Innovative Gaming Variants to Try in 2022

Everyone loves to play games, and many have specific preferences when it comes to what type of game or medium they like to play most. Yet even the most engaging gaming experience can get a little boring from time to time if the format or rule-set never deviates from what we’re familiar with. Fortunately, most games have multiple variant rule-sets. These tend to develop and emerge over time as players familiar with the games experiment with different scoring systems, handicaps, omissions or additional rules in a bid to keep things fresh and engaging. Many variants also come about through unexpected means, such as by having to adjust traditional rules to accommodate missing pieces or irregular player numbers.

Exploring these can be a fantastic way to uncover new ways to play classic titles. What’s more, for those looking to raise their overall skill level in a particular game, experimenting with alternative rule-sets can be a fantastic way to develop different aspects of game-play, as each variant tends to place greater emphasis on distinct elements derived from the base game. Some may prioritise tactical play and subterfuge, whereas others may omit some nuance in favour of increasing the speed of play. By being willing to explore what these different play-styles have to offer, it can give you a deeper appreciation of the game you enjoy, and make your gameplay more flexible and dynamic long term. Check out these two novel approaches to some classic games if you’re wanting to spice things up and try something new.

21+3 Blackjack

There are many great card games out there to be enjoyed, both offline and in online formats. Undoubtedly the two best known are poker and blackjack, with the latter being the most popular table game played in casinos around the world today. But what if we told you there was a way for you to have your cake and eat when it comes to choosing a card game to play? This is where the popular variant known as 21+3 enters the picture, a blackjack side-bet that seeks to bring you the best of both worlds. It combines regular blackjack, with its goal of scoring 21, with the classic 3 card poker hand, hence the name: 21+3. The game proceeds as a normal game of blackjack, with all standard rules in place.

However, in addition to this you also attempt to make a three card poker hand from a combination of the dealer’s up card and your hole cards. This is a great way to add dynamism to your blackjack game, and as a side-bet it opens up more ways of winning. In fact, the returns possible with 21+3 are much steeper than an ordinary game, with up to a factor of 100 times your original stake possible.

One Pocket Pool

Pool is one of the most popular games played in bars, venues and homes across the world. The simple rule-set and satisfying tactile game-play lends itself just as well to casual enjoyment or focused competition. Pool belongs to a large family of games called cue games, or billiards. Another popular variant played today is snooker, which features a more sophisticated rule-set and utilises a wider number of coloured balls each with different point values attached to them. Cue games originated in Europe in the 15th century as an evolution from ground billiards – the modern descendants of which are Golf and Croquet. It is due to this lawn-game heritage that the most common colour for pool tables today is green.

If you’re looking for a variant rule-set that can be played on any pool table, and one that will improve your skills and encourage you to be innovative with your shots, try out One Pocket pool. The principle behind One Pocket is extremely simple, and is best played between 2 players or teams. In this variant, only two pockets out of the 6 on the billiard table are to be used for scoring, with one allocated to each team or player. Players must then compete with one another to pot as many balls as they can, irrespective of colour, in their allocated pocket. Only balls placed in the allotted pocket are valid, and if you pot a ball in any other pocket then your opponent gets to take over. That is, until they either miss or pocket a ball in the wrong hole themselves.

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