Let it Ride and Play the Odds

This is a somewhat unusual game as far as casino games go. Normally, when you place a bet, you must live or die with that decision, there is no going back. In “Let It Ride” you can actually take back 2/3’s of your wager if the cards aren’t what you feel they should be. This makes the game fun, gives the player more control, and it offers some rather good payoffs. This means that “Let It Ride” meets with all our criteria for a great game, and I highly recommend you give it a try.

Here is how “Let It Ride” is played. First, you will place three wagers, all in equal amounts, on the indicated spaces on the table. Each player at the table will then be dealt three cards, with two community cards being dealt face down in front of the dealer. Here is your first decision. At this point, if you feel the three cards you have been dealt will not result in a winning hand, you may take back 1/3 of your wager. You signal to the dealer of your intention, and one of your wagers will be returned to you. If you feel your cards are good, you will naturally leave your full wager on the table. Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer will turn over the first community card. Here is your second decision.

If your three cards, combined with the community card are not what you feel they should be, then you may signal the dealer you wish to take back 1/3 of your original wager. Now, if you took back 1/3 of your wager at your first option, you will have removed 2/3’s of your wager from the game. The final portion of the wager must remain on the table. Once all players have made their decisions, the last community card will be turned over. The dealer will then collect the loosing wagers, and pay the winners according to the pay table listed. For example, if you wagered $30, three bets of $10, and you ended the hand with two pair, you would be paid in the following manner. If you removed 2/3’s of your wager, you would receive $30 (Your original $10 plus $20 in winnings.) If you removed 1/3 of your wager, you would receive $60 (Your original $20 plus $40 in winnings.) If you left your entire wager on the table you would receive $90 (Your original $30 plus $60 in winnings.)

The house advantage on “Let It Ride” is 2.8% which is not that bad. I enjoy the game because I have several opportunities to make decisions, which keeps me involved. Listed here are some “suggestions” for strategy when playing “Let It Ride”.

With your three cards, you should leave your full wager on the table if you have; Any paying hand, Any three to a royal flush, three suited cards in a row, or three to a straight flush. After the first community card is turned up, you should only let it ride if you have; Any paying hand, any four to a royal flush, any four to a straight flush, any four to a flush, or any four to an outside straight (you may want to have at least one high card to let it ride here). With four cards, there are two wagers that are considered even money. Any four to an outside straight, while holding no high cards. Any four to an inside straight with four high cards. Part of the fun here is that you can decide just how big of a risk to take, and you decide if you want to “Let It Ride”.

PAYOFFS:

Royal Flush – 1,000 to 1
Straight Flush – 200 to 1
Four Of A Kind – 50 to 1
Full House – 8 to 1
Straight – 5 to 1
Three Of A Kind – 3 to 1
Two Pair – 2 to 1
Pair of tens or better – 1 to 1

Please note that some tables will have a maximum payout per round. Watch for these, and wager accordingly.