One of the benefits of playing online is that you can find a wider variety of games than you would at your average land based casino - and in many cases, you can play for lower stakes as well. You won't find too many casinos offering limit tables for , but almost all of the offer the game in both high- and low-limit formats, with some sites even providing LHE tables at microstakes levels.
Another advantage to playing online? You don't have to install any special software to play Live Hold'em, as all of the action takes place on an animated table. If you dislike downloading software to your computer or laptop, or if you want to play Live Hold'em while on the go, you''ll be happy to know there is a high-quality mobile version of the game available at several of our .
How to Play Live Hold’em Poker
Live dealer Hold'em uses the same hand rankings as in other forms of Hold'em, along with the same hand strengths used in . Players are dealt two hole cards face down, then three community cards (the flop) face up. Two more community cards are dealt – the turn and river – with another betting round after each card.
At the end of the final betting round, players still in the hand make the best five-card hand they can using any combination of their own hole cards and the five community cards. Just like in regular Hold'em, a player must use one hole card in order to use the other – it's always a two-card minimum to make a five-card hand.
casino for moneyPre-Flop Action
Before the flop is dealt, all bets are made ante bets – meaning all players pay their money to the pot before the cards are dealt. In most versions of Live Hold'em, there are two ante bets: one small ante, and one large ante. The large ante is always equal to the size of the call bet on the flop, while the small ante is typically between 10% and 25% of the full ante bet.
Once the small and large ante bets have been collected, every player is dealt two cards face down. Once all players have their cards, the dealer deals the flop (three cards face up). After the flop is dealt, another betting round occurs, with bets starting from the two players sitting to the left of the dealer.
Turn and River Action
After the second betting round, the turn is dealt – one card face down. Another betting round ensues, with the first bet coming from the player to the left of the dealer once again.
After the turn betting round is complete, the river (a final, fifth community card) is dealt face up. A final betting round occurs before the results of the hand are determined, with players entering the pot only as part of the initial ante bets, or through voluntary bets made during one of the four betting rounds.
Live Hold’em Payouts
Players who have not folded their hands reveal their cards, and the best five-card hands are identified. As in regular Hold'em, aces can be used to make a straight (such as A-2-3-4-5), or to complete the highest possible flush (for example A-K-Q-J-T of hearts).
Hands are compared, and the player with the winning hand takes the pot. In the event of two identical hands, the pot is split evenly between the tied players. It is important to note that in Live Hold'em, the house has a built-in edge of about 3.5%, so the payouts given out to winners will be less than one would get in a standard game of Hold'em, with returns depending on the number of players at the table.
The specific payouts used in Live Hold'em are determined by the antes and bet sizes. Since all players enter the pot twice before the cards are dealt (via the small and large antes), and since there are four betting rounds where players can enter the pot voluntarily, there are a total of six opportunities for a player to contribute money to the pot. This means there are a number of different ways to determine payouts, though most versions of Live Hold'em use what is known as the “6-5” payout structure:
These payouts remain constant no matter how many players are at the table, making it easy to calculate expected value and to understand your true odds at winning hands. While these odds are slightly less favorable than traditional Hold'em (due to that 3.5% house edge), Live Hold'em does offer a bonus for a perfect hand, known as a “Hi-Card Bonus.”
In most versions of Hi-Lo Seven-Card Stud, players can win three different bets:
- The Regular Pot – Won by the highest-ranked hand at showdown
- The Triple-Match Bonus Pot – Won when a player holds three matched holes cards, either in terms of rank or suit
- The Hi-Card Bonus – Won when a player holds the highest unpaired card (amongst those still in the hand) at showdown
We’ll take a quick look at each here:
Regular Pot: The Regular Pot is won at showdown according to the standard Hand Rankings used in other forms of Hold’em. Players compare their best five-card poker hands, and the largest hand wins the entire pot. In the event of a tie, the pot is split evenly between the tied players.
Triple Match Bonus Pot: Before the flop is dealt, each player is dealt two hole cards face down. Prior to any betting, each player looks at their own two hole cards and attempts to make three-of-a-kind, whether that be in terms of rank (three 7s, for example) or suit (three spades). Only “natural” three-of-a-kinds count for this bonus: pairs do not, nor do suits if you’re using Holdeim Hold’em rules.
real online casino slots usaIf a player makes three-of-a-kind, they are eligible to win the Triple-Match Bonus. The ranking of that three-of-a-kind does not matter – all trips pay the same bonus. However, suites do matter, as clubs are typically worth less than spades or hearts.
It is important to note that in order to quality for the bonus, a player must declare their triple-match before any action occurs on the flop. This means you cannot simply hope for a big bonus payout without informing the dealer and your opponents; should you be proven to have a qualifying hand at showdown, but are found to have failed to announce your trip aces (or kings, queens, jacks, tens or nines) before the flop was dealt with, you will be denied the bonus, even if everyone else at the table calls your claim at showdown.
For this reason, it is a good idea to announce your trips loudly and clearly, perhaps even showing your hole cards to the dealer and any other players who might be suspicious of your claim. Unfortunately, as with any casino side bet or bonus, the House Edge on the Triple-Match Bonus is quite high. Generally speaking, trips will pay out between 30 to 1 and 50 to 1, which may sound lucrative until you consider the casino’s overall edge in Live Hold’em averages 3.5%. Based on that, it is probably wise to avoid paying these rather steep overlay odds unless you come across a particularly generous casino offering significantly better odds on the Triple-Match Bonus.
Hi-Card Bonus: The third pot up for grabs in Live Hold’em is the Hi-Card Bonus, which is won by the player holding the highest unpaired card at showdown, regardless of suit or which hand wins the main pot. The ranking of qualified hi-card bonuses usually pays out on par with trips, meaning a qualified high-card bonus will usually beat the Triple-Match Bonus. Due to the way odds work, however, the actual probability of dealing yourself the highest unpaired card is greater than the probability of being dealt trips, meaning you’ll see winning hi-cards far more often than winning trips.
The rankings needed for a Hi-Card Bonus usually range from an ace on up, though some Live Hold’em games may accept strong king kickers, especially at inland casinos which also offer Hi-Lo Seven-Card Stud side pots. As mentioned above, the ranking of qualified hi-cards usually pays on par with the trips, but the odds offered for each decrease as the rank of the cards increases:
As shown by these Hi-Card Bonus odds, if you’re dealt ace-king and that qualifies for the bonus at the end of the hand, you’ll win the same amount of money as someone who had triple sevens (suited or unsuited). However, your odds of being dealt ace-king are much greater than the chance of dealing triple seven hole cards. Because of that, you’re going to win a Hi-Card Bonus with an AK kicker more frequently than a trips bonus with any specific ranked trip.
To give some hard numbers to that concept:
- The chance of being dealt any pair is 28.6%, while
- The chance of being dealt trips is 0.15%, or 1 in 660 hands.
- The chance of being dealt ace-king is 9.3%, or 1 in 108 hands.
That means you’re around 40 times more likely to be dealt AK than trips. But if the odds offered for your AK are the same as the trips, you’re going to win the Hi-Card Bonus with that kicker 40 times more often! Needless to say, due to the large volume of hi-card bonuses paid out compared to trips or other high-ranked ranked hole cards, the overlay on the hi-card bonus is generally much smaller than that for the trips, making this a very attractive side bet indeed.
At some casinos, particularly those outside of Las Vegas or New Jersey, the Hi-Card Bonus may include strong king kickers, such as A-K, A-Q, A-J, K-Q, K-J, Q-J, A-k club, A-k diamond, etc. Be sure to check the minimum qualified card at your casino to ensure you understand the minimum hand required to qualify for the bonus.
As with all casino side bets, it is important to understand just how likely you are to hit the hi-card bonus with a particular starting hand. By running the numbers through our Texas Hold’em Odds Calculator, we can see the true probability of qualifying with various high-ranked hole card combinations:
As these Texas Hold’em odds show, your chances of ending up with the winning hi-card kicker improve dramatically if more community cards come out on the flop and/or the turn. For instance, if three of the above five suited aces or kings are laid out on the board, that automatically qualifies for the hi-card bonus – and as more qualified cards hit the board, the chances of having a higher kicker also go up.
Because of this, dealers or other players setting up large bets assuming they will have the highest kicker based on their hole cards alone are hoping for a lucky card to come in on the board – and paying the hi-card bonus means collecting money from players who believe that luck will work in their favor.
Live Hold’em House Edge
There are a few different ways to set up Live Hold’em, but as the game is commonly offered in land-based casinos throughout the United States, it is common for the house edge to fall between 2.5% and 3.5%. This is similar to the casino edge you’ll find in Spanish 21 or Pai Gow Poker, and much higher than the typical house advantages seen in most poker variants, including Caribbean Poker, where the house edge is typically between 2% and 5%.
No Deposit Slots You Need to Try Online Right Now (2023)All of the casino games based on Knowledge of Texas Hold’em have relatively high house edges due to the complexity of the games. Because players must make decisions based on anticipated moves from their opponents, it is quite difficult to play a near-perfect game of Criss Cross Poker, Cowboy Poker, or Poker Or Say When. Making correct decisions hundreds of times per hour is crucial to keeping losses low, and even some of the world’s top No-Limit Hold’em professionals would likely struggle to turn a profit playing these poker-themed casino table games on a regular basis.
Further complicating matters is the fact that most players only play these types of games occasionally, perhaps once every few weeks or months during an overnight poker tournament or on vacation with friends or family. Such infrequent play ensures that critical adjustments will not be made, thus increasing loss rates even further. Add in the natural inclination to drink a bit more alcohol than one would at home or while playing serious poker tournaments, and it is easy to see why players leaving happy from games like Poker in the Engine Room or TVP World Poker Tour Poker. Sadly, the casino is likewise leaving the table with a smile, knowing that they have a significant edge over their customers in these poker-themed casino games.
Best Online Casinos for Live Dealer Hold’em
While you won’t find numerous online casinos offering Live Hold’em, a couple of the have added the game as part of their live dealer poker sections. As with all live dealer poker games, there may be long waits to take your seat at the table, especially if you’re looking to play at microstakes limits.
Still, the ability to play Live Hold’em without having to install any special software is a nice option to have, especially if you’re new to poker or just want to try a few hands of this unique casino game.
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Can I play Live Hold’em on my mobile phone?
Yes, most variations of Live Hold’em are now mobile-friendly, allowing you to play this casino poker game while on the go. As with all live dealer casino games, there may be longer waits to take your seat at the table, especially if you’re looking to play at microstakes limits. Still, the opportunity to play Live Hold’em without having to install any special software on your smartphone or tablet is a great one, especially for those interested in seeing how this casino take on the popular poker variant works.
Is Live Hold’em really played with a full 52-card deck?
Like most poker-themed casino table games (with the exception of Caribbean Stud Poker), Live Hold’em is played with a full 52-card deck. That means there is no suite or rank advantage – picking your hole cards at this poker-style casino game entirely on suite is no better a strategy than allowing the casino to pick them for you!
Guide to Gambling in Indiana - IN Casino Games & AppsWhich comes first, the large anten or small anten bet in Live Hold’em?
The small anten bet always comes first in a round of Live Hold’em. Once all players at the table have put their small ante bets out, hole cards are dealt to all players. Only after all players have received their two hole cards does the dealer deal the flop and allow betting to commence.
Do all players receive exactly the same hole cards in Live Hold’em?
No. Each player gets two hole cards that are unique to their spot at the table. Likewise, every player puts their ante bets directly into their individual pots, meaning payouts are awarded individually to each player. Shared community cards are dealt in the middle of the table and used by all players to form their best five-card poker hand.
medusa slots freeWhat happens if two players at the Live Hold’em table hit the Hi-Card Bonus with the same kicker?
Should two or more players at the Live Hold’em table hit the hi-card bonus with the same qualifying kicker (say, an ace), those players split the bonus evenly. This is true regardless of which player’s kicker was larger in rank, as the hi-card bonus awards money based on qualified status only.
Are there any Live Hold’em tips or good strategies that can lower the house edge?
No. Unlike traditional poker, where a skilled player can gain an edge over the house through optimal play, Live Hold’em is strictly a game of chance. All decisions are made prior to the cards being dealt, and there is no skill involved in choosing ante bet amounts based on the strength (or weakness) of your hole cards.
Where can I play Live Hold’em online?
Online Live Hold’em is offered by several of the leading . The exact variations and table limits may vary by jurisdiction, but players at these safe, trusted poker sites will almost certainly find Live Hold’em tables at both niches. Good spots are in high demand, however, so be prepared to wait for a seat to open up – especially if you’re looking to play at the microstakes limits.
Check out the following Live Hold’em videos to see the game in action at various land-based casinos:
See more titles at our .
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What is Live Hold'em and how is it played?
Live Hold’em is a casino poker game based on the rules of Texas Hold’em Poker. Players make ante bets prior to receiving any cards and then attempt to make the best five-card poker hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. Bets are made on a rotating basis with the player to the left of the dealer acting first, and the dealer does not participate in the hand. Winning hands are identified, payouts made, and the process repeats on each subsequent hand.
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Does Live Hold'em use a 52-card deck?
Yes. Contrary to some players trying to find a suite or rank advantage when placing their ante bets, Live Hold’em uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers. This makes it comparable to Caribbean Stud Poker in card usage, unlike , Pai Gow Poker, Cowboy Poker, or Criss Cross Poker, which use a 32-card French deck with no ranks higher than a King.
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What are the Live Hold'em payouts?
There are usually two pots per hand, sometimes three or more. All players with a qualifying hand collect from the regular pot, which is won by the player with the highest five-card hand. Pay tables for the regular pot depend on the number of players at the table and the table limits, but are typically 91% to 95% of a max bet payout for a Royal Flush, reducing in equal increments down to a payout of 3x the max bet for a pair. Trips may also pay a separate bonus, with payouts usually between 30x and 50x the max bet. The Hi-Card Bonus is paid out based on the rank of your unpaired kicker card, and often pays between 5x and 100x your max bet, depending on the rank of your high card. The casino has a built-in edge of approximately 3.5%, so payouts will be lower than traditional poker pay tables.
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What is the Hi-Card Bonus in Live Hold'em?
The Hi-Card Bonus is an optional side bet players can make along with their antes. To qualify for the hi-card bonus, a player must place an additional wager and then have the highest unpaided card at showdown among all players still in the hand. Qualified kickers typically start with an ace, although some casinos will pay for strong king kicks as well. The rank of qualified kickers then determines the amount of money paid out on the hi-card bonus, with the biggest returns reserved for players with an ace. Although the specific odds and pay tables will vary depending upon the casino, the hi-card bonus in Live Hold’em is similar to the bonus offered in Hi-Lo Split […]
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How is Live! Hold'em played at online casinos?
Online Live Hold’em differs somewhat from its land-based cousin, as players do not compete against each other, but instead versus a virtual dealer and full 52-card deck. Players choose their ante bets, place any optional side bets, and then receive their two hole cards. Once all players at the table have their hole cards, the dealer lays out the flop, followed by a betting round. The turn is dealt and another bet taken, with the river and final wagers finishing out the hand. After all bets are collected, the community cards are revealed and the best five-card poker hand identified. Payouts are then issued to qualifiers from the regular pot, with optional side bets paying out independently based on the rank of the first card in each player’s hand to fold.