Let it Ride Poker

[Cleveland John]

OK Gang, my Vegas trip is 2 months away, and I have become quite interested in on-line Let it Ride Poker (www.wizardofodds.com). Can I get some feedback from you folks on your opinion of the game, does it heavily favor the house compared to other games? Or if you know poker well, can it be a good way to spend some gambling time? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Andsen]

According to Shackleford (the Wizard)Let it Ride has a house edge of about 31/2% for "correct" play. Not too bad compared to slots but not good compared to VP, Blackjack or Craps. I would think that if you enjoyed the game it wouldn't be too bad to spend some time at but bear in mind that you will lose in the long run more than at the other mentioned games. Assuming, of course, that you learn the "correct" statagies for the other games.

[Bosco]

You can play let it ride...or just hand the casino your $$!! Seems like winning hands are tough to make. I found it kind of frustrating, and won't play again...ever. Better off with BJ or VP. Craps is a lot more exciting and if you are careful you won't get killed.

[Fritz]

I've played Let It Ride a few times at the Mohegan Sun Casino here in CT and I haven't seen a lot of winning when I 've played. I'm back playing blackjack exclusively again and I'm glad I am. If you're looking for a game where you have decent odds I highly suggest studying basic strategy for blackjack. The odds are also very good for video poker providing that you play the game correctly.

[Hunter]

Let It Ride: awful odds, really fun game.

Yes, the odds will kill you eventually... But you can get lucky...

My second-ever LIR hand was 4 of a kind, netting me a nice large win.

[mabelkitty]

You must try it!
I went in October and decided to take final wad of $300 and blow it at Caesar's on the last night (rack up some comps). I started with LIR with a buy-in of $100. Six hours later I closed out up $500 with my full house. I played a very long time and made the only dough for the whole week on this game.

The reason I tried it is because my card sharking sister hit the Taj Mahal for $4,000 on it the month prior. In fact, she just got back $560 last month.

I would go for it, but only take a seat in the middle, don't drink (it makes you take stupid risks) and make certain you sit at a table where sharing what you have is acceptable. That way your odds are much better.

[CitiSwing]

I like Let It Ride now and again. Bear in mind, I mainly stick to blackjack -- but I like Let It Ride because it's a game where I can get lucky and win a bundle off of a small bet. I've gotten Full Houses plenty of times -- and the 11 to 1 payout has always been enough to bump me over whatever I have lost and into the positive. I was betting $15 a hand at the Bellagio one night playing LIR.....I was dealt two 9's and a 3 -- so I pulled the first bet back. Sure enough, the dealer flipped a 9 and a 3, so I ended up with a full house. With the bonus, I think that hand netted me $565 (would have been just short of $700 with that third bet). I only broke $100 to sit down. The thing with LIR is that you can easily blow $100 without getting a paying hand. It's just that many times one paying hand is all it takes to make that money back. I've seen 4 of a kinds at my table more than once, and that makes $1900 off of a $10 bet in Vegas (with the bonus $1). I've been at the Casino when people have hit Royal Flushes plenty of times.....but I haven't been sitting there for one yet. It's not a way to plan to make money -- but then again, no game is. If you enjoy it, why not spend a little time playing it? We're all throwing our money away at our chosen games. As someone once said to me at a table in Vegas, "if I wanted to make money in a casino, I'd get a job". Enough said :).

[taubeta]

I DEALT CARDS IN A CASINO FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. I NOW USE WHAT I CALL MY 6 FOOT RULE. I STAY SIX FEET AWAY FROM THE TABLES WHEN NOT DEALING. THE ONLY WINNER IS THE CASINO. NONE OF THE DEALERS LIKED TO DEAL LET IT RIDE OR CARRIBEAN STUD BECAUSE NO ONE EVER WON. SURE THERE WERE OCCASSIONAL WINNERS, BUT THERE WERE MORE LOSERS. YOUR MONEY GOES FAST. THE BEST GAMES ARE 3 CARD POKER AND 21. THE REST ARE WHAT WE REFERRED TO AS CARNIVAL GAMES. THE CASINO TRIES TO MAKE IT LOOK AS IF THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR BUT THEY ARE NOT. ANY NEW 21 GAMES WITH VARIATIONS TO THE TRADITIONAL RULES ARE STACKED IN THE HOUSE'S FAVOR. IF IT SEEM TO BE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT USUALLY IS. GOOD LUCK.

[greaseball]

Is there a preferred place of seating at this or is it like everything else, your timing? Any advantage to being first or last?
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Joe I am Canadian