Let-It-Ride
Let It Ride is a poker-style casino game. It is a
variation of 5-card Stud but differs in that players don't have to beat
a dealer's hand or other players. The goal is merely to compile a
winning poker hand, with a minimum of a pair of tens.
Objective
The objective of Let It Ride is to compile the highest 5-card poker hand
(containing at least a pair of tens) from three dealt cards and two
community cards while keeping the maximum bet on the table.
Betting
The player opens a round by placing three identical bets on the betting
circles. The player is dealt three cards and the dealer places two
community cards in the center of the table, face down. Based on the
favorability of the three hole cards, the player can withdraw the first
bet or "let it ride" and leave it on the table. The dealer then reveals
the first community card. Now the player decides whether to withdraw the
second bet. The second community card is then revealed and the hand is
scored. Note that the third bet stays on the table with no option to
withdraw. Also note that withdrawing the second bet is independent of
what was done with the first.
Payoff
and the True Odds
If the player qualifies with at least a pair of tens, the payoff is
determined by the quality of the hand. The skill of the player is in
knowing when to stay and when to withdraw based on the cards known.
Let it
Ride
|
Hand |
Payoff |
True Odds |
|
Royal flush |
1,000:1 |
649,350:1 |
|
Straight flush |
200:1 |
72,220:1 |
|
Four of a kind |
50:1 |
4,165:1 |
|
Full house |
11:1 |
694:1 |
|
Flush |
8:1 |
509:1 |
|
Straight |
5:1 |
255:1 |
|
Three of a
kind |
3:1 |
47:1 |
|
Two pair |
2:1 |
21:1 |
|
Winning pair |
1:1 |
6:1 |
While the odds are marginally better for the player
than in Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride still carries about a three point
edge for the casino even with optimal play.
Betting
Variations
Betting variations include games where players can win a bonus on top of
their payout if they opt to place the additional $1 Bonus or Side bet
and draw Three-of-a-Kind or better. These are sucker bets and though the
specific odds vary from house to house they're all bad and I say forget
the bonus. Check out the Wizard of Odds analysis on this if you want to
see the actual numbers.
Optimal
Strategy
Optimal play in Let It Ride is a matter of deciding if you are going to
"stay" at the two decision points in the hand. Let's break down the
decisions, keeping in mind that 10-J-Q-K-A are "high" cards and a "skip"
is a card missing from a Straight:
Three
cards up:
"Let It Ride" on the first bet if you have:
-
a
paying hand: High-Card Pair or Three-of-a-Kind
-
three consecutive, same-suit cards valued 3-4-5 or better
-
three of a Straight Flush with one skip and at least one high card (eg.
8-9-J but not 7-8-J)
-
three of a Straight Flush with two skips and at least two high cards
(eg. 8-J-Q but not 7-9-J)
Four
cards up:
"Let It Ride" on the second bet if you have:
-
a
paying hand: High-Card Pair, Three-of-a-Kind or Two Pair
-
four of any Flush
-
four of a Straight, no skips
-
four high cards
