Think Romania and chances are it’ll be Count Dracula rather than counting cards but Transylvania is home to Black Drac and Blackjack.
And you thought Monte Carlo was where all the high rollers hang out.
Well, central Europe has a rich casino tradition with the suavest of the suave playing the tables in Czechia.
At the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary in the opening shots of Casino Royale.
Dog Holliday
My own gambling credentials are more Dog Holliday than Doc Holliday.
Despite what the pictures from the Knott’s Berry Farm old-style casino in California might show.
As anyone who had seen my dice hop the craps table in Las Vegas, where I earned the nickname Hannibal, will testify.
Cards on the table I prefer to keep my money in my pocket and divert it to the bar but there is a gambling tourist out there.
Casinogrounds
And we, and Casinogrounds, aim to please and know you players want to keep your shekels to spend on chips.
The online gambling site analysed the number of casinos and the average cost of hotels in 35 European countries.
And they arrived at these best gambling holiday destinations in Europe.
And putting the rummy into Romania, the land of Black Drac and Blackjack comes out top ahead of Czechia.
Rummy in Romania
The land of Black Drac and Blackjack boasts 439 casinos, and the second cheapest cost of hotels after Albania.
And hang onto your hat, that’s an average £19.57 for your room.
Now if you want to channel your inner James Bond then you’ll have a choice of 421 casinos in Czechia.
And while if you can afford it then the Pupp is the biz.
You don’t have to break the bank at any of the Bohemians’ other hotels with the average price of a room only £38.17.
Do you take a Czech?
Czechia’s neighbour Slovakia is also a big draw for gamblers with 223 casinos.
And you’ll get change out of £40 at ab average £39.88 per room.
The rest of the top ten is made up of Balkans and Baltics with our favourite Croatians and Bosnia and Herzovinans featuring.
While Poland and the three interlinked states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are also flagged up.
Cheap as chips
Of course the burning question is just how cheap are those rooms in Albania.
Well, hold your breath, the average room is £14.19 and there are 54 casinos throughout the country.
So you can throw your money around, and your dice.