10 Games Like Blackjack

Casino games like blackjack are perfect for players who love fast action and real-money thrills. While blackjack is the classic choice, plenty of other games bring their own twists while still giving you that head-to-head battle against the house.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 games similar to blackjack that are worth checking out. Some feel almost identical to 21, while others are totally different—but they all bring the same rush of excitement and offer a fun alternative to blackjack.

1. Craps

If you love the quick decisions and fast pace of blackjack, you’ll probably get a kick out of craps. Instead of cards, this game has dice doing the work, but the excitement builds just as quickly.

At its core, craps is simple: you’re betting on the outcome of a roll of two dice. The shooter (the person rolling) makes a “come out” roll, and everything flows from there. Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll means instant win, while a 2, 3, or 12 means instant loss. Any other number becomes the “point,” and the goal is to roll it again before hitting a 7.

The table might look intimidating, with dozens of betting options scattered around, but most players stick to the pass line, don’t pass, or come bets. Craps combines excitement and good odds, making it a natural choice for blackjack players looking to explore different casino games.

2. Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Wandering a bit outside the usual blackjack orbit brings us to Ultimate Texas Hold’em. This modern twist takes the classic poker game and turns it into a head-to-head battle against the house.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em plays much like the original poker game but with a few key differences. For starters, you’re not squaring off against a table full of players—just the dealer. And unlike regular Hold’em, betting is limited, with only one raise allowed per round of betting.

Casinos love the game because it gives poker fans that Texas Hold’em vibe without dedicating entire poker rooms. Players love it too, since it combines familiar poker strategy with the fast-paced action of blackjack.

3. Pai Gow Poker

In Pai Gow Poker, up to six players can compete against the dealer. The game’s object is to build the best five-card hand and the best two-card hand. To win, the player must do both. Seven cards are dealt face-down to each player and the dealer/banker.

The game’s rules can vary by casino, and not knowing them could cost you. For example, in Nevada casinos, an A-2-3-4-5 straight is ranked as the second highest straight. But in California and Michigan, that same hand is treated as the lowest straight possible.

4. Caribbean Stud Poker

Part of what makes blackjack so appealing is the one-on-one duel with the dealer. Caribbean Stud Poker applies that same setup to poker. Instead of battling a table full of players, you’re squaring off directly against the house.

The game plays much like five-card stud. You place an ante, get your five cards, and the dealer takes five as well (with one card face-up). From there, you can either fold and lose your ante or raise to stay in the hand. The dealer needs at least an Ace-King to qualify; if not, players are automatically paid on their ante bets.

What keeps the action exciting are the payouts. Stronger hands pay out at higher odds, with a royal flush delivering the biggest jackpot-style win. There’s also usually a progressive side bet for even bigger payouts.

5. Casino War

Casino War is one of the easiest casino games you’ll ever find. Think of it as a fast-paced showdown where high card wins, no strategy required. Dealt from a six- to eight-deck shoe, both the player and dealer receive a single card. If the player’s card is higher, the bet wins. If it’s lower, the bet is lost. And if it’s a tie? That’s where the “war” begins.

When a tie happens, the player can either surrender and lose half their wager or go to war by doubling down. In the war scenario, both sides get another card. If the player’s new card beats the dealer’s, the original bet is paid. If not, both the initial and the extra wager are lost.

It’s quick, straightforward, and all about the thrill of luck—perfect for anyone looking for a blackjack alternative with zero learning curve.

6. Baccarat

Baccarat has a reputation as the classiest game in the casino. If it was good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for the rest of us. The version you’ll find in most casinos today is punto banco, a simple format where it’s always player versus bank. 

In this version, the house plays as the bank (Banco), while the player (Punto) tries to come out on top. Each hand ends in a player win, a bank win, or a tie. Like blackjack, baccarat is dealt from a multiple-deck shoe, usually six to eight decks. Two cards are dealt face-up to both the player and bank. Tens and face cards count as zero, while all other cards keep their face value.

Here’s the twist: only the last digit of your total matters. For example, a hand of 7 and 7 adds to 14, which plays as 4. If either side hits an 8 or 9, called a “natural,” the round ends. Otherwise, the banker may draw a third card based on preset rules.

If you’re looking for some excitement and choosing between baccarat vs blackjack, give punto banco a chance and have some fun at the baccarat table for a change. 

7. Pontoon

If you like to play real-money blackjack online but want to try something different, consider playing Pontoon instead. This lesser-known casino game is virtually identical to blackjack, except that the tens are missing from the deck (or decks, if dealing from a shoe).

Typically, a pontoon pays out at 2:1, which is even better than blackjack. A five-card trick (drawing a total of five cards without exceeding a score of 21) also pays 2:1. All other winning hands pay even money, and the dealer wins all ties.

Pontoon is a blackjack variation with a few quirks, making it the perfect way to try something new without straying too far from your usual game of 21. 

8. Roulette

One reason most casino players love blackjack is its straightforward setup: you place your bet, play your hand, and find out fast if you’ve won. Roulette works the same way, only with a spinning wheel and a bouncing ball.

The premise is simple: place a bet on where the ball will land. You can back a single number for a big payout, or go with options like red/black or odd/even for close to 50/50 odds. A straight-up bet pays 35 to 1, making every spin a chance at a big score.

European roulette (single zero) offers a friendlier house edge than American roulette (double zero), but both versions deliver the same drama as the ball clatters around the wheel before settling.

9. Three Card Poker

One of the best parts of blackjack is how quickly each hand plays out, and Three Card Poker captures that same spirit with even faster rounds. Instead of five cards, you and the dealer each get just three, which keeps the action moving.

The game begins with an ante bet, after which you receive three cards. From there, you can fold and give up the ante or raise to continue. The dealer’s hand must qualify with at least Queen high—if not, you win automatically on your ante.

If the dealer does qualify, the stronger three-card hand takes the pot, with bonus payouts for big hands like straights and flushes. There’s also the option of side bets, which pay out based on the strength of your hand regardless of what the dealer holds.

10. Mississippi Stud

Another casino table game in the poker family, Mississippi Stud puts a unique twist on the action. Instead of facing other players or the dealer, you’re betting on how strong your own five-card hand will turn out.

The game starts with an ante. You receive two hole cards, while three community cards are dealt face-down in the center. After seeing your first two cards, you can fold or make an additional bet. As each community card is revealed, you’ll have the same choice: fold or raise. The goal is to build the best possible five-card poker hand, with payouts based on a paytable rather than beating an opponent.

Explore More Casino Games like Blackjack

Blackjack may be the king of the casino floor, but it’s far from the only banked game worth your time. From baccarat and roulette to craps and Caribbean Stud, each offers its own take on that classic player-versus-house showdown.

Whether you stick to cards or branch out to dice and wheels, these games deliver the same blend of suspense, quick action, and the chance to score big. If you’re looking to mix up your blackjack routine, any of these options make for a perfect next stop.