Casino Hold’em brings the excitement of Texas Hold’em poker to the casino table, but without other players to outwit. You play against the dealer, and you only have to make one decision per hand: call or fold. That makes it one of the easiest poker games to learn and a popular choice at UK online and live casinos. In this guide to Casino Hold’em we explain the rules, the payouts, the AA bonus side bet and a simple strategy that keeps the house edge low.
Casino Hold’em at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Game type | Poker against the dealer |
| Cards | One 52-card deck |
| Main bets | Ante and call (call is twice the ante) |
| Side bet | AA Bonus (optional) |
| Dealer qualifies with | A pair of fours or better |
| House edge | About 2.2% on the ante; around 0.8% to 0.9% per total amount wagered |
| Versions | RNG and live dealer |
How to Play Casino Hold’em
- Place your ante. You can also place the optional AA Bonus side bet.
- The deal. You and the dealer each get two cards. Three community cards (the flop) are dealt face up.
- Call or fold. Look at your two cards and the flop. Fold and you lose your ante, or call by placing a bet twice the size of your ante.
- The turn and river. Two more community cards are dealt, making five in total.
- The showdown. You and the dealer make the best five-card hand from your two cards and the five community cards.
How Casino Hold’em Pays
The result depends on whether the dealer qualifies with a pair of fours or better:
- Dealer does not qualify: your ante is paid according to the ante paytable and your call bet is returned.
- Dealer qualifies and you win: your ante is paid according to the paytable and your call bet pays 1 to 1.
- Dealer qualifies and wins: you lose your ante and call bets.
- Tie: ante and call bets are returned.
Ante paytable
| Hand | Ante pays |
|---|---|
| Royal flush | 100 to 1 |
| Straight flush | 20 to 1 |
| Four of a kind | 10 to 1 |
| Full house | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 2 to 1 |
| Straight or lower | 1 to 1 |
Paytables can differ slightly between games, so check the rules at your casino.
The AA Bonus Side Bet
The AA Bonus is an optional side bet on whether your first five cards (your two cards plus the flop) form a pair of aces or better. It is paid regardless of the dealer’s hand. Payouts typically range from 7 to 1 for a pair of aces up to 100 to 1 for a royal flush. The house edge on the AA Bonus is much higher than on the main game, so it is best treated as an occasional extra.
Casino Hold’em Strategy
You only have one decision: call or fold after the flop. A simple strategy gets you close to the best possible result:
- Always call with a pair or better, including a pair that uses the flop.
- Call with most ace-high and king-high hands, especially with a strong second card.
- Call with a flush or straight draw of four cards.
- Fold weak hands with no pair, no draw and no high cards, especially when the flop gives the dealer strong possibilities.
In practice, players who follow a basic strategy call around 80% of the time. Folding too often is the most common mistake, because the dealer fails to qualify in a significant share of hands.
House Edge Explained
The house edge on Casino Hold’em is about 2.2% when measured against the ante. Because you also place a call bet on most hands, the house edge per total amount wagered is lower, at less than 1%. That makes it competitive with blackjack and baccarat when played with a good strategy.
RNG vs Live Casino Hold’em
- RNG Casino Hold’em: fast hands, low stakes and the option to play at your own pace.
- Live Casino Hold’em: a real dealer, real cards and a social atmosphere. Evolution’s live version is one of the most popular poker games in UK live casinos.
For more poker-based table games, see our reviews of Three Card Poker and Caribbean Stud Poker, or read our online poker guide.
Casino Hold’em vs Texas Hold’em
| Feature | Casino Hold’em | Texas Hold’em |
|---|---|---|
| Opponents | The dealer | Other players |
| Bluffing | No | Yes |
| Decisions per hand | One (call or fold) | Several betting rounds |
| House edge | Built in | The site takes a rake instead |
| Skill level needed | Low | High |
Example Hand
You place a £5 ante and receive the ace and nine of hearts. The flop shows the king of hearts, the seven of hearts and the two of clubs. You have four hearts, so a flush draw, plus an ace: a clear call. You add a £10 call bet. The turn and river bring the four of hearts and the jack of spades, giving you an ace-high flush. The dealer shows a pair of kings, so the dealer qualifies. Your flush wins: the ante pays 2 to 1 for a flush, so £10, and the call pays 1 to 1, another £10. In total you win £20 on a hand that cost you £15. If you had missed the flush, ace-high would have lost to the dealer’s pair, costing you the full £15.
Casino Hold’em in the UK
Casino Hold’em is available at many UK casinos in both RNG and live dealer versions. UK licensed casinos must show the rules and payouts clearly and use tested RNG software for digital games. You must be 18 or older and verified to play.
Tips for Casino Hold’em
- Learn the basic strategy. It cuts the house edge significantly.
- Do not fold too often. Calling with any pair and most hands with an ace or king is usually right.
- Be careful with the AA Bonus. It has a higher house edge than the main game.
- Watch your bankroll. Remember that calling doubles your ante, so each hand costs three times your ante when you call.
Where to Play Casino Hold’em
Casino Hold’em is available at many UK casinos with RNG table games and live dealer studios. Compare the best UK live casinos before you sign up.
Our pick: play Casino Hold’em at Inky Bet, or check the live casino at Tip-Top and Jackpot City.
Features
Casino Hold’em FAQ
How do you play Casino Hold'em?
Place an ante, receive two cards and see the flop. Then fold or call with twice your ante. Two more cards are dealt and your best five-card hand is compared with the dealer's.
What does the dealer need to qualify in Casino Hold'em?
A pair of fours or better. If the dealer does not qualify, your ante is paid and your call bet is returned.
What is the house edge in Casino Hold'em?
About 2.2% measured against the ante, or less than 1% per total amount wagered with good strategy.
What is the AA Bonus bet?
An optional side bet that pays if your two cards and the flop form a pair of aces or better.
Is Casino Hold'em the same as Texas Hold'em?
No. In Casino Hold'em you play against the dealer with one decision per hand. In Texas Hold'em you play against other players over several betting rounds.
