Playing table

Let It Ride is played on a table that is very similar to a blackjac1 and is usually located in or near the blackjack area. In most casinos is easy to find because there is an elevated sign at the table identifying the game. The table has six or seven player positions around the curved side of the table (see illustration). The dealer stands at the flat side with a chip rack directly in front of her and a card-shuffling machine to her right.

 

At each player position are three betting circles. In most casinos they are marked, from left to right: “$“, “2,” and “1” (some casinos reverse the order). These circles are where the three mandatory bets are placed prior to dealing a hand. There is also a red-lighted spot above the three betting circles where an optional $1 bonus side bet may be placed. The spot will light up to indicate which players are qualified for the bonus.

Directly in front of the chip rack are two rectangular boxes, sometimes marked with the numbers “1” and “2.” This is where the dealer places the two community cards (initially face down).

How the game is played

 

The most important goal in Let It Ride is to end up with a five card poker hand that is at least as good as a pair of tens. For players who invested an extra dollar to qualify for the bonus payout, the secondary goal is to get a hand that is equal or better than the minimum bonus payout. Depending on the particular pay table, this may be a pair of tens, two pair, or three-of-a-kind.

 

Start

 

At the start of each game, you have to place equal bets in each of the three betting circles. Most Let It Ride tables have either a $5 or a $10 minimum bet requirement. This is a little misleading because a $5 minimum means you must bet at least $15 ($5 in each circle). However, if you are unhappy with how your hand develops, you can pull back as much as $10 of your initial $15 bet. When you place your three bets, you may also put a dollar on the red bonus spot. This is entirely optional; however, if you do not invest the dollar, you will have no chance of winning the extra bonus, regardless of how good a hand you might have.

 

 

Once all the bets are placed, the dealer distributes three face-do cards to each player from a shuffling machine. The dealer also places two face-down cards on the two rectangular boxes at the center of the table. These are the two community cards that will ultimately be a part of each player’s hand. In some casinos, the community cards are not dealt out until each player has made the first betting decision. You may now look at your three cards, but you aren’t supposed to show them to anyone else.

 

 

Sure winner

 

If your hand is a sure winner (has a pair of tens or better), or if you believe the addition of the two community cards will make your hand a winner, you should let the first bet ride. Do this by squaring up the cards and laying them face down directly behind the center bet.

 

 

Looser

 

 

If the hand appears to be a loser, you should lightly scratch the cards on the table (similar to asking for a hit in blackjack). The dealer will then push the first bet out of the circle so that you may retrieve it. Note that pulling back your bet is not the same as folding your hand. You continue to play—you just have less money riding on the hand. After all the players at the table have made their betting decisions, the dealer turns over the first of the two community cards, and the entire process is repeated. You re-evaluate your hand just as before except that you now have four cards on which to base your judgment. At this time, you can pull back your second bet if the hand does not look good, or “let it ride” if it does. Keep in mind that you may pull back your second bet even if you let the first bet ride.