Australia has always had a rich gambling history dating back to the 19th century when horse racing was first popularized. Many believe this is due to the country’s love of sports and pub culture, with Australians spending close to 17 billion dollars on gambling activities in 2020 alone. Even the country’s most iconic landmarks the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge were both partly funded by government lotteries.
While there is no denying that gambling is an integral part of Australia’s vibrant culture not much is known about the games they know and love. From pokies to poker, let’s take a look at the casino games that have managed to capture players’ hearts and excitement down under.
Aussies who love gambling have the luxury to choose whether to play at their traditional brick and mortar resort or an online casino promoting AU no deposit free spins bonus codes. With almost 40% of the people down under engaging in this popular pastime, you know they’ll be happy to play any of the games listed below, if there’s the potential of winning money.
Poker
Let’s face it who doesn’t love poker? This fun and exciting game of strategy has won over millions of players down under thanks to its high stakes and drama. Poker is fun for the adrenaline-seeking Aussies as you never know which way the unpredictable game will turn, making the anticipation of winning all the more exhilarating.
Poker is also known for its large social aspect, bringing together like-minded Aussies to engage in some friendly banter over some pints. While it doesn’t hurt that Texas Hold’em, goes well with their outback culture, the most popular form of poker is Stud poker. Although there are a few variations, stud poker is when players are dealt with a mix of face-up and face-down cards, called “streets,” over several betting rounds.
Roulette
Another popular casino game in Australia is Roulette. With its simple rules and high stakes, Roulette can be enjoyed by seasoned or novice players alike, providing a great entryway into the gambling industry. As a game of chance, it’s anyone’s game to win which helps to ramp up the excitement and fun the game brings. It’s no wonder, why so many Aussies are drawn to the spinning wheel
The game is also very easy to understand and comes in a few different variations including American and European which are both popular in Australia. This allows players to try out different gameplays to see which suits their skillset best. While the same basic rules involving betting on numbers or colors apply to both variations, there are some slight differences.
European Roulette
European roulette, also known as single-zero roulette, is considered by many to be the original version of the game. It has a lower house edge than its American counterpart due to its roulette wheel having 37 sectors. As such this version gives twice the odds of American Roulette, providing Aussies with a better chance of securing the gold. It is also easier for beginners to understand making it a perfect choice for players just starting their gambling journey.
American Roulette
American roulette on the other hand offers more betting options than the European version, creating a more thrilling and exciting experience for Aussie players. With more betting options also comes the opportunity to try out more strategies, allowing players to implement new tactics to increase their chances of winning. Although as previously mentioned, this version of roulette does have a higher house edge so players should be cautious of the increased risks this entails.
Australian Blackjack
Australian blackjack, also known as Pontoon, is a variation of the classic casino game loved around the world. The Australian version is played with a standard deck of 52 cards with the goal of the game to get a hand value of 21 or close to it, without going over. This exciting variation comes with its own version of rules that differ from the traditional game, offering fun twists.
The “five-card-trick” is one such rule which refers to when a five-card hand totals 21 or less and pays out at 2:1. Another unique difference to the classic game is that in Australian blackjack, a hand with an ace and a ten-value card is called a “pontoon” instead of a “blackjack”.
