There’s something about the rush of hitting the tables at New Vegas or Jackpot City casino Canada that only avid players would understand. Our favourite video game characters already live exciting lives, so it’s only natural that they would be gambling on video games, too.
Guest author, Lucas Goldberg, is an expert in all things casino-related. He strives to inform readers about the iGaming world and prevent players from falling victim to scams and questionable deals. He has put together the top video games that incorporate concepts from the gambling world.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a 2015 dark fantasy RPG developed and published by Polish developer CD Projekt. Based on the novels of the same name, the Witcher series stars Geralt of Rivia, a legendary monster hunter with genetically enhanced powers. One recurring theme is gambling, which is featured as dice poker in the previous games.
In The Witcher 3, Geralt can kill time in between slaying monsters with their feature card game, Gwent. It was introduced in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, but it didn’t really take off until the third game of the series. It is primarily a mini-game you can play alongside the campaign, but there are also quests that challenge you to become the best Gwent player in the region.
Gwent is a one-on-one card-based duelling game. The players lead an army as they fight each other on a battlefield. The medieval fantasy card game has become so popular that it has evolved to become a standalone digital collectable card game. To this day, it remains a popular feature among players that enjoy video games with poker mini games.
Red Dead Redemption
It’s impossible to picture the Wild West franchise without at least one gambling game. For Red Dead Redemption, you have plenty of chances to make your wagers and win big in many exciting ways.
The Red Dead series is an award-winning action-adventure open world that takes place in the fictional Old West. When you’re not completing quests and fighting bandits, you can partake in one of their many gambling mini-games:
Arm Wrestling
Arm wrestling is a game as old as time that tests the arm and upper body strength. With their elbow on the table, two participants grip each other’s hand. The goal is to pin the other’s arm down onto the table. It’s a best-out-of-three competition, and you can bet as much as you like.
Blackjack
Red Dead Redemption has Blackjack, which is an easy-to-understand game with a fairly substantial buy-in. You and your opponent are dealt two cards face-up. The dealer is also dealt two cards, but only one is facing down. The goal is to get as close to 21 points, but if you go over, you automatically lose.
Five Finger Fillet
Five Finger Fillet, also known as the Knife Game, is a dangerous but thrilling game popular in the Wild West. Players sit across from each other, and when their turn comes, they lay their weak hand flat on the table with their fingers spread. With their strong hand, they hold a dagger and stab the space between their fingers in a pattern as quickly as possible.
Luckily it’s not in real life, because you lose if you hurt yourself too many times. Players can expect a large sum of money if they succeed, but depending on how much you bet and how often you win, the games become more difficult.
Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a lawn game where players take turns throwing horseshoes at their designated targets. The goal is to aim as close as possible to the target, which is usually a stake in the ground. There are many versions of it, but in Red Dead Redemption, it is simple and easy to play.
The closer you throw your horseshoes to your target, the more points you earn. The first to earn eleven points wins the match and the wagered money. The higher you set your bid, the higher the difficulty is set in the game.
Liar’s Dice
In Liar’s Dice, each player has to jumble a cup with five dice, and have to take bets or counter on each other’s dice. If a player is wrong, they lose a die, and the game continues until someone runs out of dice. It’s a short but fun game that also exists in real life.
Texas Hold ’em
It wouldn’t be the Wild West without the traditional Texas Hold ‘em. You’re dealt two cards, and the rest of the five cards are placed on the table. It has a low buy-in, and you can quit if you don’t want to sit through the game.
In Red Dead Redemption, you also have the option to cheat, which adds thrill to the game – and a large profit if you get away with it. However, if you get caught, your opponent will get aggressive and attempt to take your life.
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is a post-apocalyptic action RPG. The game takes place in an open world environment in the ruins of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Luck is one of the primary stats in the game; it offers perks and affects your overall gambling skills. Players can gamble by visiting one of six casinos in New Vegas.
You can buy chips with the three major currencies in the games, and play blackjack, slots, or roulette. There is also a card game called Caravan. It is uniquely designed for the game and has its own rules, and can be played with certain people outside of the casinos.
While you do receive hospitality for winning, don’t forget that you’re still in a post-apocalyptic world. The house isn’t as honest as you would expect: you have to keep an eye out to make sure you’re not being scammed. Also, if you win too much, you might get a tap on the shoulder to get out. You can still buy food and items, but you’ll have to play at another casino.
Conclusion
The inclusion of realistic or fantasy single player gambling games has been a successful crossover between the video game and the gambling industry. No matter what platform you prefer, you too can play as your favourite adventurers and have the chance to against odds.