Russian Poker: What Is It And How To Play It
Russian Poker is a popular variant of poker that can be played at many online casinos. Unlike other poker games, where you compete against other players, in Russian Poker you play against the dealer. The goal is to make a better five-card poker hand than the dealer, using a standard 52-card deck.
In this article, we will explain the rules, payouts and best options for playing Russian Poker online. We will also give you some tips on how to improve your chances of winning and where to find the best online casinos that offer this game.
How to Play Russian Poker Online
To start playing Russian Poker online, you need to find an online casino that offers this game. You can use our list of recommended casinos below, or do your own research and look for casinos that have a good reputation, security, bonuses and customer support.
Once you have chosen an online casino, you need to register an account and make a deposit. You can use various payment methods, such as credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers or cryptocurrencies. Some online casinos may also offer you a no deposit bonus or a free spins bonus, which means you can play without risking your own money.
After you have funded your account, you can choose Russian Poker from the casino lobby and join a table. You will see a virtual table with a position for the dealer and up to six player positions or boxes. You can play on one or more boxes at the same time, depending on the casino rules and your preferences.
Before the cards are dealt, you need to place an ante bet on each box you want to play on. The ante bet is the initial bet that qualifies you for the game. The minimum and maximum ante bets may vary depending on the casino and the table limits.
After you have placed your ante bets, you will receive five cards face up on each box, and the dealer will receive five cards face down. You can then look at your cards and decide whether to play or fold on each box.
If you decide to fold, you will lose your ante bet and forfeit your cards on that box. If you decide to play, you need to place a bet equal to twice the ante bet on that box. This is called the main bet or the raise bet.
After you have made your decision on each box, the dealer will reveal his or her cards. The dealer needs to have a qualifying hand of Ace-King or better to play. If the dealer does not qualify, all ante bets are paid 1:1 and all main bets are returned.
If the dealer qualifies, your hand is compared with the dealer’s hand on each box. The standard poker hand rankings are used, from high card to royal flush. The highest-ranking hand wins and is paid according to the paytable below.
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20:1 |
| Full House | 7:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |
| Two Pairs | 2:1 |
| One Pair | 1:1 |
| High Card | 1:1 |
If your hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, you win both the ante bet and the main bet according to the paytable. If your hand is lower than the dealer’s hand, you lose both bets. If your hand is equal to the dealer’s hand, it is a push and both bets are returned.
Special Features of Russian Poker Online
Russian Poker online has some special features that make it more exciting and rewarding than other poker games. These features are:
- Buying a sixth card: After you receive your initial five cards, you have the option to buy a sixth card for each box. This can help you improve your hand or make a bonus bet (see below). To buy a sixth card, you need to pay an amount equal to the ante bet on that box.
- Exchanging one or more cards: After you buy a sixth card, you have the option to exchange one or more cards for new ones from the deck. This can also help you improve your hand or make a bonus bet (see below). To exchange cards, you need to pay an amount equal to the ante bet for each card you want to exchange.
- Making a bonus bet: After you buy a sixth card and/or exchange cards, you have the option to make a bonus bet on each box. The bonus bet is a side bet that pays if you have a poker hand of three of a kind or better, regardless of the dealer’s hand. The bonus bet must be equal to the ante bet on that box. The bonus bet is paid according to the paytable below.
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000:1 |
| Straight Flush | 250:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 100:1 |
| Full House | 15:1 |
| Flush | 10:1 |
| Straight | 6:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
- Insuring against the dealer’s blackjack: If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you have the option to insure against the dealer having a blackjack (Ace and 10-value card). This is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack and loses if the dealer does not have a blackjack. The insurance bet must be equal to half of the ante bet on each box.
Tips and Strategies for Playing Russian Poker Online
Russian Poker online is a game of chance and skill, where you need to make optimal decisions based on your cards and the dealer’s card. Here are some tips and strategies that can help you increase your chances of winning and reduce the house edge.
- Always play if you have a pair or better: If you have a pair or better, you should always play and place the main bet, as you have a high chance of beating the dealer or getting paid by the bonus bet.
- Always fold if you have less than Ace-King: If you have less than Ace-King, you should always fold, as you have a low chance of beating the dealer or getting paid by the bonus bet.
- Buy a sixth card or exchange cards if you have Ace-King or worse: If you have Ace-King or worse, you should consider buying a sixth card or exchanging cards to improve your hand or make a bonus bet. However, you should only do this if the cost of buying or exchanging cards is less than the expected value of your improved hand or bonus bet.
- Make a bonus bet if you have three of a kind or better: If you have three of a kind or better, you should always make a bonus bet, as it pays very well and does not depend on the dealer’s hand.
- Insure against the dealer’s blackjack if you have a weak hand: If you have a weak hand (less than Ace-King) and the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you should consider insuring against the dealer’s blackjack, as it can protect your ante bet from losing. However, you should only do this if the cost of insurance is less than the expected value of your ante bet.
Best Online Casinos to Play Russian Poker Online
If you are looking for the best online casinos to play Russian Poker online, we have compiled a list of our top picks based on various criteria, such as:
- License and reputation: We only recommend online casinos that are licensed by reputable authorities and have a good reputation among players and experts.
- Security and fairness: We only recommend online casinos that use encryption technology to protect your personal and financial information and use random number generators to ensure fair and random outcomes.
- Bonuses and promotions: We only recommend online casinos that offer generous and frequent bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback, loyalty programs and more.
- Games and software: We only recommend online casinos that offer a wide range of games and software providers, including Russian Poker and other poker variants, slots, table games, live casino games and more.
- Customer support and banking: We only recommend online casinos that offer reliable and friendly customer support via various channels, such as live chat, phone and email, and offer fast and convenient banking options, such as credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and cryptocurrencies.