Ranking DC and Marvel villains by their chances at casino games

Comic books have long been a key part of pop culture. While there are lots of comic book franchises you can read, Marvel and DC remain the two most well-known. This is not only due to the comics themselves but the characters in them, the movies they have spawned and the video games which are based on them.

When it comes to Marvel and DC characters, it’s not all about the superheroes. The villains in these stories are also key and the most famous have really caught on over time. It’s sometimes interesting to think about how they would cope in real life and fare doing things us mere mortals do.

Playing casino games is a good example of this, so just how would DC and Marvel villains rank for their chances at these games?

1. The Purple Man (Marvel)

One of the most striking supervillains in comic book history is Marvel’s The Purple Man. Going by the real name of Zebediah Killgrave, he first appeared in Daredevil #4 in late 1964. He quickly became a hit with fans and found fame as a recurring enemy of Daredevil.

He tops our list for being a casino gaming great. His body produces pheromones which allow him to verbally and mentally control other people’s actions, so he can easily manipulate dealers and other players in casino games to win. I’m sure you would rather not compete against him in a hand of poker!

Although these skills are primarily geared towards land-based play, he could probably use them at the top real money casinos online listed at AskGamblers. Live dealer games or online poker tournaments would be all too easy for him to tilt in his favor.

2. Loki (Marvel)

Another famous Marvel villain most comic book fans know is Loki as he’s appeared in many Marvel movies. He is one of the most prominent villains in the MCU and the adopted brother of Thor. Known for his cunning, manipulation and sorcery, he’d likely have a great chance at any casino game he tried.

The ease with which he can manipulate others and the knack he has for strategic thinking makes him a player you wouldn’t want to face.

Being able to work out the best bet to place in craps or how to manipulate a blackjack dealer into hitting one more time when he really shouldn’t, would be no problem for this Marvel villain. He’d also be pretty good at cheating without getting caught and be able to come up with innovative ways of beating the house!

3. Lex Luthor (DC)

After a couple of Marvel villains, one of DC’s best-known bad guys makes our list.

Lex Luthor is the arch enemy of Superman and a complex character that fans were sad to see go in 2023's The Last Days of Lex Luthor. His portrayal has evolved across various formats — especially in DC’s animated trilogies, where his character depth often takes center stage. He also made it onto the silver screen and was most famously played by Gene Hackman in the original Superman film from 1978.

When it comes to casino games, Luthor would likely sit right in the middle of being good at them but also not the best. On the plus side, his superior intellect would give him a deep understanding of how games work and how best to gain an edge when playing them. This would make him a great player at strategic games such as poker.

On the downside though, his tendency to overthink things and rely purely on brainpower could be his undoing. Luthor would not be able to appreciate how random casino games are at times and how much impact sheer luck has on them. He might find it tough to handle a game like roulette, where luck is a major factor.

4. The Riddler (DC)

Batman has more than a few enemies chasing him, but The Riddler is one of the most iconic. This DC character has stood the test of time and has remained popular with many fans. As the name suggests, he loves to set puzzles for Batman to solve and come up with riddles to bamboozle him.

The sheer randomness involved in these games would not sit well with him and he would spend all his time trying to ‘solve’ them, so he could win. In the end, he would either run out of money trying or get frustrated that there’s no riddle that can help you win at games like this!

Not all villains rely on strength or logic, though some turn the game itself into the battlefield. Marvel’s Arcade builds deathtraps into his Murderworld theme park, treating each encounter like a twisted game of chance. Its villainy mixed with casino dynamics — rigged odds, unpredictable outcomes and survival that hinges on calculated risks.

5. Carnage (Marvel)

One Marvel villain who has practically no chance of winning at casino games is Carnage. This character is an alien life form who finds human hosts to bond with. Most famously associated with Cletus Kasady, Carnage is a psychotic killer who is one of Spider-Man’s main adversaries.

The fact that Carnage is a psychopathic murderer with no morals, restraint or manners means he would be very bad at any casino game. He would be unable to follow the rules and probably end up killing the dealer and other players in a rage. Online games would be no better, as he would not be able to follow a strategy or stay in the game long enough to win.

Marvel and DC villains: Casino gaming highs and lows

As the above shows, there are some DC and Marvel villains who would do well at casino games and some who would be best to stay away from them. From the mind control of The Purple Man to the destruction of Carnage, this is all too clear.