Red Dog Poker is a very popular table game that has also been known by many names like Yablon, In Between, Acey Deucey and Between the Sheets. It has been around since the wild west days, where it was played in many saloons and poker parlors. The early game has evolved into what we play and enjoy today, but was abandoned because it was an easy game to manipulate to the players edge. The current version is much different and the house clearly has the edge as with most games.

The Red Dog Poker table layout has two separate, and marked areas set for betting, the Bet and the Raise. A standard 52 card deck is used, but can also be played with up to 5 decks and this game can be found in many online casinos. The object of the game is to bet on what the third card dealt is going to be. You place your opening bet on the Bet area of the table. The dealer begins by dealing two cards, one on the left and the other on the right. You now bet on the outcome of the third card. It needs to fall in value between the first two cards dealt. The closer the range the higher the payout.

For instance, if the left card is a 4 and the right card is a 8 there are only three cards that you can win with, the 5 6 or 7.  This is a spread of three and the payout is 2 to 1. If the first two cards dealt are consecutive, it’s a push and the game is over. For example if a 7 and an 8 are dealt, there is no spread and this is called a push and the round ends.

In Red Dog Poker, if the first two cards dealt make up a pair such as two 3’s, betting stops and the third card is dealt. If the third card is a matching number, in this case another 3, then you win and are paid 11 to 1 for this. Assuming there is a spread, you can at this point take an optional bet on the spread. The odds are set by the casino so be sure to familiarize yourself with them before beginning, although it should be identical or very close at each casino. This bet is placed in the Raise area of the table. If you choose not to bet or Raise, and you win the round, you get your original bet back and the next round begins.

If you Raise and win, you get your original bet plus the raise bet at the odds set for that particular spread. The cards ranging from 2 to 10 are taken at face value. The Jack is valued at 11, the Queen is valued at 12, the King is valued at 13 and the Ace is valued at 14. Suits are insignificant in this game.

Spread by One = 5:1 payout

Spread by  Two = 4:1 payout

Spread by Three = 2:1 payout

Spread by Four or more = 1:1 payout

Pair =  11:1 payout with third matching card

Like Blackjack, Red Dog Poker is played with you against the dealer or the House. There may be other players at the table but each has his turn to play the House. The basic strategy of Red Dog is deciding whether to raise your bet in the Raise segment of the game. It’s an easy, but thrilling game with great possibilities for winning large amounts of money, and as with most games of chance a lot depends of the luck of the draw. Below are some commonly used terms that you may hear in this game.

Call
To Call is what you do when you decide that you want to end the round by not Raising your bet, then a third card is dealt to you and if you win, you can claim only the amount of your original bet.

Raise
If you decide to continue the game to the next level and Raise, your are betting that the third card will fall within the value of the first two cards. You must place a bet equal to your original bet in the Raise area of the table. If you lose, you lose both bets, if you win your bet is doubled.

Spread
The Spread is the difference falling between the first two cards dealt. For example, the first card is a 2 and the second card is a 10, the spread is 7 and a marker is placed on position 7. The payout on this spread is 1 to 1.

Consecutives
Consecutives are cards that are sequential to each other, for example, if you are dealt a 7 and an 8. When this happens, you won’t be dealt the third card and the game is over and your bet is returned to you.

Pairs
Pairs are when the first two cards dealt you have the same value, for example, two Kings or two 4’s. If you are dealt a Pair, a third card is automatically dealt. If the third card is the same value as the cards of the Pair, you are paid out for Three of a Kind. If the third card does not have the same value as the cards of your Pair, the hand is a draw and your bet is returned to you.

Non-consecutives
Non-consecutives are any combination of the first two cards dealt that are not Consecutives or Pairs. The dealer then places a marker to Mark the Spread. At this point you can either Raise or Call.

Red Dog Poker is a very easy game to learn and can provide many hours of enjoyment. You can find Red Dog Poker at almost any of your favorite online casinos. With the information listed above, and a little practice, you will be playing like a professional in no time. Red Dog is sure to win your heart and will soon be one of your favorites.

CasinoCashJourney.com is a great source for information on several of game strategies including Red Dog Poker.