Casino War Calculator: Odds & Strategy Guide (2026)
Casino War Calculator: The Simplest Casino Game
Casino War is the easiest casino game to learn—highest card wins. Our calculator shows optimal war/surrender decisions and reveals why the tie bet is a trap, helping you play with the 2.88% house edge.
What Is Casino War?
Casino War is a card comparison game based on the childhood card game War. You and the dealer each get one card; highest card wins.
Quick Answer: Casino War strategy is simple: Always go to war on ties, never surrender, never bet on ties. Going to war has a 2.88% house edge; surrendering has 3.70% edge; the tie bet has 18.65% edge. The game is pure luck—no skill involved beyond these basic decisions.
How to Use Our Casino War Calculator
Use the Casino War Calculator →
Understand odds and make optimal decisions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Number of Decks: Usually 6 or 8
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View Base Odds: Win/lose/tie probabilities
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See House Edge: For each decision
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Understand War Math: Why always go to war
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View Tie Bet Analysis: Why to avoid it
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | Number in shoe | 6 |
| Your Card | Card dealt | K♥ |
| Dealer Card | Dealer's card | K♦ |
| Decision | Go to War or Surrender | Go to War |
| Result | Outcome | Win/Lose |
Casino War Rules
Basic Game Flow
- Bet: Place main wager
- Deal: One card each, face up
- Compare: Higher card wins
- Tie: Go to war or surrender
Card Rankings
Standard poker rankings (ace high):
| Rank | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | Highest |
| King | High |
| Queen | High |
| Jack | High |
| 10-2 | Face value |
Suits don't matter—only rank counts.
War Rules
When you tie:
Go to War:
- Match your original bet (additional wager)
- Dealer burns 3 cards
- You each get one more card
- Higher card wins (both bets)
- Another tie = you win (usually)
Surrender:
- Forfeit half your original bet
- Hand ends
House Edge Analysis
Go to War: 2.88%
| Component | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tie frequency | ~7.4% |
| War resolution | Slight disadvantage |
| Tie during war | Small bonus |
Surrender: 3.70%
| Decision | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Go to War | 2.88% |
| Surrender | 3.70% |
| Tie Bet | 18.65% |
Always go to war—never surrender.
Why Go to War?
| Scenario | Expected Value |
|---|---|
| Go to War | -2.88% |
| Surrender | -3.70% |
| Difference | 0.82% saved |
You lose less by fighting.
Tie Bet Analysis
The Worst Bet in Casino War
The tie bet pays 10:1 when first cards match.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| True odds | 13:1 |
| Pays | 10:1 |
| House edge | 18.65% |
Tie Bet Math
| Outcome | Probability | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Tie (win) | 7.4% | +10 units |
| No tie (lose) | 92.6% | -1 unit |
| Expected value | -18.65% |
The tie bet is a sucker bet. Never make it.
Probability Tables
Win/Lose/Tie Odds
| Outcome | 6-Deck | 8-Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Player wins | 46.30% | 46.30% |
| Dealer wins | 46.30% | 46.30% |
| Tie | 7.40% | 7.40% |
Ties are equally likely for both sides—but the war mechanics favor the house.
Card Appearance Probability
| Card Rank | Probability per Deck |
|---|---|
| Each rank | 4/52 = 7.69% |
| Any ace | 4/52 = 7.69% |
| 10 or higher | 16/52 = 30.77% |
War Resolution Math
When You Go to War
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| Player wins war | 46.30% |
| Dealer wins war | 46.30% |
| Second tie | 7.40% |
Second Tie Rules
Most casinos pay a bonus on second tie:
- Original bet + war bet returned
- Often pay bonus on tie bet (if made)
Second tie during war typically favors player.
Strategy Optimization
Optimal Play
- Always go to war on ties
- Never surrender (costs 0.82% extra)
- Never bet on ties (18.65% edge)
There Is No Skill
| Decision | Optimal Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tie | Go to war | Lower edge |
| Tie bet | Don't bet | Massive edge |
| Any other | N/A | Random outcome |
Beyond these two decisions, Casino War is pure luck.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Basic Win
Your Card: K♠ Dealer Card: 10♥ Result: You win (King beats 10)
Example 2: Basic Loss
Your Card: 7♦ Dealer Card: Q♣ Result: Dealer wins (Queen beats 7)
Example 3: Tie - Go to War
Your Card: J♥ Dealer Card: J♦ Decision: Go to War War Cards: You get 8♠, Dealer gets 5♣ Result: You win both bets (8 beats 5)
Example 4: Tie - Surrender (Don't Do This)
Your Card: 9♣ Dealer Card: 9♠ Decision: Surrender (wrong choice) Result: Lose half bet Better option: Go to war
Compared to Other Games
House Edge Comparison
| Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% |
| Craps (pass line) | 1.41% |
| Roulette (single zero) | 2.70% |
| Casino War (go to war) | 2.88% |
| Roulette (double zero) | 5.26% |
| Slots (average) | 5-15% |
Casino War is a reasonable edge for its simplicity.
When Casino War Makes Sense
| Situation | Casino War? |
|---|---|
| Learning casino games | Yes |
| Entertainment focus | Yes |
| Short time available | Yes |
| Seeking lowest edge | No (play blackjack) |
| Skill-based play | No (it's random) |
Variance and Bankroll
Understanding Volatility
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard deviation | 1.05 units |
| Volatility | Low-moderate |
| Session swings | Mild |
Bankroll Recommendations
| Session Type | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Short (30 min) | 30 units |
| Medium (1 hour) | 50 units |
| Long (2+ hours) | 100 units |
Lower variance than most casino games.
Common Mistakes
1. Surrendering on Ties
Mistake: "Save half rather than risk it all" Reality: Surrender costs 0.82% more Fix: Always go to war
2. Betting on Ties
Mistake: "Ties pay 10:1, great return!" Reality: 18.65% house edge Fix: Never make the tie bet
3. Looking for Patterns
Mistake: "Aces are due" Reality: Each hand is independent Fix: Accept it's random
4. Martingale Betting
Mistake: Doubling after losses Reality: Doesn't change house edge Fix: Flat bet for entertainment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any skill in Casino War?
No. The only decisions are war vs surrender (always war) and tie bet (never). Beyond that, it's pure chance.
Why do casinos offer such a simple game?
Speed and accessibility. New gamblers find it approachable, and the house edge is reasonable for the casino.
Can card counting help?
Theoretically, but the edge gained is tiny (~0.1%) and most casinos use shuffling machines.
Is surrendering ever correct?
No. Even if you "feel" like you'll lose the war, the math says always fight.
Why is the tie bet so bad?
It pays 10:1 when true odds are ~13:1. The gap creates the 18.65% edge.
Should I play Casino War?
For entertainment with simple rules and moderate edge, sure. For serious gambling, play blackjack instead.
Variations
Bonus Payouts
Some casinos offer bonuses:
| Bonus Type | Typical Payout |
|---|---|
| Suited tie | 3:1 or 4:1 |
| Second war tie | Extra payout |
| Three-card war | Promotional |
Table Minimums
Casino War often has low minimums:
- Common: $5-10
- Some casinos: $3
- High limit: $25+
Pro Tips
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It's entertainment: Don't expect to win long-term
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Always go to war: Never surrender, period
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Skip the tie bet: 18.65% edge is terrible
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Set a loss limit: Easy to play quickly
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Enjoy simplicity: No decisions to overthink
Related Calculators
- Casino House Edge Calculator - Compare games
- Blackjack Calculator - Lower edge game
- Baccarat Calculator - Another simple game
- Craps Calculator - Similar edge
- Bankroll Calculator - Session planning
Conclusion
Casino War is the simplest casino game—highest card wins. Our calculator confirms the optimal strategy: always go to war on ties (2.88% edge vs 3.70% for surrendering) and never bet on ties (18.65% edge). There's no skill involved beyond these two decisions.
Calculate Your Casino War Odds Now →
If you want easy entertainment with straightforward rules, Casino War fits the bill. Just remember: always go to war, never surrender, never bet the tie. That's the entire strategy.
