Let it Ride Poker
Introduction
Let It Ride is a relative newcomer to the world of online poker variants. It was invented in 1993, just before the explosion of Internet gambling and poker. If you are interested, you can download and play a wide range of games at online casino at 888.com and get all the practice you need. The boom in online gaming has plenty to do with Let It Ride’s popularity, though its slower pace and player-friendly game play made it an instant favorite in land-based casinos as well. For more information on online poker visit our partner over at onlinepoker.org
Invented by John Breeding (he holds a registered US Patent on the game), Let It Ride is a rarity among card games, so many of which have shadowy pasts. Breeding’s casino game version of five-card stud includes a pseudo surrender option that makes the game unique among poker and casino table games. We have attempted to write an online casino guide to indicate the different variations and strategies of Let It Ride Poker.
Take note that “Let It Ride” and “Let ‘em Ride” are the same game. The two names are used interchangeably at casinos and online gaming sites.
Here’s a look at Let It Ride: the rules of the game, the hand rankings and payout schedule, and a little bit about strategy and the ins and outs of the game. For a directory of the best online poker sites visit toppokersites.com
Let It Ride Rules
Since Let It Ride is a variation of five-card stud, many of the rules are the same. In Let It Ride, players build hands out of three of their own cards and two community cards. Those community cards are initially dealt face down in order to add to the betting intrigue.
What sets Let It Ride apart from other casino card games like blackjack or Caribbean Stud are the two chances players have to pull back part of their wager. Each of these two chances to withdraw a part of your bet can return 1/3 of your initial wager. The first surrender chance in Let It Ride comes after you look at your three-card hand but well before the reveal of the first community card. Naturally, the second chance to pull back your wager happens after the first community card is revealed.
Let It Ride players can pull back 1/3 of their wager either time, both times, or not at all. The name Let It Ride comes from the expression for players who don’t want to withdraw their bets—this means they want to “let it ride.”
How does the three-bet system work? To start a game of Let It Ride, a player places a wager in each of three circles. You’re then allowed to withdraw one of those circles at each surrender chance.
Once the second community card is flipped over, the dealer determines if the player is a winner. Winnings are calculated according to a standard payout table. Not every casino follows this payout table to the letter, but there are some standards across the board. For example, the lowest possible winning hand in Let It Ride is a pair of 10s. That means pairs of nines or less won’t win you any cash. Below is the Let It Ride Payout table, please use it where ever you play online poker:
Let It Ride Payout Table
| Hand Rank | Payout | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000:1 | 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of same suit |
| Straight Flush | 200:1 | Five cards of same suit in sequence |
| 4 of a Kind | 50:1 | Four cards of same rank |
| Full House | 11:1 | Three of a kind, plus a pair |
| Flush | 8:1 | Five cards of same suit |
| Straight | 5:1 | Five cards in sequence |
| 3 of a Kind | 3:1 | Three cards of same rank |
| Two Pair | 2:1 | Two pairs of different rank |
| Pair of 10s or Better | 1:1 | Two cards of same rank, 10 or higher |
A Game of Let It Ride
So now that you know some of the basic rules and the payouts, let’s look at how a game of Let It Ride works as it is not as easy as play slot machines.
The first thing to do is put down your ante. Antes are bets that happen before the game starts. Depending on the specific Let It Ride game you’re playing, your ante can be as little as $1 or up to several hundred dollars. Let It Ride is available in a variety of bet sizes, meaning it is playable by high rollers and penny pinchers alike.
There are sometimes progressive jackpots associated with Let It Ride—if the table you’re playing at offers progressive bet, you’ll be told when to place that bet if you’d like to. Like any side bet, opinions are divided on when and if you should participate in the progressive jackpot for Let It Ride.
You check out your cards then decide to up your ante or not. Here’s a tricky rule you just have to remember: Let It Ride bets can only be raised by the same amount of your first wager. You also have the option of not raising your bet at all or withdrawing 1/3 of your bet.
After you bet (or not), the dealer reveals the first community card. Then there’s another round of wagering/withdrawing. The final community card is shown, after which the combination of your cards and the dealer’s cards is checked for a win. For more information about playing poker online, visit RealMoneyOnlinePoker.org website.
Let It Ride Strategy Tips
Let It Ride pits you against the house rather than other players. The trick to winning at Let It Ride is to know when to raise your bet, withdraw a portion of your bet, or do nothing at all.
Here are some tips on how to know when to raise, surrender, or Let It Ride.
The ideal time to raise your bet is when you are two cards or less on your way to a straight flush. When all of your up cards are of the same suit and in sequence, a raise is the only smart move.
Another good raise opportunity comes when you hold a pair of any value. Even a pair of 9s or 5s or anything less than 10 puts you in line for a three of a kind or even a four of a kind win. At 3:1 for a three of a kind and 50:1 for a four of a kind, these wins are potentially very lucrative.
As for not raising (what is sometimes called “continuing”), you should avoid betting if none of your cards put you in line for any sort of win whatsoever. This situation doesn’t guarantee a loss, but it means you should be conservative with your betting.
One way to improve your Let It Ride skills is to practice the game with free play versions online. When you’re playing with fake money, taking crazy chances or placing huge bets is pain-free. Online casinos that offer Let It Ride pretty much all have a free version to play, so go ahead and test out your own Let It Ride system before you put your paycheck on the line.
Let It Ride was invented as a way for ShuffleMaster to sell more automatic shuffling machines. Because playing Let It Ride means you’re not playing against any opponents, it’s a game favored by people with little interest or experience in real poker online.
Let It Ride is a lot like video poker dealt by a live dealer and played on a table instead of a screen. Let It Ride will always be popular with that portion of the casino market who aren’t interested in learning a ton of strategy (like with poker) or playing in fast games like craps. Take your time, memorize the payout table, and remember to be wise with your raising, surrendering, and continuing decisions, and Let It Ride is a great piece of cheap gaming entertainment. There are several Let It Ride sites that are similar to texas holdem online available so players from all over the world can enjoy playing.