How to Play Let It Ride Poker: Rules, Strategy & Odds

Let It Ride, or Let ’em Ride as it is sometimes referred to, is a popular table game found at most land-based and online casinos around the world. One of the things that makes Let It Ride Poker so interesting is that it is not played against other players, nor is it even played against a dealer. It is basically the player versus himself, much like a video poker game, except that it is played on a felted table.

Let It Ride Poker is akin to 5 Card Stud in regards to hand rankings and the fact that there is no draw phase involved. It can also be associated with Texas Holdem as there are community cards that all players must join with their own individual cards to make up a final hand. Let It Ride usually presents an optional bonus bet that is won or lost based solely on the strength of the player’s 5-card hand. We’ll explain the side bet in further detail later. For now, let’ go over the rules of the game.

The Let It Ride table has three betting circles in front of each player position. The first is labeled Ante, and the other two are each labeled Raise. The game begins with the player placing an equal wager on all three betting circles. The player can also place a $1 side bet at this point if he wishes to do so (see progressive side bet below).

With all bets placed, the dealer then gives each player three cards face down. Another two cards are dealt face down in the center of the table. These make up the community cards. Players are permitted to look at their own 3 cards, but the community cards remain hidden at this time.

In order to win any money at Let It Ride, a player’s hand must finish with a minimum of a Pair of 10s. With this in mind, after examining their own cards, the player must decide whether they want to reclaim one of the raise bets from the betting circles, or “let it ride”?.

The dealer will then reveal one of the two community cards. Again, players are given the option to remove one raise bet from the betting circle, or “let it ride”?.

At this time, the final community card is revealed. Players will combine their own three cards with the two community cards to determine the strength of their 5 card poker hand. Whether or not the player wins is determined by the strength of their final hand.

If the player’s hand is not a Pair of 10’s or better, all remaining bets on the table are lost. If the player does have a Pair of 10s or better, the payout is as follows. Note that not every live or online casino follows the exact same pay table, thus the payouts may vary:

Royal Flush Pays 1000 to 1
Straight Flush Pays 200 to 1
Four of a Kind Pays 50 to 1
Full House Pays 15 to 1
Flush Pays 8 to 1
Straight Pays 5 to 1
Three of a Kind Pays 3 to 1
Two Pair Pays 2 to 1
Tens or Better Pays 1 to 1

Let It Ride Progressive Side Bet

A progressive jackpot is often associated with Let It Ride Poker. In this case, the player has the option of placing a $1 side bet before the hand begins. In order to win the progressive side bet, the player’s hand must rank at least a Flush or better. A standard pay table for the progressive side bet should look something like this. Note that the exact payouts may vary from one live or online casino to the next.

Royal Flush Pays 100% of Progressive Jackpot
Straight Flush Pays 10% of Progressive Jackpot
Four of a Kind Pays $500
Full House Pays $100
Flush Pays $50