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Top Card
Introduction
Top Card is another name for the game Dragon Tiger, a simple game based on betting which of two random cards will be higher in rank. Instead of having Dragon and Tiger cards, there are Home and Away cards. A tie nicely pays 11 to 1, as opposed to the stingy 8 to 1 that Dragon Tiger usually pays.
The game can be played at Internet casinos offering live dealer games by Evolution Gaming.
Rules
- Any number of standard decks can be used. For this analysis, I shall assume eight.
- Cards are ranked as in poker, except aces are always low.
- A single card is given to each of the Home and Away hands.
- The primary bets are on which hand will get the higher card. Wins pay even money. In the event of a tie, both bets lose half.
- The player may also bet on a tie, which pays 11 to 1.
Home/Away
The Home and Away bets will win if the chosen hand gets the higher card. Ties lose half. The following return table shows a house edge of 3.73%.
Home and Away
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 39,936 | 0.462651 | 0.462651 |
| Tie | -0.5 | 6,448 | 0.074699 | -0.037349 |
| Loss | -1 | 39,936 | 0.462651 | -0.462651 |
| Total | 86,320 | 1.000000 | -0.037349 |
Tie
The Tie bet will win if the Dragon and Tiger cards are equal in rank. Wins pay 11 to 1. The following table shows a house edge of 10.36%.
Tie
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 11 | 6,448 | 0.074699 | 0.821687 |
| Loss | -1 | 79,872 | 0.925301 | -0.925301 |
| Total | 86,320 | 1.000000 | -0.103614 |
Hypothetically, here is what the house edge would be on the Tie bet at various pays from 8 to 12 to 1.
Tie House Edge
| Pays | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 12 | 2.89% |
| 11 | 10.36% |
| 10 | 17.83% |
| 9 | 25.30% |
| 8 | 32.77% |
Advice
I would stick to the Dragon and Tiger bets since they offer the lowest house edge. Please note the odds are a lot better in baccarat.
Written by:Michael Shackleford
