213 game icon

California Card-Room Game

213 Casinos

A California card-room game similar to baccarat. Aim for 21 or 3 -- with collection fees instead of commission.

59 US venues offer 213.

House Edge
Varies by collection fee structure
RTP
Depends on fee per hand
Typical Min Bet
$5 to $25
Pace
Moderate
Category
California Card-Room Game
Beginner-friendly

Casino Directory

Where to play 213 in the US

Showing 12 of 59 venues

213 (pronounced Two-One-Three) is a niche California card-room game with rules similar to baccarat. The goal is to reach a hand totaling 21 or 3, or the next closest qualifying total. The game is dealt from a standard deck with fixed third-card rules. Instead of a commission on winning Banker bets, California card rooms charge a collection fee per hand or per hour, which is the standard revenue model for California's licensed card rooms. 213 is rare outside of California and is typically found at card rooms with deep Asian gaming selections. You'll find live tables at most major properties. See our full US casino directory for venue contact details and hours.

213 is a California card-room specialty that is virtually unknown outside the state. The game plays like a hybrid of baccarat and a fixed-draw card game, with the goal of reaching 21 or 3 as the qualifying totals. The collection fee model means the house edge is not expressed in a simple percentage but depends on the fee structure and your bet size. A $1 collection fee on a $5 bet is a 20 percent effective edge, while the same fee on a $25 bet drops to 4 percent. The math changes dramatically with your bet size.

How to play 213

  1. Ante before the deal. The game is played in rounds with a house dealer.

  2. You receive cards according to fixed dealing rules. The goal is a hand totaling 21 or 3 (or 2/13 in some versions).

  3. Like baccarat, you do not control the hand. Drawing rules are fixed and handled by the dealer.

  4. The hand closest to the qualifying total wins. Payouts follow the house paytable.

  5. Instead of a commission on winning bets, the house charges a collection fee per hand or per seat per hour.

  6. Collection fees vary by card room and table. Verify the fee structure before you sit.

213 Card Game Rules and Structure

213 uses a standard 52-card deck and plays in rounds. The dealer deals cards according to fixed rules similar to baccarat's third-card rules. The goal is to reach one of the qualifying totals: 21, 3, or 2/13 in some house variations. The hand that comes closest to a qualifying total wins. The game is house-banked in the California style, meaning the dealer represents the house and there is a collection fee rather than a commission.

California card rooms operate under different regulations than Nevada-style casinos. They cannot bank games themselves except in specific circumstances, so the banking model involves a third-party banker (often a player corporation) and the house earns revenue through collection fees. This is the fundamental difference between 213 and baccarat. The collection fee is posted at the table and is typically $1 per hand or a flat hourly seat charge.

  • What is the 213 card game?

    213 (Two-One-Three) is a California card-room game similar to baccarat where the goal is to reach a hand totaling 21 or 3. It uses collection fees instead of a commission. It is a niche game found almost exclusively in California card rooms.

Editorial Strategy

Strategy & etiquette for 213

  • The strategy is similar to baccarat: bet on the side with the lowest effective edge after accounting for the collection fee.

  • Ask about the collection fee before playing. California card rooms charge differently than Nevada-style casinos.

  • 213 is a game of pure chance. No strategy changes the odds.

  • The collection fee can make a low-edge game expensive if the per-hand charge is high relative to the bet size.

  • Verify the payout tables and the specific qualifying totals, which may vary between card rooms.

  • Start with small bets while you learn the specific house rules.

Where to play in the US

Top land-based casinos to play 213

Editorial picks for visitors who want a real-floor 213 session. Ranked by directory depth (table counts, amenities, and floor quality). Tap any card for the full property review.

  1. #1Casinos
    Editor's pick
    MGM Grand Detroit — detroit

    MGM Grand Detroit

    Detroit, Michigan

    3,500 slots · 143 tables · 17 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value74
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 213
    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat

    Property

    • Golf
    • Open 24 7
    • Pool
    Rate for 2130 votes

    Your vote is saved to this browser only.

    Read review →
  2. #2Racinos
    Harrah’s Philadelphia — chester pennsylvania

    Harrah’s Philadelphia

    Chester Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

    2,090 slots · 126 tables · 28 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value57
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 213
    • 3 Card Poker
    • Asia Poker

    Property

    • Open 24 7
    • Restaurant
    • Self Parking
    Rate for 2130 votes

    Your vote is saved to this browser only.

    Read review →
  3. #3Casinos
    Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg — lawrenceburg

    Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

    Lawrenceburg, Indiana

    2,534 slots · 72 tables · 19 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value69
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 213
    • Big 6
    • Blackjack

    Property

    • Open 24 7
    • Restaurant
    • Self Parking
    Rate for 2130 votes

    Your vote is saved to this browser only.

    Read review →

Rankings reflect directory data depth (floor counts, game variety, amenity tags) re-verified quarterly. They are not a substitute for current operating status; confirm hours and game spread directly with each casino before visiting.

213 Strategy and Collection Fee Math

The most important strategic consideration in 213 is the collection fee. On a $5 bet with a $1 per-hand collection fee, the effective cost is 20 percent -- worse than any Nevada-style game. On a $25 bet with the same fee, the effective cost drops to 4 percent. The bet size directly determines the value of the game. This is the opposite of most casino games, where the bet size does not affect the edge.

The optimal strategy is to bet the maximum you are comfortable with to dilute the collection fee. Sitting at a $25 table with a $1 fee is roughly a 4 percent effective house edge, which is competitive with many house-banked games. Sitting at a $5 table with the same fee is terrible value. Before you play, ask the floor manager to explain the collection fee structure and confirm whether it is per hand or per hour. Compared to Super Pan 9, another California specialty, 213 has a similar collection-fee model and similar odds.

Common 213 variants

Where to Play 213

213 is found almost exclusively in California card rooms, particularly those with dedicated Asian gaming sections. It is extremely rare in Nevada or other states. The game is most common in the Los Angeles area and the Bay Area card rooms.

Before you play, ask about the collection fee structure and verify the qualifying totals. Browse our US casino directory to find venues near you.

  • How does the collection fee work in 213?

    The house charges a flat $1 per hand or an hourly seat charge instead of a commission on wins. The effective edge depends on your bet size: a $1 fee on a $5 bet is 20 percent, while on a $25 bet it drops to 4 percent.

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