Undeniably, this exciting card game has become very popular in recent years, especially once celebrities started to take a liking to it. But is it the absolute best casino entertainment available out there? Poker fans won’t have any doubts, but in reality, the answer cannot be that simple. In fact, there will be many voices arguing the opposite. There are undoubtedly various factors to take into account here, aside from personal preferences.

Let’s Break It Down

Except for some early influences from the past, poker is a relatively young game. It was developed sometime in the early 1800s, whereas both roulette and blackjack are a little older than that. It means that these two senior games gained dedicated fans sooner, and to this date they are still appreciated as an enjoyable form of entertainment.

Poker isn’t the most popular activity inside casinos’ walls. The aforementioned blackjack and roulette hold the first two places in that contest, respectively. However, different variations of poker are the third most enjoyed casino activity. This is still a great result, and one that shows there is a significant interest around the younger game. The most commonly recognized type of poker played is Texas Hold’em, but casinos often offer more variations:  Pai Gow, Video Poker, Caribbean Stud, or 3-Card Poker, to name but a few.

Alongside blackjack, poker transfers well from a land-based establishment to the online world. Because of this, it is also a valid option for gaming on the move. The mobile gaming industry is usually taken very seriously by big companies and developers. The same goes for poker: therefore the variety of mobile poker options currently on offer will certainly leave any customer satisfied.

The Family of Card Games

Because poker and blackjack come from the same family of card games, it is natural to try and compare them. Is one better than the other? Although blackjack is an entertaining game, and it will always find supporters for its cause, one could make a compelling argument about poker’s superiority. To some extent, it is still a subjective opinion and a matter of preference, but there are a few serious points to consider.

The general rules are relatively simple for both of the games, but poker is much more complex. First of all, it provides greater variety. Whereas blackjack casino rules may vary only slightly in terms of dealers’ behavior in certain situations, there are numerous types of poker. Undoubtedly, everyone can find something in this game to suit themselves. Then there are further distinctions regarding pot limits and the number of tables in a tournament.

While this is true, some could say that poker is … easier. Being a simple card game with an element of skill to it blackjack gives just about a 49% chance of winning. The problem with calculating the odds for poker is that they can vary a lot. Of course, you still get your cards at random, but how you play with them is crucial, so the factor of skill is much more significant. And the important thing is that you play against other players, not the dealer.

I think we can all agree that there cannot be a clear answer to the question of poker dominance in the casino world. As it breaks down into personal preferences, everybody is entitled to their opinions. One must admit, however, that this intelligent and absorbing game deserves players’ appreciation.