Let It Ride: A Complete Game Guide

I bet you have needed a break from a blackjack dealer on a hot streak a time or two, right? We’ve all been there; we think to ourselves, “It’s time to switch it up and find a new table game.” It’s been hours, and several rotations of dealers have all coincidently been very good at pulling 21 after 21.

What if I told you there is this fun game where you get to play with the dealer and not against them?

Yep, you read that right. At the Let It Ride poker table you get three cards, and then you play with the dealer’s two community cards to form the best five card poker hand.

Gambling is supposed to be entertaining! Winning is awesome, but when searching for a game to play I at least want my money to last a while. Win or lose, I just want to have fun, and I bet you do too!

Ready to learn how to play Let It Ride?

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• Slots.lv – #1 Option for US Players
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• Magic Red Casino – #1 Non-US Site

Let It Ride Poker Game Basics

Ultimately the object of the game is to finish with a winning hand and get a pile of chips! This game began in the late nineties, and it can still be found in the carnival games pit of most major land casinos and online.

The game is easy to learn, and after a few rounds, you will hopefully have in your cup holder an ice-cold drink from the pretty cocktail server, and a few extra chips piled up in front of you.

Let’s start with some fun facts about Let It Ride:

• The dealer plays with you and not against you.
• It’s totally fine if you don’t know how to play poker, or what hand beats what. Let It Ride is the perfect opportunity to learn!
• You get to take back two-thirds of your original bet if you don’t like your cards.
• The entire table can win.
• Let It Ride is a blast to play with a group of friends.

Step 1 – Get Chips for Betting

Your awesome dealer will help you! Just place your money on the table, and they will do the conversion from paper money to gaming chips for you.

Chips have values of $1, $5, $25, $100 and $500 at most tables. Get a few “whites” from the dealer. These are $1 chips, and you will most likely use these for the side bet (more on side bets later) or to take care of the dealer.

Step 2 – Place Your Bets

The table layout will have three circles with the symbols 1, 2 and $ on them. This is where you will place your bets. With Let It Ride poker, you are making three separate bets, but you get to take two of your three bets back if you want.

The 1 and 2 bets will be optional after you see your first three cards and again after the dealer’s community card is revealed. You will only be required to leave your money on the $ circle bet.

The table will have a minimum bet requirement. There is always a sign that states the minimum bet (usually in the left corner of the table), and most of the time it will be between $5 and $25.

If the table minimum is $10, then you will place $30 total on the table. You put $10 on each of the 1, 2, and $ circles in front of you. Decide to keep (Let It Ride) or take back your bet on the number 1 circle after you view your first three cards. Choose to keep or take back the bet on the number 2 circle after the dealer flips over the first community card.

Step 3 – The Game Begins

The dealer starts dealing from their left, and every player gets three cards in front of them. You leave the cards on the table until everyone has received three cards and the dealer has two cards in front of them.

The two cards the dealer placed in front of them will be community cards. This means that all players at the table will use these cards to make the best five-card poker hand.

All cards will be face down when dealt, and once the dealer has two cards and puts the remaining cards in the discard rack, you may look at your cards. Some casinos have a rule about using one hand to view your cards and others allow you to use both hands.

It’s a good thing you are here to learn these basic rules about how to play Let It Ride. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on winning big! The casino has the authority to not pay out jackpots for breaking the rules, so make sure you know and understand how the game is played.

Step 4 – Check Out Your Three Cards

View your cards, but remember to protect your hands! Just like in poker at any casino table, you want to be the only one seeing your cards. Be smart, and be sure to follow the rules of the casino. If you don’t know the rules or have a question about the game, you can always just ask the dealer.

Well, if you have a pair of 10’s or better, then you did, and you will want to tuck. Tucking is marvelous, because you win on all three of your bets automatically, and you don’t have to do any more thinking. It’s time just to sit back and hopefully watch your hand get better with the dealer’s two community playing cards. I’ve seen many tucked pairs turn into a 4-of-a-kind!

It’s okay if you didn’t get a gift from the card gods with your first three cards, because you get two more chances to make a winning hand with the dealer’s two community cards.

Step 5 – Let’s Play Let It Ride

You must choose your hand after seeing the first three cards. The good news is there are mathematically calculated probabilities you can use to help you make smart decisions regarding your poker hand. Math wizards have tested, recorded and concluded the best move to make 100% of the time.

You have options for those two community cards. You might want to see another card and then decide to stay (leave your bet) or take it back (receive your original bet). I have seen gut instinct, dumb luck, and a “feeling” win more times than I can count.

Take the following recommendations as your guide and up your chances of winning at your next Let It Ride poker table. Oh, and if your cards stink, you can still win if the dealer shows a winning hand with those two community cards!

Stay or Let It Ride on your first (1) bet of the table if you have the following:

• Pair of 10’s or better (10-J-Q-K-A)
• Three of a kind
• Three cards to a straight flush (cards should be 3-4-5 or better)
• Three cards to a straight flush with at least one high card (10-J-Q-K-A) and one gap
• Three cards to a straight flush with at least two high cards (10-J-Q-K-A) and two gaps

Let It Ride on your second (2) bet of the table if you have the following:

• Pair of 10’s or better (10-J-Q-K-A)
• Two pair
• Three of a kind
• Any four cards of the same suit (flush draw)
• Any four cards in a row (open-ended straight) with at least one high card (10-J-Q-K-A)
• Any four high cards (10-J-Q-K-A)

Deciding between taking back a bet or keeping a bet on the table will ultimately come down to the next card or cards drawn. Keep your bet on the table until you reach a winning hand or a good draw.

One of the best bonuses in Let It Ride is when the dealer has a pocket pair of 10’s or better. When this occurs, everyone WINS! Cheers, chips, and smiles all around for everyone.

Step 6 – Pay the Winners and Play Another Round

The cards are all shown, and you are paid on the highest 5-card poker hand you make. The dealer will again start on their left and turn over each players hand. Below are the most common payouts for Let It Ride poker. The payout for the game you are playing will always be posted up at the table.

Each player will be paid out according to the payout schedule. If you don’t make a hand with a pair of 10’s or better, then you will be donating your remaining chips on the table to the house. The dealer finally collects all cards, shuffles up the deck and deals the next hand.

A maximum payout per player, per hand, may limit your total winnings on the basic payout schedule. Be sure to take note of this when you are betting more than the minimum table requirement.

Side Bets

Most casinos will offer players a side bet or two. Specific rules of each side bet featured will be dependent upon the casino you are at, so make sure to check out your table and ask the dealer for guidance if needed.

There are two commonly played side bets. The most common is an additional bet (usually $1) that players place on the outcome of the 5-card hand. A progressive jackpot is commonly tied to this side bet. Rewards are given out to the top hands, and these bets are made at the same time you place your other three table bets.

The second bonus bet you will likely find at the Let It Ride table is a 3-card bonus bet. With this side bonus bet, you get rewarded for making a 3-card poker hand on your first dealt cards. This bet will pay for any pair, flush, straight, 3-of-a-kind, straight flush or mini royal (Q-K-A of the same suit).

Side bets make the game more entertaining and fun, so feel free to gamble a few bucks for a chance at winning big and having a great casino story for the grandkids!

Play with the Dealer

Tipping is never required, but it’s always appreciated. There are a few ways you can take care of a good dealer, and you can even play for them with a tip if you want.

Traditionally, when you win on a big hand or hit that jackpot, you tip out the dealer. The gratuity amount is completely up to you, and honestly, I tip all kinds of different ways when playing.

Standard practice is a few dollars here and there if you are on a winning streak. I prefer a combo of playing a few for the dealer on my original bets or a side bet. The dealer “being in the game” adds extra entertainment value!

The Changing of the Cards

Cards are handled by players in Let It Ride; they will be changed out every two or so hours. This means that the pit boss or floor person in charge of the game will set up the dealer with brand new cards several times daily.

Casino gift shops have these cards for sale. Cards make great souvenirs to take home. Reminisce later about your Vegas adventures, usually available for under $1!

Some might say that a new deck is a perfect opportunity to hit a winning hand since the cards are new and they were just in chronological order. It’s not the case since the dealers scatter the deck all over the table, hand shuffle and then put those new cards into the auto shuffler that does a really good job of mixing.

This is not to say that magic matching of the cards doesn’t occur with new cards, because it can! Odds-wise though, each hand independently has the same likelihood of winning. New cards, hot cards or old cards make no difference.

Playing Let It Ride Online

Practice makes perfect, right?

It’s no big secret that the more you play a game, the better you will become. The same logic also applies to Let It Ride, and you can play online before hitting up the land-based casino.

I even found a great practice site for you to play on. Check out this online Let It Ride game and you will be a pro player in no time. Remember to check the “enable advice” box to learn how to best play according to standard strategy.

It’s been a great journey with you through the basic rules and strategies of Let It Ride poker, and I hope you learned some great tips along the way. It was a pleasure being your guide, and I wish you luck in all your future Let It Ride poker game adventures!