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A basic strategy for Let It Ride Poker is as easy to learn as the game itself. Like all casino games, the house always carries a slight, edge, but by applying a basic strategy, Let It Ride Poker can easily become a very profitable game for the player.

Before we begin, we should point out that Let It Ride is also known as Let Em Ride or Poker Ride. The names may vary, but the rules of the game and basic strategy for Let It Ride remain the same. Let It Ride is essentially 5 Card Stud, played against the house rather than other players.

Basic Strategy: Let It Ride – 3 Card Hand

When the hand begins, you will be dealt 3 cards. From these 3 cards, you must decide whether to keep the 2nd bet on the table, or remove it. Applying a basic strategy to your Let It Ride play will help you decide the most cost effective (least lost, or most potentially gained) decision.

If your 3 Card hands contains the following requirements, leave the 2nd bet on the table.

3 Card Straight Flush, with 2 or more cards ranking 10 or higher (ex: 9h-10h-Kh.
3 Card Straight Flush, with one or no gaps (ex: 5h-6h-8h)
3 Suited Connectors, Open Ended (ex: 3h-4h-5h, not A-2-3)
Any 3 Cards to a Royal Flush
Any Pair of 10s or better.

Note that most Let It Ride pay tables will not pay a hand that is lower than a Pair of 10s, regardless of whether your hand beats the dealer's.

If your hand does not match any of the previous requirements, remove the 2nd bet.

Basic Strategy: Let It Ride – 4 Card Hand

Once your 4th card is dealt, you should only remove the 3rd bet if you have no card 10 or higher. Otherwise, leave the 3rd bet in play. If your 4 Card hand matches any of the following hand requirements, place a Raise.

4 Card Straight, Inside or Open Ended, with all cards 10 or higher.
4 Cards Straight, Open Ended
4 Card Flush
Any Pair of 10s or better.

Basic Strategy: Let It Ride – Side Bets

If a casino offers Side Bets in Let It Ride, never place them. Side Bets significantly increase the house edge, therefore are not worth the risk. There is only one exception to this rule, and that is if there is a Progressive Jackpot that has risen to an extremely high amount; enough to offset the odds of losing the bet. The Progressive Jackpot will only be paid on a Royal Flush. Even with a massive jackpot, you must have a large enough bankroll to play hundreds, if not thousands of hands in order to have any reasonable chance of being dealt a Royal Flush.

Basic Strategy: Let It Ride – Pay Table & Odds

This basic strategy for Let It Ride is based on the most common pay table used in the poker game, offering the casino a house edge of about 3.5%. Other pay tables may slightly change the house edge, but the basic strategy for Let It Ride remains relatively unchanged.

Below is the most common Pay Table & Odds for Let It Ride Poker:

Pair, 10 or Higher – Pays 1:1

Two Pair – Pays 2:1

Three of a Kind – Pays 3:1

Straight – Pays 5:1

Flush – Pays 8:1

Full House – Pays 11:1

Four of a Kind – Pays 50:1

Straight Flush – Pays 200:1

Royal Flush – Pays 1,000:1