For many years, the online casino industry focused primarily on a few games, all of which would be familiar to players based in North America. These included all the gaming genres that will be familiar to even casual visitors of gaming floors: Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker, and especially Slots.
Now, a new day has dawned!
New kinds of titles have successfully moved into the mainstream of late. Some of these weren’t really possible until the Live Dealer movement, such as game show-style options, where the central action revolves around a dealer spinning a wheel.
There’s another style of game that has become a big hit in Western markets, though.
These are games that have long enjoyed immense popularity in non-Western cultures. These are big news for gaming fans whose center of gravity is Las Vegas or Monte Carlo…
… but if you see Macau or Goa as the center of the gambling universe, it’s a different matter entirely!
For most of the world’s population, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see, say, Mahjong at the top of the list of popular gambling titles. In, fact, its very absence would be shocking! But with players in North America and Europe finally “discovering” the gambling glory of such games, the English-speaking casino world is responding at breakneck speed.
And of course it’s not just Mahjong. It’s also Sic Po, Pai Gow, Teen Patti, and of course Andar Bahar.
It’s no surprise to see that SA Gaming getting in on the action!
A Fresh Take
SA Gaming has been in the mix since its founding in 2009. Their catalogue seems to be growing by leaps and bounds lately, both in terms of quality and specificity of focus.
Take their recent offering, Live Speed Baccarat Euro, for example. They didn’t simply release just any old baccarat game! Rather, they focused on a very specific section of the gaming market, built a game that served that sections needs beautifully, and released it across a wide platform for gamblers all over the world to enjoy.
This version of Andar Bahar fits the exact same model!
This is especially important since the market is currently flooded with Andar Bahar releases. On Air Entertainment released their version recently, for example, so clearly SA Gaming understands that their take on it has to stand out from the field. And that’s exactly what this version accomplishes!
Nuts and Bolts
First and foremost, the simple yet exciting side of the game has been translated immaculately into the live dealer stream.
The SA Gaming design team uses their standard user interface, which is immediately recognizable to any gambler who was frequented their catalogue before. They err on the side of providing a lot of data, especially about past betting rounds, which some bettors really appreciate. Overall, the visuals are simple, clear, and attractive.
The same could be said about the gaming fundamentals overall. The betting range astonishes, with a minimum wager of $0.10 and a maximum of $2,000.00 per round. There is a possible top payout of 800x, but this is only offered in one of the side bets, and is extremely statistically unlikely to hit.
The designer has also included three side bets in order to separate themselves from the competition. These are:
- Andar 1st and Bahar 1st, which win if the first card dealt in the round hits the corresponding side;
- First 3, which wins with a 3-card poker hand (straight, flush, or straight-flush) is made using the Game Card and the first cards dealt to either side; and:
- Number of Cards, which wins if players successfully predict the total number of cards dealt before the round ends. Wagers are separated into 5-card tranches, 1-5, 6-10, and so on. (The 46-49 card option is where the top payout of 800:1 is available.
Most significantly, however, is the No Commission Mode option. This changes the payouts slightly, but significantly. When this mode is active, the payout of Andar bets increases from 0.9:1 to 1:1… with Andar bets that win on the first card paying only 0.25:1. It seems like a small alteration, but it makes a big difference to the mathematical situation for players!
This expresses itself in this title’s RTP, which begins at a stellar 97.85% and which then improves to a meteoric 98.61% if No Commission mode is engaged. (Both those numbers reflect Andar bets only, which is always the best bet to make from a statistical perspective.) It’s more or less impossible to find better odds than that anywhere, in any casino, under any circumstances.
(Please note that No Commission mode renders the 3 side bets unavailable.)
(Please also note that this is actually a good thing, though, since the side bets come with a massive house edge. Players should avoid them like the plague, whether or not No Commission mode is engaged!)
When players are able to cleverly take advantage of the best bonuses in Canada as well, then combine them with these kinds of player-friendly numbers, it becomes possible to imagine eliminating the house edge all together!
From a strategic perspective, this all leads to a simple recommendation: in order to maximize profits, gamblers should turn on No Commission mode and lay only Andar bets. This certainly won’t guarantee winning outcomes – it is gambling, after all: there are no guarantees – but it will set up the friendliest math possible.
History of the Game
Andar Bahar, also known as “Katti” in some regions, is a popular card game that originated in India. Its history dates back several centuries, and it has been a traditional pastime in the country for generations. The game is often played in households and at social gatherings, as well as in casinos.
The exact origin of Andar Bahar is not well-documented, but it is believed to have evolved from simpler card games played with a standard deck of playing cards. Over time, it developed its own unique rules and characteristics.
Here’s a brief overview of the history and development of Andar Bahar:
- Traditional Roots: Andar Bahar is thought to have originated in southern India, particularly in the state of Karnataka. It was initially played with a deck of playing cards, and the game’s simplicity and quick gameplay made it a popular choice for casual gambling and entertainment.
- Regional Variations: Different regions of India have their own variations of Andar Bahar, and the rules can vary slightly from one place to another. These variations often involve differences in betting structures, card distributions, and additional side bets.
- Popularity in Casinos: Andar Bahar gained popularity in Indian casinos, particularly in Goa, which is known for its gambling establishments. The game’s simplicity and fast-paced nature made it attractive to both local players and tourists.
- Online and Mobile Gaming: With the rise of online and mobile gaming platforms, Andar Bahar has also found a new audience on the internet. Many online casinos and gaming websites now offer digital versions of the game, making it accessible to players around the world.
- International Recognition: In recent years, Andar Bahar has started to gain recognition outside of India, especially in countries with a significant Indian diaspora. This has led to its inclusion in some international casinos and gaming platforms.
The basic objective of Andar Bahar is to predict which side (Andar or Bahar) a selected card will appear on after the dealer places a single card in the center of the table and starts dealing additional cards to the Andar and Bahar sides alternately until a match is found. The game’s simplicity and element of chance make it accessible to a wide range of players, contributing to its enduring popularity.
A New Day Dawns
No matter how you look at it, today’s online casino connoisseurs have more options than ever before.
What’s more, these options aren’t confined to just one part of the wagering world!
Yes, there is a truly astonishing variety of gaming lobbies available, as well as a broader array of titles than ever before. But there’s more to it than that!
To take just one example, gamblers have tremendous power over their preferred method of banking.
Want to use Apple Pay? Go for it! Crypto? Sure! VISA? Western Union? Everything is possible. We’ve come a long, long way from the days of cash only deposits at brick-and-mortar gaming floors.
The rise of Andar Bahar and other games that rose to prominence outside of the North American or European gambling cultures is just part of this larger trend.
And at the end of the day, a wider variety of games – especially ones with excellent odds for players – is good news for the entire sector!
