Casino Hold'em is a popular poker-based table game that uses Texas Hold'em hand rankings and community cards but plays completely differently. Instead of competing against other players, you play against the dealer in a house-banked game similar to blackjack or Caribbean Stud. If you're familiar with Texas Hold'em, you'll recognize the hand structure. But if you expect the same strategic depth and player-vs-player competition, you'll be disappointed. Casino Hold'em is a simpler, faster game focused on comparing hands against the house. This guide explains the complete rules of Casino Hold'em, how hands are played, basic strategy, and important details about payouts and house edge.
What Is Casino Hold'em?
Casino Hold'em is a casino table game invented in the early 2000s. It uses the same five-card hand rankings as Texas Hold'em and features community cards, but you're playing against the dealer, not other players.
The basic concept:You and the dealer both receive two hole cards. Five community cards are dealt (the flop, turn, and river). You build the best five-card hand possible from your two hole cards and the five community cards. Your hand is compared to the dealer's hand to determine the winner.
Key difference from Texas Hold'em:There's no bluffing, no multiple betting rounds, and no competing against other players. You make one simple decision: call or fold. For more on the differences, see our article on [casino poker vs online poker](#).
The Table Layout and Betting Areas
The Casino Hold'em table has several betting areas:
Ante: Required initial bet to play the hand
Call: Optional bet (equal to 2x the ante) made after seeing your cards and the flop
AA Bonus: Optional side bet that pays if you make a pair of Aces or better (more on this below) Some variations may have additional side bets, but the core game uses Ante and Call bets.
How a Casino Hold'em Hand Works
Here's the step-by-step flow:
Step 1: Ante betPlace an ante bet and optionally an AA Bonus side bet.
Step 2: Initial dealThe dealer gives you two cards face-down (your hole cards) and deals themselves two cards face-down.
Step 3: Flop dealtThree community cards (the "flop") are dealt face-up in the center of the table.
Step 4: Decision — Call or FoldBased on your two hole cards and the three community cards, you decide: -
Fold: Surrender your hand and lose your ante bet -
Call: Place a bet equal to 2x your ante to continue This is the only decision you make in the entire hand.
Step 5: Turn and RiverAfter all players make their decisions, two more community cards (the "turn" and "river") are dealt face-up.
Step 6: Dealer reveals handThe dealer reveals their two hole cards.
Step 7: Dealer qualificationThe dealer's hand must qualify with at least a pair of 4s. If the dealer doesn't qualify: - Your ante bet pays even money (1:1) - Your call bet is returned (push)
Step 8: Hand comparison (if dealer qualifies)If the dealer qualifies, hands are compared: - Your hand beats dealer: Ante and Call bets both pay according to the payout table - Dealer's hand beats yours: You lose both ante and call bets - Tie: Both bets push (returned)
Step 9: PayoutsWinning hands are paid according to the payout table.
The Payout Table
When you win and the dealer qualifies, your bets pay according to this standard structure:
Ante bet payout:- Royal Flush: 100:1 - Straight Flush: 20:1 - Four of a Kind: 10:1 - Full House: 3:1 - Flush: 2:1 - Straight or less: 1:1
Call bet payout:Always 1:1 when you win
Example:You bet $10 ante and $20 call (2x ante). You make a full house and beat the dealer: - Ante pays 3:1 = $30 - Call pays 1:1 = $20 - Total win: $50 (plus your $30 in bets returned = $80 total)
Basic Strategy: When to Call or Fold
Unlike Texas Hold'em, Casino Hold'em has a relatively simple optimal strategy:
General guideline:Call with any pair or better, or any Ace-high or King-high hand with decent kickers.
Simplified strategy:-
Always call with any pair or better -
Always call with Ace-high (Ace and any other card) -
Call with King-high if you have a 5 or better as your second card -
Fold with Queen-high or worse unless you have strong draws
Why this works:The math favors calling in most situations because: - You get 2:1 on your call bet (betting $20 to win $20 on a call that costs $20 to make) - The dealer might not qualify, giving you a free ante win - Strong hands pay bonuses on the ante bet
The house edge:With optimal strategy, Casino Hold'em has a house edge of approximately 2.16%. This is better than Caribbean Stud (5.22%) but worse than baccarat (1.06%) or blackjack (0.5%). For more on house edge, see our guide on [understanding house edge in table games](#).
The AA Bonus Side Bet
Most Casino Hold'em tables offer an optional AA Bonus side bet.
How it works:Before cards are dealt, you can place an AA Bonus bet. This bet pays if your final five-card hand (using your two hole cards and the five community cards) is a pair of Aces or better, regardless of whether you beat the dealer.
Typical AA Bonus payout table:- 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 Pair: 7:1 - Pair of Aces: 7:1
House edge on AA Bonus:Varies by exact payout table, but typically 3.5-6.5%.
Should you take it?The house edge is higher than the main game. For entertainment, it's acceptable. For minimizing losses, skip it.
Dealer Qualification Rule
The dealer must have at least a pair of 4s to qualify.
Why this matters:If the dealer doesn't qualify, you win your ante bet but your call bet is returned. This happens fairly frequently (dealer fails to qualify about 43% of the time).
Strategy impact:This rule is already factored into basic strategy. You don't need to adjust your decisions based on qualification chances.
Comparing Casino Hold'em to Texas Hold'em
Despite the similar name and use of community cards, these are very different games.
Texas Hold'em (Traditional Poker):- Player vs player - Multiple betting rounds - Position matters - Bluffing is essential - Skill-based with learnable edges - No house edge (just rake)
Casino Hold'em:- Player vs dealer - One decision (call or fold) - No position play - No bluffing - Primarily luck-based - 2.16% house edge If you enjoy Texas Hold'em, you might find Casino Hold'em interesting, but don't expect the same strategic depth.
Online vs Physical Casino Hold'em
Both versions follow the same rules:
Physical casino:- Real dealer and cards - Slower pace - Social atmosphere - Higher minimum bets typically
Online casino:- RNG determines cards - Faster pace - Lower minimum bets - Play at your own speed - Usually available 24/7
Live dealer Casino Hold'em:- Real dealer streamed via video - Physical cards - Combines online convenience with real casino atmosphere All legitimate online versions use certified RNG systems to ensure fairness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Folding too oftenMany beginners fold hands like King-high or Ace-high, thinking they're weak. In Casino Hold'em, these are often strong enough to call.
Mistake 2: Overvaluing the AA BonusThe side bet has a higher house edge than the main game. Treat it as entertainment, not a core strategy.
Mistake 3: Trying to bluffThere's no bluffing in Casino Hold'em. The dealer's hand is predetermined and your decision doesn't influence their cards.
Mistake 4: Expecting Texas Hold'em strategy to applyConcepts like position, pot odds, and reading opponents don't exist in Casino Hold'em.
Playing Casino Hold'em Safely
Set a budgetDecide how much you're willing to spend and stop when you reach that limit.
Understand the house edgeThe 2.16% house edge means you'll lose over time with continued play. Treat the game as entertainment with a cost.
Stick to the main gameAvoid side bets with higher house edges unless you're playing purely for fun.
Use basic strategyCall with pairs or better, and most Ace-high or King-high hands.
Take breaksCasino Hold'em can be fast-paced, especially online. Regular breaks help you stay aware of time and money spent. For more on safe play, see our guide on [responsible gambling](#).
Variants and Alternatives
Casino Hold'em Bonus:Some casinos offer a variant where the ante bet qualifies for bonus payouts even if the dealer doesn't qualify. This slightly reduces the house edge.
Texas Hold'em Bonus:A different game entirely (despite the similar name) with different rules and betting structure.
Other casino poker games:- Caribbean Stud Poker - Three Card Poker - Pai Gow Poker - Mississippi Stud Each has different rules, house edges, and strategies.