It is a universally recognized truth that the Portuguese are big fans of football. Football is the most popular sport in the country, with intense national pride surrounding it. Major football clubs like FC Porto, SL Benfica, and Sporting CP have passionate followings, and the national team’s successes evoke widespread celebrations. On Sundays, families and groups of friends head to the stadiums to enjoy the football matches rather than staying at home. Alternatively, they gather at someone's place, settle in the living room, and spend 90 minutes watching the game together.
Still, there are other things that the Portuguese treat with passion. Among these things are card games. Though traditionally associated with the older generation, card games have become popular with the younger crowd as well thanks to fun games like Go Fish (or Peixinho in Portuguese) or even UNO. However, the true classic card games in Portugal are those played by adults. And here we speak of such titles as Sueca or Bisca.
Both Sueca, played in teams, and Bisca, played individually or in teams, are strategic and skill-based card games where the common denominator is strategy. But social interaction is another inseparable aspect of them. These games are mainly social activities, where players seek to enjoy time with family and friends through the magic of a deck of cards, something almost every Portuguese household possesses.
Still, life goes on and with the increasing prevalence of the internet all over the word and the rise of new casino sites in many countries, many regular players of Bisca and Sueca in Portugal have been searching for similar online entertainments. What are they choosing?
First, let’s make sure that Bisca and Sueca are not typically found in mainstream online casinos, but there are some specialised online platforms and mobile apps that offer them. But in this article, we will explore some other options. Which online casino table games are ideal for fans of classic Portuguese card games?
As you will see, there's no shortage of engaging options for card game enthusiasts to enjoy in the digital era. And here are our top 3 suggestions.
Poker
Sure, it is what has to be expected to be seen at the top of the list! Poker is arguably the best option for those seeking the same thrill as in Bisca and Sueca, as it combines the key elements of both games.
First and foremost, cards are the central element. We know how much card games excite these players. But there’s more: the strategy and skill required in Bisca and Sueca are also essential in poker, often to an even greater degree than in the Portuguese card games.
Moreover, the social and interactive aspects of poker are not lost when it is played online. Players at a virtual poker table not only can but should, as a part of the game, engage in bluffing and subtle interaction with other players to get the best hand.
Blackjack
As a solid second option, we suggest blackjack, also known as 21. In this game, the player is challenged to choose the best hand between their own and the dealer's, with the winning hand being the one closest to 21 points without going over.
Again, we see the key elements of Sueca and Bisca present in this game. It’s another card game, with a unique scoring system. Furthermore, strategy plays a vital role in decision-making: choosing whether to hit, split, double down, take insurance, surrender, or other options. Strategy is fundamental in Blackjack as well.
If you play in live mode, the social aspect isn’t lost either, as players can interact with both the dealer and others via chat.
Baccarat
Often seen as a simpler relative of blackjack, baccarat also offers all the main components of classic Portuguese card games.
Once again, cards are at the heart of the game. Then, the game is really quite similar to blackjack, with the key difference being that the goal is to reach nine points rather than 21.
Other than that, the structure remains all the same: trying to predict the winning hand between the player and the dealer, utilising strategic betting options, and socialising with other players and the dealer. If blackjack is a strong option, baccarat is certainly not far behind, offering all the essential ingredients of Sueca and Bisca.
