Let It Ride Poker Rules and Basic Strategies

Let It Ride Poker was first introduced to players in 1993 in Reno Nevada. It is a poker hand game played on a blackjack style table with a 52 card deck. Players try to get a pair of tens or better with up to three bets.
In most casino games the object is to beat the dealer. Not so with Let It Ride. The better hand the dealer has the better off you are. In the game off Let It Ride the dealer deals himself two cards and the player is given three cards.

Let It Ride Poker Rules

In order to begin the game, the minimum table bet must be placed on each of three circles on the table. Let's call the circles 1, 2 and $(See Illustration).

For example, if the minimum table bet is $5, you will be initially betting $15. You are then dealt three cards face down and the Dealer receives two cards which he places face down in front of him. You may then pick up your cards. You can't discard and get new ones. The three cards you have are all you get.

Once you take a look at your cards, you may cancel your bet on circle 1 by signaling the dealer to push it back to him, or you can let it ride and stay in play. Once a player chooses to let a bet ride it must stay on the table till the end of the game. Likewise, when a player withdraws a bet it stays out of play for the entire game. The dealer then turns one of his two cards face up. The player can now take the circle 2 bet back or he can let it ride. His Circle 1 decision does not affect his Circle 2 Option in any way. After the player makes his Circle 2 choice the betting is over because the $ Circle always stays in play. If you think you will make a pair of 10s or better, or if you already have a pair of 10s or better, you can let your bet ride. After deciding to withdraw or Let It Ride, the first of the community card is dealt. Your third and final bet cannot be withdrawn therefore you must Let It Ride. The dealer now completes all the player's hands by turning his second card face up. If the five card hand does not give the player a pair of tens or better, the dealer then collects the $ Circle bet and any others that the player "Let it Ride". Winning bets are paid according to the payoffs schedule.
 

Payout Schedule:

The Let It Ride Poker rules are easy but the optimal strategy gives you a short list of plays to remember. Free games are available at most of the online casinos for practice. You might also print this page and clip out the strategy to take to a real casino game. Look for the full payouts that are shown above. These payouts along with optimal play will put the theoretical house advantage at about 3.7%. . . .Not too bad.