Casino Hold’em is a game largely based on Texas Hold’em, but sets players against the dealer rather than one another. We take a look at how to play the game, and the best place to play on the Internet for our overseas readers. For Australians, this page is purely informational only, as online gambling is illegal in Australia as of September 2017 due to changes introduced by the Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2016.
How to play Casino Hold’em
A standard game of Casino Hold’em is generally played with one deck of 52 cards. Below, we break down the standard game step-by-step.
- Each player makes an Ante bet. There may be an optional side bet available to make too dependant on the title, which we will detail below.
- The croupier deals each player, and themselves, two hole cards, plus three cards face up for every player to see on the table.
- From here, every player can make their move – to call or fold. If a player folds they forfeit their Ante bet and their cards. If the player Calls, they have to place another wager equalling double their Ante wager.
- The croupier will then place two more cards face up in the centre of the table if at least one player Calls, and then reveal their own two cards.
- Players and the dealer then need to make their best five card poker hand and then each player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s.
- The dealer needs at least a pair of 4s to qualify and if their hand beats the player both Ante and Call bets will be lost. If they don’t beat the player’s hand the Ante pays as per the game’s paytable, while the Call bet will push.
- If the dealer does qualify and the player wins with their hand, the Ante will be paid out accordingly, while the Call bet will pay 1:1.
- If the dealer does qualify and the player’s hand ties with the dealer’s, both Ante and Call bets will push.
Casino Hold’em payouts
If the dealer does qualify and the player wins, then the ante is generally paid out as follows:
- Royal flush – 100:1
- Straight flush – 20:1
- 4 of a kind – 10:1
- Full house – 3:1
- Flush – 2:1
- All other – 1:1
Depending where you are playing, you may come across a bonus side bet too. Known as the AA+ side bet, it relies on your two hole cards and the three cards in the middle, with the following payouts generally available:
- Royal flush – 100:1
- Straight flush – 50:1
- 4 of a kind – 40:1
- Full house – 30:1
- Flush – 20:1
- Straight – 7:1
- Three of a Kind – 7:1
- Two Pair – 7:1
- Pair of Aces – 7:1
Casino Hold’em basic strategy
Whether you play online or at a land-based casino, you can rely on a basic strategy to improve gameplay. However, since the game doesn’t follow the standard poker process of versing other players and there’s no opportunity to bluff, the strategy is limited to your hand – specifically when to call and when to fold.
Many recommend the best way to win is play most hands, with the following tips in mind:
- Call with a pair or better
- Call with Ace high or King high
- Call with Queen high or Jack high, except for when the table shows cards all of the same suit – and you don’t have a card of that suit
- Call with a Flush or Straight
- Fold if the cards on the table are pairs and you have no cards which match, or any cards valued over 10 – excluding if you have a Flush or Straight
- Fold if you have unpaired low cards which don’t match the table cards and you can’t make a Flush or Straight
Where to play Casino Hold’em
While you may or may not find Casino Hold’em at a land-based casino in Australia – it is generally quite common at brick and mortar casinos all over the world so you should – online is the best place to play the title. Here are the best Casino Hold’em titles, who makes them and where to play them.
Casino Hold’em by Net Entertainment
NetEnt offer a RNG title featuring the AA+ side bet and a house edge of 2.16%. This title is played with one standard deck of cards. The graphics are of high quality and there’s the option to speed up gameplay. You can find this title at GDayCasino.com and Guts.com, with a minimum bet of $1, and maximum of $100.
Casino Hold’em by Play’n GO
Another RNG Casino Hold’em title has been created by mobile pioneers, Play’n GO, and is quite similar to NetEnt’s version. The AA+ side bet is on offer, the graphics are crisp, and the title also features a 2.16% house edge. However, you can only find this title at Guts.com, with a minimum bet of $1 and a maximum bet of $100.
Live Casino Hold’em by Microgaming
Microgaming offer a high quality live dealer catalogue featuring an array of popular casino games, including Live Casino Hold’Em. However, unlike many of their other titles there’s no option to choose between a traditionally dressed dealer or a croupier dressed in a Playboy Bunny costume – the former option is only available for Casino Hold’Em. There’s a variety of table limits, including $10 to $100, $30 to $300, and $50 to $500.
The side bet is available on Microgaming’s variant, but a chat box isn’t. While you are versing human dealer in real time, the house edge is slightly more than the aforementioned RNG titles at 2.32%.
You can find Micorgaming’s Live Casino Hold’em at AllSlotsCasino.com and RoyalVegasCasino.com.
Casino Hold’em by Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming offer a great live dealer Casino Hold’em title too, with table limits to suit every bankroll – the game features a minimum bet of $0.50 and a maximum of $5000. There’s also the side bet available, and a chat box for players to talk to one another and the dealer – who will respond verbally. There’s always a seat available too and this title offers the same house edge as the RNG titles of 2.16%.
You can find Evolution Gaming’s Live Casino Hold’em title at Guts.com.