NUSTAR’s two-level, 21,000-square-meter casino offers unparalleled gaming, ranging from slot machines and table games to an electronic gaming stadium. Exclusive VIP rooms and a Premium Area elevate the experience with gourmet dining, premium drinks, and impeccable service. Indeed, NUSTAR is where you can indulge in the thrill of winning, luxurious amenities, and elite privileges that redefine what it means to play like royalty.
The modern casino resembles an indoor amusement park for adults, where every play drives excitement. There are many attractions like live music and entertainment, dazzling fountains, luxury accommodations, and themed decor to entice visitors, but games of chance remain the heart of the experience.
NUSTAR Resort and Casino provides games for all types of players, and some specialize in inventing new games to attract more players. For first-time players, this can be an overwhelming experience. To help ease you into things, this article introduces some of the more popular casino games you can find at NUSTAR.
Take Your Chances
Before jumping into the games, grasping a few basics is helpful. Every game in a casino operates under specific rules that shape gameplay, betting options, and the outcomes for winners and losers. This doesn’t change whether it’s a casino in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world.
While chance plays a central role, understanding the odds and probabilities, particularly in skill-based games like blackjack, can make you appreciate the games even more. Rules and betting options may vary between venues and games—such as American roulette having two “zero” pockets—but core concepts often remain consistent. Familiarizing yourself with a game’s rules and odds gives you valuable insight, helping you decide which risks to take or avoid.
What Are Odds?
Understanding the distinction between odds and probabilities is easier to understand with examples. For instance, imagine a deck of 52 cards: the probability of drawing a spade is 1/4, while the odds against it are 3 to 1. Going by this, in American roulette with 38 pockets, the odds against winning a straight-up bet on the number 17 are 37 to 1; if you win, the casino pays only 36 to 1.
Now that you have an idea about the basics, it’s on to the games.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a classic playing card game where players aim to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. The goal is to beat the dealer’s hand (i.e., get a hand with a higher value than the dealer’s); if you go over 21, it is called a “bust” and results in an automatic loss. A “blackjack” occurs when the first two cards dealt are an Ace and any card with a value of 10.
How to Play
- Betting: Each player places a bet before cards are dealt.
- Dealing: Players receive two cards face up; the dealer gets one card face up and a second after players act.
- Player Actions:
- Stand: Keep their current hand.
- Hit: Take additional cards.
- Double Down: Double the bet, receive one more card, and stand.
- Split: Divide a pair into two hands, adding a bet for the new hand.
- Winning: The hand closest to 21 without busting wins. A dealer’s natural blackjack beats all non-blackjack hands.
With variants like lightning and speed blackjack, the game is accessible and endlessly entertaining.
Pontoon
Pontoon, a popular UK card game now gaining traction in the US and Asia, is a variation of blackjack inspired by the French game vingt-et-un (21). The goal is simple: aim for a hand as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. However, unlike Blackjack, pontoon excludes the 10 cards.
How to Play
- Players place their wagers in the designated betting areas before cards are dealt.
- Each box receives two initial cards, while the dealer gets one.
- Players may surrender their hand if their first two cards face an Ace, King, Queen, or Jack from the dealer.
- Standing is allowed on any two cards.
- Players may draw additional cards if their total is under 21.
- Hands exceeding 21 automatically lose their wager.
- Hands reaching exactly 21 are paid instantly, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
Slot Machines
Slot machines are a cornerstone of casino entertainment and any gaming experience. Their appeal lies in their simplicity—insert money into the machine, pull the handle or press the button, and watch the reels spin. The outcome is entirely random, so no skill or strategy influences the result. Whether featuring physical or video reels, matching the right pattern rewards players with a predetermined payout.
At NUSTAR Resort and Casino, you’ll find one of the region’s most diverse slot machine collections, promising exciting spins and unforgettable gaming experiences for everyone.
Roulette
The word “roulette” is derived from the French word for “little wheel.” It is a timeless casino game with roots tracing back to the Italian game biribissi. NUSTAR offers the classic (aka American) version, featuring a wheel with 38 numbered spaces: 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00. Spaces alternate between red and black, while 0 and 00 are green.
Players place bets predicting where the ball, spun onto the wheel, will settle. Bets range from single numbers and groups of numbers to colors (red/black), odd/even, or ranges (1–18 or 19–36). Wagering on less likely outcomes promises higher payouts.
When the ball stops, the croupier (the person in charge of the roulette table) settles bets, collects losses, and rewards winners. Roulette’s blend of strategy and chance ensures an engaging and elegant gaming experience for all.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a thrilling card game that anyone can learn and play. It has three potential outcomes: banker win, player win, and a tie. Despite its name, the “banker” does not signify the house, and participants can bet on either the player’s or banker’s hand. The goal is to bet on the hand closest to a total of 9, with face cards and 10s counting as 0.
How to Play
- Four cards are dealt: the first and third go to the player, while the second and fourth to the banker.
- No further cards are drawn if either hand totals 8 or 9 (a “natural”).
- The drawing rules depend on point totals of the player and banker, ensuring fair play.
Variations include commission baccarat, non-commission baccarat, Super Six, and Lucky-6, offering unique side bets and payouts.
Poker
NUSTAR Stud Poker is a head-to-head game between player and dealer, often linked to a progressive jackpot. Also known as “five-card stud”, the goal remains to outplay the dealer with a stronger hand. With quick rounds and a chance at a significant jackpot, this version of poker is a fast-paced favorite.
How to Play
- Players place an ante and receive five cards (one dealer card is face-up).
- Players may fold or raise (doubling the ante).
- Players win automatically if the dealer fails to qualify (no Ace-King).
- Qualified dealers compare hands; payouts follow a pay table based on hand strength.
Meanwhile, in NUSTAR Hold’em Progressive Poker, players aim to beat the dealer using their hole and community cards. Betting occurs over the flop, turn, and river rounds, with winnings determined by the strongest five-card hand. Communication is limited to betting decisions until all rounds are complete.
Why NUSTAR?
NUSTAR transforms casino gaming into an adventure where every spin, hand, and roll of the dice carries the promise of fun and fortune. Step into this dazzling world where chance meets luxury and let NUSTAR redefine your gaming experience with unmatched excitement and elegance.
Adding to the convenience, visitors can take advantage of NUSTAR’s free shuttle service, ensuring a seamless journey to and from the casino and letting you focus entirely on the fun and excitement. The casino’s parking area is equipped with state-of-the-art EV charging stations for those arriving by electric vehicles, making it easier than ever to enjoy a guilt-free, eco-conscious outing.
Finally, NUSTAR is committed to promoting responsible gaming by ensuring all players have a safe and enjoyable experience. Amidst the excitement of gaming, it’s essential to maintain a balance and prioritize responsible gaming. Resources are readily available for those seeking support at NUSTAR’s Responsible Gaming page.
Enjoying the NUSTAR Casino Experience
At NUSTAR Resort and Casino, gaming is more than just placing bets—it’s an immersive experience designed to ignite excitement and create unforgettable moments. From the pulse-pounding energy of the gaming floor to the luxurious comfort of VIP and premium areas, every detail is crafted to deliver the ultimate gaming experience and entertainment. Whether you’re trying your hand at poker, playing a round of roulette, or enjoying the vibrant slot machines, the blend of sophistication, thrill, and variety ensures there’s something for everyone.
