5 Digital Games That’ll Bring the Casino Experience to Any Holiday Party

When you're bouncing between family and friends' homes for holiday get-togethers, it's almost a guarantee what activities and games are in store at each home like Charades or Pictionary. Sure, we love tradition, but it's always nice to mix things up a bit, especially when going into the new year. With everyone being in a festive mood, adding a casino element to your holiday gatherings will surely elevate the celebratory energy.

DraftKings has a large library of games for just about anyone — from app exclusives for the more adventurous to classics like blackjack and roulette for more familiar gameplay. By signing up on a computer or downloading the DraftKings app, your favorite people can start new traditions in every living room and have a rewarding experience at the same time. The sign-up process is simple — with extensive privacy protections in place to keep your personal information secure — and doesn't come with a paywall; most games can be played with a few cents at a time (many starting at 10 cents per bet) so you can play a variety of games for a very small price. Plus, there are no withdrawal limits so you can safely pull your winnings out at any time.

While the DraftKings Casino app is available to sign up and download in any state, players 21 years of age or older won't be able to bet real money unless they are physically in a state where Casino is legal. Casino is currently live in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To give you an idea of the games available on the app, we've rounded up a few winners that'll surely bring the casino experience to any party atmosphere.

In DraftKings Rocket, one of the app's exclusive games, players ride a rising rocket and must cash out before it stops going up. The higher it goes, the higher you can multiply your bet (up to a maximum of 1,000 times). This game was created by DraftKings and is the first to use its ExitBet technology, and offers a 97 percent return-to-play. Players can manually or automatically place bets and then choose a multiplier. Once the rocket launches, you can cash out by simply pressing a button (or automatically if it reaches the set multiplier).

Of course if the rocket doesn't launch, you lose your bet, but if you stay on the rocket, the bigger your winnings. You can also watch others play and see how they do in the app. Plus, there are a few hidden surprises that pop up while you play, like a flying electric car in the background — even more reason to push your rocket forward.

If you like the classic slot machines at the casino, this is the DraftKings exclusive game for you. Dollar Up! has a vintage look with the old-school "7s" and "bar" symbols on the spinning reels — and even has the classic slot machine sounds. The betting system is pretty straightforward: In Dollar Up!, most symbols are bars, but there are one-bar, two-bar, and three-bar versions. Matching bars earns players a small prize, but getting three 7s is the best, which is a little harder to achieve. There are, however, "wild" symbols that double your winnings on the paylines they land on and have cash prizes.

The "bonus" symbol, which appears on the third reel, triggers a bonus game when you land on it. In the bonus round, you'll see a screen with dollar bill symbols, each representing a prize. These prizes are multiples of your per-line bet. You might also find times two, times three, and times four multipliers. You can accept the prize offered or ask for a new offer up to three times. If you reject the first three offers, you'll automatically receive the fourth amount (which can be less than the first three, making it a riskier yet exciting option).

Right now, players can only play Dollar Up! in Michigan and Connecticut, but don't worry: approval is still pending in other states so eventually more folks will be in on the fun.

If you're new to the betting scene, blackjack may be the game for you since it's one of the easiest card games to learn (with a little strategy). If you play your cards right, you can influence the outcome of the game and have a more rewarding payout. In blackjack, all you have to do is beat the dealer's total of their cards without going over 21. You can win three separate ways: having a higher hand than the dealer, if the dealer goes over 21, or if you get 21 on your first two cards (a blackjack) while the dealer doesn't.

To start, a player places a bet; DraftKings offers tables with a minimum bet of just $1, so you can practice without spending a lot. Knowing when to hit (take a card) can get tricky, but a few tips may help. If your cards total 11 or less, it's pretty safe to hit. When the dealer's face-up card is a seven or higher, it may be a good idea to hit with less than 17 in your hand. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it.

Another classic for veteran casino lovers, baccarat offers three ways to place your bets: on the banker (i.e., DraftKings), the player (that's you!), or a tie before the game starts. As the official rules go, the banker bet may be the safest bet with a 1.06 percent house edge, while the player bet is a little riskier with a 1.36 percent house edge. If you're in for a bit more thrill, the tie bet has a 14.4 percent house edge and an 8 to 1 payout, so you can get more bang for your buck.

Payouts for banker and player bets are 1 to 1, with a 5 percent commission on banker bets, though player bets have no commission. And for the holiday season, you and your loved ones can also try Lunar New Year Baccarat, offered by DraftKings for a little extra holiday cheer.

Basketball fans who love a good bet, this one is perfect for you — and just in time for the season.

In addition to your main game wager placed on your favorite NBA team, you'll opt-in an extra 25 cents jackpot wager, which will be taken from your account balance each round, qualifying you to win the grand jackpot. When viewing your game window, it's important to note that the total bet value displayed is not inclusive of the jackpot wager. Your account balance will be reduced by the total bet amount displayed within the game screen plus the jackpot wager. Wherever you net out in the end, it's a fun experience that's sure to bring all the basketball fans around the dinner table that much closer.

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