Dragon Tiger proposes one of the simplest questions you’ll ever see at a card table: which of two cards is higher? Answering that question is the basis of the entire game.
I’ve found live-dealer versions of the game that offer the occasional side bet, but I’m going to focus on the main game, and how you can develop a betting strategy when you step into the live-dealer room of your choice. Let’s get started.
What Is Dragon Tiger?
Dragon Tiger originated in Cambodian casinos and cardrooms, and has become popular as a live-dealer game at many online casinos. In this game, the two cards are the dragon and the tiger, and before each is dealt you simply pick which you think will be higher. Or you can pick a tie. Which I don’t recommend. More on that later.
How To Play Dragon Tiger
So, you’ve chosen a live-dealer Dragon Tiger room. What’s next? Here are the basic steps to Dragon Tiger from the moment you (virtually) sit down.
- Place a bet before the timer runs out: You’ve got three choices here–dragon, tiger, or tie.
- Dealer draws two cards: Typically from a six-to-eight-deck shoe. The card on the left represents the dragon and the card on the right is the tiger. In every Dragon Tiger room I’ve played, there’s a dragon and a tiger symbol to clarify these positions.
- The higher card wins: In this game, the Ace is a low card and the King is the high card. That’s it. There are no jokers or wilds.
- Assess the winnings: Dragon Tiger pays 1:1 for the dragon and tiger and usually 8:1 for a tie. In some alternative versions of Dragon Tiger, a tie bet pays as low as 6.5:1 and as high as 11:1, while a suited tie pays 20:1 or sometimes 50:1. Bettors who bet on the dragon or tiger in the instance of a tie, lose 50% of their wager.
Dragon Tiger Strategy
In a game this simple, you might find it hard to devise a well-rounded strategy. I tend to agree, but it helps to think of strategy as preference, especially if we’re just focusing on the main game and avoiding side bets.
Here are seven strategies, ranging from incredibly simple to incredibly involved. Let’s start with the simple ones and then get more advanced.
Avoid ties
Don’t be enticed by the increased odds, and just play the straight bet. The house edge on the Dragon or the Tiger is around 3.7% while it’s closer to 37% when you bet the tie. In this fast-paced game, you’re going to play a lot of hands. Stick with the dragon and tiger, avoid the tie and suited tie, and play the long game.
Avoid versions that require a fee to play
Games like Lightning Dragon Tiger usually feature multipliers on random suits while also offering even longer odds with the suited tie bet. However, just to play you’ll pay a portion of every hand (usually 20%) to the house. Try these options later, after you get comfortable with the rhythm of the classic game.
Don’t switch sides until a bust
Now we’re getting into some more nuanced strategies. In a game as simple, fast-paced, and luck-based as Dragon Tiger, it’s easy to start tossing chips around from dragon to tiger and losing your focus. This strategy says to play one side (dragon or tiger) until it loses, and then switch sides. The value here is that it keeps you focused and betting intentionally.
Don’t switch sides with A Martingale twist
Same as above. Don’t switch positions until a bust, and when you do switch positions, double your first bet. This tweaks the Martingale strategy by switching sides, but by doubling your first bet after busting, you give yourself the option of winning back your losses.
Bet progressively in a 1-3-2-6 pattern
At this point, our strategy is to do more than win. It’s to maximize payouts. We’re going to bet progressively as long as we keep winning. We start by betting one unit. If we win, we bet three units. If we win again, we bet two units. And if we win again, we bet six units. At this point, we can double our next bet and bet 12 units. Or we can go back to the start and bet one unit again and repeat the cycle. If, at any point, we lose, we start over. This is a classic strategy that guarantees that if you make it to step three, you’re guaranteed a profit.
Keep track of the cards that have been dealt
Yes, you can potentially count cards in a game of Dragon Tiger and calculate the changing odds, but this is incredibly difficult. Remember there are usually six to eight decks used in Live-Dealer Dragon Tiger.
Use the biggest online casino bonuses
This isn’t the most complicated strategy I’ve got for you, but it’s one you absolutely should not overlook. Check out our online casino bonuses to find the best bonuses and promos, so you can maximize your success at the Live Dealer Dragon Tiger table.
Best Casinos to Play Dragon Tiger
Right now, Live-Dealer Dragon Tiger is hard to find at most real-money online casinos. As noted, the game is big in Asia and not as common here in the US. Currently, a few casinos offer First-Person Dragon Tiger from Evolution Gaming, a digital version of the game that uses a random number generator. The game offers the traditional game with the addition of the suited tie bet and a soothing soundtrack.
Here are the best casinos to play First-Person Dragon Tiger:
Caesars Palace Online Casino
Caesars Palace Online Casino offers First-Person Dragon Tiger in classic denominations, with a bet range of $1- $5,000.
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BetMGM Online Casino
BetMGM Casino offers a wider range of bets for First-Person Dragon Tiger. You can bet from $.20-$10,000. It’s also worth noting, that I last saw live-dealer Dragon Tiger at MGM Online Casino, so check back in with its Live-Dealer lobby to see if they offer it again.
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FanDuel Online Casino
Like Caesars, FanDuel Online Casino offers First-Person Dragon Tiger in the $1-$5,000 bet range.
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DraftKings Online Casino
Like, FanDuel and Caesars, DraftKings Online Casino features First-Person Dragon Tiger in the $1-$5,000 bet range. If you’re interested, you can also opt into DraftKings’ progressive jackpots when you play Dragon Tiger. It’ll cost you $.25 a hand, and you’ll be eligible for all of the DraftKings progressive jackpots.
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