Casino Poker Variations: Complete Guide to Every Game (2025)
Casino poker games offer the excitement of poker with the simplicity of table games. Unlike traditional poker where you play against other players, these games pit you against the house with fixed payouts and straightforward strategies.
Quick Comparison Chart
| Variation | House Edge | Cards Dealt | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Card Poker | 3.37% (Ante) | 3 | Fastest poker game |
| Caribbean Stud | 5.22% | 5 | Progressive jackpot |
| Pai Gow Poker | 2.84% | 7 | Split into two hands |
| Four Card Poker | 2.79% (Aces Up) | 5 | Beat dealer's 4-card hand |
| Let It Ride | 3.51% | 3+2 | Remove bets as cards reveal |
Three Card Poker
House Edge: 3.37% (Ante), 7.28% (Pair Plus)
The fastest and most popular casino poker variant. You receive three cards and decide to play or fold against the dealer.
How It Works
- Place Ante bet (optional Pair Plus side bet)
- Receive three cards face down
- Fold (lose Ante) or Play (match Ante)
- Dealer needs Queen-high to qualify
- Beat dealer = win; dealer doesn't qualify = Ante pays, Play pushes
Hand Rankings (High to Low)
- Straight Flush
- Three of a Kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Pair
- High Card
Strategy
Simple optimal strategy: Play Q-6-4 or better, fold everything else.
Caribbean Stud Poker
House Edge: 5.22%
A five-card poker game with the chance at massive progressive jackpots. Popular for its big-win potential.
How It Works
- Place Ante (optional $1 progressive side bet)
- Receive five cards; dealer shows one card
- Fold (lose Ante) or Call (2x Ante)
- Dealer needs A-K or better to qualify
- Beat dealer = win based on hand strength
Payout Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20:1 |
| Full House | 7:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |
| Two Pair | 2:1 |
| Pair or Less | 1:1 |
Strategy
Raise with A-K-J-8-3 or better. Always raise with a pair or higher.
Pai Gow Poker
House Edge: 2.84% (with optimal strategy)
A unique game combining poker with Chinese dominoes strategy. You split seven cards into a five-card and two-card hand.
How It Works
- Receive seven cards
- Split into 5-card "high" hand and 2-card "low" hand
- High hand must rank higher than low hand
- Both hands must beat dealer's corresponding hands to win
- Win one, lose one = push (tie)
Key Rules
- Joker is wild (completes straights/flushes, otherwise Ace)
- 5-card hand uses standard poker rankings
- 2-card hand: pairs beat high cards
- A-2-3-4-5 is second-highest straight
Strategy Basics
- Always split two pair (usually)
- Keep straights/flushes in high hand when possible
- Balance hand strength—don't sacrifice low hand completely
Four Card Poker
House Edge: 2.79% (Aces Up), 3.40% (Ante)
You get five cards to make your best four-card hand against the dealer's four-card hand.
How It Works
- Place Ante and/or Aces Up bets
- Receive five cards (dealer gets six, uses best four)
- Fold or bet 1x-3x Ante
- Best four-card hand wins
Four-Card Hand Rankings
| Hand | Example |
|---|---|
| Four of a Kind | 8-8-8-8 |
| Straight Flush | 5-6-7-8 suited |
| Three of a Kind | K-K-K-7 |
| Flush | A-J-8-3 suited |
| Straight | 9-10-J-Q |
| Two Pair | A-A-7-7 |
| Pair | Q-Q-9-4 |
| High Card | A-K-J-8 |
Strategy
Bet 3x with pair of tens or better. Bet 1x with pair of 2s-9s. Fold with less than a pair.
Let It Ride
House Edge: 3.51%
A relaxed game where you control three bets and can withdraw two as community cards are revealed.
How It Works
- Place three equal bets
- Receive three cards
- First community card revealed—pull back bet #1 or "let it ride"
- Second community card revealed—pull back bet #2 or "let it ride"
- Make best 5-card hand from your 3 + 2 community cards
Payout 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 (10s+) | 1:1 |
Strategy
Let it ride with:
- Made paying hand (pair of 10s+)
- 3 to a Royal Flush
- 3 to a Straight Flush (no gaps, or 1 gap with 2 high cards)
Which Variation Should You Play?
Best for Beginners
Three Card Poker — Simple rules, fast pace, easy strategy
Lowest House Edge
Four Card Poker (Aces Up) — 2.79% with optimal play
Best for Big Wins
Caribbean Stud — Progressive jackpot can reach millions
Most Strategic
Pai Gow Poker — Hand-setting decisions add depth
Most Relaxed Pace
Let It Ride — Slow reveal, social atmosphere
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing Pair Plus exclusively — Higher house edge than Ante game
- Ignoring optimal strategy — Costs 1-3% extra edge
- Chasing progressives — Side bets have terrible odds
- Not understanding qualifiers — Know when dealer must qualify
- Poor Pai Gow hand setting — Learn the house way as baseline
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
- Strategy fundamentals: Poker Strategy
- Complete rules: Poker Guide
The Bottom Line
Casino poker variations offer engaging gameplay with reasonable house edges. Three Card Poker provides the fastest action, Pai Gow the lowest edge, and Caribbean Stud the biggest jackpot potential. Learn basic strategy for your chosen game—it makes a meaningful difference in your expected results.