Let it Ride

Let it Ride has been one of the most popular games played in casinos around the world. Let it Ride is a very simple form of poker that allows players to place an initial bet and then “let it ride” up to two more bets with their winnings.

Let it Ride is a form of poker that is played with multiple players or a single player sitting at a blackjack like table. The standard 52 card deck is used and players attempt to make a pair of tens or better with their three card hand. The difference between Let it Ride and regular poker is that the players are not competing against each other. The only person they are trying to beat at their table is the dealer.

Gameplay

In order to begin play the player will place an equal bet in each of the three betting spots. The Dealer will then deal one card face up. The player now has the option of taking back one of the three bets if he has not made a hand. If the dealers card helps the player he still has the option to “Let it Ride.” If not, the player can remove the bet and wait for the dealers second and last card. Once the dealer deals himself the second card all players still in the hand have a total of five cards. Payouts are made based on the hand strength with a pair of Tens being the smallest winning hand up to a Royal Flush paying the highest. The last bet in the third betting spot cannot be removed if the player does not have a qualifying hand.

Payout Structure

Payouts will vary from casino to casino in regards to how much each hand pays out. Also, the minimum bet will vary as well from as little as $5 up to whatever the casino deems for that particular table. So the game play is extremely straight forward and easy to learn for beginners.

Some casinos offer the player side bets at their Let it Ride tables. These side bets allow players to set aside usually $1 which allows the player to collect a premium on big hands. For instance: A Royal Flush may normally pay 2 to 1 without the side bet. However, with a $1 side bet a Royal Flush will pay the Progressive which will usually pay at least 2000 to 1. Some players consider the side bet a poor play and mathematically this is correct due to the extremely low odds you have of actually accomplishing a Royal Flush. However, the payout makes it worth the risk to some players and it certainly adds a little additional fun to the game. The house edge on this side bet is 13%.

Why You Should Play “Let it Ride”

The game of Let it Ride is a very social game and you do not need to be a poker whiz in order to play and do well at the game. You can also play the game and relax while doing so whereas a traditional game of poker requires keen concentration of all times. Let it Ride also allows players with any bankroll size to play due to the small minimum bets. That means that more people are comfortable initially while they are learning the game because they don’t feel like they are just wasting their money in the process.

Let It Ride Strategy

The strategy is to make solid hands and be consistent. If you are dealt a hand like [J][T][2] you may or may not decide to let it ride. If so, and the dealer turns up an [A] for his first card you want to take back your bet. If the dealers second card is not a [J] or [T] then you lose the hand.

The general rule of thumb is that if you have a made hand like [A][A][X] or [T][T][X] you are going to Let it Ride. If you have a hand that gives you an opportunity to make a hand like [A][Q][T] you are going to Let it Ride. It all depends on how much risk you care to take and how well the cards are falling for you that night.