Casino Hold ‘em Guide: Rules & Winning Tips

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Casino Hold Em Guide

Playing Casino Hold 'em is fun and easy! Check out this friendly guide with winning tips to help you make the best five-card poker hand then win the game.

Admit it—playing the same ‘ol poker game can be a ho-hum. Luckily, there are many variations of the classic card game online that you will like. One of which is Casino Hold ‘em, a gripping tweak of Texas Hold ‘em.

Both games share similar basic playing pattern, but the noticeable difference lies on the games’ opponents. When you play Casino Hold ’em, you compete with other poker players, whereas when you play Casino Hold ‘em, you go against the house. Simply create the best five-card hand out of your two hole cards and five community cards to beat the dealer. To help you know your way around the game, check out this no-frills Casino Hold ‘em guide.

Casino Hold ‘em Hand Rankings

Casino Hold 'em Hands

If you know how to play poker, then you are off to a good start. Casino Hold ‘em uses the same hand ranking that poker does. The suits—Hearts (♥), Clubs (♣), Diamonds (♦) and Spades (♠)—share the same value, while the card numbers are ranked as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A, in ascending order. A Casino Hold ‘em winning hand must consist of five cards forming the following combinations:

  • Royal Flush – features a combination of 10, J, Q, K, and A cards, all in the same suit.
  • Straight Flush – features five sequential cards with the same suits.
  • Four of a Kind – features four cards of the same rank and one card of another rank.
  • Full House – features a combination of three of a kind and a pair.
  • Flush – features five cards of the same suit.
  • Straight – features five consecutive cards in different suits.
  • Three of a Kind – features three cards with the same rank but different suits and two random side cards.
  • Two Pair – features two pairs and one random card.
  • One Pair – features one pair of cards and three random cards.
  • High Card – features five cards that have no pairs or sequences.

Among these hands, royal flush holds the highest rank and payout (about 100:1), while high card has the lowest (about 1:1). If no one can form any winning hand during the game, then whoever holds the highest card value will win.

Casino Hold ‘em Gameplay

Learning how to play Casino Hold ‘em is fun and easy. By following these three simple steps, you are off to a rewarding betting spree:

1| Place Your Ante

Kick off the game by placing your chips on the betting table’s Ante section, then click Deal. Note that the bet amount requirement may vary from casino to casino. After which, both you and the dealer will get two facedown cards. The first three community cards, which you will use to complete your five-card hand, will be dealt face-up on the table.

2| Going for Call or Fold

During this part of the game, you have to deal with your cards by either folding or calling. If you have a strong hand, opt for call to continue playing the game. Simply bet twice the amount of your Ante wager. Folding, on the other hand, means you are forfeiting your hands and your bets.

3| Forming Your Hands

If you decide to call, the dealer will present the last two cards to complete the five community cards. Make the best five-card hand you can get by combining your two hole cards and three cards from the five community cards. The dealer will proceed with the game if his hand “qualifies” or have at least a pair of 4s or better.

If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, you win. If the dealer qualifies and beats your hand, you lose. But if the dealer qualifies and you have a better hand, you get an even-money payout, and the house pays the ante accordingly. In the event that both your hand and the dealer’s hand ties, you will get back all your stakes.

Casino Hold ‘em Winning Tips

Casino Hold 'em Table

You already know the nitty-gritty of Casino Hold ‘em. So the next thing to do is learn some tips to make the most out of your game. Playing Casino Hold ‘em does involve a bit of luck, but when you know how to play smart, you are off to a rewarding betting adventure.

1| Should You Call or Should You Fold?

Dealing with your Casino hold ‘em hands might seem like a no-brainer, especially with only two options to choose from. But before folding or calling your cards, you must consider the strength of your hole cards as well as how your hand might turn out once all the cards are dealt.

As a rule of thumb, always call if you have a pair or better, an Ace or a King as your highest card, or four cards of the same suit, which can turn into a flush when another card of the same value is dealt. You should also raise your stakes when you have four sequential cards, as they turn into a straight. On the other hand, always fold when your hand does not have any 10-value cards or higher. Do the same if you have unpaired low-value cards.

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2| Why Betting on AA Side Bet Is a Not-So-Good Idea

AA Bonus bet is a sucker bet – at least, most of the time.

AA Bonus is an optional side bet placed alongside your ante at the beginning of the game. If you have a pair of As or better hand after the first three community cards are dealt, you win AA Bonus bet. Otherwise, you lose. Payouts for this side bet will definitely bolster your bankroll. For instance, you get over 25 times your stake when you get a flush or higher, while you get 7-to-1 payout with straight or lower hands. But do not be deceived! AA Bonus offers a whopping house edge of about 6.40%, tripling the game’s 2.16% house advantage. So unless you are a high roller who prefers elusive odds, then going for AA Bets is not advisable.

3| Where to Play the Game

With the plethora of betting sites plunging on the online gaming space, choosing the best one for you can be daunting. There are many factors to consider before signing up.

Valid License

First, the online betting site must have a valid license from reputable online betting commissions, like the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority that will ensure its adherence to sound online betting rules and regulations.

Banking Options

Next in line is the casino’s roster or banking options, which should include well-known credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and more convenient payment channels. The last thing you want is putting your funds in rogue hands.

Bonuses and Rewards

Another factor to consider is the bonuses and rewards up for grabs. Most online casinos double or triple your initial deposit right after signing up. Others reward no-deposit bonuses, allowing you to try the casino offerings without risking your own money. To make your membership more rewarding, most betting sites offer VIP programs, monthly and weekly promotions, and more.

Now that you know your way around the game, with some winning tips to boot, you are ready to bet, flip, and call with ease. Remember that playing smart is always a good start. Test your luck and Casino Hold ‘em skills by playing a round today.

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