi (a four-card draw game) and H.O.R.S.E (A combination of different types of games played in rounds). Digital versions typically simulate all forms of poker to provide more variety for players online.
Roulette
Roulette is one of those table games that still maintains a glamorous allure, even in the digital realm. Often synonymous with high rollers, this thrilling game can sometimes seem intimidating to beginners – especially with its various different rules – but it’s actually a game that’s suitable for players of all levels.
Craps
Craps is a gambling game that requires players to place bets on the outcome of rolls of two dice. Rolled by the shooter, two dice are thrown on a table with marked out areas before hitting a back wall. Each round is known as a come out roll and players bet on whichever number they think appears most often when the structures have been rolled out.
In craps, betting at a specific moment in play holds certain benefits compared to betting at other times. Players can make wagers taking either chances or odds depending on what side of the table they fall under — betting on ‘pass line’ or ‘come line’. As long as one result appears twice in each pair of rolls, all money wagered is awarded to those bettors who correctly predicted which numbers would result from the roll out. Playing craps can be an exciting proposition where groups can bring camaraderie and enthusiasm to any party or game night event!
Furthermore, it’s never been easier to learn how to play roulette than it is today. Not only can you access numerous different roulette games and variants online, thanks to the resources available on platforms, you can get to grips with the rules and strategy of the game too.
Competitive Trading Card Games
Since Magic: The Gathering emerged into public consciousness in 1993, collectable trading card games have been a massive hit with players of all demographics and ages. Over the decades, numerous cards have been produced that are stand-alone games or tie-ins with other major gaming and entertainment franchises.
The spirit of anime has been captured in Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards; there are several different Pokémon-themed games; and even Gwent, a card game that fans of The Witcher series will be more than familiar with, has found new life as a stand-alone TCG.
In their digital formats, TCGs and collectable card games (CCGs) can be enormously fun to play. Another added bonus of playing games like this digitally is that many of the cards involved are free to collect online or available at a fraction of the cost of the traditional variety.
How to Play Digital Games
- Source: unsplash.com
If there’s one thing that unites all digital gaming experiences, it’s sheer convenience. It genuinely is easy to play any of the games we’ve mentioned above digitally – and countless others, too.
You can first start off by playing card and table games on dedicated websites or gaming platforms. Some of these sites specialize in one gaming genre over another, such as online casino platforms, while other platforms are more general and offer up a variety of different titles. Even Steam, the globally popular video gaming marketplace, has plenty of TCGs, CCGs and board games available to play.
Naturally, you’ll find a greater variety of games on the more specialized platforms and several interesting variants to try out. Cardgames.io, for instance, is a platform dedicated to card games, and it features the likes of Pyramids and Hearts alongside more well-known games such as Solitaire. For board game enthusiasts, Tabletopia.com is a mecca for tabletop games, ranging from classics to exciting new digital-only variants.
Alternatively, mobile gaming apps are another great way to play card, table and board games. They’re easy to download and play, with simple touchscreen interfaces, and, given the sheer number of gaming apps that are flooding Apple and Google’s app stores, you’re unlikely to run out of options.
Like PC gaming, mobile gaming is a medium in which you’ll find niche digital-only board games, like Exploding Kittens and Star Realms, as well as mobile versions of established table and card games.
Finally, if downloading apps or logging onto gaming platforms is a bit too much, tabletop simulators might be a good option to try. As the name suggests, they’re software programs that virtually simulate a gaming tabletop. Like gaming websites, they can specialize in table, card or board games, or sometimes a mix of all three. And one of the great things about playing games on a virtual table is that you can invite your friends to join you too!
Strategies for Playing Digital Card and Table Games
Whether you are interested in card games, table games, or other digital games, understanding how to strategize and make the most of your gaming opportunities is essential for success. Developing a good strategy for playing digital card and table games can be the difference between success and failure. We will take a look at some of the common strategies for playing digital card and table games.
A large part of being successful when playing digital card and table games is bankroll management. Professional players set limits on their budget, determine win goals, and have strategies for both long-term and short-term play. It’s also important to pay attention to the betting limits of each game you’re playing and managing your bankroll accordingly. There are several tips you can use to ensure you have a good bankroll management plan:
- Set Betting Limits: Decide what kind of stakes or bets you are going to make before the start of each game. This way, you won’t be tempted to bet more than what you can afford or is within your risk level.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Track how much money comes in and out of your bankroll so that it doesn’t get too out-of-hand.
- Set Payment Limits: If possible, determine an amount that you are comfortable with spending every month on online digital card and table games. This will help ensure that your budget isn’t getting too high while still allowing yourself some fun gaming time.
- Create a Win Goal: Set a goal for yourself when it comes to winning in digital card and table games, such as a certain amount of money or having at least two wins per game session. Knowing where your goal is before starting a gaming session will keep you from going overboard if things don’t go according to plan.
Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions gives players an excellent opportunity to maximize their chances of winning. Online casinos often offer a range of promotional offers such as welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, reload bonuses and even special daily or weekly rewards. It is very important to carefully read the terms and conditions associated with each bonus before you accept it in order to ensure that you are not being taken for a ride.
Set a budget and stick to it
It is important to limit yourself when playing digital card and table games, just as you would with any type of gambling. Before you start playing, it’s a good idea to have an idea of how much money you are willing to spend and develop an effective bankroll management strategy.
Set a budget before you begin playing digital card and table games, otherwise known as ‘stakes’. This is the amount of money you are willing to gamble with, in each session. You should take into account your income and other financial commitments such as rent, bills and food costs when setting a budget. Most importantly, you should never spend more than you can afford to lose.
When establishing your budget for digital card or table games, look ahead at the stakes for subsequent rounds or levels — if your bankroll starts dwindling too fast for comfort in one game or round of No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker-you’ll know that moving on may be the best way to survive financially! Keeping track of winnings will also help ensure that players remain within their stated budget – particularly when enjoying long sessions at tables or tournaments.
It is also important to stick closely to your staking rules — once all bets have been placed the pot cannot be increased any further – no matter how tempting it may be – so do not go beyond what has been agreed before placing chips into the pot in game-play! Remember that it is OK to say no thank you when offered additional stakes; this ensures that players remain within their original betting limits while still playing responsibly.
