Online casino war is the simplest table game there is: you and the dealer each get one card, and the higher card wins even money. The only decision comes on a tie, when you either surrender half your bet or go to war. Going to war is the cheaper choice, while the tie side bet is one of the costliest bets in the casino.
Higher card wins 1:1; aces are high and suits don't matter.
Ties come up in about 7.4% of six-deck rounds, roughly one in 13.5.
Going to war costs about 2.88% of your starting bet with six decks; always surrendering costs about 3.70%.
A tie bet paying 10:1 carries a house edge of about 18.65% with six decks.
RTG lists Casino War among its table games, but no source publishes its deck count or RTP.
Developer
RealTime Gaming (RTG)
Game type
One-card comparison table game (RNG)
Main bet payout
1:1
Tie frequency, 6 decks
About 7.40% (computed)
Go-to-war edge, 6 decks
About 2.88% (computed)
RTP of RTG version
Not published in the sources checked
What is online casino war?
Casino war is the childhood card game turned into a casino bet. You place a wager, you and the dealer each get one card, and the higher card wins. Aces rank highest and suits don't count, which is why ties happen often enough to shape the whole game.
It appeals to players who want a fast, decision-light game. That speed is also its main hazard: a quick one-card game lets you put a lot of money through in a short time. Our online casino games hub covers slower alternatives.
How to play online casino war
Pick a chip size and place your main bet. Add a tie bet only if you understand its cost (see below).
The game deals one card face up to you and one to the dealer.
If your card is higher, your main bet wins 1:1. If the dealer's card is higher, you lose the main bet.
If the cards tie, choose: surrender and get half your main bet back, or go to war by adding a raise equal to your main bet.
On war, the game burns cards in the standard format and deals one new card to each side.
If your war card is equal or higher, you win the raise at 1:1 and the original bet pushes; some versions pay a bonus when the war card also ties. If the dealer's war card is higher, you lose both bets.
The war payouts in step 6 are the common rules used in the calculations on this page. RTG's help screen is the place to confirm them, along with the number of decks. If the game's rules differ, so do its odds.
Casino war odds: how often a tie happens
Ties drive everything in this game, and their frequency depends on how many decks are in play. After your card is dealt, the dealer's card matches it only if it's one of the remaining cards of the same rank. That's simple arithmetic: (4 × decks − 1) ÷ (52 × decks − 1).
Chance that the first two cards tie, by number of decks (computed)
Decks
Matching cards left
Cards left
Tie probability
About 1 round in
1
3
51
5.88%
17.0
6
23
311
7.40%
13.5
8
31
415
7.47%
13.4
More decks mean slightly more ties. In a six-deck game, you'll face the war-or-surrender decision about once every 13 or 14 rounds. Online RNG tables generally shuffle the virtual cards between rounds, so earlier cards don't change these odds; our how RNGs work guide explains why.
Go to war or surrender? The only decision in casino war
When you tie, surrender costs you exactly half your bet. On a $10 bet, that's a sure −$5. Going to war means adding $10 more and taking a new card.
Here's the arithmetic for six decks. In the war round you win or tie about 53.7% of the time, collecting $10, and lose about 46.3% of the time, losing $20. That works out to (0.537 × $10) − (0.463 × $20) = $5.37 − $9.26, or about −$3.89. Since −$3.89 beats −$5.00, going to war is the better choice every time.
Tie decision on a $10 bet, six decks, common rules (computed)
Choice
Extra money at risk
Average result after a tie
Verdict
Surrender
$0
−$5.00
Costlier
Go to war (tie in war pays raise only)
$10
About −$3.89
Better
Go to war (tie in war pays a bonus)
$10
About −$3.15
Better still
This is the one piece of strategy that matters in casino war, and it's always the same: go to war. It lowers the cost of the game but doesn't remove the house edge.
Online casino war house edge by bet
Combining the tie frequency with the war decision gives the house edge on each bet. These are measured against your starting bet and calculated for common rules, not published for RTG's version.
House edge on casino war bets (computed, common rules)
Bet or strategy
6 decks
8 decks
Main bet, always go to war
2.88%
2.90%
Main bet, go to war with tie-in-war bonus
2.33%
2.34%
Main bet, always surrender
3.70%
3.73%
Tie side bet paying 10:1
18.65%
17.83%
The tie bet is the trap. It pays 10:1 but wins only about one round in 13.5 with six decks, when it would need to win one in 11 to break even. The 2.88% main-bet edge also explains where the house's advantage comes from: in the war round, you risk two units to win one.
What real money casino war costs: a worked example
Expected loss = total starting bets × house edge. Say you play 300 rounds at $5 with six decks and always go to war. Your starting bets total $1,500, and the expected loss is $1,500 × 2.88% = $43.20.
Your actual outlay is a little higher than $1,500 because about 7.4% of rounds need a $5 raise, adding roughly $111 in war bets. Add a $1 tie bet to every round and you put another $300 in at an 18.65% edge, which adds about $55.95 to the expected cost. That one habit more than doubles the cost of the session.
These are averages. In the short run you can finish well ahead or behind, but over time the edge wins out. A spending limit set in advance is the most useful tool you have; see bankroll management and deposit limits.
Casino war strategy myths
Myth: you can count cards. In RNG casino war, the game generally reshuffles virtual cards each round, so there's nothing to track. Card counting belongs to history and theory, not online play.
Myth: the dealer is due to lose after a streak. Each round is independent, so a run of dealer wins changes nothing.
Myth: doubling after losses guarantees a profit. Doubling (the Martingale) risks large sums to win one base bet and fails when you hit a table limit or run out of money.
Myth: the tie bet is worth it because it pays 10:1. It pays well because it wins rarely, and its edge is more than six times the main bet's.
Casino war is one of the games most often named in bonus exclusions. Silver Oak's terms and conditions (opens in a new tab) list War among games excluded from its welcome bonus, with baccarat, craps, roulette, sic bo and others. Playing an excluded game with bonus funds can cost you your winnings.
SlotoCash's bonus terms (opens in a new tab) exclude table games by default and allow welcome-bonus play only on slots, Real-Series slots, keno and scratch cards. Decode's site shows no bonus terms at all. If you want to play war, the simplest approach is to play with cash and skip the bonus; our bonus vs no bonus guide weighs that choice.
Is online casino war legal in the USA?
That depends on your state. State-licensed online casinos run only in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and Maine's January 2026 law allowing tribal online casinos hadn't produced a launch by October 2026. Elsewhere, online casino war is offered by offshore sites that no US state licenses.
RTG, the game's developer, was founded in Atlanta in 1998 and moved operations to Costa Rica in 2007; third-party site LCB says its games are tested by TST. Read our RealTime Gaming profile for more.
Where to play online casino war: RTG casinos with an offer via our links
These casinos run RTG software, according to their own sites or third-party reviews. Silver Oak's terms name War in their excluded-games list, which suggests the game is in its catalog; for SlotoCash and Decode, no source confirms it, so check the lobby. All three are offshore and not licensed by any US state; check your state's law before you play. We earn commission from these links, and our order is commercial.
SlotoCash Casino: $6,000 Welcome Bonus + 60 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Decode Casino: $5,000 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
SlotoCash's own terms: 25x (deposit + bonus), $20 minimum per bonus, no max cashout, slots, Real-Series slots, keno and scratch cards only. The casino's site shows a different package, $7,777 and 300 spins over five deposits, so the terms shown at sign-up apply. Michigan's Gaming Control Board named SlotoCash in an October 8, 2026 cease-and-desist release (opens in a new tab). See the SlotoCash review.
Decode: no terms are visible on its site. Third-party site LCB lists DECODE111 at 111% up to $1,111, 25x (bonus + deposit) and a $25 minimum. Codes change; see the Decode review.
Silver Oak: its offer page advertises a $10,000 package of 100% matches on ten deposits with no max withdrawal, and its pages give 30x and 40x for slots, a conflict to check before claiming; table games are 60x and War is excluded. The board named Silver Oak on April 9, 2025. See the Silver Oak review.
If a fast game like war starts to feel hard to stop, take a break and reach out. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), by call, text or chat; our helpline page explains how it works.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
These offshore casinos run RTG software. Their welcome bonuses are made for slots, and Silver Oak's terms name War among games excluded from its bonus.
SlotoCash Casino#1 on our listBiggest bonus on our list
Published terms (casino terms): SlotoCash advertises up to $7,777 + 300 spins over five deposits on its own site. Eligible games: Slots, keno and scratch cards (progressive jackpots excluded).
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; reported as a Deckmedia N.V. brand (Curaçao). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, October 8, 2026.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $20 per bonus. Wagering 25x deposit + bonus. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap $5,000 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (reported): Decode advertises a $111 free chip and crypto bonuses on its own site; deposit-bonus codes and terms vary. Eligible games: Mainly slots; check each code.
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; third parties report Curaçao. Regulator notes: Third parties report it refuses players in MD, NJ, NY and WA.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $25 (reported). Wagering Varies by code (25x–35x reported). Max cashout: Varies by code. Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Silver Oak Casino#4 on our listBonus on 10 deposits
Published terms (casino terms): Silver Oak advertises a 100% match on each of its first ten deposits (up to $10,000 in total) with codes SILVEROAK1–10. Eligible games: Slots, keno, scratch cards (table games at 60x; many games excluded).
Who runs it: Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan (its terms). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30. Wagering 30x on the offer page; 40x in the terms. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap From $2,500 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
Should you go to war or surrender in casino war?
Always go to war. With six decks, surrendering a $10 bet after a tie costs a sure $5, while going to war costs about $3.89 on average under common rules, and less if a tie in the war pays a bonus. Over the whole game, always going to war gives a house edge of about 2.88% versus about 3.70% for always surrendering. Read house edge explained to see how these percentages are calculated.
What is the house edge on online casino war?
About 2.88% on the main bet with six decks if you always go to war, using common rules where a tie in the war pays the raise only. With a bonus for a tie in the war, it drops to about 2.33%. The tie bet at 10:1 is about 18.65%. RTG doesn't publish its version's figures in the sources we found, so check the help screen. See what is RTP for the related term.
Is the casino war tie bet worth it?
No, it's one of the worst-value bets in a casino. A tie paying 10:1 needs to hit one round in 11 to break even, but with six decks it hits about one in 13.5. That gives a house edge of about 18.65%, more than six times the main bet's. On $300 of tie bets, the expected cost is about $55.95. Our casino math basics guide shows the break-even method.
How often do ties happen in casino war?
About 7.40% of six-deck rounds tie, roughly one in 13.5. With eight decks it's about 7.47%, and with a single deck about 5.88%. The formula is simple: matching cards left divided by total cards left after your card is dealt. RTG's deck count isn't published in the sources we found, so check the game's rules. The how RNGs work guide explains how online dealing works.
Can you count cards in online casino war?
No. Online RNG versions generally reshuffle virtual cards each round, so there's no shoe to track, and even in a live shoe the effect would be tiny for a one-card game. Card counting is useful only as history and theory. Any system claiming to predict the next card is marketing, not math. Our can you count cards online answer covers the topic in more depth.
Can I play casino war with a bonus?
Usually not. Silver Oak's terms list War among games excluded from its welcome bonus, and SlotoCash's welcome bonus covers only slots, Real-Series slots, keno and scratch cards. Playing an excluded game with bonus funds can void your winnings. If you want to play war, consider depositing without a bonus. Our what games count toward wagering answer explains how casinos set these rules.
Is casino war good for beginners?
It's easy to learn, but it isn't cheap to play fast. There's one rule to remember, always go to war on a tie, and one bet to avoid, the tie side bet. The problem is speed: one-card rounds let you bet a lot in little time, so expected losses build quickly. Set a time and money limit before starting. See gambling budget for a simple approach.
Is online casino war legal in the US?
It depends on your state. Real-money online casinos are licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In other states, casino war is offered online by offshore sites no US state licenses, and you should check your own state's law before playing. Our states hub and is online gambling legal in the US page explain the rules state by state.
Can I play casino war on my phone?
Yes, RTG table games play in a mobile browser at the three casinos on this page, with no app to install. SlotoCash's support page says no app or software is required, Decode describes instant play on mobile, and Silver Oak's mobile page lists browser play on iPhone, Android and tablets. Silver Oak's terms name War among excluded bonus games, which suggests it's in that catalog; for the other two, check the lobby. Because rounds take seconds on a phone, set a time limit before you start. See our guides to playing on iPhone and the Silver Oak mobile casino.
How much does casino war cost per hour?
It depends on your stake and pace, but expected loss is total starting bets times the 2.88% edge computed for six decks when you always go to war. At an example 500 rounds an hour at $10, that's $5,000 of starting bets and about $144 of expected loss. At $5 over 300 rounds, it's about $43.20. War raises add a little more money in play, and a habitual tie bet adds far more. These are averages, so a single hour can end well up or down. Our gambling budget guide and reality checks guide help keep fast games in check.
Casino war vs baccarat: which costs less?
Baccarat costs less on its main bets. Under standard eight-deck rules, the Banker bet's computed edge is about 1.06% and Player about 1.24%, against about 2.88% for casino war's main bet with six decks when you always go to war. Per $1,000 of bets, that's roughly $10.60 on Banker versus $28.80 at war. Both games share a bad side bet: the tie, which runs about 14.36% in baccarat at 8:1 and 18.65% in war at 10:1. If you like simple, fast card games, see our online baccarat page and our house edge glossary entry for the wider comparison.
What happens if you tie again during a war in casino war?
Under the common rules used on this page, a second tie during the war counts as a win for you: the raise pays 1:1 and your original bet pushes. Some versions add a bonus when the war cards tie, which lowers the main-bet edge from about 2.88% to about 2.33% with six decks, by our calculation. A few tables use different payouts, and RTG's exact rule isn't published in the sources we found, so read the help screen before you play. Either way, going to war still beats surrendering. See our push glossary entry and casino math basics for the arithmetic.
What is the minimum deposit to play casino war online?
At the casinos on this page, it runs from $5 by Bitcoin Lightning to $25 or $30 by card. SlotoCash's banking page lists $25 for cards and Bitcoin and $5 for Bitcoin Lightning. Third-party site LCB reports Decode minimums of $5 for Lightning, $10 for Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash and $25 for other methods. Silver Oak's banking page lists $30 for cards and crypto, with card fees of 3% to 10%. At $5 a round, $25 covers just five starting bets. Read casino minimum deposits and best $5 deposit casinos.
Is online casino war legal in New York?
No, New York doesn't allow online casino games, and casino war is no exception. The New York State Gaming Commission says online casinos, including ones that claim to be sweepstakes, are unlawful in the state, and that unlicensed offshore operators are operating unlawfully there. Legal online wagering in New York is limited to licensed sports betting, horse racing wagers, fantasy sports and certain lottery purchases. New York's HOPEline is 1-877-8-HOPENY, or text HOPENY to 467369. Read our New York online casino guide and can I play online casinos in New York.
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