Game Rules

  • The most widely played casino banking game in the world, it uses decks of 52 cards and descends from a global family of casino banking games known as Twenty-One.

    This family of card games also includes the British game of Pontoon, the European game, Vingt-et-Un and the Russian game Ochko. Blackjack players do not compete against each other. The game is a comparing card game where each player competes against the dealer.

    RULES

    At a blackjack table, the dealer faces five to nine playing positions from behind a semicircular table. Between one and eight standard 52-card decks are shuffled together. To start each round, players place bets in the "betting box" at each position. In jurisdictions allowing back betting, up to three players can be at each position. The player whose bet is at the front of the betting box controls the position, and the dealer consults the controlling player for playing decisions; the other bettors "play behind". A player can usually control or bet in as many boxes as desired at a single table, but an individual cannot play on more than one table at a time or place multiple bets within a single box. In many U.S. casinos, players are limited to playing one to three positions at a table.

    The dealer deals from their left ("first base") to their far right ("third base"). Each box gets an initial hand of two cards visible to the people playing on it. The dealer's hand gets its first card face up, and, in "hole card" games, immediately gets a second card face down (the hole card), which the dealer peeks at but only reveals when it makes the dealer's hand a blackjack. Hole card games are sometimes played on tables with a small mirror or electronic sensor used to peek securely at the hole card. In European casinos, "no hole card" games are prevalent; the dealer's second card is not drawn until the players have played their hands.

    Dealers deal the cards from one or two handheld decks, from a dealer's shoe, or from a shuffling machine. Single cards are dealt to each wagered-on position clockwise from the dealer's left, followed by a single card to the dealer, followed by an additional card to each of the positions in play. The players' initial cards may be dealt face up or face down (more common in single-deck games).

    The object of the game is to win money by creating card totals higher than those of the dealer's hand but not exceeding 21, or by stopping at a total in the hope that the dealer will bust. On their turn, players choose to "hit" (take a card), "stand" (end their turn and stop without taking a card), "double" (double their wager, take a single card, and finish), "split" (if the two cards have the same value, separate them to make two hands), or "surrender" (give up a half-bet and retire from the game).

    Number cards count as their number, the jack, queen, and king ("face cards" or "pictures") count as 10, and aces count as either 1 or 11 according to the player's choice. If the total exceeds 21 points, it busts, and all bets on it immediately lose.

    After the boxes have finished playing, the dealer's hand is resolved by drawing cards until the hand achieves a total of 17 or higher (a dealer total of 17 including an ace valued at 11, also known as a "soft 17", must be drawn to in some games and must stand in others). The dealer never doubles, splits, or surrenders. If the dealer busts, all remaining player hands win. If the dealer does not bust, each remaining bet wins if its hand is higher than the dealer's and loses if it is lower.

    A player total of 21 on the first two cards is a "natural" or "blackjack", and the player wins immediately unless the dealer also has one, in which case the hand ties. In the case of a tie ("push" or "standoff"), bets are returned without adjustment. A blackjack beats any hand that is not a blackjack, even one with a value of 21.

    Wins are paid out at even money, except for player blackjacks, which are traditionally paid out at 3 to 2 odds. Many casinos today pay blackjacks at less than 3:2. This is common in single-deck blackjack games.[11]

    Blackjack games usually offer a side bet called insurance, which may be placed when the dealer's face-up card is an ace. Additional side bets, such as "Dealer Match" which pays when the player's cards match the dealer's up card, are also sometimes available.

    PLAYER DECISIONS

    After the initial two cards, the player has up to five options: "hit", "stand", "double down", "split", or "surrender". Each option has a corresponding hand signal.

    Hit:

    Take another card.

    Signal: Scrape cards against the table (in handheld games); tap the table with a finger or wave a hand toward the body (in games dealt face up).

    Stand:

    Take no more cards; also known as "stand pat", "sit", "stick", or "stay".

    Signal: Slide cards under chips (in handheld games); wave hand horizontally (in games dealt face up).

    Double Down:

    Increase the initial bet by 100% and take exactly one more card. The additional bet is placed next to the original bet. Some games permit the player to increase the bet by amounts smaller than 100% which is known as "double for less."[12] Non-controlling players may or may not double their wager, but they still only take one card.

    Signal: Place additional chips beside the original bet outside the betting box and point with one finger.

    Split:

    Create two hands from a starting hand where both cards are the same value. Each new hand gets another card so that the player has two starting hands. This requires an additional bet on the second hand. The two hands are played out independently, and the wager on each hand is won or lost independently. In the case of cards worth 10 points, some casinos only allow splitting when the cards rank the same. For example, 10-10 could be split, but K-10 could not. Doubling and re-splitting after splitting are often restricted. A 10-valued card and an ace resulting from a split usually isn't considered a blackjack. Hitting split aces is often not allowed. Non-controlling players can opt to put up a second bet or not. If they do not, they only get paid or lose on one of the two post-split hands.

    Signal: Place additional chips next to the original bet outside the betting box and point with two fingers spread into a V formation.

    Surrender:

    Forfeit half the bet and end the hand immediately. This option is only available at some tables in some casinos, and the option is only available as the first decision.

    Signal: Spoken; there are no standard signals.

    Hand signals help the "eye in the sky" make a video recording of the table, which resolves disputes and identifies dealer mistakes. It is also used to protect the casino against dealers who steal chips or players who cheat. Recordings can also identify advantage players. When a player's hand signal disagrees with their words, the hand signal takes precedence.

    A hand can "hit" as often as desired until the total is 21 or more. Players must stand on a total of 21. After a bust or a stand, play proceeds to the next hand clockwise around the table. After the last hand is played, the dealer reveals the hole card and stands or draws according to the game's rules. When the outcome of the dealer's hand is established, any hands with bets remaining on the table are resolved (usually in counterclockwise order); bets on losing hands are forfeited, the bet on a push is left on the table, and winners are paid out.

  • Caribean Stud Poker, also called casino stud poker, is a casino table game with rules derived from five-card stud poker.

    However, unlike standard poker games, Caribbean stud poker is played against the house rather than against other players. There is no option to bluff or deceive as this is played against the house and not other players.

    Rules

    To play, each player places his or her ante on a marked spot on the table playing surface ("the layout"); all ante wagers must be placed prior to the dealer announcing "no more bets". Each player also has the option to participate in the progressive jackpot feature of the game. This is also done before the dealer announces, "no more bets", usually in a separate marked area. Each player and the dealer will then receive five cards, face down. The dealer will turn over one of his cards, after which the players may look at their cards.

    Players have the option to either play or fold. Any player choosing to play places their raise, an additional wager equal to twice the amount of the ante, into the box marked Bet. Any player who chooses to fold forfeits their ante. After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their four face down cards. The dealer only qualifies (plays) if his hand either contains both an ace and a king or forms a pair or any higher-ranked poker hand. The dealer then compares his five-card hand to those of the other players, individually, and both the ante and the raise bets of all players whose hands beat the dealer's qualified hand win. If they do not beat the dealer's hand, they lose both the ante and the raise wager. If a player ties with the dealer, both ante and raise bets push (return to their respective players with no additional money won). If the dealer's hand does not qualify, the ante bets of players get paid even money while the respective raise bets all push.

    Payout

    If a player's cards beat the dealer's cards, the player will receive even money (1-1) on the ante, and the following on their bet (with a maximum payout of $5,000 U.S. Dollars per hand on each bet wager):

    Combination Payout

    Royal flush 100 to 1

    Straight flush 50 to 1

    Four of a kind 20 to 1

    Full house 7 to 1

    Flush 5 to 1

    Straight 4 to 1

    Three of a kind 3 to 1

    Two pair 2 to 1

    One pair or less 1 to 1

  • Craps is a dice game in which players bet on the outcomes of the roll of a pair of dice. Players can wager money against each other (playing "street craps") or against a bank ("casino craps").

    Because it requires little equipment, "street craps" can be played in informal settings. While shooting craps, players may use slang terminology to place bets and actions.

    Rules

    Players take turns rolling two dice and whoever is throwing the dice is called the "shooter". Players can bet on the various options by placing chips directly on the appropriately-marked sections of the layout, or asking the base dealer or stickman to do so, depending on which bet is being made.

    While acting as the shooter, a player must have a bet on the "Pass" line and/or the "Don't Pass" line. "Pass" and "Don't Pass" are sometimes called "Win" and "Don't Win" or "Right" and "Wrong" bets. The game is played in rounds and these "Pass" and "Don't Pass" bets are betting on the outcome of a round. The shooter is presented with multiple dice (typically five) by the "stickman", and must choose two for the round. The remaining dice are returned to the stickman's bowl and are not used.

    Each round has two phases: "come-out" and "point". Dice are passed to the left. To start a round, the shooter makes one or more "come-out" rolls. The shooter must shoot toward the farther back wall and is generally required to hit the farther back wall with both dice. Casinos may allow a few warnings before enforcing the dice to hit the back wall and are generally lenient if at least one die hits the back wall. Both dice must be tossed in one throw. If only one die is thrown the shot is invalid. A come-out roll of 2, 3, or 12 is called "craps" or "crapping out", and anyone betting the Pass line loses. On the other hand, anyone betting the Don't Pass line on come out wins with a roll of 2 or 3 and ties (pushes) if a 12 is rolled. Shooters may keep rolling after crapping out; the dice are only required to be passed if a shooter sevens out (rolls a seven after a point has been established). A come-out roll of 7 or 11 is a "natural"; the Pass line wins and Don't Pass loses. The other possible numbers are the point numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. If the shooter rolls one of these numbers on the come-out roll, this establishes the "point" – to "pass" or "win", the point number must be rolled again before a seven.

    The dealer flips a button to the "On" side and moves it to the point number signifying the second phase of the round. If the shooter "hits" the point value again (any value of the dice that sum to the point will do; the shooter doesn't have to exactly repeat the exact combination of the come-out roll) before rolling a seven, the Pass line wins and a new round starts. If the shooter rolls any seven before repeating the point number (a "seven-out"), the Pass line loses, the Don't Pass line wins, and the dice pass clockwise to the next new shooter for the next round. Once a point has been established any multi-roll bet (including Pass and/or Don't Pass line bets and odds) are unaffected by the 2, 3, 11, or 12; the only numbers which affect the round are the established point, any specific bet on a number, or any 7. Any single roll bet is always affected (win or lose) by the outcome of any roll.

    While the come-out roll may specifically refer to the first roll of a new shooter, any roll where no point is established may be referred to as a come-out. By this definition the start of any new round regardless if it is the shooter's first toss can be referred to as a come-out roll.

    Any player can make a bet on Pass or Don't Pass as long as a point has not been established, or Come or Don't Come as long as a point is established. All other bets, including an increase in odds behind the Pass and Don't Pass lines, may be made at any time. All bets other than Pass line and Come may be removed or reduced any time before the bet loses. This is known as "taking it down" in craps.

    The maximum bet for Place, Buy, Lay, Pass, and Come bets are generally equal to table maximum. Lay bet maximum are equal to the table maximum win, so if a player wishes to lay the 4 or 10, he or she may bet twice at amount of the table maximum for the win to be table maximum. Odds behind Pass, Come, Don't Pass, and Don't Come may be however larger than the odds offered allows and can be greater than the table maximum in some casinos. Don't odds are capped on the maximum allowed win some casino allow the odds bet itself to be larger than the maximum bet allowed as long as the win is capped at maximum odds. Single rolls bets can be lower than the table minimum, but the maximum bet allowed is also lower than the table maximum. The maximum allowed single roll bet is based on the maximum allowed win from a single roll.

    In all the above scenarios, whenever the Pass line wins, the Don't Pass line loses, and vice versa, with one exception: on the come-out roll, a roll of 12 will cause Pass Line bets to lose, but Don't Pass bets are pushed (or "barred"), neither winning nor losing.

  • Let It Ride is a casino table game based on poker, where the player wagers on a five-card poker hand formed by their own three cards and two community cards.

    Rules

    Let It Ride is a variation of five-card stud, based on three player cards and two community cards. The two community cards are initially dealt face down. The most distinguishing feature of Let It Ride is that the player is given two opportunities to withdraw exactly one-third of their initial wager. One chance occurs after the player looks at their hand but before the first community card is revealed, and the second occurs after the first community card is revealed, but before the second is revealed. The player may reduce their wager on either of these occasions, or on both, or neither. If the player decides not to withdraw part of their wager, they are said to "let it ride."[4] In order to ensure that the player's initial wager is divisible by three, each player must distribute their wager over three betting spots which must all contain the same chip value. On some table layouts these spots are given the symbols 1, 2 and $, with 1 and 2 indicating the thirds of the wager which the player can withdraw before the first and second community cards respectively are turned up, and $ representing the third of the wager which there is never a chance to withdraw.

    After players have placed their bets, the dealer starts from their left, and deals each player one card, followed by the first face-down community card, followed by a further card to each player, followed by the second community card, followed by a final card to each player. Players are not permitted to show their cards or to see the cards of other players at any point before the end of the deal.

    In the event of a winning hand after the second community card is revealed, what remains of the player's wager is paid out according to a payout table such as the one given below. There are small variations in payoffs between casinos, but the lowest paying hand in Let It Ride is typically a pair of 10s; a pair of nines or less is a losing hand, which results in the player forfeiting their remaining wager to the house.

    Payouts

    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

  • Mini-Baccarat is a smaller version of the original Baccarat, which is a comparing card game played between two hands, the "player" and the "banker".

    Each baccarat coup (round of play) has three possible outcomes: "player" (player has the higher score), "banker", and "tie".

    Rules

    Mini Baccarat is an elegant, simple game to play. You simply make a bet on whether the Player side will win, the Banker side will win, and/or if the hand will end in a Tie. You can also bet on the Dragon Bonus for each Player and Banker if you think the hand will win “Naturally” or by a certain point difference.

    The game is played with eight decks and begins with four cards being dealt alternately from the shoe; the first card to the player, the second card to the banker, the third card to the player, and the fourth card to the banker. If the point count of either hand is initially 8 or 9, that hand is considered a “Natural Hand” and no additional cards will be drawn.

    The cards are dealt according to set rules. There are no options regarding drawing the third card for either the Player’s or Banker’s hand. The dealer announces the point count of the Player’s and Banker’s hand and the dealer will draw additional cards if the rules permit. No more than one additional card will be drawn to each hand.

    The object of the game is for the side you’re betting on to get closest to 9 as possible. Any card from 2 to 9 will count as their face value and an Ace equals

    1. All 10’s and face cards equal 0. When the total of the cards exceeds nine, the first number of the total is dropped. For example, if the first two cards for either side are 7 and 4, that hands point value is at 1. Likewise, if the first two cards for either side are a Queen and Ace, that hands point value is a 1.

    The Bet

    At the start of a new hand, you will be able to bet on the Player side winning, the Banker side winning, a Tie hand, and/or a Dragon Bonus for each side.

    All bets must be placed before the dealer calls “No More Bets” and before the first card is pulled out of the shoe for that hand. If the Player side wins, that bet will pay 1:1. If the Banker side wins, the casino will take out a 5% commission on the winning bet. If both the Player’s and Banker’s hands result in identical totals, this is considered a Tie Hand and the Tie Bet will win 8 to 1 and the Player and Banker bets will push.

    Dragon Bonus

    The Dragon Bonus is an optional side wager that does not change the drawing rules or commission structure. The Dragon Bonus can be bet for either the Player and/or Banker side. The Bonus wager will win if the winning hand is a Natural winner or when the winning hand wins by a point difference of four or more. Players must make the Dragon Bonus wager before the Dealer calls “No More Bets.” The dealer will then deal the hand according to house procedures. With non-natural winners, the larger the margin of victory, the larger the payout. Natural winners will pay 1:1 on the Dragon Bonus bet. In the event of a Natural Tie, the Dragon Bonus bet pushes.

  • Pai-Gow Poker (also called double-hand poker) is a version of pai gow that is played with playing cards, instead of traditional pai gow's Chinese dominoes.

    The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus a single joker. It is played on a table set for six players, plus the dealer. Each player attempts to defeat the banker (who may be the casino dealer, one of the other players at the table, or a player acting in tandem with the dealer as co-bankers).

    Rules

    A Pai Gow Poker hand begins after bets are placed when the dealer deals all of the players in a hand and the banker seven cards face down. The banker is often the dealer but it can also be a player or at some venues a player/dealer team.

    Each player will then separate their hole cards into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand. The high hand must always be better than the low hand.

    The banker places their hand into a high and low hand as well via house rules which can differ between venue and online. Players can also ask the house for advice on how to set their hand the house way if they so choose at most if not all casinos.

    A player can then win, lose, or push (tie) a hand based on the following scenarios:

    The player wins their bet when both of the player’s hands are better than both of the banker’s hands. The amount won is the amount of a bet less a commission (usually 5%).

    The player pushes (ties) and has their bet refunded when only one of the player’s hands beats one of the banker’s hand. This applies whether the banker has won or tied a hand while losing the other hand.

    The player loses their bet when the player loses or ties both hands against the banker.

  • Three Card Poker is card game based on poker played as heads-up between the player's hand and the dealer's hand.

    After all ante wagers are placed, three cards are dealt to each player and the dealer. Players have a choice to either fold or continue in the game by placing a "play" wager equal to their ante. Hands are then exposed and wagers resolved.

    Rules

    3 Card Poker offers a number of betting options and ways to win. Betting options include:

    Ante: Prior to the start of play, each player may make a bet in the Ante spot. The Ante bet is considered a bet against the dealer – to win the ante bet, the player’s final poker hand must beat the dealer’s.

    Play wager: If a player bets on the ante spot and likes their hand, they must place a wager on the Play spot that is equal to their ante bet. If the player does not like their hand and declines the wager on the Play spot, their ante is forfeited. Players who make the Play wager go heads up against the dealer – best poker hand wins.

    Pair Plus: Bet the Pair Plus spot to play your own hand. To win the Pair Plus bet, the player’s hand must equal a pair, flush, straight, three of a kind or straight flush.

    Play both: Players may bet both the ante to play against the dealer, and the Pair Plus bet to play their own hand. Make a pair or better AND beat the dealer’s 3-card poker hand to win both bets.

    Ante bonus: Players who make the Ante and Play wagers may qualify for a bonus payout even if the dealer doesn’t qualify, and even if the dealer’s hand wins. To win an Ante Bonus wager, the player must hold a Straight, Three of a Kind or Straight Flush.

    Gameplay

    To start the game, each player must make an Ante or Pair Plus bet. Once bets are in, players and the dealer are dealt three cards, face down. Players view their cards and decide if they believe their hand can beat the dealers. If so, the player makes a Play wager equal to their Ante bet. Players who make the Play wager then place their cards face-down in the play area. If the player does not believe their hand can beat the dealers, they may fold and forfeit the Ante bet. If the player bets the Pair Plus spot and qualifies to win, they may place their cards face-down into the play area.

    Once all players have made their bets, the dealer turns their cards over and arranges them into the best possible poker hand. To qualify, the dealer must have a hand of queen-high or better. If the dealer does not qualify, Ante bets are paid to all players in the hand at 1:1. Play wagers are returned to players.

    If the dealer qualifies and holds a better poker hand than the player, the Ante and Play wagers are forfeited.

    If the dealer qualifies and the player holds a better poker hand, the Ante and Play wagers are paid at 1:1.

    If the dealer qualifies and their hand ties the player’s hand, the bets are pushed.

  • Roulette is named after the French word meaning “little wheel.”

    In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the color red or black, whether the number is odd or even, or if the numbers are high (19–36) or low (1–18).

    Rules

    A roulette wheel consists of a spinning disk with divisions around its edge that revolves around the base of a bowl. A ball is spun around the outside of the bowl until eventually ball and wheel come to rest with the ball in one of the divisions.

    The divisions around the wheel are numbered from 1 to 36 in a seemingly random pattern and alternate red and black. Additionally, there is a green division numbered 0. On American tables only there is a second extra green division marked 00.

    Prior to rolling the ball, people place bets on what number will come up by laying down chips on a betting mat, the precise location of the chips indicates the bet being made.

    Roulette Bets

    Much of the interest in Roulette derives from the number of different bets that can be made and their associated odds. The basic bets are the same for all forms of modern Roulette.

    Below is a list of all the available bets categorized by the bet's associated odds.

    Evens

    Red : a red number

    Black: a black number

    Even: an even number

    Odd: an odd number

    Low bet: numbers 1 - 18 (Manque is French for "failed" and is used because the ball has failed to pass 18)

    High bet: numbers 19 - 36

    2 to 1

    First Dozen: numbers 1 - 12

    Middle Dozen: numbers 13 - 24

    Last Dozen: numbers 25 - 36

    Column Bet: a column of 12 numbers (The special square at the end of one of the three columns of twelve numbers)

    Longer Odds

    5 to 1 - Line bet: 6 numbers (Place the stake on the intersection of the edge of two rows of three numbers to bet on those 2 rows)

    8 to 1 - Corner bet: 4 numbers (Place the stake at the intersection of a square of four numbers)

    11 to 1 - Street bet: a row of 3 numbers (Half way over the line forming the end of the row of three numbers to be bet upon)

    17 to 1: Split bet: a pair of numbers (Place the stake across the line dividing the two numbers to be bet upon

    35 to 1: Straight up: a single number (Place the stake in the box showing the number concerned. It is allowable to bet on zero)

    The bets on six numbers or less are termed "Inside bets". The bets on 12 numbers or more are called "Outside bets".

  • Texas hold 'em (also known as Texas holdem, hold 'em, and holdem) is one of the most popular variants of poker.

    Two cards, known as hole cards, are dealt face down to each player, and then five community cards are dealt face up in three stages. The stages consist of a series of three cards ("the flop"), later an additional single card ("the turn" or "fourth street"), and a final card ("the river" or "fifth street"). Each player seeks the best five card poker hand from any combination of the seven cards; the five community cards and their two hole cards.

    Rules

    The standard 52 card pack is used.

    Poker Hands

    Five of a Kind - This is the highest possible hand and can occur only where at least one card is wild, such as a joker. Examples of five of a kind would be four 10s and a wild card or two queens and three wild cards.

    Straight Flush - This is the highest possible hand when only the standard pack is used, and there are no wild cards. A straight flush consists of five cards of the same suit in sequence, such as 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 of hearts.

    Four of a Kind - This is the next highest hand. An example is four aces or four 3s.

    Full House - This colorful hand is made up of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three 8s and two 4s.

    Flush - Five cards all of the same suit, but not all in sequence, is a flush. An example is Q, 10, 7, 6, and 2 of clubs.

    Straight - Five cards in sequence, but not all of the same suit is a straight. An example is 9♥, 8♣, 7♠, 6♦, 5♥.

    Three of a Kind - This combination contains three cards of the same rank, and the other two cards each of a different rank, such as three jacks, a seven, and a four.

    Two Pairs - This hand contains a pair of one rank and another pair of a different rank, plus any fifth card of a different rank, such as Q, Q, 7, 7, 4.

    One Pair - This frequent combination contains just one pair with the other three cards being of different rank. An example is 10, 10, K, 4, 3.

    No Pair - This very common hand contains "nothing." None of the five cards pair up, nor are all five cards of the same suit or consecutive in rank. When more than one player has no pair, the hands are rated by the highest card each hand contains, so that an ace-high hand beats a king-high hand, and so on.

    Object of the Game

    Before and after each card(s) is revealed, players take turns to bet. To stay in the hand and see the next card, all players must have put the same amount of chips in the pot as each other.

    The best poker hand wins the pot.

    The Deal

    Every player is dealt two cards, for their eyes only.

    The dealer spreads five cards - three at once, then another, then another - which can be used by all players to make their best possible five-card hand.

    The Play

    In Hold'em, each player is dealt two private cards (known as ‘hole cards’) that belong to them alone. Five community cards are dealt face-up, to form the ‘board’. All players in the game use these shared community cards in conjunction with their own hole cards to each make their best possible five-card poker hand. In Hold'em, a player may use any combination of the seven cards available to make the best possible five-card poker hand, using zero, one or two of their private hole cards.

    The Blinds

    In Hold'em, a marker called ‘the button’ or ‘the dealer button’ indicates which player is the dealer for the current game. Before the game begins, the player immediately clockwise from the button posts the "small blind", the first forced bet. The player immediately clockwise from the small blind posts the "big blind", which is typically twice the size of the small blind, but the blinds can vary depending on the stakes and betting structure being played.

    In Limit games, the big blind is the same as the small bet, and the small blind is typically half the size of the big blind but may be larger depending on the stakes. For example, in a $2/$4 Limit game the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2. In a $15/$30 Limit game, the small blind is $10 and the big blind is $15.

    In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the games are referred to by the size of their blinds (for example, a $1/$2 Hold’em game has a small blind of $1 and a big blind of $2).

    Depending on the exact structure of the game, each player may also be required to post an ‘ante’ (another type of forced bet, usually smaller than either blind, posted by all players at the table) into the pot.

    Now, each player receives his or her two hole cards. Betting action proceeds clockwise around the table, starting with the player ‘under the gun’ (immediately clockwise from the big blind).

    Player Betting Options

    In Hold'em, as with other forms of poker, the available actions are ‘fold’, ‘check’, ‘bet’, ‘call’ or ‘raise’. Exactly which options are available depends on the action taken by the previous players. If nobody has yet made a bet, then a player may either check (decline to bet, but keep their cards) or bet. If a player has bet, then subsequent players can fold, call or raise. To call is to match the amount the previous player has bet. To raise is to not only match the previous bet, but to also increase it.

    Pre-Flop

    After seeing his or her hole cards, each player now has the option to play his or her hand by calling or raising the big blind. The action begins to the left of the big blind, which is considered a ‘live’ bet on this round. That player has the option to fold, call or raise. For example, if the big blind was $2, it would cost $2 to call, or at least $4 to raise. Action then proceeds clockwise around the table.

    Betting continues on each betting round until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.

    The Flop

    Now, three cards are dealt face-up on the board. This is known as ‘the flop’. In Hold'em, the three cards on the flop are community cards, available to all players still in the hand. Betting on the flop begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. The betting options are similar to pre-flop, however if nobody has previously bet, players may opt to check, passing the action to the next active player clockwise.

    The Turn

    When the betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in Hold'em (and is sometimes also called ‘Fourth Street’). Another round of betting ensues, beginning with the active player immediately clockwise from the button.

    The River

    When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river’ or ‘Fifth Street’ is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in a Hold'em game. Betting again begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button, and the same betting rules apply as they do for the flop and turn, as explained above.

    The Showdown

    If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last person to bet or raise shows their cards, unless there was no bet on the final round in which case the player immediately clockwise from the button shows their cards first. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands. Hold'em rules state that all suits are equal.

    After the pot is awarded, a new hand of Hold'em is ready to be played. The button now moves clockwise to the next player, blinds and antes are once again posted, and new hands are dealt to each player.

  • UTH or Ultimate Texas Hold 'em is a reinvented variant of the classic poker game Texas hold 'em.

    In this variation, the player does not compete against other players. Instead, they play only against the dealer. At any point during the course of the hand, the player is free to make one raise.

    Rules

    Ultimate Texas Hold’em is played against the casino, so you’ll be up against the dealer. There can be multiple players at the table, but that doesn’t change much at all as your only goal is to beat the dealer. Whether other players win or lose is of no significance to you.

    The game round begins by you placing two bets:

    • Ante

    • Blind

    The size of the blind and the ante is always the same, so if it’s a $1 game, both the ante and the blind will be $1.

    There is also an optional bet called Trips. This is a bonus that pays when you make hands that are three of a kind or better according to the fixed paytable (which is explained a bit later in this article).

    You’re usually allowed to bet any amount you want on Trips (up to the maximum bet) as this is a bonus wager that’s not directly connected to blinds and antes.

    Once you’ve placed your bets, the dealer will deal out two cards to all players, face down, just like in regular Hold’em. They’ll also take two cards themselves. You’re allowed to look at your cards, and you have several options available to you upon doing so:

    Check (passing action until the next betting round)

    • Bet 3x the ante

    • Bet 4x the ante

    Once the hand is over, everybody will turn over their hole cards, and if you have the hand that beats the dealer’s hand, you win.

    If you opt to check, the dealer will deal out the first three community cards, i.e. the flop. Once again, you’ll have two options:

    • Check

    • Bet 2x the ante

    If you decide to check again, the dealer will deal the final two cards (turn and river), and there will be the final betting round. You’ll now have the option to either bet 1x the ante or fold. You can’t check once the river is out.

    Payouts

    In terms of gameplay mechanics, Ultimate Texas Hold’em is quite straightforward. Once you get to the river, all cards are turned over, and the winners are declared based on the standard Hold’em hand rankings.

    However, things can get a bit confusing when it comes to payouts, so here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know before you start.

    Dealer’s Qualifying Hand

    Like in many other casino poker variations, the dealer needs to make a qualifying hand for the players to win. In Ultimate Texas Hold’em, the minimum qualifying hand is any pair. In the event the dealer doesn’t qualify, ante bets are returned to the player with no profit.

    Play Payouts

    At the start of a hand, you’ll only have the blind, and the ante bet invested. However, by the showdown, you’ll have at least one ante invested in the ‘Play’ field (unless you decide to fold). All bets during the hand are added to the ‘Play’ section.

    Once the hand is over, if you beat the dealer and they have the qualifying hand, all your Play bets and the ante bet will be paid at 1:1.

    Blind Bets

    There was another bet you posted at the start of the hand that still needs to be addressed – the blind bet.

    Every time you beat the dealer, the blind bet is returned to you with the rest of the profits. However, if you get lucky and beat the dealer with a hand that’s a straight or better, the blind bet amount will be paid out according to the following Ultimate Texas Holdem payout table.

    • Straight pays 1 to 1

    • Flush pays 3 to 2

    • Boat (full house) pays 3 to 1

    • Quads pay 10 to 1

    • Straight flush pays 50 to 1

    • Royal flush pays 500 to 1

    So, as long as you beat the dealer’s hand, your blind bet will either be a push, or you’ll receive the bonus payout according to your hand strength.

    Trips Bets

    As mentioned, Trips bets are completely optional in Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and from the mathematical perspective, they aren’t the best choice as the house edge on them is around 1.9%. However, they can be a lot of fun and add excitement to your sessions.

    Payments are based on the strength of your hand alone, so you’ll get paid as long as you make three-of-a-kind or better:

    • Trips: 3 to 1

    • Straights: 4 to 1

    • Flushes: 7 to 1

    • Boats: 9 to 1

    • Quads: 30 to 1

    • Straight flushes: 40 to 1

    • Royal flushes: 50 to 1

  • War is one of the most easily understood casino card games.

    It is normally played with six standard 52-card decks. The cards are ranked in the same way that cards in poker games are ranked, with aces being the highest.

    One card each is dealt to a dealer and to a player. If the player's card is higher, he or she wins the wager they bet. However, if the dealer's card is higher, the player loses.

    In a tie situation, the player has two options:

    • The player can surrender, in which case the player loses half the bet.

    • The player can go to war, in which case the player must double his stake.

    Rules

    At the beginning of each game each player must make a Casino War wager ("Primary Wager"). To win the primary wager, the rank of the player's card must exceed the rank of the player/dealer's card.

    If the player's and player/dealer's cards have the same rank the player is given the option to go to "War” with the player/dealer. The player must make another bet equal to their primary wager to exercise the “War” option, the player/dealer also matches the player's primary wager and places it next to the player's. The dealer then "burns" three cards and deals a card to the player. The dealer "burns" another set of cards and deals a card to the player/dealer. If the player's card has a higher rank than the player/dealer's card then the player wins the "War".

    If the player's card has a lower rank than the dealer's card, the player loses. The winner of the "War" collects all the money on the table and the dealer starts a new game. If the player and the player/dealer’s cards are of equal rank on the "War" the player wins the "War” and is paid an additional amount equal to their ante wager.

    If the player chooses not to "War" with the dealer he or she may option to surrender half their Primary wager. In addition to the primary wager, the player may elect, prior to any cards being dealt, to make a Tie wager. To win the Tie wager, the ranks of the player and the player/dealer’s cards must be equal.

    The player/dealer will only “bank” the hand (including bonus bets) for two (2) consecutive rounds before it is rotated in a clockwise fashion around the gaming table.