Let It Ride

This is one of several poker-based games from the creative minds at Shuffle Master Inc.  It was first introduced to casinos in 1993.  Let It Ride is very popular! It has a high payout potential.  Players are not playing against each other or trying to or trying to beat the dealer.  Unlike other games, it brings on fun and friendly competition amongst players. The learning curve is quite simple on this game.

Let It Ride is played on a table similar to blackjack.  There are three circles in front of each player on the table.  The circles are marked with the numbers 1, 2, and $.  To start the game a player places three equal bets in each circle.  The Shuffle Master machine deals out cards three at a time.  The dealer places the three-card hand in front of each player.  After each player received his cards, the dealer discards one card leaving two cards face down in front of the dealer.  The machine counts out the remaining cards into the discard tray.  When this is finished, the players are allowed to look at their three-card hand.  At this point you have the option to take back your bet in circle number one or let it Ride.  To take back your bet you scrape your cards on the table toward you or you make a brushing motion with your hand.  After all the players have made their decisions the dealer will turn up the first of the two community cards, which is in front of the dealer.  This card is used as the fourth card for all the player’s hands.  You now have the option of taking down your second bet or letting it ride.  You make take down the second bet even if you let the first bet ride but you cannot take down or put the first bet back up.  After all the players make their decision for the second bet, the dealer will turn up the second community card.  This card completes the five-card hand for every player.  At this point the dealer will pay all the winning bets according to the pay table.

Let Bet#1 ride if you have:

A winning Hand – Pair of Tens or Better

A three card Royal Flush

A three card Straight Flush

Let Bet#2 ride if you have:

A winning hand – pair of Tens or Better

A four card Royal or Straight Flush

A four card flush

Four High Cards

A four card Open ended Straight

Let It Ride Pay Table

• 1,000 to 1 for a Royal Flush
• 200 to 1 for a Straight Flush
• 50 to 1 for Four of a Kind
• 11 to 1 for a Full House
• 8 to 1 for a Flush
• 5 to 1 for a Straight
• 3 to 1 for 3 of a Kind
• 2 to 1 for 2 Pairs
• 1 to 1 for Tens or better

Although Let It Ride may be a popular game, one thing that I don’t like about it is that if you have pairs of 9’s on down to 2’s you lose.  Unlike Mississippi Stud where a pair of 6’s to 10’s is a push.  Of course, you could keep chancing it trying to make two pair but I assure you that the house edge is going to go against you.  Let’s just face it when the cards are hot they are hot but when they are not they are not.  Good Luck!