Unusual Casino Games from Around the World

Pachinko – Japan's Favorited Pastime

Originating from Japan, Pachinko is a game that marries the mechanics of pinball and slot machines. In a bustling pachinko parlour, players shoot balls into a vertical playing field, with the aim of landing them into certain pockets that trigger a slot machine-like mechanism. The game's popularity in Japan is immense, with dedicated pachinko parlours found across the country.

Chicken Challenge – Feathered Fun

Here's something you probably didn't expect to see at a casino: a chicken. The aptly named Chicken Challenge is a game where you play tic-tac-toe against a real, live chicken. The game first gained fame at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, where a chicken named Ginger became a local celebrity. If the chicken wins or ties the game, you lose your bet; if you beat the chicken, you win.

Catch a Wave – Surf's Up

Catch a Wave is a relatively obscure slot game that brings a beachy vibe to the casino floor. The goal is to ride the waves for as long as possible, with each successive wave increasing your winnings. It's a fun twist on the traditional slot machine game, with the added bonus of surfing-themed graphics and sounds.

Silver Strike Slot Machines – A Token of Luck

Not only do Silver Strike slot machines provide the regular thrill of slot gaming, but they also dispense special collectible tokens made of pure silver. This unique element adds an extra level of excitement to the game, as players eagerly anticipate the clinking sound of a silver token dropping into the tray.

Pica – A Horse Racing Adventure

Pica is a virtual horse racing game that is especially popular in Japan. Players bet on the outcome of the race, but unlike traditional horse betting, the outcomes are entirely random and the horses are computer-generated. The game offers a fun and exciting way to experience the thrill of horse racing without the need for a real racetrack.

Dreidel – A Spin on Tradition

Dreidel is a traditional Jewish game played during Hanukkah, but it has found its way into some casinos. Players spin a four-sided top, each side bearing a Hebrew letter. The letter it lands on determines whether the player wins, loses, or has to put more into the pot. This simple game of chance offers a unique cultural twist on casino gaming.

Card Craps – A Twist on a Classic

In states where dice games are illegal, casinos have come up with a clever solution: Card Craps. This game uses cards instead of dice to determine the outcome of each roll, while the rest of the game follows traditional craps rules. This inventive adaptation ensures players can still enjoy the strategic gameplay of craps, regardless of local regulations.

Pinball Roulette – Arcade Meets Casino

Pinball Roulette is an ingenious blend of pinball and roulette. Instead of a spinning wheel and a ball, the game uses a pinball-style launcher to propel the ball into a field of numbered pins. Wherever the ball lands is the winning number. Similar to traditional roulette there are several betting options for players making this the perfect blend of arcade and casino gaming.

Sigma Derby – Horse-Free Racing

Sigma Derby is a real-life game based on horse racing without any real horses involved. It's a bit like a miniaturized version of a horse race, where players bet on which plastic horse they think will finish first. The machine then pulls the horses randomly along a track. The odds for each combination are shown digitally, and can change just like with real horse racing. While it has become a cult classic, it never really caught on widely, probably due to its large size which could otherwise be filled with more lucrative slot machines.

Rat Roulette / Rodent Roulette – A Truly Novel Idea

In 1946, a funfair in Nebraska came up with a new way to play roulette: Rat Roulette. Two rats are put on a special roulette wheel, and when the wheel stops, the dazed rats land in two of the holes, which payout to the players who bet on them. While it was popular for a time, it was eventually stopped due to animal rights concerns. However, it's worth mentioning for the sheer creativity involved in reinventing a classic game.

Kronespillet – A Nordic Delight

Kronespillet, popular in Norway and a few other Nordic countries, is somewhat similar to Pachinko but uses coins instead of balls. The coins tumble down the machine, and the player wins all the coins that fall over the edge. While the game was common in Norwegian fairs until the mid-2000s, gambling regulations eventually banned these machines.

Casino War – Elegant Simplicity

Casino War is perhaps the easiest game you'll ever find in a casino. Both the dealer and the player are dealt a card, and the person with the highest card wins. It's a very fast-paced game, and while it might not be the most exciting, it has a certain charm in its simplicity. It still exists in some online casinos, but it's not very popular.

Faro – A Victorian Classic

Faro used to be a highly popular game in the 19th century but is now more or less extinct. It was a card game played against a dealer, in which the dealer pulled cards from a dealing box and players bet on the order in which the cards would appear. The game was simple, quick, and had the reputation of being the fairest bet in the house, although the odds still favoured the casino operator.

Play Games Old and New at Plaza Royal

Unfortunately, if you want to try any of the games mentioned above, you will have to go on a worldwide hunt of casinos to find them. However, while you may not be able to play these extremely unusual games at Regent Play, we do have a vast collection of games that contains more than enough to satisfy every type of player. Why not head over to the casino today and try your luck on some of our more traditional games. Alternatively, you could really dig into our collection where you are sure to find something new to try.