Card Game Guide
Live Casino Poker: How Casino Hold'em and Three Card Poker Work
Live casino poker covers dealer-dealt variants such as Casino Hold'em and Three Card Poker, where you play against the house rather than other players.
Live casino poker covers dealer-dealt poker variants such as Casino Hold'em and Three Card Poker, where you play against the house rather than other players. Here is how the main games work.
How live casino poker works
Unlike a poker room, live casino poker is played against the dealer. A human croupier deals the cards from a studio, and you win by beating the dealer's hand or by making qualifying combinations that pay out regardless of the dealer. The pace is quick and the rules are simpler than tournament poker, which makes these games popular on live floors.
The main live poker variants
- Casino Hold'em - based on Texas Hold'em, you and the dealer share community cards; you win by making the better five-card hand. House edge around 2.2% with correct play.
- Three Card Poker - you and the dealer each get three cards; simple, fast, with an Ante Bonus that pays on strong hands. House edge around 3.4% on the Ante-Play bet.
- Ultimate Texas Hold'em - you can raise at several points, rewarding good decisions with a lower effective house edge.
Playing live poker well
Each variant has a correct strategy, when to fold, call or raise, that keeps the house edge as low as possible. Learn the basic decisions for whichever game you play, and treat the side bets, which usually carry a much higher house edge, as an occasional flutter rather than a core bet.
Where to play live poker in the UK
Play live casino poker only at Gambling Commission-licensed operators, all of which feature in our reviews. Learn the correct strategy for your chosen variant, set a budget in advance, and use the deposit and time limits every licensed site provides.
Frequently asked questions
Do I play against other players?
No. In live casino poker you play against the dealer, not other players, which makes it faster and simpler than tournament poker.
What is the house edge in Casino Hold'em?
About 2.2% with correct play, making it one of the better-value live poker variants.
Should I take the side bets?
Side bets carry a much higher house edge, so treat them as an occasional flutter rather than a core bet.
Where can I play live poker in the UK?
At Gambling Commission-licensed operators in our reviews. Learn the correct strategy for your variant first.