Live Casino Hold’em Strategy

Live Casino Hold’em is one of the Poker variants available at live dealer tables. This version of the game has been known since the early 2000s. After it became popular at brick-and-mortar, the game went online where it can be played at virtual and live tables. The live dealer version of the game provides you with an immersive gaming experience thanks to the high-definition quality of video and the action streamed from multiple angles.

Since Live Casino Hold’em is one of the skill-based casino games, using a proper strategy can help you beat the dealer. Stay with us to learn how to play the Poker variant and which decisions you should make to gain an advantage over the casino.

How to Play Live Casino Hold’em

The main goal in Live Casino Hold’em is to beat the dealer with a 5-card hand. The game starts with the player placing an Ante bet. Once you have placed a bet, you will receive two cards. The dealer also gets two cards, face-down. After the initial hand has been dealt, the dealer places three community cards on the table. At this point in the game, you should make a decision whether you will continue to play or give up. If you believe that you can create a strong enough poker hand to beat the dealer, play a Call bet. It costs twice as much as an Ante bet. Otherwise, you can fold and lose your Ante bet. If you have played a Call bet, the dealer deals two more community cards.   

The outcome of the game is determined based on whether the dealer has qualified. That means that their hand must be a pair of 4s or better. If the dealer hasn’t qualified, the player wins with a payout according to the paytable and a Call bet returned to them. In case the dealer wins, the player loses all bets. If the dealer qualifies, but the player has a stronger hand, the player wins. When they both have the same hand, it is a push and the player gets their bets back.

Live Casino Hold’em also offers a side bet, called AA Bonus. It has its own paytable and to win with it, the player must have a pair of Aces or better in the first 5 cards.

What’s the Best Strategy?

First, you must learn about poker hand rankings if you want to play Live Casino Hold’em successfully. What’s most important is to know when to raise or fold. You must keep in mind that your goal is to beat the dealer with a better poker hand. That’s why it is important to make the right moves when playing Live Casino Hold’em. Here is what you can do to increase your odds:

• Call if you are dealt a pair, an A or a K
• If you are dealt a J or a Q, you should call except when the community cards are of the same suit and you don’t have a card of that suit in your hand
• Call if you are four cards to a flush or a straight
• If your two hole cards are stronger than the community cards, you should call
• You should fold when no cards in your hand match any of the community cards
• Fold if you have no cards over 10 unless you have a flush or a straight
• If your hand consists of low cards that don’t match the community cards and don’t make a flush or a straight, you should fold.

As for the (AA) Bonus side bet, it pays bigger prizes but it is riskier as well as it comes with a house edge of 6.26%. In Live Casino Hold’em powered by Evolution Gaming, there is also the Jumbo 7 Jackpot side bet which is key to winning the progressive jackpot. Yes, their version of the game offers a progressive jackpot which is hit when a 7-card straight flush is dealt. Apart from the top prize, this side bet can earn you some lower prizes as well.

Closing Thoughts

Live Casino Hold’em is a game that can earn you some nice winnings. With a royal flush paying 100:1 and a side bet, which can earn you a progressive jackpot in the Evolution-powered version of the game, it provides you with multiple opportunities to win. The good news is that the outcome of the game depends on your decisions. Learn our tips to make your moves without difficulty and beat the dealer at live tables. Live Casino Hold’em can be played at online casinos powered by Evolution Gaming, Playtech and Ezugi, so choose one to your liking. Or, you can simply visit 888 Casino and start using the optimal strategy to make the most of the game!