TablesKey number

Casino War odds: what the simplest table game costs

Casino War is one card for you, one for the dealer, high card wins. The edge comes from ties, and from how the war is paid.

Reviewed Oct 14, 2026

Answer first

90s

Choice	House edge	Note
Always go to war on a tie	2.88%	Best play (6 decks)
Always surrender on a tie	3.70%	Lose half your bet
Tie bet at 10:1	18.65%	Avoid
Tie bet at 11:1	About 11.2%	Still costly

Key numbers

Casino War in numbers

2.88%House edge going to war6-deck game

~7.4%Chance of a tieOn each deal

1:1War win paysOn the raise only

18.65%Tie bet edgeAt 10 to 1

In short

Key takeaways

Always go to war on a tie. Surrendering costs more.
When you win a war, only the raise is paid; the original bet pushes. That is the house edge.
The tie side bet looks generous at 10 to 1 but carries an 18.65% edge.
Casino War is quick: expect many hands an hour, so even a small edge adds up.

On the felt

A war, step by step

First cards
Tie — go to war or surrender
Burn three, deal one each
You win the war
Result
Raise paid 1:1; original bet pushes

Some casinos pay a bonus if the war cards tie again.

Pay table

What a $10 hand can do

Glance before you bet

Outcome	Your result
Your card higher	Win $10
Dealer card higher	Lose $10
Tie, you surrender	Lose $5
Tie, war, you win	Win $10 (raise only)
Tie, war, you lose	Lose $20

In the war you add a bet equal to your original bet.

Sequence

How a hand works

Step 01
Bet
Place your bet; optional tie bet.
Step 02
Deal
One card to you, one to the dealer.
Step 03
Compare
Higher card wins even money; aces are high.
Step 04
Tie
Surrender half or go to war by matching your bet.
Step 05
War
Dealer burns cards and deals one more each.

Where the edge comes from

If the game paid both bets when you win a war, Casino War would be close to even. Paying only the raise is what creates most of the house edge.

Ties happen about one hand in 13.5 with six decks. Fewer decks make ties slightly less common.

The game is simple and social, which is its appeal. Treat it as a fast-paced, moderate-cost game.

Floor rules

Terms

Know before you sit

Go to war: Match your original bet after a tie to play one more card.
Surrender: Give up half your bet after a tie.
Burn cards: Cards discarded face down before the war cards.
Tie bonus: Extra pay some casinos offer if the war cards tie again.

Playbook · Beginner

Before you sit down

Tip 01
Check the deck count
Six decks is standard; fewer decks help slightly.
Tip 02
Check the tie rule
Look for a bonus when war cards tie again.
Tip 03
Skip the tie bet
At 10 to 1 it carries an 18.65% edge.
Tip 04
Set a limit
The game is fast; decide your budget and time first.

Keep reading

Go play

Where to play in Las Vegas

Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.

Open a casino page

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Browse all Las Vegas casinos →

After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Odds

Should I go to war or surrender in Casino War?

Always go to war. Going to war gives a house edge of about 2.88%, surrendering about 3.70% in a 6-deck game.

What is the house edge on Casino War?

About 2.88% when you always go to war with six decks. With fewer decks it changes slightly. It is higher than blackjack or baccarat but lower than most slots.

How often is there a tie in Casino War?

About 7.4% of hands with six decks, or roughly one hand in 13.5. Each tie is your one decision: go to war or surrender half.

What does the tie bet pay?

Usually 10 to 1. True odds are worse, so the house edge is about 18.65%. Some casinos pay 11 to 1, which drops the edge to about 11.2%.

Do I win double if I win a war?

No. You win even money on the raise only; your original bet pushes. Some casinos pay a bonus if the war cards tie again.

Is Casino War good for beginners?

It is very easy to learn, with no decisions except the tie. The edge is moderate, and the pace is fast, so set a budget before you sit.

02Where to play

Is Casino War played in Las Vegas?

Yes, at some casinos, often with $10–$15 minimums. It is less common than blackjack or baccarat. Ask the pit or check a casino’s table game list.

03More questions

Can I double my bet in Casino War?

Only when you go to war after a tie, by adding a bet equal to the original. There is no doubling at other times.

Who wins ties in the war round?

If the war cards tie again, many casinos pay a bonus equal to the raise and let the original bet win too. Others treat it as a win for the player. Rules vary by casino.

Does the number of decks matter?

Slightly. Fewer decks reduce ties a little and lower the edge by a small amount. Most tables use six decks.

Why is Casino War so popular?

It needs no learning and plays fast, often next to other carnival games such as Three Card Poker. Many players use it as a break from games with more decisions. The cost per hour is moderate if you avoid the tie bet.

Sources

Wizard of Odds — Casino War Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026House edge by choice
Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US casino industry data
UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research library on casino games, odds and gambling history