Let It Ride is a unique poker variation that can be considered a mix of Tens or Better and Five Card Stud. It was originally developed in 1993 by the developer Shuffle Master Gaming, and it is not very well known among Kuwaiti players. This is why, on this page, we will introduce Let It Ride to local players and teach them rules, how to play, strategies, and more.
Sites Where You May Find Let It Ride in Kuwait
Bonus up to
$3,500
Bonus up to
$5,000
Bonus up to
$2,000
Bonus up to
$1,750
Bonus up to
$600
Bonus up to
$1,590
Bonus up to
$1,500
Bonus up to
$2,200
Bonus up to
$20,000
Bonus up to
€300
Bonus up to
$200
Bonus up to
$1,000
Bonus up to
$300
Bonus up to
$1,000
Bonus up to
$1,760
Bonus up to
$2,000
Bonus up to
$1,500
Bonus up to
$5,000
Let it Ride Infobox
| Feature | Description |
| Creator | John Breeding (Shuffle Master) |
| Release Year | 1993 |
| Deck | Standard 52-card deck |
| Objective | Form a 5-card hand of Pair of 10s or better |
| House Edge | 3.51% |
| Layout | Three betting circles: (1), (2), and ($) |
Similarities to 10s or Better & 5 Card Stud
Let it Ride is similar to 5 card stud and the video poker game 10s or better, because the structure of the first is used and the payout logic of the latter is as well.
Similarities to “10s or Better”
- Pairs of low cards like 2s or 7s pay nothing. You must get a minimum rank like a pair of 10s just to get your money back.
- Both games use a fixed paytable for each hand you get.
- You do not have to beat the dealer or other players. You are playing solo.
Similarities to 5-Card Stud
- Just like 5-Card Stud, you cannot discard weak cards. You must find a way to make a winning hand using the three cards in your hand and the two on the table.
- Traditional Stud has rounds of betting as cards are revealed. Let It Ride flips this: instead of adding money as the hand improves, you choose whether to leave your money on the table.
- Suspense is built by slowly dealing one card after the other in stud and similarly in let it ride the dealer slowly reveals the two community cards
How to Play Let It Ride Poker
Let It Ride uses a standard 52-card deck, and even though on the table there is space for 7 players and a dealer, you are not playing against any of them—each one plays for themselves, and the dealer’s job is only to deal. The objective of the game is to form a winning hand from a total of 5 cards, and the minimum winning hand is Tens or Better, thus making it interesting.
Bet Placement
Before the action starts, Let It Ride poker players need to place three bets on the three circles on the table. These are mandatory bets that you have to place on every hand, and they must be the same size. However, do not worry—you have the chance to get back 2/3 of these bets in case you are not satisfied with the cards you are dealt.
The First Action
After placing the mandatory three bets, the dealer will deal each player three cards face down, and there will be two community cards that will remain face down for now. While the cards dealt to you are yours alone, the community cards can be used by other players at the table, similar to the flop in Texas Hold’em poker. You can now look at your cards, but do not show them to other players. Based on the cards you are dealt and assessing the strength of your hand, you can decide whether you wish to forfeit the first of your three bets, or, if you trust the strength of your cards enough, you can continue to play Let It Ride to the next round.
The Second Action
Regardless of your decision in the first action, the game will continue to the second stage of this particular Let It Ride hand. The dealer will now expose one of the community cards in the middle of the table, and you can see what combination you may have with the three cards you were dealt. In this second action, you can decide whether you wish to forfeit your second bet and get two-thirds of it back, or let it ride and keep it in the game. Now, with only one more card to be revealed, you have a good idea of the possible strength of your hand for the next round.
The Final Action
Now, in this final stage, the dealer will reveal the second community card, and you will be able to make your highest poker ranking hand using a total of five cards—two community cards and the three cards dealt to you. In this stage, you are not allowed to forfeit your third bet; you are committed to it, whether you win or lose. The minimum winning hand is Tens or Better, and the maximum payout is for a Royal Flush. You can see the payout table below.
Payouts Table
Unlike other video poker games, Let it Ride has a fixed payout table whether you play it in an online casino in Kuwait or go to Las Vegas. This makes Let it Ride simpler to follow. Check the below fixed payout table for this poker game:
| Hand Rank | Payout | Example Hand |
| Royal Flush | 1,000 to 1 | 10❤️ J❤️ Q❤️ K❤️ A❤️ |
| Straight Flush | 200 to 1 | 4♣️ 5♣️ 6♣️ 7♣️ 8♣️ |
| Four of a Kind | 50 to 1 | 9♠️ 9❤️ 9♣️ 9♦️ 3❤️ |
| Full House | 11 to 1 | 8♦️ 8♣️ 8♠️ 2❤️ 2♣️ |
| Flush | 8 to 1 | 2♦️ 5♦️ 9♦️ J♦️ A♦️ |
| Straight | 5 to 1 | 5❤️ 6♦️ 7♣️ 8♠️ 9❤️ |
| Three of a Kind | 3 to 1 | 7♣️ 7♦️ 7♠️ 4❤️ K♣️ |
| Two Pair | 2 to 1 | J♠️ J♦️ 4♣️ 4♠️ 9❤️ |
| Pair of 10s+ | 1 to 1 | Q♣️ Q♦️ 3♠️ 6❤️ A♣️ |
Side Bets
Let It Ride has a side bet that you can place before the game begins. It’s called the Three-Card Bonus side bet. If, in the first three cards you are dealt, you get a pair or better, you win. Here is the interesting part: in the main game, you need a pair of Tens or Better, but the bonus has its own payout even if you get any pair. Check the table below, but remember that you must place money on that side bet to activate it.
| Hand Rank | Payout | Example |
| Mini Royal Flush | 50 to 1 | Q❤️ K❤️ A❤️ |
| Straight Flush | 40 to 1 | 4♣️ 5♣️ 6♣️ |
| Three of a Kind | 30 to 1 | 7♠️ 7❤️ 7♣️ |
| Straight | 6 to 1 | 9♦️ 10♣️ J❤️ |
| Flush | 3 to 1 | 2♠️ 8♠️ K♠️ |
| Any Pair | 1 to 1 | 4♦️ 4❤️ 10♠️ |
Strategy for Let It Ride
Although Let It Ride may not require as much strategic poker thinking as other variations of the game, it is nevertheless important to have some tactics in mind for every round you play in Let It Ride poker.
When To Keep Your Bet When Dealt your First Three Cards:
- If you’ve already achieved any winning hand, Tens or Better:
- Example hand: 10❤️ 10♣️ A❤️
- If you have any three cards that can contribute to a Royal Flush:
- Example hand: 10❤️ Q❤️ A❤️
- If you have three consecutive cards that could lead to a Straight Flush:
- Example hand: 3♣️ 4♣️ 5♣️
When To Keep Your Bet When You Know 4 Cards:
- You have four cards to a Royal Flush:
- Example hand: 10❤️ J❤️ Q❤️ K❤️
- If you have any four cards that can contribute to a Straight Flush:
- Example hand: 4♦️ 5♦️ 6♦️ 7♦️
- If you have Four cards that could lead to a Flush:
- Example hand: 3♣️ 7♣️ 9♣️ A♣️
- You already achieved any paying hand starting with 10s pair or higher.
Wrapping It Up: Is Let It Ride A Good Choice for Kuwaiti Players?
To be completely honest, Let It Ride does not rank among the most popular poker games in Kuwait because of the lack of awareness among local players. It is not widely available in online casinos, making it a limited option for players. Even though you can find it online for free easily, the fun is limited when there is no real staking of your money, and you’re not playing online poker real money. Apart from that, the game is easy to play, fast-paced, and fun. The side bet option is a plus, and it offers a nice mix between table poker and video poker.
- Easy to play with simple rules and a fixed paytable
- Side bets available for extra winning opportunities
- Fast-paced game
- Play by yourself without needing psychology or bluffing
- Not available in all casinos in Kuwait
- Higher house edge than other poker table games
- Solo play can be lonely
FAQs By Kuwaitis About Let It Ride
Can I play Let It Ride in Kuwait?
Yes, you can play Let It Ride in Kuwait, but in general, it is not found in online casinos for real money. You can play it as a free poker game, which makes it less fun.
Is Let It Ride a video poker game?
Not exactly. Let It Ride is similar to the video poker game Jacks or Better, but it also has similarities with Five-Card Stud. It is actually a classic casino table poker game with a dealer and six players, but they do not play against each other.
Why is it called Let It Ride poker?
The term “Let It Ride” comes from the actions you can take regarding your three bets in the first round—you can choose to let your bet ride to the next round. That’s where the term comes from.
How do you play Let It Ride Poker?
Before you begin the game, you place three bets, all of the same size. Then the dealer deals you three cards. After that, you can choose to forfeit one of the three bets or continue—aka, let it ride. Then, the dealer places the first community card on the board. Again, you can choose to let your second bet continue and let it ride. In the last round, you cannot let your bet ride. When the dealer reveals the second and final community card, you cannot forfeit your third bet. In the end, you have to make a poker hand out of these five cards to win. To at least get your stake back, you should have a pair of Tens or Better, leading up to the Royal Flush, which pays 1,000 to 1—the highest paying hand in this payout-table-based poker game.
What is the payout for Let It Ride Poker?
The payout in Let It Ride Poker depends on the hand you have. The minimum payout is 1 to 1, which means you just get your bet back for a pair of Tens. Two Pairs pay 2 to 1. Three of a Kind pays 3 to 1. A Straight pays 5 to 1. A Flush pays 8 to 1. A Full House pays 11 to 1. Four of a Kind pays 50 to 1. A Straight Flush pays 200 to 1. And the highest paying hand is a Royal Flush, with a payout of 1,000 to 1.
Online Poker Sites
Live Poker
Poker Strategy
Poker Games
Poker Texas Holdem
Blog