Casino Hold'em: Rules, Odds and Strategy
Casino Hold'em takes the cards and hand rankings of Texas Hold'em poker and turns them into a game against the dealer. Here is how a hand plays out.
How Casino Hold'em differs from poker against players
In regular Texas Hold'em you play against other players, and you can win with any hand if everyone else folds. In Casino Hold'em you play against the dealer only. There's no bluffing and no betting rounds against other people: the best five-card hand between you and the dealer decides the result.
The hand rankings are the same as in standard poker, from high card up to a royal flush.
The ante and call bets
- You place an ante bet.
- You get two cards, the dealer gets two face down, and three community cards (the flop) are dealt face up.
- You decide to fold, losing your ante, or call, placing a call bet of twice your ante.
- If you call, two more community cards are dealt (the turn and river), and the dealer reveals their hand.
You and the dealer each make the best five-card hand from your two cards and the five community cards.
When the dealer qualifies
The dealer needs a pair of fours or better to qualify.
| Outcome | Ante | Call |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer doesn't qualify | Paid by the ante paytable | Returned |
| Dealer qualifies, you win | Paid by the ante paytable | Pays 1 to 1 |
| Dealer qualifies, dealer wins | Lost | Lost |
| Tie | Returned | Returned |
Payouts and the AA bonus side bet
The ante pays according to your hand. A typical paytable is:
| Your hand | Ante pays |
|---|---|
| Royal flush | 100 to 1 |
| Straight flush | 20 to 1 |
| Four of a kind | 10 to 1 |
| Full house | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 2 to 1 |
| Straight or lower | 1 to 1 |
Many tables also offer the AA Bonus side bet, which pays if your two cards and the flop make a pair of aces or better, whatever the dealer has. Payouts vary between tables, and like most side bets it carries a higher house edge than the main game.
Basic strategy and the house edge
The strategy is simpler than it sounds: call with most hands. Because the dealer often fails to qualify or has a weaker hand, calling is the right move far more often than folding. Fold only the weakest hands, such as low unpaired cards with no realistic straight or flush draw after the flop.
With good strategy, the house edge is a little over 2% of the ante. Folding too often is the most common mistake, because every fold gives up your ante.
Where to play
Casino Hold'em is widely available as a live dealer game and as an RNG table game. Here are the live casino options from our featured brands:
Editor's pick Position 1
BetFusion iOS app
Code BFUS50 on your first deposit
50 Bonus Spins on Big Bass Splash
Code BFUS50- Min deposit £10
- Wagering 1x
- Max £100 cashout from bonus spin winnings
- Valid 7 days
18+ New customers only. First deposit of £10+ by Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay or Apple Pay using code BFUS50, then wager £10 on eligible slots within 7 days to get 50 Bonus Spins on Big Bass Splash (10p each, use within 24 hours). Bonus spin winnings wagered 1x on eligible slots; max cashout £100. Excluded games apply. One per household. 18+. T&Cs apply.
- Position 2
PlayWins iOS app
Code PWIN50 on your first deposit
50 Bonus Spins on Big Bass Splash
Code PWIN50- Min deposit £10
- Wagering 1x
- Max £100 cashout from bonus spin winnings
- Valid 7 days
18+ New customers only. First deposit of £10+ by Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay or Apple Pay using code PWIN50, then wager £10 on eligible slots within 7 days to get 50 Bonus Spins on Big Bass Splash (10p each, use within 24 hours). Bonus spin winnings wagered 1x on eligible slots; max cashout £100. Excluded games apply. One per household. 18+. T&Cs apply.
- Position 3
SaviBet SaviBet iOS app
20 Free Spins on Book of Dead with your first deposit
25% up to £50 + 20 Free Spins
- Min deposit £10
- Wagering 10x
- Max conversion 1x bonus amount; £20 from free spins
- Valid 30 days
18+ New players only. Min deposit £10 via the casino cashier. 25% match bonus up to £50 plus 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead. Bonus wagered 10x within 30 days; free spin winnings wagered 10x within 7 days. Game contributions vary. Max conversion: 1x the bonus amount, or £20 from free spins. Skrill and Neteller deposits excluded. Withdrawal requests void active bonuses. 18+. T&Cs apply.
If you enjoy it, try Three Card Poker, or explore more games on our casino poker hub and live casino page.
Keep it fun
Set a budget before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. Gambling should never be a way to make money. Free, confidential help is available from GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
