Casino Hold'em by Evolution Gaming is a variant of the well-known Texas Hold’em poker, where players compete against the house instead of other players. The objective of the game is to form the best possible five-card hand using two personal cards and five community cards, all while aiming to beat the dealer’s hand.
Players begin by placing an Ante bet, and they can also opt to place a Bonus bet for additional potential payouts based on the first five cards dealt. After receiving their cards, players decide whether to continue by placing a Play bet or fold, forfeiting their Ante bet. For the dealer to qualify, they must have at least a pair of fours. The game concludes by comparing the best five-card hands between the player and the dealer.
Casino Hold'em uses the standard poker hand rankings, from Royal Flush to High Card, to determine the winning hands. With the option for side bets and community cards, the game offers players a strategic experience while focusing on the player-dealer dynamic.
The game begins when the player places an Ante bet, which is the initial required bet to participate. In addition to the Ante bet, players have the option to place a Bonus bet, which can result in payouts for certain hand combinations.
After the bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards face-up to the player and two cards face-down to themselves. Three community cards are also dealt face-up in the center of the table. These three community cards are available to both the player and the dealer for constructing their best possible hand.
Once the initial cards and community cards are dealt, the player must make a decision:
If the player chooses to Play, the dealer then deals two more community cards (called the Turn and River) face-up. The dealer also reveals their two face-down cards. Now, both the player and the dealer have five community cards and two personal cards, forming the complete set of seven cards to create the best five-card hand.
Once all seven cards have been dealt, the best five-card hand is determined for both the player and the dealer. The hand rankings are then compared to decide the winner. The dealer must have at least a pair of fours to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify, the player wins the Ante bet, but the Play bet is returned as a push.
To start, place the Ante bet in the designated spot on the table. The Bonus bet is optional and can be placed along with the Ante bet.
After the player's decision, the dealer reveals two more community cards (the Turn and River). The dealer also reveals their two face-down cards. Now, the player and dealer will each have seven cards in total, from which the best five-card hand is formed.
Once all the cards have been revealed, the best possible five-card hand is determined for both the player and the dealer. If the dealer qualifies (with a pair of fours or higher), the hands are compared to determine the winner:
If the player placed a Bonus bet, the result of the first five cards (before the Turn and River) is evaluated. If the player's hand includes a pair of Aces or higher, the Bonus bet pays out according to the Bonus payout table.
The Bonus bet in Casino Hold'em is an optional side bet that can be placed alongside the Ante bet. It cannot be placed alone and is only available after the Ante bet has been made. The Bonus bet is activated by a flashing arrow on the Bonus bet spot, indicating that it is ready for a wager.
The Bonus bet is evaluated based on the first five cards dealt, which include the player’s two personal cards and the first three community cards. This means that the Bonus bet does not depend on the final outcome of the game, but rather on the strength of the hand formed by these five initial cards. To win the Bonus bet, the player must have a hand with at least a Pair of Aces or higher.
The Bonus bet offers varying payouts based on the strength of the player’s hand, as follows:
These payouts are calculated based solely on the initial five cards, and the player does not need to continue the round (by choosing to Play) to receive the Bonus payout.
It is important to note that the Bonus bet is independent of the Ante and Play bets, so even if the player folds or loses the main game, they could still win the Bonus bet based on the strength of their initial five cards.
In Casino Hold'em, hands are ranked according to standard poker hand rankings. The strongest hand wins the round. Below are the hand rankings from highest to lowest:
| Rank | Hand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 (all the same suit) | The highest possible hand, consisting of five cards in sequence from 10 to Ace, all in the same suit. |
| 2. Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 of Hearts) | Five cards in sequence of the same suit. |
| 3. Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank (e.g., 4 Kings) | Four cards of one rank with any other card as the kicker. |
| 4. Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., 3 Queens, 2 Jacks) | A hand with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. |
| 5. Flush | Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence | All cards of the same suit but not in numerical order. |
| 6. Straight | Five consecutive cards, any suit (e.g., 5, 4, 3, 2, A of mixed suits) | Five cards in sequence but not all the same suit. |
| 7. Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank (e.g., 3 Jacks) | Three cards of the same rank with two other unrelated cards. |
| 8. Two Pairs | Two different pairs (e.g., 2 Aces and 2 Kings) | Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, plus one kicker card. |
| 9. One Pair | Two cards of the same rank (e.g., 2 Kings) | Two cards of the same rank with three unrelated cards. |
| 10. High Card | No hand, just the highest card in the hand | If no hand is made, the highest card wins. If both players have the same high card, the next highest card is compared, and so on. |
The payout structure for both the Ante and Bonus bets is as follows:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 20:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 10:1 |
| Full House | 3:1 |
| Flush | 2:1 |
| Straight | 1:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1:1 |
| Two Pairs | 1:1 |
| One Pair or Less | 1:1 |
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 40:1 |
| Full House | 30:1 |
| Flush | 20:1 |
| Straight | 7:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 7:1 |
| Two Pairs | 7:1 |
| Pair of Aces | 7:1 |
The theoretical Return to Player (RTP) for each aspect of the game is as follows:
| Bet Type | RTP |
|---|---|
| Total Bet | 99.18% |
| Ante Bet | 97.84% |
| Bonus Bet | 93.74% |
These percentages represent the expected return to the player over the long term based on optimal play and are useful for understanding the overall payout potential of the game.
Bet limits vary by table and can change over time. To ensure that players are aware of the allowed betting range, it is recommended to check the Bet Limits panel within the game interface. Typically, the table limits for Casino Hold'em range as follows:
| Bet Type | Minimum Bet | Maximum Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Ante Bet | $0.50 | $1,000 |
| Bonus Bet | $0.50 | $1,000 |
| Play Bet | $1.00 | $2,000 |
These limits allow for flexibility in the game, catering to a variety of players with different betting preferences.
After the Ante bet is placed and the community cards (flop) are revealed, players are faced with the critical decision of whether to continue the round by placing a Play bet or to fold. The key to making the right decision here lies in evaluating the strength of your hand in combination with the three community cards. At this stage, you know your hole cards and have seen the initial set of community cards, which give you a clearer picture of your potential hand.
The decision to place a Play bet (which is twice the amount of your Ante) depends on whether the hand you're holding shows good potential to form a strong five-card poker hand with the community cards. The dealer needs at least a pair of fours to qualify, so any hand that can compete with this qualification is worth considering.
Here’s a breakdown of the factors that should influence your decision:
Play: If you have a strong pocket pair (such as A-A, K-K, Q-Q, or even 10-10), or if your hole cards combine with the community cards to form a strong pair (e.g., having a pair of Jacks with a Jack on the board), you should generally opt to Play. The potential to win with a pair, Full House, or even Four of a Kind makes these hands worth continuing.
Example:
Play: Strong high cards like Ace-King, Ace-Queen, and King-Queen are worth continuing if the community cards show potential for forming a strong hand (like a straight or flush). At this point, the chances of forming a Straight or Flush with the Turn and River can justify a Play bet, especially if the cards complement your high pair.
Example:
Play: If the flop gives you a potential to form a straight (e.g., you hold 7-8 and the flop shows 6-9-10) or a flush (e.g., you have suited cards and the flop shows two additional suited cards), you should consider playing, as these hands can develop into strong hands.
Example:
Fold: If you have a low pair (e.g., 2-2, 3-3, or even 4-4) and the community cards do not help your hand significantly, folding is often the best option. The potential for these hands to improve is slim, especially when compared to stronger hands.
Example:
Fold: If your hole cards and the community cards do not form a pair or provide any potential to create a strong hand (such as a Straight, Flush, or Full House), then folding is usually the best choice. High card hands have a much lower chance of winning unless you have a particularly high card that could be the deciding factor against a weak dealer hand.
Example:
Remember, the dealer must have a pair of fours or higher to qualify. This is an important consideration because if the dealer does not qualify, you automatically win your Ante bet (but the Play bet will result in a push). This makes it more favorable to continue if you have a moderate hand or potential to improve, as you have an increased chance of winning the Ante bet even if the dealer doesn’t qualify.
| Hand Type | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Pair (Aces, Kings, etc.) | Play | High chance of winning, potential for Full House or better. |
| Ace-King, Ace-Queen (High Cards) | Play | High cards can form straights or flushes with favorable board. |
| Straight or Flush Potential | Play | Potential for strong hand, especially suited connectors or connectors for a straight. |
| Low Pairs (2-2 to 6-6) | Fold | Weak hands with limited chances of improving. |
| High Card Hands (No Pair, No Draws) | Fold | Very low chance of winning unless a higher card is the deciding factor. |
| Dealer Does Not Qualify | Play | Even weak hands can win Ante bet if the dealer does not qualify. |
By carefully considering these factors after the flop, you can make more informed decisions when deciding to place the Play bet or fold. Always remember that even hands that may seem weak at first can sometimes develop into strong hands with the Turn and River cards, so understanding these strategic elements will help you optimize your chances of success.
Casino Hold’em offers a compelling gaming experience with a strategic depth that appeals to poker enthusiasts. The game stands out particularly in terms of its favorable Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which sits at 99.18% for the total bet—significantly higher than many other casino games. This makes it a strong option for players seeking a game with solid odds. The RTP for the Ante bet is 97.84%, providing a solid return for those focused on the primary game.
While the Bonus bet may seem tempting, it is important to note that its RTP of 93.74% is lower compared to the Ante bet. Therefore, players are generally advised to focus on the Ante bet for a more favorable return. Overall, Casino Hold’em presents a great opportunity for players looking for a poker-based experience with favorable odds, provided they focus on the core Ante bet and avoid the Bonus bet.