Through the beauty of the Internet, aficionados of casino games are no longer constricted by geography and now have the freedom to enjoy their favourite games alongside multitudes of players from all over the world.
You will find that Malaysians particularly enjoy classic casino games, such as poker, baccarat, blackjack, sic bo, roulette, and slots, and continue to do so online. When it’s at their convenience and from the comfort of their home, it’s really no wonder!
The variety of online casino games in Malaysia: A veritable smorgasbord
Malaysia has a great variety of entertainment due to the fascinating confluence of cultures. It becomes a meeting point of Eastern heritage, such as Sic Bo and Mahjong from China, and Western influence, such as from Roulette and Poker from Europe and the US. This puts Malaysia in the unique position to have the best of both worlds!
Here are a list of online casino games most often played in Malaysia and reasons why they are the top choices for Malaysians:
Poker
This is a classic and well-known casino card game where players strive to get the best 5-card hand in the group in order to win the pot, which is all the wagers made by players during the hand. Players who think they have the winning hand place their bets into the pot and decide whether to raise the stake as each player takes their turn.
Online casino games platforms would organize tournaments and offer versions including, Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Three Card, Caribbean Stud, and video poker games, such as Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and All America. You could hardly count them all!
- What makes it great: Players are drawn by the challenge of a poker game that requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck. The human element is also an exciting opportunity for Malaysians to play against other players from around the world.
Baccarat
Although played with cards, this is a guessing game where the objective is to predict which of two hands will come closest to nine. You wager on either the player’s hand or the banker’s hand to be better. This game tends to draw the high rollers among Malaysian players.
- What makes it great: Being purely a game of chance, it is simple to understand and the house edge is relatively low compared to some other games. The fast pace keeps players on their toes and live dealer online casino games, where real dealers who interact with players via video live-stream, can also make baccarat an immersive casino experience.
Roulette
The list would not be complete with a good old-fashioned game of Roulette. It starts by spinning the roulette wheel and the main objective is to attempt predicting which number on the wheel the ball will land on. While there are various forms of the game, Malaysians stand by the standard European and American Roulette. You will also find French, Multi-Wheel, and Mini Roulette popular among Malaysian players.
- What makes it great: Despite its simplicity, the low minimum bets and high return to player (RTP) rate attract beginners, while its versatility appeals to more tactical players. There are a range of betting options, including individual numbers, a group of numbers, odd or even numbers, low or high numbers, and red or black colours. The suspense of watching the wheel spin also makes for some exciting moments!
Blackjack
The standard blackjack alongside Chinese Blackjack, referred to in Malaysia as 21 Points, is universally beloved among Malaysians and has been adapted well for online gameplay. The goal is to get a card count greater than the dealer’s hand without going over 21. In this variation of the game, players do not compete with each other but rather, solely with the dealer.
- What makes it great: This game is suited for even the most casual of players due to its simple calculation. For the strategically-inclined, the odds may even sometimes favour the player if they can count cards well enough to play a mathematically perfect game. Players also have the option of various versions like American, European, and Multi-Hand Blackjack.
Sic Bo
Also known as “Tai Sai” meaning “Big and Small” in the Chinese language, the game is played with three dice. Before starting, bets are placed on different areas of a table known as bet boxes. You can wager on the results of the dice roll being Big, Small, Odd, Even, Triples, Specific Doubles, Three Dice Total, Any Triple, and other dice combinations.
- What makes it great: This game of chance requires no skill to rake in the money. Its clear-cut gameplay makes many Malaysians and indeed other Asian players avid fans of this casino game. Of all the Sic Bo variants, the simple standard Sic Bo remains a favourite among Malaysians.
Slots
Slot machines, also called “fruit machines” or “pokies”, are a staple casino game in both physical as well as online casinos. They commonly come in a configuration of three reels or more. In online video slots, you press a button to spin the reels and you win when you get a certain number of matching symbols on a payline. Although usually a horizontal line across the screen, paylines can also be diagonal or in patterns such as zigzag lines.
It really comes as no surprise that the game is enjoyed by all levels of players in Malaysia as some progressive jackpot prizes can reach astounding amounts!
- What makes it great: On top of easy, this straightforward game of chance does not require any special skills and is highly entertaining, coming in all manners of fun themes and interesting designs. Modern slot games also often come with great bonuses, such as free spins, re-spins, extra games, and more. With no strategy involved, players are kept engaged at a lightning pace.
A summary of online casino games in Malaysia: A changing landscape
On top of the online casino games mentioned above, Malaysians also enjoy online sports betting where they guess the outcome of races and matches, particularly football, as well as playing the lottery. So, this list is by no means exhaustive as players in Malaysia enjoy all types of games. Did you find your favourite casino games on the list? Let us know if we missed out any!