A Guide to Asian Live Casino Games – Why Are They So Popular?

Even though gambling is hardly the first thing you think about when you think of Asia, it is a huge part of its culture. Casinos are so deeply rooted in numerous Asian cultures that many games unsurprisingly originate from there. While some games are famous in the Western world, many are virtually unknown outside of the continent.

Every casino enthusiast knows about Dragon Tiger and Sic Bo, but most players are unfamiliar with some other games. However, the trend will likely change, for many live games have become increasingly popular in recent years. Numerous games nowadays are inspired by Asia, and they are tremendously entertaining.

Some games are extremely niche, so iGaming giants worldwide do not offer them. They are reserved exclusively for Asian markets, and many providers do not even have licences to operate outside Asia. Still, multiple games deserve to be more well-known among the players. Read this article to find out more about the exciting live casino games from Asia and the secret of their appeal.

Sic Bo

We will start with the game everybody knows, which is called Sic Bo. It is traditionally played with 3 dice, and most prominent providers offer the live online version. Of course, there are many game variations, depending on the bets they offer. Over the centuries, the game made its way into the homes of the Chinese elite, and Chinese immigrants later brought it to the West.

It is a simple game where players make a bet, the dice are rolled, and those who win receive a payout. Most Sic Bo versions offer standard wagers like Small/Big, where you guess the total will be below or above a particular sum. The Total wager lets you guess the number on the three dice for a large payout. Other options include “Single“, “Double“, “Triple“, “Combination“, and “Any Triple“. Multiple market leaders offer the game, like Evolution and Pragmatic Play.

Dragon Tiger

Dragon Tiger is a poker-inspired game that has started to enter online casinos in recent years. It is similar to a two-card game of Baccarat, with some notable differences. The game originated in Cambodia and quickly spread to other Asian countries, and now Western audiences are starting to realise its appeal.

Dragon Tiger always utilises a 52-card deck without jokers and wild cards. Players bet on Dragon or Tiger positions; the dealer deals two cards face-up, and the highest one wins. It is essentially a 50/50 gamble, with the Tie as the third and most lucrative variant. Some side bets exist, like Dragon or Tiger Big/Small, paying if your card is above or below seven.

The house edge is 3.73%, going slightly above similar games. Like most live games, Evolution’s version is superior to the rest, with an easy-to-use, user-friendly interface and big payouts.

Fan Tan

Fan Tan originated in China, and it uses a fixed-odds wagering system. Immigrants brought it to the US like Sic Bo, but it is less popular today. Baccarat and other modern games replaced it, with even the Chinese opting for Mahjong or Pai Gow Poker. It is a straightforward game to play.

The croupier selects a number of beads from a glass dome. He uses a metal cup and separates the beads into groups of four with a stick. When the last line stays in play, it always has one to four beads. Your task is to predict the number correctly at the end. Moreover, some providers offer other bets, like “Nim“, covering two numbers and doubling your chances. Again, Evolution’s version is the best choice by far.

Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar is an Indian card game from Bangalore that has started appearing in Western casinos in the last few years. Notable providers introduced it to their portfolios, and it became popular due to its simplicity. No learning curve or skill is required. The game uses 52 cards, a player, and a dealer.

When you are online, you play solo, with the dealer placing the first card face-up, with the rest put into two heaps, Andar and Bahar. Your task is to guess the pile with the twin card, matching the value of the drawn card. The dealer takes turns between the two piles until the matching card shows up. With an RTP of 97.85%, the payouts are 1:1 for Andar and 0.9:1 for Bahar. Evolution assigns random multipliers of up to 4,000x the stake.

Teen Patti

The name of this Indian game is 3 Cards, and it is almost identical to 3-Card Brag, a popular UK game. Teen Patti is played between 4 and 7 players with 52 cards in a live environment. Many leading iGaming studios offer it today, and it is extremely simple. It is played against the dealer, with the goal of having the best 3-card poker hand.

This game was heavily influenced by poker. You must lay your ante bet before looking at cards. The player and the dealer get two cards each, and if the dealer’s highest card is less than Queen-high, he will lose. However, the player will lose his stake if the dealer’s cards are not seen.

You can place your Play bet and continue playing if you like your hand. The dealer turns their cards over, and the hands are compared. The payout is 1:1, regardless of whether the dealer qualifies. The hand strength is the same as in 3-card poker. Some developers even offer side bets like 6-Card Bonus and Pairs Plus. It almost goes without saying that Evolution’s version is the best.