Let it Ride, sometimes called Let 'em Ride, is another poker-based card game that can be found in a lot of casinos these days. He game format works quite a bit quicker than that of say Three Card Poker or Pai Gow Poker, which often keeps the game flowing and a little more interesting. Like a lot of poker games there is a decent element of skill to it, which again appeals to many players, especially those coming from a background in poker. All you need to get started is a basic understanding of the hand ranking in poker and you are good to go.
How to play Let It Ride
The aim to the game is to get a pair of 10’s or better from your three cards and then 2 community cards. As the game progress you get the chance to remove bets or simply Let It Ride in the chase of a bigger payday.
Step 1 – Learnt the basics and check table rules
Like all casino games, you need to check the tale rules before taking your seat so you know what you need to do to win. With online games these is especially important as you can get all kinds of different variations, which have very subtle, but crucial changes. Make sure you are familiar with what’s going on around you and also the pay table for when you make successful hands.
Step 2 – Place your bets
It’s now time to place your bets. You will need to place three bets of equal value on the 1, 2 and 3 numbers in front of you at the table. All 3 bets are mandatory to get started in the game and will signify to the dealer that you are intending to play.
Step 3 – Cards are dealt
You will now be dealt three cards that are face down. You can pick your cards up and read them to see which hand you have. At this point you need to decide if you want to remove one of your bets (poor hands) or leave all three bets in (good hands) which is known as letting it ride.
At the same time your cards are dealt to you, two community cards will be dealt which are face down.
Step 4 – Community cards
The next step will require the dealer to turn over one of the community cards. Another round of betting occurs and again you can decide to either remove a bet or simply let it ride. If your hand has improved then you can let it ride, but if it doesn’t improve then you can remove the bet.
After this has been completed the final community card is turned over and then you can include this to improve your hand if possible.
Step 5 – Pay outs
After all bets are made then the dealer will conduct the pay outs for the hands. Remember, you need to have a pair of tens or better to get paid out. As you increase the strength of the hand, the payout odds will increase. If your hand does not have a pair of tens or better then the dealer will remove any chips that you have left out there.
Pay out table
- Royal flush - 1,000 to 1
- Straight flush - 200 to 1
- Four of a kind - 50 to 1
- Full house - 11 to 1
- Flush - 8 to 1
- Straight - 5 to 1
- Three of a kind - 3 to 1
- Two pair - 2 to 1
- Pair of 10s or better - 1 to 1
Hints and tips
There is a pretty common strategy that you can follow when playing Let It Ride that allows you to maximise your chances for winning the hand. It works very similarly to that of blackjack in that it depends on your starting hand and also the community cards that are on show. Remember, we are only playing with one 52-card deck, so it is possible to work out the odds of hitting cards we need to improve our hand and then betting accordingly. The following rules can be followed as basic strategy when playing Let It Ride:
Let It Ride when (3 Cards on show):
- Any pair of Tens or better (instant paying hands)
- Any three to a Royal Flush
- Suited connectors
- Three to a straight flush with at least a Ten or greater
Let It Ride when (4 cards on show):
- Any pair of Tens or better (instant paying hand)
- Any four suited cards
- Any four with an opened ended straight
- Any four to a gut-shot straight draw with 4 high cards
