Let it Ride Poker – Rules Strategy & Tips
Let It Ride is a poker-based game where the value of the hand is the important thing – you don’t need to beat other players or the house in this game.
How to Play Let It Ride Poker
It is based mostly on a five-card stud which includes three player cards and two community cards (these are cards used by all players). The most important aspect of Let It Ride is that you are given two opportunities to remove exactly one-third of your bet.
You have one chance to do this after you look at your three cards. but before the first community card is revealed, and you receive another opportunity after the first community card is revealed, but before the second is revealed. You can reduce your bet at either of these times, on both, or neither. If you decide not to withdraw any of your bet, you effectively “let it ride.”
In order to understand this game, you need to know the different poker hands, which one’s are the best and what they contain. Details of the hands you can make can be found at our Poker Hands section.
We have also listed them below in the order of the best to worst with the average payout next to them. Please note that the hand winnings vary from casino to casino and aren’t therefore set in stone. Although some casinos may pay higher than the odds listed, some may also pay less so it is worth checking before you start to play to ensure you get the best possible returns.
As in all poker, your hand is made up of 5 cards. Unlike Texas Hold’em and other forms of poker, you only get 5 cards to choose from. In Let It Ride, not the 7 you are able to use in some types (For example, in Texas Hold ’em, you can use 5 cards from your own 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards).
Let it Ride Rules
Let it Ride Rules are fairly easy to remember.
- You pay 3 bets of equal size to start the hand.
- The Dealer deals each player in the hand 3 cards face down, so only the Player can see their cards.
- You then have the choice of retrieving your first bet, leaving just two-thirds of your initial bet or Let It Ride – leave the bet down and stay in the hand with the full amount as opposed to a reduced amount.
- The Dealer adds another card to the table, a Community card that can be used by all Players. Remember though, you are not betting against the others, just trying to make the best possible hand for yourself.
- You now have the choice of retrieving your second bet or Let It Ride again and stay in with that bet still in play.
- The Dealer now deals the second Community card which gives you the 5 cards that make up your final hand. You then receive payouts according to the table below:
Let It Ride Payouts & Odds
(Remember, the Let It Ride Payouts listed below can vary from casino to casino, so ensure you check a few different casinos first if this is the game you wish to play):
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| 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 Tens or better | 1 to 1 |
| Anything else | Lose |
For more information on Poker Hands see our Poker Hand rankings guide
Let it Ride Poker Strategy
the best Let It Ride Strategy is the following: After your first 3 cards have been dealt, you should only Let It Ride (stay in the hand) if you have:
- Any paying hand, so a Pair of 10’s or better
- Any 3 cards that make up a Royal Flush
- Three suited cards in a row except for 2-3-4 or A-2-3
- Three cards that can make up a Straight Flush where the cards are only spread over 4 numbers* and at least 1 high card of 10 or higher
- Three cards that can make up a Straight Flush where the cards are spread over 5 numbers** and at least 2 are high cards of 10 or higher
After the first 4 cards have been dealt, you should only Let It Ride (stay in the hand) if you have:
- Any paying hand, so a Pair of 10’s or better, 3 of a kind or 2 pairs
- Any 4 cards of the same suit
- Any 4 cards to an Outside Straight*** with at least 1 high card of 10 or higher
- Any 4 cards to an Inside Straight****
* Spread over 4 numbers means the cards in question spread out over no more than 4 numbers, so 6, 7 and 9 for example.
** Spread over 5 numbers means the cards in question spread out over no more than 5 numbers, so 6, 7 and 10 for example.
*** Outside Straight is one where the number needed is on the outside of the hand (so you have 4, 5, 6 and 7 for example – you need either a 3 or an 8 to complete a straight in this instance).
**** Inside Straight is one where the number needed is on the inside of the hand (so you have 4, 5, 7 and 8 for example, this is not as good as an Outside Straight as the only number which will complete the hand in this instance is a 6)
Side Games
Some casinos will offer side games for Let It Ride based on the hand value after your own 3 cards have been dealt or after all 5 are known.
We strongly suggest you avoid these kinds of games as they are heavily favoured towards the casino and do not offer value for money.
They can add an extra fun element to the game, however, so if your primary goal is to relax and get maximum enjoyment out of playing, feel free to play any side games available. Just remember that the odds are more heavily stacked in favour of the casino as opposed to you.
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