Let it Ride is one of the original poker table games. There is no house hand. The player tries to get the strongest five-card poker hand. It is paid based on its strength. The player needs at least a pair of tens to win.
How to buy into a Let it Ride game
The first step of buying into a Let it Ride game is to place cash on the felt. The dealer will convert the cash into chips at the table. Players that bring chips from other games may use them at a Let it Ride game. The dealer will make change for larger chips upon request.
How a Let it Ride hand plays out
A hand of Let it Ride starts with the player making three equal bets. Three cards are then dealt to the player. Two cards are placed face down in the center of the table. There is an option to bring one of the stacks back or let it ride. A player that has a winner tucks the cards under the chips and has no more action in the hand.
Once all players have acted, one of the cards in the center is exposed. It is shared by all players. The players have a second opportunity to bring a stack of chips back or let it ride. All cards are tucked under the chips at this point. When the player would like a stack to be returned, swipe the cards towards your seat.
The second community card is exposed by the dealer. It is a part of all player hands.
The dealer then exposes all players’ cards. If the hand does not have at least a pair of tens, it loses. All bets go to the house. If the player makes at least a pair of tens, it is paid using the following pay table. Multiply the amount shown below by the number of chips wagered. Each stack still in play is paid.
Let it Ride pay table
- Royal flush: 1,000
- Straight flush: 200
- Four of a kind: 50
- Full house: 11
- Flush: 8
- Straight: 5
- Three of a kind: 3
- Two pair: 2
- Pair of tens or better: 1
Let it Ride basic strategy
When dealt three cards, pull a stack back except with the following hands:
- Dealt winner of a pair of tens or better – tuck cards under chips with this hand
- Three to a royal flush
- Three-card straight flushes that connect, include a high card with a gap, or two high cards and two gaps.
After the second community card is exposed, players should pull a stack back unless holding one of the following hands:
- A pair of tens or better
- Any four-card flush, including royal flush and straight flush draws
- Four connecting cards
- Four cards ten and higher with a straight draw
Where to play video Let it Ride
Video Let it Ride used to be popular on video machines. This included multiplayer video Let it Ride on Shuffle Master machines, as well as heads up Game Maker ones. However, those days are mostly gone.
We found two video Let it Ride machines during a May 2021 trip. The heads up Game Maker version is available in quarter and dollar denominations at Greektown Casino in Detroit and Golden Nugget in Atlantic City.
