How to Play Let It Ride: Rules, Strategy & Odds Guide
Let It Ride is a casino poker game with a unique twist—instead of betting more as the hand progresses, you can take bets back. You start with three equal bets and have two opportunities to withdraw money as community cards are revealed. The goal is simple: make a winning poker hand using your three cards plus two community cards.
This guide covers everything you need to play Let It Ride intelligently: the rules, optimal strategy, and what makes this game different from other casino poker variants.
Table of Contents
- What Is Let It Ride?
- How to Play
- Hand Rankings and Payouts
- Optimal Strategy
- Odds and House Edge
- The Bonus Bet
- Tips for Players
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Let It Ride?
Let It Ride is a casino poker game where you do not compete against the dealer or other players. Instead, you try to make a paying poker hand using your three cards plus two community cards. The unique feature: you can pull back portions of your bet if your hand looks weak.
Origins
Let It Ride was created by Shuffle Master and introduced in 1993. The game gained popularity because of its poker theme, relaxed pace, and the psychological appeal of being able to retrieve bets.
Why Players Like Let It Ride
You can reduce your bet: Unlike most casino games, you can take money off the table as the hand develops.
No competition: You are not playing against the dealer or other players. Everyone can win on the same hand.
Poker hand excitement: The thrill of watching community cards reveal and hoping for a winning combination.
Clear payouts: The pay table shows exactly what each hand wins.
Social atmosphere: Multiple players root for similar outcomes.
How to Play
Let It Ride has a distinct betting structure that sets it apart from other casino poker games.
The Table Layout
The table has three betting circles labeled "1", "2", and "$" (or "Bonus"). Each player must place equal bets in all three circles to start.
Step-by-Step Gameplay
1. Place Three Equal Bets Put identical wagers in the 1, 2, and $ circles. For example, $10 in each circle ($30 total).
2. Optional Bonus Bet Place an optional side bet on the bonus circle if you want to play for additional payouts.
3. Receive Your Cards You receive three cards face down. Two community cards are dealt face down in the center.
4. First Decision Look at your three cards. Decide:
- Let it ride: Leave your bet in circle 1
- Pull it back: Take back your bet from circle 1
5. First Community Card Revealed The dealer turns over one community card.
6. Second Decision Now with four cards visible (your three plus one community card), decide:
- Let it ride: Leave your bet in circle 2
- Pull it back: Take back your bet from circle 2
7. Second Community Card Revealed The dealer turns over the final community card.
8. Final Hand Evaluated Your best five-card poker hand (your three cards plus two community cards) determines your payout.
Key Rules
- The $ bet always plays: You cannot withdraw the bet in the $ circle.
- Decisions are independent: Pulling back bet 1 does not affect your options for bet 2.
- All players see same community cards: Multiple players can win on the same hand.
- Minimum hand to win: Pair of 10s or better.
Hand Rankings and Payouts
Let It Ride uses standard poker hand rankings with payouts starting at a pair of 10s.
Standard Pay Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000:1 |
| Straight Flush | 200:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 50:1 |
| Full House | 11:1 |
| Flush | 8:1 |
| Straight | 5:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |
| Two Pair | 2:1 |
| Pair of 10s or Better | 1:1 |
Important Payout Notes
- Payouts apply to each remaining bet independently
- If you pulled back both optional bets, only the $ bet pays
- If you let both bets ride, all three bets pay at the listed odds
Example Payouts
Scenario 1: You bet $10 in each circle, let both bets ride, and finish with two pair.
- Each of your three $10 bets pays 2:1
- Winnings: 3 × $10 × 2 = $60 profit
Scenario 2: You bet $10 in each circle, pulled back both bets, and finish with a flush.
- Only your $ bet ($10) remains
- Winnings: $10 × 8 = $80 profit
Optimal Strategy
Let It Ride strategy focuses on two decisions: whether to let bet 1 ride and whether to let bet 2 ride.
First Decision (Bet 1) - Three Cards Visible
Let it ride with:
Made winning hands:
- Pair of 10s or better
Three to a Royal Flush
Three to a Straight Flush:
- Three suited connected cards
- Maximum one gap
- At least one high card (10 or better)
Otherwise, pull bet 1 back.
Second Decision (Bet 2) - Four Cards Visible
Let it ride with:
Made winning hands:
- Pair of 10s or better
- Any three of a kind or better
Four to a Flush
Four to an Outside Straight:
- Four consecutive cards with both ends open
- Example: 5-6-7-8 (wins with 4 or 9)
Four High Cards (10 or better):
- Example: 10-J-Q-K (wins with any 10, J, Q, K, or A)
Otherwise, pull bet 2 back.
Strategy Summary Table
| Cards Visible | Hand | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Pair of 10s+ | Let it ride |
| 3 | Three to royal flush | Let it ride |
| 3 | Three to straight flush (one gap max, one high card) | Let it ride |
| 3 | Anything else | Pull back |
| 4 | Pair of 10s+ | Let it ride |
| 4 | Four to a flush | Let it ride |
| 4 | Four to outside straight | Let it ride |
| 4 | Four high cards | Let it ride |
| 4 | Anything else | Pull back |
Common Mistakes
Letting small pairs ride: A pair of 7s is not a winning hand. Pull back.
Chasing inside straights: 5-6-8-9 is not an outside straight. Pull back.
Letting three high cards ride on bet 1: Wait until four cards to evaluate. Pull back bet 1.
Overvaluing suited cards: Three random suited cards (not close to a straight flush) should be pulled back.
Odds and House Edge
Understanding Let It Ride mathematics helps set realistic expectations.
House Edge
Optimal strategy: 3.51% house edge
This assumes correct decisions on both betting choices.
Hand Probabilities
| Hand | Probability |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 0.00015% |
| Straight Flush | 0.0014% |
| Four of a Kind | 0.024% |
| Full House | 0.14% |
| Flush | 0.20% |
| Straight | 0.39% |
| Three of a Kind | 2.11% |
| Two Pair | 4.75% |
| Pair of 10s+ | 16.9% |
| Losing Hand | 75.5% |
Key Insight
You will lose about 75% of hands. Winning hands are relatively rare, which is why optimal strategy involves pulling back bets frequently.
Average Wager Per Hand
With optimal strategy, the average total wager per hand is approximately 3.5 units (out of a possible 9 if you never pulled back). Most hands result in pulling back both optional bets.
Expected Value
At $10 per circle ($30 maximum):
- Average wager: approximately $35 per hand
- Expected loss per hand: approximately $1.23
- Hands per hour: approximately 40
- Expected hourly loss: approximately $49
The Bonus Bet
Most Let It Ride tables offer an optional bonus bet.
How It Works
Place an additional bet (usually $1-$5) on the bonus circle. This bet pays based on your final hand regardless of the main game outcome.
Typical Bonus Pay Table
| Hand | Typical Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | $20,000 |
| Straight Flush | $2,000 |
| Four of a Kind | $400 |
| Full House | $200 |
| Flush | $50 |
| Straight | $25 |
| Three of a Kind | $5 |
Bonus Bet House Edge
The bonus bet typically carries a house edge of 13-36%, depending on the pay table. This is significantly worse than the main game.
Should You Play the Bonus?
From a mathematical standpoint, no. The house edge is too high.
However, many players enjoy the bonus bet because:
- Small cost ($1) for big jackpot potential
- Pays even on losing main game hands
- Adds excitement to premium hands
If you play the bonus, treat it as entertainment cost, not expected value.
Tips for Players
Practical advice for Let It Ride sessions.
Bankroll Management
Let It Ride has high variance. Prepare accordingly:
Session bankroll: 30-40 times your three-bet total. For $10 bets ($30 total), bring $900-$1,200.
Loss limit: Set a maximum amount you will lose and stop when reached.
Win goal: Consider walking away after significant wins.
Table Selection
- Compare pay tables between casinos
- Look for full-pay tables (1000:1 on royal, 200:1 on straight flush)
- Check bonus bet pay tables if you plan to play the side bet
Pace of Play
Let It Ride moves moderately fast (40-50 hands per hour). The two decision points add time compared to simpler games.
Etiquette
- Do not show your cards to other players
- Make betting decisions in a timely manner
- Do not celebrate excessively when pulling back (others may have let it ride)
Common Errors to Avoid
Tipping on every hand: Wait for significant wins to tip.
Playing the bonus every hand: The house edge adds up quickly.
Getting frustrated after pulling back: You will pull back most hands. This is correct strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Let It Ride offers a unique casino poker experience where you control your risk by withdrawing bets. The ability to take money back feels empowering, even though optimal strategy still favors the house.
Key takeaways:
- House edge: 3.51% with optimal strategy
- Minimum winning hand: Pair of 10s
- Most hands: Pull back both optional bets
- Bonus bet: High house edge, play for fun only
Optimal strategy summary:
Bet 1 (three cards): Let it ride only with pair of 10s+ or strong straight flush draws.
Bet 2 (four cards): Let it ride with pair of 10s+, four to a flush, four to an outside straight, or four high cards.
For best results:
- Learn the simple strategy
- Manage your bankroll for variance
- Skip or limit the bonus bet
- Accept that you will lose most hands
Let It Ride provides genuine entertainment for players who enjoy poker hands and decision-making. The pull-back option adds engagement even on losing hands. Play within your means and enjoy the ride.
Good luck at the tables.