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Jennifer LynnJennifer Lynn
Richard GrantRichard Grant

In this article I focus on Let It Ride poker, a game where your goal is to make the best hand possible. You’re not trying to beat other players or the house. The action centers entirely on your own cards, making it a straightforward and relaxed poker variation found in many casinos.

How to Play Let It Ride Poker 454v1

How to Play Let It Ride Poker

Let It Ride follows a five card stud structure, where each player receives three cards and shares two community cards with the table. One of the most important aspects of Let It Ride is that you have two opportunities during the hand to pull back exactly one third of your original bet.

You get your first opportunity to withdraw a third of your bet after seeing your three cards, but before the first community card is revealed. The second chance comes after the first community card is shown, but before the second one appears. You can choose to reduce your bet at either stage, at both, or not at all. If you leave all your bets in play, you are choosing to “let it ride.”

Below, you’ll find each hand ranked from best to worst, along with the typical payout for each. Keep in mind that payouts can vary between casinos and aren’t fixed. Some casinos may offer better returns, while others pay less, so it’s always a good idea to check the payout table before you play.

To play this game effectively, it’s important to know the different poker hands, which ones rank highest, and what each hand includes. I’ve written a detailed article on Poker Hand Rankings here.

Let it Ride Poker Rules 2y5i33

Let it Ride Poker Rules

Let It Ride Poker rules are fairly easy to , and below I’ve highlighted the main points you need to know:

  • You place three equal bets to begin the hand.
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  • The dealer gives each player three cards face down. Only you can see your own cards.
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  • After checking your cards, you may take back your first bet, leaving two thirds of your wager in play, or you can keep all bets active by choosing to let it ride.
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  • The dealer places one community card face up on the table. This card is shared by everyone, but your goal is simply to make the strongest hand possible for yourself.
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  • Now you have a second chance to withdraw your next bet or keep it in play by letting it ride again.
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  • The dealer reveals a second community card. Your three cards plus these two community cards make up your final hand, and payouts are made based on its strength as shown in the table below.

 

Keep in mind that Let It Ride Poker payouts can differ between casinos. If you plan to play, it’s always a good idea to compare payout tables at several casinos to make sure you’re getting the best possible returns.

Hand Payout
Royal Flush 1,000 to 1
Straight Flush 200 to 1
Four of a Kind 50 to 1
Full House 11 to 1
Flush 8 to 1
Straight 5 to 1
Three of a Kind 3 to 1
Two Pair 2 to 1
Pair of Tens or Better 1 to 1
Anything Else Lose

Let it Ride Poker Strategy 2m6p1f

Let it Ride Poker Strategy

Based on my experience, the best Let It Ride Poker strategy is straightforward and easy to follow. After your first three cards are dealt, I recommend only letting your bet ride (staying in the hand) if you have:

  • Any winning hand, such as a pair of tens or higher
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  • Any three cards that could form a Royal Flush
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  • Three suited cards in sequence, except for low combinations like 2 3 4 or Ace 2 3
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  • Three suited cards that can make a Straight Flush within four consecutive numbers, with at least one card being a ten or higher
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  • Three suited cards that can make a Straight Flush spread across five consecutive numbers, as long as at least two are tens or higher

 

After the first four cards are on the table, I suggest only letting your bet ride if you have:

  • Any winning hand, such as a pair of tens or better, three of a kind, or two pairs
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  • Any four cards of the same suit
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  • Any four cards to an outside straight, with at least one card being a ten or higher
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  • Any four cards to an inside straight

Spread over 4 numbers: The three cards are within four consecutive numbers. For example, 6, 7, and 9 are spread over four numbers (6, 7, 8, 9).

Spread over 5 numbers: The three cards are within five consecutive numbers. For example, 6, 7, and 10 are spread over five numbers (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Outside Straight: Four cards that need either a low or high card to complete a straight. For example, with 4, 5, 6, and 7, you need a 3 or 8 to complete the straight.

Inside Straight: Four cards that need a card in the middle to complete a straight. For example, with 4, 5, 7, and 8, only a 6 will complete the straight.

My Experience Using Oscar’s Grind in Let It Ride Poker a601b

I decided to use the Oscar’s Grind betting system during a recent game of Let It Ride Poker, curious to see if it would help me manage my bankroll more effectively. I started with a base bet of $10 per round, dividing it equally across the three bets required for each hand.

With Oscar’s Grind, the idea is simple: you increase your base bet by one unit after each win, but keep it the same after a loss. This method aims for steady, gradual profits without the wild swings that come from more aggressive systems. Over the course of three hours, I stuck to the plan. If I won a hand, I raised my starting bet to $20 for the next round. If I lost, I kept my bet at $10. There were stretches where the cards ran cold and I just kept grinding away, but I didn’t get discouraged since the losses were always manageable.

Whenever I hit a win, I nudged my bet up by another $10 and aimed for a small profit target before resetting back to my original wager. The system made it easy to stay disciplined and avoid chasing losses. By the end of play, after several ups and downs, I found myself $70 ahead. I walked away feeling like I had more control over my bets and a much more enjoyable overall experience.

If you want to dive deeper into how Oscar’s Grind works and see how it compares to other betting systems, check out my full guide here.

Let it Ride Poker Tips 56g3h

Below I’ve put together some of my favorite Let It Ride Poker tips to help you have more fun and play with confidence.

  • Focus on the main game and avoid side bets for better odds.
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  • Learn the optimal strategy before playing for real money.
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  • Always check the payout table at each casino since payouts can differ.
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  • Stick to your budget and decide your limits before you start playing.
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  • Let your bet ride only when you have a strong hand based on the recommended strategy.
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  • If you are losing, take a break and avoid trying to recover losses immediately.
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  • Use practice or free online versions of Let It Ride Poker to get familiar with the rules and strategy.

 

Related Poker Articles: 3kg4n

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About the author 5a2o1p

Jennifer Lynn
Head of Content
Jennifer Lynn started her career in her early 20s as a croupier at a local land-based casino. Over time, she became a seasoned gambler, reading numerous books on gambling strategies that helped her gain extensive knowledge in the field. Driven by her ion for journalism, she began writing for gambling magazines after earning her degree, with her articles featured on numerous popular gambling platforms. For over 25 years, Jennifer has played at and reviewed more than 150 online casinos, gaining recognition for her detailed assessments. As a ionate researcher, writer, and player, she shares her knowledge on a wide range of casino games and effective strategies for players.
Last Updated: Jun 03, 2025
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