Casino School
How to play and win with Riva Casino games
Learn the rules
Blackjack
Rules
Blackjack is one of the most famous casino games and is just as popular on Riva Casino. It’s a simple and exciting card game with the aim of scoring as close to 21 points (never higher) as possible using the value of your cards. In a blackjack game, the player is opposite to the card dealer.
The value of Blackjack cards is as follows:
The value of Blackjack cards is as follows:
- An Ace is worth 1 or 11 points depending on the player’s choice.
- King, Queen and Jack are worth 10 points
- Cards going from 2 to 10 are counted at their face value
Game scenario:
To start a game of blackjack, place your first bet on the table. You are dealt two cards face up and the dealer also receives two cards, one face up and the other face down.
To get the best hand, a Blackjack, your first two cards need to be an Ace and one of the cards worth 10 points (King, Queen, Jack). In this case you win 1.5 times your bet (3:2). However if the dealer also holds a blackjack then nobody wins and each person takes back their bets.
If you do not have a Blackjack in the first round, you can keep drawing cards until you are as near to 21 as possible. At this stage, you can make the following choices depending on the total value of your cards:
To start a game of blackjack, place your first bet on the table. You are dealt two cards face up and the dealer also receives two cards, one face up and the other face down.
To get the best hand, a Blackjack, your first two cards need to be an Ace and one of the cards worth 10 points (King, Queen, Jack). In this case you win 1.5 times your bet (3:2). However if the dealer also holds a blackjack then nobody wins and each person takes back their bets.
If you do not have a Blackjack in the first round, you can keep drawing cards until you are as near to 21 as possible. At this stage, you can make the following choices depending on the total value of your cards:
- “Hit or Stand”: The dealer’s hidden card is now shown and he draws another card. If the value of your hand is the nearest to 21, you’re the winner. Note that if the dealer’s hand is lower than or equal to 16, he will take another card, but if his hand is higher or equal to 17 he won’t draw another card.
- “Double Down”: You double your bet and increase your potential winnings. Choose this option if you are sure of your cards and think you hold a winning hand. You are dealt an extra card and the dealer’s hidden card is turned over. You win if the value of your cards is the nearest to 21. Evidently it is not sensible to “Double” if you already hold a blackjack since you will exceed 21 and subsequently loose.
- “Splitting Pairs”: When you hold two cards of the same value (for example 10 and a King), you split them into two separate hands and must double your original bet. Each winning hand will be doubled.
In the first round, if the dealer’s visible card is an Ace you can buy “Insurance”. By taking insurance, you assume that the dealer’s second card is worth 10 points (giving him a total of 21). Insurance prevents you from losing your bet if the dealer’s second card is worth 10. This insurance is equal to an additional bet worth one and a half times your original bet. In this case:
- If the dealer shows a Blackjack, you win back your insurance and the amount you bet.
- If the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack you lose your insurance and the mount you bet.
European Roulette
Rules
European Roulette is a famous casino table game using a numbered grid going from 0 to 36 and a Roulette wheel (plus a ball) showing the 37 grid numbers. The aim of the game is to bet on which number on the wheel the ball will land. European Roulette is played in two simple stages: first you bet on one or several numbers on the grid and then the croupier turns the wheel and spins the ball. The number on which the ball lands will decide if you’ve won.
With European Roulette, your bet is all important. Depending on whether you place bets on one or several numbers your odds of winning and the resulting gains will be in proportion. For example, if you bet on a single number you have less chance of winning but your potential gains will be greater; on the other hand if you bet on a group of numbers (for example all the odd numbers) you’ll have a better chance of winning but your potential gains will be less compared with the previous example when betting the same amount.
Game scenario:
To start a game of European Roulette, place your bet(s) on the numbered grid. The numbers are displayed in ascending order, alternating odd and even numbers and from red to black. When you have placed all your bets, the croupier turns the wheel and spins the ball in the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the wheel’s spares, the croupier calls out the winning number.
The different types of bets in European Roulette are as follows:
With European Roulette, your bet is all important. Depending on whether you place bets on one or several numbers your odds of winning and the resulting gains will be in proportion. For example, if you bet on a single number you have less chance of winning but your potential gains will be greater; on the other hand if you bet on a group of numbers (for example all the odd numbers) you’ll have a better chance of winning but your potential gains will be less compared with the previous example when betting the same amount.
Game scenario:
To start a game of European Roulette, place your bet(s) on the numbered grid. The numbers are displayed in ascending order, alternating odd and even numbers and from red to black. When you have placed all your bets, the croupier turns the wheel and spins the ball in the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the wheel’s spares, the croupier calls out the winning number.
The different types of bets in European Roulette are as follows:
- Straight up (single number): Place a bet on a single number
- Split Bet (two numbers): Place a bet on two numbers
- Street Bet (three numbers): Place a bet on the interior left vertical border line of the Roulette table where a horizontal row of three numbers is found.
- Triple (three numbers): Place a bet on one of the 2 corners where there are three juxtaposed numbers. The “Triples” are: 0, 1, 2 and 2, 3, 0.
- Corner Bet (four numbers): Place a bet on a corner where four numbers meet at one point.
- Four Bet (first four numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3): Place a bet on the corner of the fist vertical line and the horizontal line separating 0 from 1,2 and 3.
- Line Bet (six numbers in 2 rows of three numbers): Place a bet on the intersection between the first vertical line and any horizontal line dividing two horizontal rows (streets) of three numbers (for example: 10,11,12,13,14,15).
- Column Bet (1st, 2nd or 3rd columns): Place a bet at the bottom of the chosen column and outside the grid. Zero does not count with this bet.
- Dozen Bet (1st, 2nd, 3rd dozens): Place a bet beside the chosen dozen to the outside of the grid.
- Red or Black: Bet according to the colour. Zero does not count in this bet.
- Odd or Even: Zero does not count in this bet.
- High or Low: Bet on the bottom half of the grid (1 to 18) or on the top half of the grid (19 to 36).
At the end of the game, all the losing bets are taken off the table and the winning bets are paid following the table below:
| Bet | Pay |
| Straight up (single number) | 35:1 |
| Split Bet (two numbers) | 17:1 |
| Street Bet (3 numbers) | 11:1 |
| Triple (3 numbers) | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet (4 numbers) | 8:1 |
| Four bet (First 4 numbers) | 8:1 |
| Line Bet (6 numbers in two rows of 3 numbers) | 5:1 |
| Culumns (1st, 2nd or 3rd columns) | 2:1 |
| Dozens (1st, 2nd or 3rd dozens) | 2:1 |
| Red or Black | 1:1 |
| Odd or Even | 1:1 |
| High/Low | 1:1 |
American Roulette
Rules
The aim of American Roulette is similar to European roulette, which is to guess the number on which the roulette ball will land. The only difference is that American Roulette uses 38 numbers (having “00” in addition) instead of 37 as in European Roulette. The advantage of playing American Roulette is the additional 00 gives you more betting possibilities than European Roulette.
Game scenario:
Place your bet(s) on the numbered grid. The numbers are printed in ascending order alternating between odd and even numbers and the colour red and black. When all the bets have been placed, the croupier turns the wheel and then spins the ball the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the slots on the wheel, the croupier announces the winning number. The various types of bets for American Roulette are as follows.
Game scenario:
Place your bet(s) on the numbered grid. The numbers are printed in ascending order alternating between odd and even numbers and the colour red and black. When all the bets have been placed, the croupier turns the wheel and then spins the ball the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the slots on the wheel, the croupier announces the winning number. The various types of bets for American Roulette are as follows.
Place your bet(s) on the numbered grid. The numbers are printed in ascending order alternating between odd and even numbers and the colour red and black. When all the bets have been placed, the croupier turns the wheel and then spins the ball the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the slots on the wheel, the croupier announces the winning number. The various types of bets for American Roulette are as follows.
| Bet | Pay |
| Straight up (single number) | 35:1 |
| Split Bet (two numbers) | 17:1 |
| Street Bet (3 numbers) | 11:1 |
| Triple (3 numbers) | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet (4 numbers) | 8:1 |
| Five Bet (First 5 numbers) | 6:1 |
| Line Bet (6 numbers in two rows of 3 numbers) | 5:1 |
| Culumns (1st, 2nd or 3rd columns) | 2:1 |
| Dozens (1st, 2nd or 3rd dozens) | 2:1 |
| Red or Black | 1:1 |
| Odd or Even | 1:1 |
| High/Low | 1:1 |
Progressive Roulette
Rules
Progressive Roulette is identical to European Roulette. It also has a grid of 37 (0-36) numbers and a wheel and ball.
Progressive Roulette and European Roulette differ only in the level of bets made. In Progressive Roulette, as well as the bet you place on the table, you must place an additional side bet (of the same amount), which may be added to the progressive jackpot giving you the chance of extra gains.
With each spin of the wheel, whenever the ball lands on a number you have chosen, the corresponding side bet will be added to the progressive jackpot. If you have bet on the winning number:
Progressive Roulette and European Roulette differ only in the level of bets made. In Progressive Roulette, as well as the bet you place on the table, you must place an additional side bet (of the same amount), which may be added to the progressive jackpot giving you the chance of extra gains.
With each spin of the wheel, whenever the ball lands on a number you have chosen, the corresponding side bet will be added to the progressive jackpot. If you have bet on the winning number:
- Twice in a row, you win 15 credits.
- 3 times in a row, you win 15 credits plus 200 credits.
- 4 times in a row, you win 15 credits plus 200 credits plus 3000 credits
- 5 times in a row, you win 15 credits plus 200 credits plus 3000 credits + progressive jackpot.
Any malfunctioning will cancel all the games and payments.
Slot Machine
Rules
Slot machines are very popular casino games requiring no particular strategy or technique. They are famous for their simplicity and potential for enormous gains which can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds, or even more in the case of slots with a progressive jackpot! As the name implies, a progressive jackpot is not a set amount but rather a total which increases progressively until it is won by a lucky player.
A slot machine generally has a series of lines and wheels to present symbols which make up the winning combinations along with buttons for choosing the bets, lines and spin the wheels.
The aim of the game is the same for all slot machines, but they differ in the potential amount which may be won (whether fixed or progressive jackpot), the number of lines and the supplementary options such as bonus symbols, scatters, wild, multipliers, the chance to win free games, bonus games, etc. Take note of these options which allow you to increase your chances and so your winnings when you choose a slot machine to play on.
How to play slots:
To play on a slot machine, use the buttons indicated on the machine to: first choose the amount you want to bet with, then the number of lines you want to bet on (and if you wish the number of coins per line) and finally spin the reels (“SPIN” button).
Depending on the machine some additional buttons may be available (for instance “autospin”, “spin bonus”, “ bet max”). All the machines are designed to be easy to use and show a pay table detailing pay outs for the various winning combinations.
A slot machine generally has a series of lines and wheels to present symbols which make up the winning combinations along with buttons for choosing the bets, lines and spin the wheels.
The aim of the game is the same for all slot machines, but they differ in the potential amount which may be won (whether fixed or progressive jackpot), the number of lines and the supplementary options such as bonus symbols, scatters, wild, multipliers, the chance to win free games, bonus games, etc. Take note of these options which allow you to increase your chances and so your winnings when you choose a slot machine to play on.
How to play slots:
To play on a slot machine, use the buttons indicated on the machine to: first choose the amount you want to bet with, then the number of lines you want to bet on (and if you wish the number of coins per line) and finally spin the reels (“SPIN” button).
Depending on the machine some additional buttons may be available (for instance “autospin”, “spin bonus”, “ bet max”). All the machines are designed to be easy to use and show a pay table detailing pay outs for the various winning combinations.
La Boule
Rules
La Boule is among the traditional games played in French casinos. It is similar to roulette, but the idea is even simpler. La Boule has a grid and wheel except with numbers ranging from 1 to 9. As in roulette, the aim is to guess the number where the ball will land on the wheel.
The bets:
Unlike in roulette, splits (bets placed on the line between two numbers) are not allowed. Therefore you can only place a bet on one number, several numbers, or one of the six following combinations:
Red: 2-3-7-9 Even:2-4-8-8 Miss: 1-2-3-4
Black:1-3-6-8 Odd: 1-3-7-9 Pass: 6-7-8-9
Game scenario and winnings:
To begin a game of La Boule place your bet on the grid, on your chosen number(s). Then turn the wheel to spin the ball. A not inconsiderable advantage of La Boule is that when you win a game, on top of your winnings, you will also automatically get back your original stake.
The bets:
Unlike in roulette, splits (bets placed on the line between two numbers) are not allowed. Therefore you can only place a bet on one number, several numbers, or one of the six following combinations:
Red: 2-3-7-9 Even:2-4-8-8 Miss: 1-2-3-4
Black:1-3-6-8 Odd: 1-3-7-9 Pass: 6-7-8-9
Game scenario and winnings:
To begin a game of La Boule place your bet on the grid, on your chosen number(s). Then turn the wheel to spin the ball. A not inconsiderable advantage of La Boule is that when you win a game, on top of your winnings, you will also automatically get back your original stake.
- All winning bets on any of the 6 combinations pay 1:1 and you also receive back your original stake.
- All other bets won outside of the 6 combinations pay 7:1 and you also receive back your original stake.
If number 5 is declared the winning number, you will take away 7 times your bet plus your original stake, but be careful as all bets placed on any of the combinations are lost in this case.
Keno
Rules
Keno is a simple game very similar to the National Lottery or Bingo. It completely relies upon chance, so whether you’re a new player or an experienced one, you have the same chance of winning. However, one needs to know the basic rules to understand the different bets and potential pay outs.
The aim of Keno is to guess which numbers, from 1 to 80, will be drawn by the Keno machine. You need to select 2 -10 numbers on the game’s grid. The Keno machine will then draw 20 numbers at random. Your winnings will depend on how many of your chosen numbers match those drawn by the Keno machine. The more matching numbers you have, the higher your winnings.
Bets and winnings:
In Keno your pay outs are therefore proportional to the number of selected numbers on your grid compared with those drawn by the machine.
Upper row (1-10): number of correct numbers found
Left column (1-10): number of selected numbers
The aim of Keno is to guess which numbers, from 1 to 80, will be drawn by the Keno machine. You need to select 2 -10 numbers on the game’s grid. The Keno machine will then draw 20 numbers at random. Your winnings will depend on how many of your chosen numbers match those drawn by the Keno machine. The more matching numbers you have, the higher your winnings.
Bets and winnings:
In Keno your pay outs are therefore proportional to the number of selected numbers on your grid compared with those drawn by the machine.
Upper row (1-10): number of correct numbers found
Left column (1-10): number of selected numbers
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 47 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | 60 | 90 | |||||||
| 5 | 6 | 16 | 800 | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | 8 | 70 | 1500 | ||||||
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 400 | 5000 | |||||
| 8 | 4 | 16 | 100 | 1600 | 7000 | |||||
| 9 | 4 | 10 | 40 | 300 | 3000 | 10000 | ||||
| 10 | 5 | 24 | 140 | 1000 | 3000 | 15000 |
Following the table above, you can see for example that if you select 8 numbers on your grid and if among these 8 numbers, 6 are drawn by the machine (from a total of 20 numbers drawn) your winnings will be 100 times your stake.
Baccarat
Rules
Baccarat is a card game which is played against the “Banker” and with 6 to 8 cards, shuffled and placed in a deck. Baccarat rules are very simple. To win a game you must bet either on:
- Your hand
- The banker’s hand
- A tie
The winning hand (yours or the banker’s) is the one closest to 9 (never higher).
The total value of the cards make up the score of a hand: 10 and Jack, Queen, King are worth 0, Aces are worth 1, and all other cards are worth their face value.
Example:
The total value of the cards make up the score of a hand: 10 and Jack, Queen, King are worth 0, Aces are worth 1, and all other cards are worth their face value.
Example:
- 5 + Queen = 5 + 0 = 5, the total score for this hand is 5
- 7 + 10 + 2 = 9, the total score for this hand is 9
Game scenario:
In Baccarat , the first and third cards drawn from the deck are dealt to the “Player”, and second and fourth cards are dealt to the “Banker”.
In Baccarat , the first and third cards drawn from the deck are dealt to the “Player”, and second and fourth cards are dealt to the “Banker”.
- If the initial cards total to 8 or 9, this is known as a “First Hand”. If the “Player” or the “Banker” hold a “First Hand” neither of them can draw a third card. The winning hand is the one closest to 9.
- If both hands are a “First Hand” then they must “Stand” and therefore neither can draw another card. The best “First Hand” wins the game.
- If neither the player nor banker holds a “First Hand”, it is the player’s turn to play.
- If the player scores 6 or 7 , he must “Stand” and therefore cannot draw a third card
- If the score is lower than 6, the player must draw another card to get a new score base on the value of all three cards.
Player’s rules:
| Baccarat | |
| Points value for first two cards: | Outcome |
| 0,1,2,3,4,5 | Draw a card |
| 6,7 | Stand |
| 8,9 | First Hand |
When the player scores 6 or 7, the banker must draw a third card if he has a hand totalling to 0,1,2,3,4, or 5, but he cannot draw a third card if his total is 6,7,8, or 9. The banker must continue with a total of 0,1 or 2 and takes on the rules of the dealer.
Rules for the banker:
Rules for the banker:
| Baccarat | ||
| Points value for first two cards: | Hit when player’s third card is: | Don’t hit when the player’s card is: |
| 0-1-2 | Hit in any case | |
| 3 | 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-9 | 8 |
| 4 | 2-3-4-5-6-7 | 0-1-8-9 |
| 5 | 4-5-6-7 | 0-1-2-3-8-9 |
| 6 | 6-7 | 0-1-2-3-4-5-8-9 |
| 7 | Always pass | |
| 8-9 | Player cannot hit | Player cannot hit |
Important: if the player or/and banker total to 8 or 9, both have to pass. This rule prevails all other rules.
The winnings:
Winning player bets pay 1:1
Winning banker bets pay 0.95:1 since 5% commission is taken from winnings on the banker’s hand.
Winning bets for a “Tie” (when both hands have the same total) pay 8:1. When the banker’s and player’s hand tie, all the player bets and the banker bets are returned.
The winnings:
Winning player bets pay 1:1
Winning banker bets pay 0.95:1 since 5% commission is taken from winnings on the banker’s hand.
Winning bets for a “Tie” (when both hands have the same total) pay 8:1. When the banker’s and player’s hand tie, all the player bets and the banker bets are returned.
Video Poker
Rules
Video Poker is poker game for poker enthusiasts. Video Poker is a slot machine and poker in one game. Video Poker is in actual fact a slot machine with card symbols on the reels. The card combinations form poker hands.
Video Poker combines the simplicity of slot machine with poker strategies to form the best hands. There are dozens of Video Pokers, offering winnings in the hundreds of thousands of Euros. Many Video Pokers have a progressive jackpot, where the jackpot total is not fixed but increases until a player wins.
Bets also vary and are generally like those made on ordinary slot machines (10cts to £2)
Game scenario:
To start a game of Poker Video, click on the appropriate buttons on the machine: select the amount you wish to bet, select the number of coins you wish to bet then you will receive your first card deal.
At the beginning of the game, you are dealt 5 cards at random. You can choose your cards you wish to keep and set the others aside. The machine will deal out two cards to you in exchange for those you have set aside and you can then assess your combinations. You will be award a certain number of points depending on the combination you make.
Hands are classed from the strongest (the maximum points) to the weakest (no points):
Royal Flush: A straight flush, with the Ace high (Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit).
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value (each of different suits).
Full House: A three of a kind and a pair at the same time.
Flush: five cards of the same suit.
Straight: All five cards forming a sequence by their rank.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value.
Two Pairs: Two pairs of cards.
Pair: Two cards of the same value. In this case it must be Jacks or higher for some games, 10 or higher.
Video Poker combines the simplicity of slot machine with poker strategies to form the best hands. There are dozens of Video Pokers, offering winnings in the hundreds of thousands of Euros. Many Video Pokers have a progressive jackpot, where the jackpot total is not fixed but increases until a player wins.
Bets also vary and are generally like those made on ordinary slot machines (10cts to £2)
Game scenario:
To start a game of Poker Video, click on the appropriate buttons on the machine: select the amount you wish to bet, select the number of coins you wish to bet then you will receive your first card deal.
At the beginning of the game, you are dealt 5 cards at random. You can choose your cards you wish to keep and set the others aside. The machine will deal out two cards to you in exchange for those you have set aside and you can then assess your combinations. You will be award a certain number of points depending on the combination you make.
Hands are classed from the strongest (the maximum points) to the weakest (no points):
Royal Flush: A straight flush, with the Ace high (Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit).
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value (each of different suits).
Full House: A three of a kind and a pair at the same time.
Flush: five cards of the same suit.
Straight: All five cards forming a sequence by their rank.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value.
Two Pairs: Two pairs of cards.
Pair: Two cards of the same value. In this case it must be Jacks or higher for some games, 10 or higher.