Dragon Tiger was first introduced in Cambodia before it became a staple in most Asian casinos. It was later added to online casino gaming spheres, and players love it. The simplicity and speed of play are a significant attraction to the game. Streak bettors also find it suitable to their playing style.This game is played using a deck of 52 cards. The object of it is to correctly predict which hand, the Dragon or the Tiger, will have a superior hand. It is worth noting that jokers or wildcards are not used here, and the cards are dealt from a blackjack shoe.
How to Play Dragon Tiger
Dragon Tiger is one of the easiest casino games to play. The dealer deals two cards, one to the player (Tiger) and the other to the banker (Dragon). The player places a bet on who (Dragon or Tiger) has the highest card and waits for the dealer to put the cards on the layout face-up. The rules of the game allow the player to place a tie bet, which results when both the player and the banker have the same hand. And in case a player places a bet on the Dragon or Tiger, and the game ends up in a tie, the house takes half of the wager.
The order of the cards from low to high is Ace-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K. Unlike in most card games, the Ace is the lowest card and not the highest. The player is, thus, expected to choose which side to bet on and place the wager. The highest hand wins. Therefore, a player only wins here when he or she bets on the highest hand. When a player bets on the Dragon, for instance, and it shows the highest card, he or she wins. As much as it might sound to be too much of a guessing game, players are advised to be skilled when placing wagers.
Dragon Tiger Rules
Like most games, players are expected to play by the rules, and so is the casino. The rules employed in Dragon Tiger are easy to understand. First things first, Dragon Tiger is played using a standard English deck of 52 cards. The cards are dealt from a shoe with eight decks, excluding jokers. The player is at liberty to place their wager on the Dragon, Tiger, or a tie. The highest hand wins, and the casino pays even money. In case of a tie, half of the initial bet is returned, but a tie bet pays 10:1 or more depending on the casino.
The rules of the game also allow players to place side bets. The Big and Small bet, for instance, lets the player wager on whether the card allotted to the Dragon or the Tiger will be big or small. “Big” means that the card value will be more than seven, while “Small” means less than seven. Players are also served with other side bets such as Odd/Even bets and the Suits. Side bets are not compulsory though. The return to player (RTP) in Dragon Tiger is 96.27%, 89.64%, and 86.02% for the main bets, tie bets, and the suited tie bet respectively. As far as RTPs are concerned, Dragon/Tiger bets are the way to go.
Dragon Tiger Basic Strategy
Players are allowed to employ any known strategy to improve their chances of winning. Some players, for instance, resort to counting cards to determine the number of high or low cards left in the deck. Counting allows the player to improve their chances of winning, but it does not assure them of a win. It might also be beneficial to a player to monitor the suits, and this might prove to be highly rewarding when placing suit bets. As much as counting works, players should take note that the game is played with only eight decks, which will be shuffled after the fourth deck is used.
Part of being strategic requires the player to play by the rules. First, aces are the lowest cards. Secondly, irrespective of how a player wagers, tie hands will always give the casino an edge over the player. Notably, the casino would not have the advantage over the players, if it did not take money from them in case of a tie bet. Placing a tie bet once in a while can be a strategy in itself. Players are also advised to place side bets aside from the main bets. Knowledge of all available bets is key to enjoying and getting the best out of this fast-paced game.
Free Online Dragon Tiger
Dragon Tiger is a relatively new casino game, at least to punters outside Asia. As such, the best way to understand the basics of it is to try free games. Playing free games allows the player to learn how it works before switching to real-money play.
When a player starts playing, most casinos offer a few free coins. Winning automatically qualifies the player to carry on. Most casinos, however, have a counter which keeps a record of the number of free games available to play, meaning that they might soon come to an end when the players reach the set threshold.
Playing Dragon Tiger with Real Money
The simple nature of Dragon Tiger makes it attractive for real money players. The chances of winning are reasonably high, but the house will always have an edge. Real money players are, thus, encouraged to understand the dynamics of the game and possible strategies which will improve their chances of winning.
Bankroll management is critical when it comes to playing with real money. As much as winning can be a considerable incentive, players are also advised to gamble responsibly. Players are encouraged to bet with only what they can lose, set limits, avoid chasing losses, and focus more on the fun part of the game; not just money.
History of Dragon Tiger Games
Dragon Tiger was first launched in Cambodia, Asia. It gradually grew in popularity across Asia. From its Asian roots, this game started appearing in casinos in different parts of the world. It is believed that it was developed for educational purposes, primarily stimulating the mind through the counting of cards.
The simplicity of the game makes it appealing to most players. From land-based casinos, this game has been introduced to online casinos. Its availability in online platforms has made it possible for punters from the entire world to enjoy this game. These perks explain why it is fast becoming one of the most popular online casino games.