Casino Hold’em Hand Hierarchy
The first thing to fully understand is the Casino Hold’Em hand hierarchy. This will help illustrate how the hands are gauged in terms of strength relative to one another. The amount paid out by the casino for any given hand will vary from casino to casino and from versions of the game created by different developers.
| Rank | Hand | Description | Ante Payout | AA Payout |
| 1 | Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit | 100:1 | 100:1 |
| 2 | Straight Flush | Five cards of the same suit in consecutive order | 20:1 | 50:1 |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same face value | 10:1 | 40:1 |
| 4 | Full House | One pair and three of a kind | 3:1 | 30:1 |
| 5 | Flush | Five cards of the same suit in non-consecutive order | 2:1 | 20:1 |
| 6 | Straight | Five consecutive cards of various suits. | 1:1 | 7:1 |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | Three cards with the same face value | 1:1 | 7:1 |
| 8 | Two Pair | Two pair of different ranks | 1:1 | 7:1 |
| 9 | One Pair | A single pair of cards. | 1:1 | 7:1 |
| 10 | High Card | Five non-consecutive cards of various suits and ranks. | 1:1 | 7:1 |
Basic Casino Hold’Em Strategy
There are a lot of theories as to how to play each hand perfectly in a game of Casino Hold’Em. However, there is no real definitive strategy to lead you to the Promised Land in this case. A good strategy will see the player raising the stakes to some degree 80% of the time or more. The remaining percent result in a fold to mitigate potential future losses while playing out the hand.
Some scenarios, Casino Hold’Em is a play or fold scenario after the flop, which doesn’t leave much wiggle room for tactical play and additional betting. However, it is a bit more complicated than you may be led to believe. In live Hold’Em you can get away with folding most hands as a way to retain your bankroll. However, in Casino Hold’Em, excessive folding can be equated to bleeding chips and wearing down your bankroll with nothing to show for it.
Some easy to remember rules can help make great strides in your performance at the tables. Here are a few tips to incorporate into your game based on how a standard game of Casino Hold’em progresses.
| Hand | Action |
| A pair or higher (using at least one hole card) | call |
| A-high + 4 or higher or K-high + 7 or higher (including hole cards) | call |
| Two over cards (cards that rank higher than any other cards on the table) | call |
| Q-high or J-high (provided the cards on the table are not suited and you don’t hold that suit in-hand) | call |
| One card to make a flush | call |
| One card to make an outside straight (a straight missing a completing number on either end, i.e. 4-5-6-7) | call |
| Cards on the table form a pair (unless you hold a 10-high or straight/flush draw) | fold |
| Everything else | fold |
Ultimate Casino Hold’em Strategy
As one of the most popular varieties of Casino Hold’em being played in online casinos, we can’t leave out our take on how to best approach the game of Ultimate Casino Hold’Em. Like in the basic example outlined above, there are several steps to take with if/then logic while playing. Because there are more steps involved in the game, there are more opportunities for you to leverage wagering, checking and a fold, if necessary.
In the first round of betting, you have been dealt your first two hole cards with no other cards visible on the table. Your afforded actions are to call, bet 3x, or bet 4x. In the event you wish to raise at this point in the game, always raise 4x as 3x doesn’t bring any more value to your play unless you simply don’t have the stack to match the wager.
With just under 170 permutations of first-round cards, you should raise the bet if you find yourself holding any of the following hands:
| Cards | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | J | Q | K |
| A | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| K | Raise When Suited |
Raise When Suited |
Raise When Suited |
Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| Q | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise When Suited | Raise When Suited |
Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| J | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise When Suited |
Raise When Suited |
Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 10 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 9 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 8 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 7 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 6 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 5 | Check | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 4 | Check | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 3 | Check | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise | Raise |
| 2 | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
After the flop has been laid out, you have the option of taking a 1x or 2x bet. Always go for the 2x in this case for the same reason outlined above concerning the 3x and 4x raise pre-flop. Make the raise in the case you have two pair or better, a pair hidden to the dealer (with the exception of pocket deuces), and a flush draw. Everything else should be checked.
Lastly, you have an option to make a final raise or fold. If you have a hidden pair or better, go ahead and take the 1x wager. Otherwise, fold your hand. The number of dealer outs (potential hands that could result after the dealing of the next card) could influence this decision as well, but that’s a bit more advanced if you’re not a player familiar with technical aspects of poker. In short, if the dealer has 20 or fewer outs, go ahead and make the raise. Otherwise, fold.
The Martingale system
The martingale is a system that has earned the ire of many players of the decades. However, many stand by it as an effective system for betting in any casino table game. We’ll outline it and let you make the decision to incorporate it into your playing or not. The martingale system is one that requires you to up your wagers following any loss at the tables. In fact, you are required to double your bets, according to the system. This is in an effort to mitigate any losses you incur while playing. As with all betting systems, it is imperative you know exactly when to get out while you are ahead. Otherwise, you could lose your entire bankroll.
The Grand Martingale
The Grand Martingale goes a step further than the Martingale to insist player triple their bets following a losing hand. You need to have some cash in your stack to pull this one off. Again, this is a system that is hotly contended among players. Implement the Grand Martingale with caution and know when it’s time to step away from the tables if you are getting in too deep.
The Reverse Martingale
The opposite of the Martingale system, the reverse Martingale, or Paroli system, insists that players double their wagers after winning hands and reduce their bets by half after losing a hand. The philosophy behind this system is to increase your bankroll quickly so you can get out while you are up. Again, this strategy requires you understand when to call it quits and step away with your hard earned pay.
These simple strategies can be implemented by you at the tables today and help to turn your next play into a winner. Use them or develop your own, what’s most important is that you enjoy yourself at the tables. You can learn more about Casino Hold’Em with our how to play, rules, and odds resources. When you are ready to be dealt into the game, take a look at our online casino resources for the best places to play online Casino Hold’Em.
