Hollywood’s Favourite Casino Games and How To Play Them Online

1. Blackjack

Blackjack, one of the most popular casino games in the world, is the most heavily featured game you’ll see on the big screen.

In its many forms, people can play Blackjack in almost all countries worldwide – even where gambling is illegal.

It’s often played for fun, around the dinner table, during lunch breaks at work – especially on holidays.

The game is available in various variations. The popularity of Blackjack makes it an ideal choice for Hollywood.

Many viewers will be familiar with the game and how it works. Let’s take a look at a few movies that use Blackjack.

The Hangover

The Hangover is one of the most iconic American comedy films.

It follows four friends attending a bachelor party in Vegas. They try to cheat the Blackjack table using the book – “Beat the Dealer” – written by Edward Thorp.

Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan.

The four friends appear to forget the cardinal rule of gambling; don’t drink too much in a casino! As a result, the friends embark on a crazy journey, trying to piece together the previous night’s events. It’s hilarious and snarky, with the four characters gelling perfectly with one another, making it my top Blackjack-inspired movie!

The Last Casino

The Last Casino, also known as “La Mise Finale” in the French market, was released in 2004. Despite its age, this legendary Blockbuster movie continues to be one of the most popular Blackjack films.

The movie follows the life of Doug Barnes, a maths professor who uses card counting to outsmart casinos while playing Blackjack.

It may lack the humour aspect of The Hangover, but the plot is exceptionally well-written and makes for excellent viewing.

Rain Man

Rain Man, released in 1988, stars a young Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman as brothers, albeit with entirely different personalities and personas.

The film is known for being one of the most iconic Blackjack movies in history.

The film follows the fictional car dealer Charlie Babbitt. Starting with just a few thousand dollars, he wins almost $100,000 playing Blackjack.

Notable for some questionable decisions, Rain Man isn’t a great example of how to play the game. For instance, I saw Raymond hitting on 18, a move you’d never make. But it was their lucky day, and they walked away big winners.

Play at Leovegas.

2. Craps

Craps isn’t one of the most popular online casino games, but it remains a popular choice with players in land-based casinos.

It offers exceptionally high odds (sometimes, the odds can shift in your favour). And it’s a fantastic social game with one round lasting many minutes, so it’s not as fast-paced as other games like Blackjack and Roulette.

Most land-based casinos offer Craps, and, especially at weekends, you’ll see these tables surrounded by players.

It can be a complicated game to get the hang of – at first – but undergoing the learning curve is well worth it, as it offers great prizes and rewards.

Craps are featured frequently in Hollywood movies for a wide variety of reasons. Most notable because it’s often played at very high stakes.

Craps lends itself to films where betting is in millions of dollars. Below, I’ll reveal some of the top Craps-inspired movies.

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls, not to be confused with the Broadway classic musical of the same name, is a movie released way back in 1955.

It featured some of the most iconic celebrities of the time, including Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando.

The film centres around the illegal gambling scene in New York.

Operated by vicious mafia bosses, the underground gambling ring was getting out of control. Craps is one of the significant games featured.

In one of the most memorable clips, Marlon Brando plays Craps in a last-ditch attempt to save his love interest. As you can probably imagine, he ends up winning at the table, later marrying his girlfriend and offering a “feel good” ending.

Diamonds are Forever

James Bond hardly needs an introduction to land-based casinos. Throughout the franchise’s long history, many movies have featured scenes in casinos. While many of these games focus on Blackjack or Poker, Diamonds or Forever features Craps.

In one scene, James Bond enters a casino to meet a gentleman named Plenty O’Toole, a shooter at the Craps table.

Bond is looking to pick up clues on alleged diamond smugglers. But of course, he can’t avoid a few bets at the table, all of which we see on screen.

Ocean’s Thirteen

Ocean’s Thirteen is one of the most famous films in history. It follows the story of Al Pacino attempting to steal ownership of a casino from his partner, Elliot Gould.

In revenge, George Clooney puts together a team of gamblers to cheat the casino out of millions of dollars.

Together, they realise the best way to achieve this is by playing Craps. They replace the game’s standard dice with modified ones, giving a higher chance of the dice landing on “2”, known as “snake’s eyes” they offer very high odds and give big payouts.

Play at Unibet.

3. Roulette

Roulette is another casino game that features prominently in Hollywood movies.

This action-packed, fast-paced game is found on virtually every casino floor worldwide, with players and spectators often surrounding the tables.

Roulette is easy to play and based on chance. Unlike Blackjack, there are no player-based decisions, meaning you place your chips on the table and wait for the wheel to spin!

Roulette fans will be pleased to learn that many movies feature the game. While not all these movies are realistic, they allow you to watch as protagonists and hero characters attempt to win it all at the table.

Below, I’ll show you a few iconic movies featuring Roulette worldwide.

Casablanca

Casablanca is one of the oldest movies shown on this page. Despite its age, it’s also one of the most iconic.

Released in 1942, Casablanca follows the life of a man called Rick, a wealthy casino owner. He attempts to help prisoners escape a German-controlled camp during World War II.

The film offers a rich storyline with plenty of twists and turns. One of the most iconic scenes is the real money Roulette shot, where two newlyweds risk it all by betting on a single number on the Roulette wheel.

Their chosen number, 22, ends up winning, allowing them to escape from the Nazi concentration camp they were in for months.

It’s an excellent film. If you can put up with the black-and-white picture, it’s well worth a watch.

California Split

California Split is the least well-known film on this page.

But if you’re looking for a thrilling watch based almost entirely around gambling, it’s an excellent film.

Released in 1974, California Split is action-packed, fast-paced, and offers a LOT of Roulette action.

The movie follows the two main characters, accused of colluding with one another during a poker game.

After cheating players out of a lot of cash, they move to the Roulette tables to try and increase their win.

However, things don’t end well for one of the characters. He returns to his everyday life instead of constantly chasing “highs” in the casino.

Croupier

Croupier – a movie released in 1998 – hardly needs an introduction; the name gives away a LOT about the film.

Unsurprisingly, it follows the life of a want-to-be croupier.

At the film’s beginning, the main character is an unsuccessful writer. However, he quickly familiarises himself with gambling, watching hundreds of punters win and lose at the Roulette table.

After training as a croupier (and landing a job in a land-based casino), the main character decides to use his newly-acquired skills to try and strike it rich. He takes a distinctly different approach from many players he’s used to seeing.

It’s an iconic film, and while old – it’s well worth checking out if you’re looking for another gambling-focused movie.

Play at Playojo.

4. Baccarat

Baccarat is another highly-iconic casino game. It’s popular at online casinos as well as in Hollywood movies. Prepare to see hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds wagered on the big screen!

Baccarat, at its heart, is a straightforward game to play. Each game has three possible outcomes. The game is a competition between two hands, the “player” and the “banker.” Other variations include Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque.

Baccarat is popular with high-stakes players because it offers a low-house edge. Sometimes, the casino’s edge is around 1%, significantly lower than most games.

While historians can’t agree on the game’s exact origins, it’s believed to have originated in the 19th century. Roulette was first introduced to France from Italy at the turn of the 15th century.

Below, I’ll show you three movies where Baccarat makes an appearance.

The Baccarat Machine

Announced in 2017, The Baccarat Machine stars Awkwafina, a famous comedian, and is financed by Online and offline game developer SG Global.

It follows the story of poker-pro Phil Ivey, who’s won millions of dollars playing Baccarat at land-based casinos in the UK and the USA.

Using an edge sorting tactic, Ivey could see certain cards about to be dealt – allowing him to increase his odds of winning.

Unfortunately, the land-based casinos cottoned on to his methods, refusing to payout.

The subsequent legal battle ended up in the UK’s Supreme Court! They ruled against Ivey, so he never received his winnings, although the court ordered the casino to return his stakes.

The Baccarat Machine follows the story in depth. While it’s yet to be released, I’ve heard good things. You should put it on your “movie queue” if you’re looking for a Baccarat-inspired watch!

Casino Royale

Casino Royale is the second James Bond film on this list. It’s one of the world’s most iconic and famous casino movies. As noted earlier, Bond loves to frequent casinos.

While he often plays Blackjack and Poker, Fleming claims it’s Baccarat that’s Bond’s favourite game.

Rumours suggest the James Bond character was inspired by what Fleming saw when frequenting local land-based casinos.

Please note: I’m talking about the 1967 release of Casino Royale, not the remake that hit scenes in 2006.

In one notable scene, you see Bond playing high-stakes Baccarat.

This movie alone contributed to a significant rise in Baccarat’s popularity. So much so that the number of people playing increased by 400% over the next few years.

Rush Hour 3

Rush Hour 3, the third instalment in the franchise, was released in 1998 and became a near-instant blockbuster at the box office.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie grossed a whopping $244 million. Many experts agree that this was because of the relationship between the two main characters, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

In Rush Hour 3, you will see an investigator looking into Tucker, attempting to play Baccarat at the casino.

Unfortunately for the investigator, he doesn’t know how to play, confusing the game with Blackjack.

What follows is a humorous scene, and while it’s not a gambling-focused film, the Baccarat scene is hilarious and well worth watching if you’re a casino game fan!

Play at BetVictor.

Online Live Casino Games: An Introduction

Nowadays, you can find hundreds of casino games online, including all of the ones we’ve covered on this page.

However, in the past, these casino games were only available in a virtual, computerised way. Meaning players were playing against a simulated version of the game.

Around a decade ago, software providers started experimenting with live dealer games. These work similarly to conventional online casino games with one key difference.

Instead of playing against the computer, you’re playing against a live dealer in a custom-built studio or land-based casino. The action is streamed directly to your computer or mobile device. You place bets as usual and watch the action unfold.

All four games I covered on this page can be played at live dealer casinos online, and there are many variations of these games.

While several different game developers are responsible for creating live dealer games, a few names stand out.

Evolution is, by far, the most prominent name in the live casino industry. Their state-of-the-art software is renowned in the online gambling world. They offer a vast selection of games, including classics like Roulette and Blackjack, along with unusual titles like Football Studio, Monopoly LIVE, and Crazy Time.

Playtech is another prominent name in the live casino world. While they haven’t seen as much success as Evolution, you can find their live dealer games at bookmaker casinos in the UK. They were also the first developers to create a “live slot”, where players watch a video slot play and bet on each round together.

Other notable live online casino industry names include Pragmatic Play, Authentic Gaming, Ezugi, and LuckyStreak Live. Below, I’ll show you some of the most popular variations of these games from the leading software providers I’ve just mentioned.

Play Live Online Blackjack

Live Blackjack is available at almost every online casino in the world. It’s easy to play and widely accessible. Low betting limits offered at many casinos ensure players can enjoy the action on all budgets. Check out my dedicated “Best Live Blackjack Games” page for a full breakdown.

Below, I’ll look at a few of the most popular live Blackjack games you’ll find online today.

Standard 7-Seat Blackjack – Evolution

Evolution’s 7-Seat Blackjack is your best choice if you want to play standard Blackjack.

As I mentioned earlier, Evolution is the clear market leader in the live casino industry, and their Blackjack games are of incredibly high standards.

The software provider’s Standard 7-Seat Blackjack uses “standard” rules – and carries an RTP of 99.47%, provided you use the basic blackjack strategy.

One of the significant benefits of their 7-Seat Standard Blackjack is that it’s available at almost every online casino worldwide.

However, I’d recommend playing at LeoVegas, one of my preferred casinos.

The game offers a wide variety of betting limits. There’s even an interactive chat feature, allowing you to talk with the dealer in real-time, too!

Lightning Blackjack – Evolution

Lightning Blackjack is another game from Evolution, modelled around their highly-successful Lightning Roulette game, which significantly increased the payout potential for players with multipliers up to 500X your stake!

Like its Roulette predecessor, Lightning Blackjack, brings multipliers into the equation. These multipliers give you the ability to win more significant amounts of money.

An unlimited number of players can play on the same table. Once you’ve placed your initial wager, you pay an additional “fee” of 100% of your main bet.

Once the betting period has closed, the computer chooses a random multiplier for the game round. You can win between 2X and 25X your side bet wager for winning two consecutive hands.

Aside from this, the game’s rules remain unchanged. However, you shouldn’t use the basic blackjack strategy.

Evolution has published detailed rules on its website, including a strategy guide. You can read more about it here.

If you’d like to try Lightning Blackjack, I recommend PokerStars, Unibet, or LeoVegas.

Live Quantum Blackjack Plus – Playtech

Live Quantum Blackjack Plus is Playtech’s answer to Evolution’s Lightning Blackjack. It’s also a sequel to an earlier version of Quantum Blackjack, which featured standard multipliers.

The new version of the game offers up to 50X – and it’s also now possible to pick up multiple multipliers, further increasing your chances of winning.

Unfortunately, Playtech’s live dealer games aren’t as easy to find as Evolution’s.

I recommend playing at PlayOJO, my preferred casino with Playtech’s full live game range.

Play Live Craps Online

Unfortunately, playing live online Craps isn’t as easy as the other casino games I’ve mentioned.

At the time of writing, just one live Craps game is available – unsurprisingly, it comes from Evolution.

The game is called Evolution Live Craps.

Game developers have long struggled to successfully offer Craps as a live online casino game. Evolution took its time and eventually settled on a novel concept. A robot arm replaces the shooter (the casino worker responsible for rolling the dice).

Aside from this, you place your bets and watch the action unfold on your screen.

One “presenter” is responsible for loading the dice into the robotic shooter’s arm.

Evolution’s live Craps offers a variety of betting options, although you won’t find as many as you would if you were to play a non-live version of the game.

Some bets you can place include one-roll and multi-roll bets, field bets, and straight-up number betting.

You can check out my comprehensive Craps game review if you’d like to learn more about playing Evolution’s live Craps.

If you’d like to play the game, I recommend playing at BetVictor, Mr Green Casino, or LeoVegas – all my trusted partners.

Live Casino Roulette Online

Thankfully, unlike live Craps, live Roulette is readily available.

Almost every live game developer offers at least one variation of live Roulette. You’ll find everything from classics like European and American Roulette to more unusual game variations – like Lightning Roulette and even progressive jackpot Roulette!

Playing live Roulette online is easy – and most game developers’ tables run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that you can play at your preferred time.

While betting limits vary between game developers and online casinos, you can place chips worth as little as ten pence. High-rollers can stake up to £1,000 (or more) on select tables.

Below, I will show three notable live Roulette games worth checking out.

Please note that I’ll talk in general terms below due to the high number of live Roulette games available online. I’ll avoid mentioning specific developer’s games, bar the last game – Lightning Roulette.

European Live Roulette – All Developers

European Live Roulette is the most popular type of live Roulette online. It’s available at every online casino.

Similarly, almost every casino game developer offers European Live Roulette. This standard game variation uses a wheel with 37 numbers; 1-36 and zero. The RTP of the game is 97.3%.

As all live software providers offer European Live Roulette, it’s generally a matter of personal preference when choosing a suitable game for you.

Evolution is known for its high-quality, high-definition layout, and its great “statistics” section allows you to view past results.

Playtech offers a similar product, although it’s available at fewer online casinos than Evolution’s game version.

For non-UK players, Authentic Gaming has a solid European Live Roulette product and offers the best user interface. Authentic Gaming has also developed shortcut keys, allowing you to place the most popular betting patterns manually without needing to place the chips yourself.

If you want to play European Live Roulette from Evolution or Authentic Gaming, check out LeoVegas. You can find Playtech’s European Live Roulette at Bet Victor.

Speed Roulette – Evolution, Pragmatic, and Playtech

Speed Roulette has grown exponentially in popularity over the past few years, and it’s a game well-suited to players wanting faster action.

I’ve seen Speed Roulette from game developers, including Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech. While each software provider has its rules, these games are generally almost identical.

The game time varies between 25 and 42 seconds, and the standard betting options are available. Most live game developers use a European Roulette wheel in their speed games.

In my opinion, Evolution’s Speed Roulette probably tops the list, but only just. Playtech’s product is also solid, although there is a nine-second time difference worth bearing in mind.

I recommend checking out Playojo if you’d like to play Evolution’s Speed Roulette or Unibet if you want to try out the Pragmatic version of the game.

Lightning Roulette – Evolution

Lightning Roulette is a game from Evolution, and it kickstarted the “multiplier Roulette” trend, which we’ve now seen from additional software providers, including Authentic Gaming, Pragmatic, and Playtech.

Despite the other games, Lightning Roulette remains the most popular.

Once the betting has finished each round, up to five numbers get picked randomly. Multipliers up to 500X can apply to these numbers.

If the number lands, and you’ve bet on it, you will get paid at the multiplier value rather than the standard 35/1. It’s worth noting that regular payouts are 29/1 to compensate for this, but it’s a solid game worth checking out.

If you’d like to try Lightning Roulette, I recommend playing at LeoVegas or Bet Victor, two highly trusted names in the UK and globally.

Playing Live Baccarat Online

Live Baccarat is available online. It is available at all online casinos. The game developers responsible for creating live Baccarat include familiar names. Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic are the major players.

Below, I’ll look at three of the most popular live Baccarat games you’ll find at the online casinos recommended here at livecasinocomparer.com.

Single Player Baccarat – All Developers

Single Player Baccarat is the standard version of the game – and the one you’ll find on offer at most online casinos.

The rules vary slightly between game developers – although most use eight decks. Visionary iGaming, however, uses six decks in their game.

Single-player Baccarat allows you to play the game the same way as in a land-based casino. You can bet on the “Banker”, “Player”, or the “Tie”.

Betting limits vary depending on where you’re playing. I recommend playing standard Baccarat at PlayOJO, BetVictor, or LeoVegas.

Speed Baccarat – Evolution and Playtech

Evolution and Playtech offer speed Baccarat, which is a faster version of the game.

Baccarat lends itself well to players wanting speedier action. Speed Baccarat is a no-frills game, and you won’t see long, drawn-out celebrations or ceremonies. The cards get dealt face-up and additional cards according to the third card rule.

Evolution’s Speed Baccarat takes 27 seconds per round. Playtech’s standard Baccarat is faster than their Speed Baccarat.

I recommend Betfred for Playtech, and for Evolution’s version, I suggest MrGreen.

Progressive Baccarat

At the time of writing, Playtech is the only game developer offering a live version of progressive Baccarat.

The game follows the standard format – and up to seven players can be seated at the game.

The non-progressive jackpot gameplay has traditional betting options available.

However, the game’s highlight is the optional progressive jackpot side bet. The jackpot pays when an eight and an Ace – of the same suit – are dealt to both hands.

The maximum jackpot payout is worth up to 10,000X your stake. If you’d like to try Playtech’s progressive jackpot Baccarat, I suggest Betfred.