Hoyle Casino Help Contents

Transcription

Hoyle Casino Help Contents
Welcome to Hoyle Casino. You can find information you need to play the games in Hoyle Casino in the
following sections:
Getting Started
Signing In
Making a Face in Face Creator
Starting a Game
Placing a Bet
Playing Games
Baccarat
Blackjack
6 Card Charlie
Face Up
Special 21’s
Royal Match 21
Caribbean Stud Poker
Craps
Horse Racing
Keno
Fortune Pai Gow Poker
Poker
Poker Tournaments
Roulette
Slot Machines
Three Card Poker
Four Card Poker
Video Blackjack
Video Poker
Let It Ride
Pai Gow Poker
Game Options
Customizing Hoyle Casino
Playing Games in Full Screen Mode
Changing Player Settings
Hoyle Computer Players
Setting Game Rules and Options
Tournament Play
Fun Features
Managing Games
Shortcut Keys
Viewing Bet Results and Statistics
Bankrolls, Credit Cards and Loans
Tutorial Mode
Quitting a Game
Signing In
When you start Hoyle Casino, you must first sign in, choosing a name and a picture to represent yourself. You
must create at least one player to play the games, and you can create additional players for yourself, your friends,
and your family members. One reason for creating multiple players is that some games allow more than one
player on the same computer. Another reason is that your statistics are tracked based on your player name.
Each player has a bankroll, which starts at a certain amount and changes as you win or lose money in the
casino. Each player also has a credit card. There are various levels of credit cards available. You start with a
green credit card and can advance to higher credit cards by winning money in the casino. Besides being a status
symbol, your credit level determines the amount of money you can take as a loan from the casino (should your
luck turn sour and it become necessary for you to borrow money to continue playing). For more on credit cards
and loans, click here:
The first time you sign in, you are asked to create a new player. After that, you can sign in as an existing player.
You can create new players at any time, and you can change your character face at any time.
To create a new player:
1 Click the New button.
2 Type a name for the new player, and click OK. A setup screen will guide you through some character settings,
or you can accept the default setting by clicking Done. Your name will then appear on the front of the credit
card on the screen.
3 The default representation for a new player is a silhouette that can't talk, shown in the character window in the
upper-right of the sign-in screen. To create a unique character to represent yourself, click the large Face
Creator button below the character window. Click here to learn more about using Face Creator:
OR
Use an existing character. Select Non-Talking to choose from one of the silent, pre-made characters, or
select Face Creator to choose a talking character that has already been made using Face Creator. Browse
through the existing characters with the scroll bar below the character window.
4 Click OK to assign the image in the character to the new player, and start playing!
To sign in a player created during a previous session:
1 Click the player’s name in the list. If necessary, scroll through the list using the vertical scroll bar.
To change the face for this player, see step 3, above.
2 Click OK to start playing games as this player.
Notes:
You can remove a player from the list of players by selecting the player name and clicking the Delete button.
The player (and all of his or her statistics) is removed permanently.
You can sign in as a different player after you’ve started Hoyle Casino. You might do this if someone else
wants to play games and you don’t want to exit. From the Main Screen (click Main Screen on the Go To menu if
you’re in a game), click Sign In on the File menu to sign in as a different player.
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Credit Cards and Loans
Talking w ith Your Character
Starting a Game
You can start a game from the Go To menu, or you can start a game from the casino floor.
To start a game using the menu:
On the Go To menu, click the name of the game you want to play.
For Poker, click the name of the game you want to play.
For all games except Keno, Horse Racing, and Poker Tournaments, you must also specify betting information:
For table games (except Poker), you select the minimum and maximum bet for that table. For example, if
you select $10-$2,000, each bet you place must be at least $10, and no greater than $2,000.
For Poker, you specify the early bet and the late bet for each game.
For Slots, Video Poker, and Video Blackjack, you select what type of machine you want to play. This
specifies the amount used for each "credit" you put into the machine.
For many games, you can select Tournament to play a tournament version of the game. For more on
tournaments, click here:
To start a game from the casino floor:
Whenever you are in the casino (but not yet playing a game), move your mouse to point to different areas of the
screen. When you point to certain areas, a label appears describing the games played in that area. Click on the
area or specific table or machine to move there.
You can also move around the casino using the map in the lower-right corner of the screen. Move the mouse over
the layout of the casino to see which games are played in different areas. Click the mouse on an area of the
schematic layout to move to that area.
To switch from one game to another:
Click the Go To menu, click on the name of the game you want to switch to. If you’re in the middle of a hand or
turn, you are asked if you are sure you want to exit the current game.
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Signing In
Placing a Bet
In the table games (Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, Craps, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, and Three
Card Poker), you place a bet by first setting the amount you want to bet and then placing the bet in front of you or
on the table.
In Slots, Video Blackjack, and Video Poker, you click the coin or bill slot on the machine and then specify how
many credits you want to put into the machine.
In Keno and Horse Racing, you fill out a Keno or race ticket.
For detailed information on betting in Hoyle Casino, click the game you’re interested in.
Baccarat
Pai Gow Poker
Blackjack
Poker
Caribbean Stud
Roulette
Craps
Slots
Horse Racing
Three Card Poker
Keno
Video Blackjack
Let It Ride
Video Poker
In Hoyle Casino, you can change certain environment settings like speed of play, background music, animations,
and character speech. All of these settings are changed using options on the Options menu.
These settings can be changed from anywhere in Hoyle Casino and affect all the games.
To change the game environment:
Click Environment on the Options menu and change settings as described below.
Setting
Description
Character Speech
Sets whether computer players talk while you play. Players only talk when you
have the Hoyle Casino CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
Animations
Sets whether computer players and game elements animate. Most animations
only play when you have the Hoyle Casino CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
Background Audio
Sets whether you hear background sounds like casino noise while you play the
games.
Sound Effects
Sets whether you hear sound effects during games, such as dealing cards.
Show Intro Movie
Plays the introductory movie whenever you start Hoyle Casino with the Hoyle CD
in your computer.
Attitude
Sets how talkative and animated computer players are during the game. Move
the Character Attitude slider to the left towards Serious for less attitude or to the
right towards Talkative for more attitude.
Note: The attitude is set for all computer players in the game. You cannot set
each player’s attitude individually.
Speed
Sets the overall speed of all the games. You might want to slow down the
games if they don’t perform well on your computer. Move the Game Speed slider
to the left (Slow) or right (Fast) to adjust the speed.
Show Bet Amounts
Shows bet amounts for table games when you roll over players’ chips (or bets
on the table).
Play Alone
Prevents Hoyle computer characters from playing games with you. This must be
selected before entering a game to take effect.
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You can make Hoyle Casino fill your entire computer screen so that the games are easier to see.
To play in full screen mode:
Click Full Screen on the Options menu. The program resizes to fill the screen.
To return to a windowed mode:
Click Window on the Options menu. The program fits in a window again.
Notes:
Maximizing the game window will not make the screen bigger; you must go to full screen mode. This may not
work on all computers.
Windows users: If you open the online help while in full screen mode, the full screen mode is turned off.
You can press ALT+ENTER (Apple key+ENTER on the Macintosh) to quickly switch between viewing the
program in full screen or in a window.
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When you sign in to Hoyle Casino, you are the "host." Up to three other people can play games with you on your
computer; this is called "head-to-head" play. All the games except for Horse Racing, Keno, Slots, Video Poker,
and Video Blackjack allow head-to-head-play.
In addition, in most of the games, Hoyle computer players can play along with you. To learn more about the
computer players, click here:
When you start a game, all of the actively signed-in people are seated in the game, if possible, along with one or
more computer players to fill any empty seats.
You can add or remove players only before you enter a game. However, you can substitute one computer player
for another at any time, and you can change your player picture at any time.
To change player settings:
1 Within a game, click Players on the Options menu.
2 Change player settings as described below. Some settings can only be changed before a game starts.
To replace a player, click the Replace button next to that player. To replace a player with someone who will
play with you on your computer, select Real Person; otherwise, select a computer player. You can’t change
the host of a game within a game; to change the host, you must go to the Main Screen and use the Sign In
command on the File menu.
Tip: You can quickly replace players within a game by clicking on the player’s picture in the game, and then
selecting a new player on the pop-up menu that appears.
To remove a player, click the Clear button next to that player. In games that require a certain number of
players, you won’t be able to clear players if you won’t have enough players to play.
To add another player to a game, click the Add button in an empty position in the Players dialog box. To add
someone who will play with you on your computer, select Real Person; otherwise, select a computer
player.
To see a description of a computer player, click the Bio button next to that player.
To change the face of a human player, click the Face button next to that player.
Other settings for players in a game, such as player color, are shown underneath each player.
Note:
If you prefer playing without computer players, check the Play Alone box in the Environment dialog. This must
be checked before entering a game for it to take effect. Click here for more information:
When you start a game that includes computer players, random players are chosen for you. If you want to play
with a certain player, you can set that players to be "preferred" so he or she plays with you in every game. To
do this, check the Preferred Player box under that player.
You can set a few players as preferred, or set all players as preferred but one or two (if there are players you
don’t ever want to play games with).
The current game always uses the environment and game settings for the host player (the player who signed
in when Hoyle Casino started). To change the host player, click Main Screen on the Go To menu, and then
click Sign In on the File menu to sign in a new player.
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Hoyle Casino offers an array of computer players for you to interact with as you play. To learn how to change the
computer players playing in a particular game, click here:
Anne is a competitive skeet shooter from Texas; she’s in town for the Sportsman’
s Convention. She’s divorced, owns a ranch, and doesn’t take any guff. Anne is
determined to beat the odds at the casino, but she’ll have a good time no matter
what.
Anne
Eddie is a tough Vegas cab driver who knows everything there is to know about
Sin City. He's sick of hearing about all of his customers' winnings, so he's trying
to cash in himself.
Eddie
Eddie is sometimes rude, and often crude, but you can count on him to always
call ‘em like he sees ‘em.
Jessica is a popular lounge singer in the casino. She’s lived in town for several
years, and likes to gamble a little in between sets or after a show. It gives her a
chance to meet new people, and she’s hoping to eventually hit the jackpot.
Jessica
Joe was an up-and-coming football player when an injury sidelined his career.
He moved west to get a fresh start, and now he works as bartender at one of the
casinos. He’s heard it all – in a town of big winners and big losers, everybody
has a story. Joe will always lend a sympathetic ear if you have a streak of bad
luck.
Joe
Kelly just got married in a small Vegas chapel, but quickly lost her new husband
in the crowded casino. She figures that if she stays in one place long enough, he
is bound to come by.
Kelly
While she’s here, she’s trying to make enough money to take her honeymoon in
Hawaii.
Marcus is a successful sports agent. He's got all the right clients and knows all
the right people. In the casino, Marcus plans to show you the money, and then
take it away from you.
Marcus
Michele is a film student from NYU, in town for her first visit. She would love to
shoot a student film at the casino, but security won’t let her use a camera.
Michele is gambling for research purposes only, since a casino is the perfect
place to observe human drama unfolding.
Michele
Nigel's band 'The Wombats' had a brief brush with fame in the late seventies, but
worldwide fame has eluded them. The band’s decline sent Nigel to rehab, but
now he’s clean and sober.
Nigel
When he's not performing in local nightclubs, Nigel is in the casino, trying to earn
money to record his comeback album.
Tommy has been coming to this casino since the 60’s; he knows the games, he
knows the odds, and he’s here to play. Stay close to Tommy and you’ll find out
why "the good old days" were so good. Years of gambling have taught him when
to go for the big win, and when to go home.
Tommy
Yvonne is an award-winning actress who once starred in classic films like
"Yellow Is The Sun" and "Misery’s Child." She's bitter that all of the good roles are
going to flavor-of-the month actresses, while she ends up playing their mothers.
She spends time in the casino hoping to get free publicity.
Yvonne
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Fun Features
You can set game rules and options for many games, such as the house rules for the game and whether the
dealer speaks. Some games, like Poker and Slot machines, do not have any settings.
Once the game has begun, some changes to settings may not take effect until the next hand, spin, or roll.
To set game rules and options:
1 While in the game, click the <Game> Settings menu item on the Options menu. (In Blackjack, for example,
you would click Blackjack Settings on the Options menu.)
2 Make the changes you want.
3 Click OK to change the settings.
Notes:
Tournaments have fixed game settings that cannot be changed.
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Tournament Play
In Hoyle Casino, you can enter tournaments and compete against other players for cash prizes in the games
listed below. Winning tournaments is a great way to overcome the house edge and increase your bankroll. Click
a game name for specific tournament information for that game.
Note: the Poker Tournament feature in Hoyle Casino is different from the other tournaments. The information
below is for all non-Poker tournaments. Please refer to the Poker Tournaments section for full details on Hoyle
Casino Poker Tournaments.
Baccarat
Blackjack
Craps
Let It Ride
Pai Gow Poker
Roulette
Three Card Poker
All players enter a tournament with the same amount of money. This money—called the tournament bankroll—is
taken from each players’ bankroll and is not a separate stake.
Tournaments end after a certain number of hands, turns, or spins, depending on the game: 25 hands in
Blackjack, for example, 4 turns in Craps, and 10 spins in Roulette. Play ends even earlier if there are no longer at
least two players with enough money to bet.
When play is over, the player with the highest bankroll wins the tournament prize. The prize is equal to the
tournament bankroll. If two or more players tie for the bankroll, the tournament continues until the tie is broken.
There are five levels of tournament play (from $1,000 to $500,000). Each level has its own bankroll, its own prize,
and its own requirements for the size of wagers. You can play only at the levels you can afford. If your overall Hoyle
Casino bankroll stands at $1,350, for example, you cannot participate above the $1,000 level.
The following table lists the tournament bankroll, tournament prize, minimum wager, and maximum wager for
each of the five tournament levels available in all games except Poker:
Tournament
bankroll
Tournament
prize
Minimum
wager
Maximum wager
$1,000
$1,000
$10
$1,000
$5,000
$5,000
$25
$5,000
$25,000
$25,000
$250
$25,000
$100,000
$100,000
$1,000
$100,000
$500,000
$500,000
$5,000
$500,000
To enter a tournament:
1 On the Go To menu, point to the name of the game in which you want to play a tournament.
2 Click Tournament.
3 Click the level at which you want to play and click OK.
If you cannot choose one or more of the levels of play, choose a lower level. A level becomes unavailable to
you when you lack sufficient bankroll to play at that level.
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Starting a Game
Shortcut Keys
The following shortcut keys are available to you during game play:
In most games you can use the T key to activate the Hint item in the Help menu:
Help
Shortcut
Hint
T
The following shortcut keys access the items in the Actions menu in the various games:
Loans
Actions
Shortcut
Loan
L
Baccarat
Actions
Shortcut
Show Scorecard
S
Blackjack
Actions
Shortcut
Hit
H
Stand
S
Double Down
D
Split
P
Surrender
R
Continue
Enter
Actions
Shortcut
Call
C
Fold
F
Craps
Actions
Shortcut
Roll
R
Continue
Enter
Horse Racing
There are no hot keys for Horse Racing.
Keno
Pressing the Enter key closes the current Keno card.
Let It Ride
Actions
Shortcut
Let Bet Ride
C
Take Bet Back
F
Pai Gow Poker
Actions
Shortcut
Continue
Enter
Poker
Actions
Shortcut
Check
C
Open
O
Call
C
Raise
R
Fold
F
Roulette
Actions
Shortcut
Place Last Bets
P
Continue
Enter
Slots
Actions
Shortcut
Bet One
B
Bet Max
M
Play Max
P
Spin
S
Cash Out
C
Three Card Poker
Actions
Shortcut
Play
C
Fold
F
Video Blackjack
Actions
Shortcut
Bet One
B
Bet Max
M
Cash Out
C
Video Poker
Actions
Shortcut
Hold 1
1
Hold 2
2
Hold 3
3
Hold 4
4
Hold 5
5
Hold All
A
Discard All
R
Bet One
B
Bet Max
M
Deal
D
Cash Out
C
Speed Deal (Multi-Hand Only)
S (or click anywhere on the screen)
Viewing Bet Results and Statistics
As you win or lose money, Hoyle Casino keeps track of how you are doing. There are two ways you can review
your results.
Reviewing Bets on the Table
In table games (Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, Craps, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Three Card
Poker), you can examine bets that you or other players place on the table by moving the mouse over the chips.
(This option is only available if you have turned it on in the Environment dialog; see Customizing Hoyle Casino.)
You are not able to view bets until all players have finished betting.
Roulette and Craps offer a special function for viewing the bets of a single player on a crowded table. If you click
on a player’s image with the right mouse button (Control+Click for Macintosh users), only bets belonging to that
player will be shown on the table while you hold the button down on the player.
Reviewing Bets in the Current Game Session
In all games where your player image shows above a nameplate, you can see how you are doing during the
current session by clicking on your picture with the left mouse button and holding down the mouse. When you do
this, a small window pops up summarizing your current bankroll, how much you wagered in your most recent bet,
how much you won or lost in the most recent play, and how much you’ve won or lost overall in the current
session. You can click on any player’s picture to see these results.
Using the Continue Button
Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, and Three Card Poker offer another
way to view bet results. In the game settings for each of these games, you can enable the Continue button. This
means that after each hand, spin, or roll, the game will pause and let you examine the results on the table. By
pointing to the various bets on the table, you can see which bets won or lost. The bets are not cleared until you
click the Continue button. (When you do not have the Continue button enabled in these games, there is a short
pause after each hand, spin, or roll, and then the table clears automatically.)
Reviewing Long-Term Statistics
To view statistics:
1 Click Statistics on the File menu.
2 Click the name of the player you want statistics for.
3 Select the name of the game you want statistics for.
Notes:
To clear statistics for the current player and game, click the Clear button. Statistics are permanently cleared for
that game for that player.
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Tournament Play
Bankrolls, Credit Cards and Loans
Each player has a bankroll, which starts at a certain amount and changes as you win or lose money in the
casino. Each player also has a credit card. There are various levels of credit cards available. You start with a
green credit card and can advance to higher credit cards by winning money in the casino.
Besides being a status symbol, your credit level determines the amount of money you can take as a loan from the
casino should your luck turn sour and it become necessary for you to borrow money to continue playing.
If you run out of money during a game, you are presented with three choices:
(1) You can reset your player to the initial $5,000, reverting back to the initial green credit card, and losing any
statistical information for your player.
(2) You can take a loan, the amount of which is based on the credit level you have reached. In this case, you keep
your credit card and your statistics, but you have to pay the loan back before being allowed to advance to the
next credit level.
(3) You can just sit out and watch, and deal with your money problems later.
Reaching One Billion Dollars
If your bankroll reaches $1 billion, you will have made more money than Hoyle Casino can count. If you pull this
off, you will be named the "Biggest Kahuna" in the Hall of Fame, and your bankroll will be rolled back to $1
million.
Repaying a Loan
Once you have taken a loan, you will need to repay it at some point. To do this, go to the loans desk at the back of
the main floor of the casino, or click Loans on the File menu.
The Fine Print
There are some situations in which you will not be offered a loan. You can’t get a loan if you already have a loan
outstanding, if you are playing in a tournament, or if the casino decides you already have enough money and don’t
need to borrow more.
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View ing Bet Results and Statistics
Tutorial Mode
Hoyle Casino features a comprehensive, easy-to-use tutorial mode for most of the games. The tutorial mode,
along with the associated practice mode, gives you hints, strategic advice, and other information so that you can
learn to play the games like a pro.
When you play a game in tutorial mode, a small bar labeled "Tutorial" appears in the upper left corner of the
screen. When you roll the mouse over this bar, it pops down into a full window, offering a menu of information
topics.
Turning Tutorial Mode On and Off
You can turn tutorial mode on and off within a game by checking or unchecking Tutorial Mode on the Help menu.
To turn off tutorial mode in a game, click the box on the right side of the tutorial bar.
To quickly turn tutorials on or off for multiple games, go to the main screen and click Setup Wizard on the Help
menu; click Next to get to the tutorials page.
Tutorial Topics and When They Are Available
When you point the mouse over the Tutorial bar in the upper left corner of the screen, the Tutorial window
generally pops down to offer you information. However, when other players are betting or playing, this information
is not available. For instance, if you are playing Poker with seven characters, you may need to wait for each of
them to bet before you can view tutorial information about your own bet.
The Tutorial window offers several categories of information. To view a particular category, simply drag the
mouse over the category title.
The first category in the list varies depending on what you are doing. For instance, in Blackjack, if it is your turn to
bet, the first category will be titled "Betting," and when you roll over it a window will pop up giving you information
on how to bet. On the other hand, if it is your turn to decide whether to hit or stand, the first category will be titled "
Play," and when you roll over it a window will pop up explaining your options for play.
The second category in the list is always titled "Strategy," and if offers strategic advice for your current bet or play.
Use this strategic advice to learn to play like a pro.
In the lower half of the Tutorial window are several other topics which offer basic information on performing
functions such as making bets and changing players.
The Hint Button
At the top of the Tutorial window is the Hint button. (Note: the Hint button is not available in certain situations
where Hoyle Casino does not have a specific recommendation.) Click the Hint button to see the play
recommended by Hoyle Casino. Clicking the Hint button is the same as clicking Hint on the Help menu.
A Note on Poker Hints
Getting a hint in Poker is slightly different than getting a hint in the other Hoyle Casino games. In most games
involving a player choice, the statistically correct move is a mathematical certainty, and the hint advice is given
accordingly. In Poker, players square off against each other, and decisions are based not only on the odds, but
also on the actions of other players. Are they bluffing? Should you bluff? How many players are left? How often
does the hand you have win that particular game?
These are the questions that make poker a fascinating game, and are also what make suggesting the "correct"
play a little less certain. Poker hints in Hoyle Casino represent the advice of the Hoyle character of your choice,
based on what that character would do in your shoes. Each Hoyle character plays Poker skillfully; if you are a
student of Poker looking for some advice, any of them will steer you in the right direction. Most of the time, their
advice will be the same. However, because they differ in their level of aggressiveness, their tendency to bluff, call,
raise, and fold, their advice may differ in tough-call situations, where there is no obviously correct play. So pick
your favorite character, and take their advice with a grain of salt. There are no absolutes in Poker! Or, to put it
another way: every hand's a winner, and every hand's a loser...
Practice Mode
In some games, the Tutorial window includes a Practice Mode check box. When this box is checked, Hoyle
Casino watches your plays and, when you make a play that is not advisable, automatically pops up the relevant
strategic information, and also shows you the hint for the best play. Use this mode to test your knowledge of
optimal game strategies. As long as you make the correct decisions, there will be no intervention. But if you take
an action that does not align with Hoyle Casino’s recommendation, Hoyle Casino will let you know.
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Quitting a Game
You can quit a particular game or exit Hoyle Casino altogether.
To quit a game:
Click Main Screen on the Go To menu. You will return to the casino where you can choose a different game to
play. Or click a game name on the Go To menu to go directly to that game.
To exit the program:
Click Exit on the File menu.
Fun Features
Hoyle Casino has some additional features to further enhance your playing experience: the Hall of Fame, and a
Talking Face Creator.
The Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame shines the spotlight on players who have set various records in Hoyle Casino, and can be
viewed by clicking File on the menu bar, and selecting Hall of Fame. The Hoyle Computer Players can compete
along with you in all categories but "Biggest Kahuna." There are ten categories:
Biggest Kahuna
This record is strictly bottom line: who’s got the most dough? If you have the highest current bankroll of any player,
you will be immortalized in the top spot of the Hall of Fame…for as long as you can stay on top, that is.
Note: If you increase your bankroll to $1 billion or more, you will become the Biggest Kahuna until someone else
reaches $1 billion, and your bankroll will be reset to $1 million.
Best Single Session
You ever have one of those days where the winning seems easy? You know, those rare occasions where the
casino is paying you off so often you feel like a politician. It never lasts, unfortunately, but if you win more money in
one session than anyone has before, your name will show up here. A "session" starts when you choose a game,
and ends when you exit that game. Tournaments do not count as sessions.
Biggest Comeback
Vegas is full of comeback stories…you played for a while, lost your shirt, and then slowly won it all back again.
This record is for the best comeback story in Hoyle Casino. It shows the most money lost and then recouped
during a single gambling session. A "session" starts when you choose a game, and ends when you exit the
game. Tournaments do not count as sessions.
Longest Win Streak
There’s nothing like a win streak to put a smile on your face. The fates smile upon you for that brief stretch where
you simply cannot lose. The holder of this record made the most consecutive wagers in which they at least
doubled their money (before house commission). "Push" wagers do not count towards the streak, nor do they
end it. They are treated like they never happened.
Best Tournament
Tournaments pit player against player in a race to build the highest bankroll in a limited number of wagers. If you
can finish a non-poker tournament with a higher bankroll than anyone has before, you will see your name and
face on the pretty plaque.
Best Poker Tournament
Poker tournaments have a different structure from the other tournaments, so they get their own category. Winning
a poker tournament outright is a tough task to begin with, but if you can do it with the biggest pile in front of you, a
spot in the Hall of Fame awaits.
Hottest Shooter
Nothing gets folks more excited in Vegas than a hot shooter setting the craps table on fire! After all, when the
shooter is hot, everyone else cashes in as well. Whoever can toss those big red dice the most times in a row
without crapping out is officially Hoyle Casino’s Hottest Shooter!
Largest Poker Pot
If you know when to hold ‘em, and know when to fold ‘em, eventually you are going to have the nuts when a
couple of your opponents think they’re the ones with the top hand at the table. When that happens, raise like heck,
win a monster pot, and claim your place in the Hall of Fame.
Largest Slot Jackpot
The one-armed bandits are fickle beasts, but every once in a while, they come through in a big way. How big? As
big as was paid out to this record holder, that’s how big. Play the bandits long enough, and eventually that will be
your picture if it isn’t already. Of course, you may have lost a small fortune by then, but come on, we’re talking
about getting your name on a plaque, here.
Most Keno Hits
As if you needed more incentive to play the wacky lottery game that is Keno, now you have a Hall of Fame record
to shoot for. The nice thing is, you can fill out a low-cost card, keep playing it automatically in the background, and
eventually you are sure to grab this spot in the Hall of Fame. Of course, then your friends and family will know you
play Keno…
Talking Face Creator
If you've played Hoyle games before, you know that the Hoyle Characters are a bit chatty. Now, you finally get to
talk back!
Each character plaque, including yours, has a happy and sad face button on it. If you click on a Hoyle character's
happy face icon, you will say something congratulatory to them. If you click on their sad face icon, you will say
something consoling to them. You can use these any time, but they will respond more often if the situation is
appropriate for congratulating or consoling them.
As for yourself, if you are feeling good or feeling bad, you can say so by clicking the appropriate icon on your
plaque. The Hoyle characters may have something to say about the way you feel.
Se e Als o
Using Face Creator
Click a le tte r to dis play glos s ary topics.
A
all-in
anchor
ante
arm
B
Back Line
bankroll
behind the line
bet unit
bet
betting interval
Big 6 and Big 8
blackjack
blank
blind open (small blind)
blind raise (big blind)
blind
bluff
board
boxcars
break
bust card
bust
button
C
call
check
chip
cold dice
Columns bet
Combination bet
Come bet
Come box
Come Out roll
Corner bet
counting cards
Craps layout
Craps out
Craps
D
dealer button
dealer
Don't Come bet
Don't Come box
Don't Pass bet
Don't Pass Line (Bar)
Don't Place Numbers
double down
Double Street (six number) bet
down-card
Dozens bet
draw
E
early surrender
Easyway
even money
F-G
face cards
Field bet
fifth street
first base
flat bet
flop
flush
fold
four of a kind
fourth street
free odds
full house
H
hard hand
Hardway
high card (Blackjack)
high card (Roulette)
high card-rich
hit
hole card
house odds
I-K
Inside bet
insurance
L
late surrender
Lay bet
layout (Craps)
layout (Roulette)
limit
Line bet
low card
low card-rich
M
miss, miss out
N
natural
numbers
O
odds bet
off
one pair
one roll bet
one-armed bandit
open
Outside bet
P
Pass Line bet
Pass
passing
pat card
payoff
Place Numbers bet
point count
point
pot
proposition bets
push
Q
Quad bet
Quint bet
R
raise
rank count
rank
reel
resplit
right bettor, right betting
river
roll
Roulette layout
running count
S
seven out
shoe
shooter
showdown
shuffle
slot
snake eyes
soft hand
Split bet
split
standard bet amount
stand
stiff card
stiff
stop
stop-loss
stop-win
Straight bet
straight flush
straight
Street bet
Street
surrender
symbol
system
T
table stakes
Ten card
third base
three of a kind
true card count
true odds
Turn
Twenty-one
two pair
U-V
unit
up-card
W-Z
wheel
working
wrong bettor, wrong betting
Baccarat te rm s
Black jack te rm s
counting cards
In Blackjack, keeping track of groups of cards to determine whether the cards remaining in the deck are favorable or
unfavorable to a player’s hand. (Also see point count.)
double down
In Blackjack, doubling a bet on the first two cards. The player then receives only one more card and must stand.
down-card
In Blackjack, the card in the first two cards of the dealer hand that is dealt face down. (Also referred to as the hole
card.)
draw
The player's decision to request an additional card. (Also referred to as a hit in Blackjack.)
early surrender
In Blackjack, the player's decision to discard the first two cards of a hand and surrender half the bet, before the
dealer checks for Blackjack. The early surrender situation occurs only when the dealer's up-card is an Ace or a
Ten-value card. (Also see late surrender.)
Note You can only use late surrender in Hoyle Casino Blackjack.
first base
In Blackjack, the player that sits to the dealer's immediate left and is the first player to start play in a round.
hard hand
In Blackjack, any hand without an Ace, or with an Ace that is counted as 1.
high card-rich
In Blackjack, the condition where the cards remaining in a deck contain more High Cards (10, J, Q, K, A) than cards
of lower values. A High Card-rich deck is more favorable to the player and less favorable to the dealer.
hit (draw)
In Blackjack, the player's decision to take another card. A player indicates wanting a hit by pointing at the cards.
insurance
In Blackjack, a bet allowed to players when the dealer's hand shows an Ace. The player can bet half of the original
bet that the hole card has a rank of 10 and the dealer is holding Blackjack. If the dealer has Blackjack, the insurance
bet pays off at 2 to 1.
late surrender
In Blackjack, the player's decision to discard the first two cards of a hand and surrender half the bet, after the
dealer's hand is revealed not to have a Blackjack.
Note This is the only type of surrender allowed in Hoyle Blackjack.
low card-rich
In Blackjack, the condition where the cards remaining in a deck contain more low cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) than cards of
higher values. A low card-rich deck is more favorable to the dealer and less favorable to the player.
pat card
In Blackjack, a dealer up-card of 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, or Ace. When showing a pat card, the dealer is more
likely to draw a winning hand.
point count
In Blackjack, a running tally of card points used for evaluating odds. The points are assigned to each card based on
the value of the card. In Hoyle Blackjack, points are assigned as follows:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
= +1
7, 8, 9
= 0
10, J, Q, K, A
= -1
rank count
In Blackjack, the total number of cards of a certain rank that have been played and counted.
resplit
In Blackjack, for a hand where a pair of cards have been split: if the next card dealt has the same value and the
casino rules allow more than one split per hand, the hand can be split again.
running card count
In Blackjack, the card point count updated as each card is played or dealt by the dealer. This count reflects the
balance of High Cards (10, J Q, K, A) to low cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) as they are dealt. (Also see true card count.)
soft hand
In Blackjack, a hand with an Ace counted as 11, that does not break 21.
split (splitting pairs, splitting a hand)
In Blackjack, playing two cards of the same value, usually a pair, as two separate hands. The initial bet amount is
applied to each hand.
stand (stick)
In Blackjack, the player's decision not to draw any additional cards to a hand. A player indicates wanting to stand by
waving a hand over the cards.
stiff
In Blackjack, a hand between 12 and 16, where drawing another card can result in the hand going over 21 (bust).
stiff card
In Blackjack, a dealer up-card of Two, Three, Four, Five, or Six. When showing a stiff card, the dealer is more likely to
draw a bust.
surrender
In Blackjack, the player's decision to discard the first two cards of a hand and surrender half the bet.
early surrender The player's decision to discard the first two cards of a hand and surrender half the bet, before the
dealer checks for Blackjack. The early surrender situation occurs only when the dealer's up-card is
an Ace or a Ten-value card.
late surrender
The player's decision to discard the first two cards of a hand and surrender half the bet, after the
dealer's hand is revealed not to have a Blackjack.
Note You can only use late surrender in Hoyle Blackjack.
Ten card
In Blackjack, a card with a value of 10 (10, Jack, Queen, or King). Ten cards are assigned a point value of -1 in many
card counting systems.
third base
In Blackjack, the player that sits to the dealer's immediate right and is the last player to finish with play before the
dealer. (Also referred to as anchor.)
true card count
In Blackjack, the running count divided by the number of half decks remaining to be dealt. The true count provides a
more accurate indication of how favorable or unfavorable the deck is for the player than the running count.
Twenty-one
In Blackjack, another common name for the game of Blackjack.
Craps te rm s
Craps
A roll of 2, 3, or 12.
layout (Craps)
See Craps layout.
limit (bet limit)
In Craps, the maximum bet than can be placed on the layout, or on a particular bet.
Line bet
In Craps, another name for a Pass Line or Don't Pass bet.
miss, miss out
In Craps, a roll where the shooter sevens out.
numbers
See place numbers.
odds bet
See free odds.
off
In Craps, a call by player that a bet will not be working on the next roll of the dice. Also signifies that certain bets are
not working this roll, (such as place numbers on a Come Out roll).
one roll bets
In Craps, bets where the outcome is determined by the next dice throw.
Pass
In Craps, a winning decision for the dice (or shooter).
passing
In Craps, a term that the dealer uses to indicate that the dice are winning for the Pass line bettors.
Pass Line bet
In Craps, a wager with the shooter that the dice will win or pass.
payoff
In Craps, the collection of a winning bet.
Place Numbers, place bets
In Craps, a bet on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 in the Place Numbers area of the layout (the rectangles just
below the Place Numbers boxes).
Don't Place Numbers, place bets
In Craps, a bet against the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 in the Don't Place Numbers area of the layout (the
rectangles just above the Place Numbers boxes).
point
In Craps, the number 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 when rolled on a Come Out roll.
proposition bets
In Craps, bets made in the center layout. These bets include:
Any Seven
Any Craps
2 or 12
3 or 11
Hard 4 and 10
Hard 6 and 8
right bettor (right betting)
In Craps, a player who bets with the shooter that the dice will pass or win.
roll
In Craps, a single throw of the dice. The roll can also refer to the entire series of throws up to when the shooter
sevens out (also referred to as the shoot).
seven out, sevening out
In Craps, rolling a 7 after a point has been established. Sevening out ends the roll.
shooter
In Craps, the player who rolls or throws the dice. The shooter's throws determine all payoffs and losses at the table.
snake eyes
In Craps, slang for rolling a 2 (double ones).
true odds (vs. house odds)
In Craps, some bets pay off at house odds rather than true odds. For example, a bet on Any Seven has true odds of 5-1, but the
house pays 4 to 1. The house does this to increase its advantage over the player.
working
In Craps, a term used by the dealer to indicate that bets are on.
wrong bettor (wrong betting)
In Craps, a player who bets that the shooter (or the dice) will not pass or win.
Pok e r te rm s
ante
In Poker, a mandatory bet that is made before cards are dealt in a game. All players must make this bet to play the
hand. Seven Card Stud is the only Poker game in Hoyle Casino that requires an ante (40 percent of the lower bet
amount).
betting interval (betting round)
The period in a Poker game in which the player bets to stay in the hand (or folds). Betting intervals take place before
the player can receive additional cards. The number of intervals in a hand and the rules that govern the bets for the
interval, vary with the type of game.
blank
In Poker, a card that does not add anything to the hand.
blind
In Poker, a mandatory bet that begins the first betting interval of each hand in a Poker game. In Hold'em games, two
blinds are required, the small blind (blind open) and the big blind (blind raise). In Seven Card Stud, only the blind
open is required.
Small blind (or blind open). A mandatory bet posted by the player immediately left of the dealer button. This bet is
half of the first betting amount (the lower bet amount for the table).
Big blind (or blind raise). A mandatory bet posted by the player two places to the left of the dealer button. This bet
raises the pot to the level of the first betting amount. This blind is usually the same amount as the small blind,
except for cases where the small blind is smaller because the player is all-in.
blind open (small blind)
In Poker, a mandatory bet posted by the player immediately left of the dealer button. This bet is half of the first betting
amount (the lower bet amount for the table).
blind raise (big blind)
In Poker, a mandatory bet posted by the player two places to the left of the dealer button. This bet raises the pot to
the level of the first betting amount. This blind is usually the same amount as the small blind, except for cases
where the small blind is smaller because the player is all-in.
bluff
In Poker, an attempt to make other players in the hand think that you have a stronger hand than what you are actually
holding. Players often bluff by betting the upper bet amounts for the table, and an attempt to influence other players
into folding. The less players left in a hand, the better your chances for drawing the cards you need to strengthen
your hand.
board
In Poker, the cards that are shared by all players in a Hold'em game. The cards are always turned face up.
button
See dealer button.
call
In Poker, to match the current highest bet in the pot. This is referred to as "staying in" the hand.
check
In Poker, to stay in the hand without having to call or raise. (This could be considered making a bet of "nothing".) You
are permitted to check if no player before you has opened with a bet. Each player after you can also check until one
of the players makes an actual bet.
dealer button
In Poker, a round plastic disc (green in Hoyle Casino Poker games) that is moved clockwise around the Poker table
to indicate the current dealer position in dealing the cards.
A player's position relative to the dealer button effects how he or she might want to bet in a hand. When the dealer
button moves to you, or just to the left of you (your player at the table), you have a greater advantage during betting
intervals because you are the last to bet.
fifth street
In Hold'em games, the fifth (last) card dealt to the board. Also called the end or the river.
fixed-limit
A poker betting structure in which the amount of each bet or raise is a set value. Players only choose whether or not
to bet, not how much to bet.
flop
In Hold'em Poker games, the first set of three cards dealt to the board, which is shared by all players. The flop cards
are turned face up at the same time.
flush
In Poker, a hand of any five cards all of the same suit. A flush with the highest-ranking cards beats another flush
hand. If the highest cards from each players hand tie, the next highest-ranking cards determine the winner, and so
on. A flush beats a straight or any lower hand.
fold
In Poker, to turn in your hand and lose any chips you have added to the pot for that hand.
four of a kind
In Poker, any four cards of the same rank. If two players have four of a kind, the hand with the four higher cards wins.
Four of a kind beats a full house or any lower hand.
fourth street
Term in Hold'em games for the fourth card dealt to the board. Also called the turn.
full house
In Poker, three of a kind and a pair. The full house with three of a kind with highest-ranking cards wins against
another full house with a lower-ranking three of a kind hand. Full house beats a flush or any lower hand.
high card
In Poker, a hand with no matched cards. With two competing high card hands, the hand with the highest-ranking
card wins. If the highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared,
and so on.
one pair
In Poker, any two cards of the same rank. The hand with the highest-ranking pair wins against another hand of a
pair. If both hands have the same Pair, the highest-ranking unmatched card in the hand determines the winner. If
the highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared, and so on. One
pair beats any hand with no pair (high card).
open
In Poker, places the first bet in a betting interval.
pot
In Poker, the pile of chips in the center of the table where all players place their bets.
raise
In Poker, to match the current highest bet in the pot, then add more money to the pot to become the highest bet in
the pot. Each player must at least match (call) this bet to stay in.
river
In Hold'em games, the fifth (last) card dealt to the board. Also called the end or fifth street.
showdown
In Hold'em games, the time in the play when betting is complete and all players show their hands and contest the
pot.
straight
In Poker, a hand of any five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit. The straight with the highest-ranking cards
at the head of the sequence is the winner against another straight hand. The highest possible straight is
A-K-Q-J-10. The lowest possible straight is 5-4-3-2-A. A straight beats three of a kind or any lower hand.
straight flush
In Poker, five cards in sequence in the same suit. If two straight flushes compete, the hand with the highest-ranking
cards in the flush sequence wins.
A-K-Q-J-10 (royal flush) beats K-Q-J-10-9.
6-5-4-3-2 beats 5-4-3-2-A.
The royal flush is the highest standard hand and beats all other hands.
street (fourth, fifth)
fourth street
Term in Hold'em games for the fourth card dealt to the board. Also called the turn.
fifth street
Term in Hold'em games for the fifth (last) card dealt to the board. Also called the river or the end.
table stakes
In Poker, a rule where players do not have to meet a bet for an amount which is larger than all the chips or money
that player has on the table.
three of a kind
In Poker, three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s. The highest-ranking three cards wins against another
three of a kind hand. Three aces are the highest; three 2s the lowest. Three of a kind beats two pair or any lower
hand.
turn
In Hold'em games, the fourth card dealt to the board. Also called fourth street.
two pair
In Poker, two cards of the same rank, and two matching cards of any other rank. The hand with the highest-ranking
pair wins against another hand of two pair. If the highest-ranking pair ties, the hand with the second highest-ranking
pair wins. If all the pairs in both hands tie, the hand with the highest-ranking fifth card wins. Two pair beats any hand
with one pair, or no pair (high card).
Roule tte te rm s
Split bet
In Roulette, a bet that pays 17 to 1. These bets are placed on the layout on lines between any two adjacent
numbers.
Straight bet
In Roulette, a bet that is placed inside the designated bet area on the layout.
Street bet (Trio)
In Roulette, a bet that pays 11 to 1. These bets are placed on the horizontal line across the top of the layout on any of
the twelve columns of three numbers. You get all the numbers in that street.
wheel
In Roulette, the wheel is spun to determine winning numbers.
The Roulette wheel is divided into 38 (in America) or 37 (Europe) sections, each of which has walls to hold a small
ball where it lands after the wheel is spun. The sections are numbered from 1 to 36, (half red and half black, half
odd and half even) plus a green section marked 0. European wheels have only the 0 green section. American
wheels have an additional green section marked 00. The addition of the 00 section greatly increases the odds in
favor of the house. For this reason, Roulette is not as popular in United States gambling houses as it is in Europe.
Slots te rm s
Ge ne ral cas ino te rm s
low card
In Poker:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Aces when in a low Straight.
In Blackjack:
A card (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) that is assigned a point value of +1 in the card count.
natural
In Craps:
7 or 11 rolled on the Come Out roll.
In Blackjack:
A natural, also known as Blackjack, is a winning hand made of an Ace and a face card or a Ten, dealt on the first two
cards. This hand wins the bet immediately (unless the dealer also has Blackjack and it's a push).
push
In Blackjack or Pai Gow Poker, a tie between the dealer's and player's hand. In this case, no money is gained or lost
by either the dealer or the player.
rank
The value of each card.
In Blackjack:
Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) have a rank of 10. Aces have a rank of 1 or 11. All other cards have the same rank
as their face value.
shoe
A box that contains multiple decks of cards.
shuffle
A point in the game when a predetermined spot in the deck or shoe is reached. The dealer stops play and shuffles
the deck.
stop-loss
A betting strategy where a player stops playing at the point where he or she has lost a predetermined amount (such
as 20 percent of his or her total bankroll).
stop-win
A betting strategy where a player stops playing at the point where he or she has won a predetermined amount (such
as 20 percent of his or her total bankroll).
system (strategy)
A strategy or optimized method of playing that uses specific guidelines for deciding how to bet and play during a
Casino game.
In Blackjack:
The strategy a player uses for deciding when to hit, stand, split, double down, buy insurance, or surrender. A card
counting system is also considered part of a player’s strategy.
unit (bet unit, standard bet amount)
A player's minimum bet amount or standard bet size.
In Blackjack:
One rule you can use for determining how much to bet is to base your bet unit on the card count. Bet more when the
deck appears to be favorable, and less when deck is unfavorable.
For example, if your standard bet amount is $5 and the true card count is +5, you should consider betting six times
your standard bet unit ($5 x 6 = $30). For details, see "Using the count when betting" in Counting cards (strategy)
upcard
The card(s) in the dealer or player hand(s) that is dealt face up.
Blackjack
Black jack Bas ics
About Blackjack
Special Blackjack Plays
Counting Cards
Playing Black jack in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Blackjack
Placing a Bet
View ing Bet Results and Statistics
Blackjack Tournaments
Video Blackjack Topics
Cus tom izing Black jack
Spe cial Variants
6 Card Charlie
Face Up
Special 21’s
About Blackjack
Blackjack is a casino standard, and the most popular table game at casinos around the country. It is a card game
played by one or more players against a casino dealer. To win, your hand must be closer to a total of 21 than the
dealer’s hand, but without going over 21. You also win if the dealer’s hand goes over 21 and yours does not.
Se e Als o
Placing a Bet in Blackjack
Counting Cards
Video Blackjack Topics
Hoyle Casino allows up to four players at a Blackjack table. Several variations of Blackjack are available. See
Setting Game Rules and Options to view and change these options.
Each player places a bet in front of them on the table.
Each player, including the dealer, receives two cards. The first two cards are dealt to the players face down in
single-deck games, and face up in multiple-deck games. In all games, the dealer receives one card face
down and one face up. If any player is dealt blackjack, and the dealer is not dealt blackjack, they win
immediately (and blackjack pays 3 to 2). If the dealer is dealt blackjack, players who were not dealt blackjack
lose immediately, and those who were dealt blackjack push, neither winning nor losing.
If the dealer isn’t dealt blackjack, the dealer works with each player in turn as the players play their hands.
When it is your turn, note the total points in your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Then, choose to hit, stand, or
make one of Blackjack’s special plays by clicking on your choice in the dialog box. If you go over 21, you bust
and lose your bet.
Otherwise, you are allowed to hit any number of times to add cards to your hand, trying for a total high enough
to beat the dealer’s hand, but not so high that you bust.
If desired, use the tutorial mode to get advice from Hoyle Casino.
You may also have opportunities to split, double down, or surrender. These are the special plays referred to
above, and they may or may not be available, depending on circumstance and game settings; see Setting
Game Rules and Options.
When all players are done playing their hands, the dealer plays their hand according to fixed rules. The dealer
must draw cards as long as the total is less than 16, and must stand when the total is 17 or more. The one
exception to this rule is the optional setting of Dealer Hits On Soft 17. If this option is used, the dealer can use
an ace as 1 (rather than 11) and hit on 17. This option is more favorable for the casino.
If the dealer busts, all players who did not bust win. Otherwise, players win if they did not bust and their hand
total is higher than the dealer’s. If a player’s hand total is equal to the dealer’s, it is a push, and the player
does not win or lose.
Blackjack Card Values
Face cards count as 10.
Aces count as either 1 or 11.
All other cards count as their face value.
Summary of Blackjack Shortcuts
Hit
Deals another card to your hand.
You can request a hit by pressing the letter H on the keyboard. Alternatively, click with the left
mouse button in the middle of the table and hold down the button while dragging the mouse
vertically towards yourself.
Stand
Indicates that you do not want any more cards and ends your turn.
You can stand by pressing the letter S on the keyboard. Alternatively, click with the left mouse
button in the middle of the table and hold down the button while dragging the mouse horizontally
(left to right).
Double
Doubles the bet for your hand. One more card is dealt, then you must stand.
You can double down by pressing the letter D on the keyboard. Alternatively, click with the right
mouse button in the middle of the table and hold down the button while dragging the mouse
vertically towards yourself.
Split
Splits the pair of cards in your hand. The original bet amount is then applied to each hand. You
can then continue to draw cards to each hand independently.
You can split by pressing the letter P on the keyboard. Alternatively, click with the right mouse
button in the middle of the table and hold down the button while dragging the mouse horizontally
(left to right).
Surrender
When you think your hand will surely lose, surrendering cuts your losses by folding your hand
and forfeiting only half of your bet. You cannot surrender after you have hit.
You can surrender by pressing the letter R on the keyboard.
Se e Als o
About Blackjack
Counting Cards
Suggested Play Charts
Hard Hand
Soft Hand
Splitting
Se e Als o
About Blackjack
Counting Cards
At the beginning of each hand, you must place a bet. The bet you make must meet the minimum bet requirement,
but not exceed the maximum bet limit.
Chips appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. To view all values of chips available, click the left and right
arrow symbols.
To place a bet
1 Click your cursor on the chips you want to bet.
To add money to the bet, click the left mouse button on the chip or chips you want to add.
To subtract money from the bet, click the right mouse button on the chip or chips you want to subtract.
To clear the bet, click on the eraser.
2 When you are satisfied with the amount of your bet, click the bet circle in front of your seat to place your bet.
Play begins immediately after you place your bet.
Se e Als o
About Blackjack
Doubling Down
After receiving your first two cards, if you think you can beat the dealer with only one more card, you can choose to
double down, which means doubling your original bet, drawing one more card, then standing.
The types of hands you can double down on vary depending on your game settings; see Setting Game Rules and
Options.
11 only.
10 and 11.
9, 10, and 11.
Hard hands only.
Anything.
You can also double down after splitting pairs (if the current rules allow it) for all cards except aces.
The strategy for doubling down varies depending on whether you hold a hard or a soft hand.
To learn strategies for doubling down, play Blackjack with tutorial mode enabled.
Splitting Pairs
If the first two cards dealt to you have the same value, you can split them and play each as a separate hand. Each
new hand uses the same bet amount as your original bet. You can split face cards, or a face card and a 10, just
as you would any like-pair.
The rules for splitting vary depending on your game settings; see Setting Game Rules and Options.
How Many Times (Never, 1, or 3).
Double Down After Splitting (Yes or No).
Resplit aces (Yes or No). When aces are split, the player receives only one more card per ace. If the resplit
option is on, you can split again if you are dealt another ace.
To learn strategies for splitting pairs, play Blackjack with tutorial mode enabled.
Surrendering
After receiving your first two cards, if you don't think you have any chance of beating the dealer, you can choose to
surrender (depending on your game options; see Setting Game Rules and Options). At this point, you turn in your
cards and the dealer collects only half of your bet.
To learn strategies for surrendering, play Blackjack with tutorial mode enabled.
Buying Insurance
When you buy insurance, you bet on the probability of the dealer having blackjack. You can only make this bet
when the dealer's upcard is an ace. You bet half of your original bet that the hole card has a rank of 10 and the
dealer is holding blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, this bet pays 2 to 1.
If an ace is the upcard in the dealer's first two cards, the dealer must ask each player if he or she wants to buy
insurance. After all insurance bets are made, the dealer checks the hole card.
If the hole card is a 10 or a face card, the dealer shows the blackjack hand to all players and pays off winning
insurance bets. If the hole card does not make blackjack, the dealer collects losing insurance bets and continues
play without showing the hole card.
Counting Cards
Card-counting is used to determine the probability of the deck containing cards that are either favorable or
unfavorable. Players that count cards attempt to keep a count of the cards as they are dealt, but they pay more
attention to specific ratios of important cards, rather than knowing exactly which cards have been dealt and which
are left in the deck. Cards are usually counted in ratio of high cards to low cards.
A tally of card points is often used for evaluating odds. The points are assigned to each card based on the value
of the card. Many different card-counting systems can be used for Blackjack. Hoyle Casino uses the following
point system:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
=
+1
7, 8, 9
=
0 (neutral cards)
10, J, Q, K, A
=
-1
Many different strategies for card-counting exist. If you have a card-counting system of your own, you can practice
your card-counting while playing Hoyle Casino and use the game's card count totals to validate your strategy.
Viewing the Card Count Window During Play
1 In Blackjack, click Options menu, and then choose Blackjack Settings.
2 On the Setup tab, check Card Count, then click OK.
Running Count vs. True Count
Hoyle Casino keeps a running and a true count of cards. The running count is the card point count updated as
each card is played or dealt by the dealer. This count reflects the balance of 10-value cards (and aces) to low
cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) as they are dealt.
The true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of half decks remaining to be dealt. The
true count is often a more accurate indicator than the running count because it accounts for the number of decks
used in a game.
How to Read the Count
A higher count (any count with a plus [+] sign) means more low cards than high cards have been dealt, so the
deck is loaded with high cards, which is more favorable to the player. A deck rich in high cards favors the player,
because the player has a better chance of drawing blackjack and the dealer has a better chance of busting.
A lower count (any count with a minus [-] sign) means that more high cards than low cards have been dealt, so
the deck is more favorable to the dealer. The dealer will bust less often with a lower count.
A neutral count is neither favorable nor unfavorable.
Using the Count When Betting
You can use the true count to determine how much to raise or lower your bet. Use the following table as a
guideline for betting based on the true count. Multiply the unit number by the amount of your minimum bet.
If the true count is…
Bet this amount
Any negative number (minus sign)
1 unit
0
1 unit
+1
2 units
+2 to +3
3 units
+4
4 units
+5
6 units
+6
6 units
+7
8 units
+8
10 units
+9 and above
12 units (or maximum bet limit)
Counting Aces
Hoyle Casino tracks the ace count of the deck and indicates whether the deck is ace-rich, ace-poor, or neutral.
The running count and true count include aces in the high-card count, however, it is also useful to keep track of
the number of aces left in the deck. A high card-rich deck that is also ace-poor yields few blackjacks.
Because a deck holds four aces, normal distribution is two aces per half deck. If one ace or zero aces are dealt in
a half deck (on average), the remaining half deck is ace-rich. If two or more aces are dealt in a half-deck (on
average), the deck is ace-poor. When the true count is positive and the deck is ace-rich, you may want to add an
extra unit to your bet. Conversely, if the deck is ace-poor, you may want to subtract a unit from the bet.
A True Count Example
A true card count is often a more accurate indicator of whether cards are favorable or unfavorable than a running
count because it accounts for the number of decks used in a game. The following example describes how the
true count can be more accurate.
A single deck of cards is used for this example. The low cards to be counted are 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s. The high
cards to be counted are 10s and face cards. The deck starts with sixteen (16) 10-value cards and sixteen low
cards.
In a game with two players (and the dealer of course), at the end of the first round of play, assume the running
count is +2. If we are counting 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s as a group, this count indicates that there are two more high
cards than low cards in the deck.
Eight cards were dealt, which means that four low cards and two 10-value cards were played. The deck now
holds 14 high cards and 12 low cards. The running count (+2) indicates a favorable count, but the deck still holds
a high number of low cards.
Now assume 30 cards have been dealt and the running count is still +2. The deck now holds 10 high cards and
eight low cards. Though the running count is the same, the deck is actually much more favorable to the player
than when only eight cards had been dealt.
The true count is determined by dividing the running count by the number of half decks (26 cards) remaining to be
dealt. After eight cards have been dealt, almost two half decks remain. The running count divided by 2 equals +1.
The running count after eight cards is +2; the true count is +1. The true count is already slightly more accurate in
weighing the higher number of low cards remaining in the deck.
After thirty cards have been dealt, the running count (+2) is divided by 0.5 (half of a half deck). The running count
after thirty cards is +2; the true count is now +4. In this game, where the running count stays at +2, as more cards
are dealt from the deck the true count shifts in favor of the player.
Blackjack Tournaments
In Hoyle Casino, a Blackjack tournament usually lasts 25 hands, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends sooner if
players run out of money to bet against each other.
You can play with one deck or two; you decide between the two when you begin a tournament.
The following rules are followed in Blackjack tournaments:
Insurance bets are allowed.
Surrendering is not allowed.
The dealer does not hit on soft 17.
Pairs can be split up to three times.
Players can double down after splitting.
Aces can be resplit.
Players can double down on anything.
Se e Als o
Starting a Game
Tournament Play
About Blackjack
Blackjack - 6 Card Charlie
6 Card Charlie is a special variation of Blackjack where an unbusted player hand with 6 cards automatically wins.
The following rules are followed in 6 Card Charlie:
Insurance bets are allowed.
The dealer does not hit on soft 17.
Pairs can be split up to two hands.
Players may not double down after splitting.
Players can double down only if the first two cards have a count of 9, 10, or 11.
Sugge s te d Play Charts
Hard Hand
Soft Hand
Splitting
Se e Als o
Starting a Game
About Blackjack
Blackjack - Face Up
Face Up is a special variation of Blackjack where both of the dealer’s cards are shown.
The following rules are followed in Face Up:
Insurance bets are not allowed.
The dealer stands on hard 17’s.
Pairs can be split up to four hands.
Players may not double down after splitting.
Players can double down only if the first two cards have a count of 9, 10, or 11.
Blackjack tie pays even money, dealer wins all other ties.
Hard Hand
Soft Hand
Splitting
Se e Als o
Starting a Game
About Blackjack
Blackjack - Special 21’s
Special 21’s is a special variation of Blackjack.
The following rules are followed in Special 21’s:
Single-deck
All blackjacks pay 3:2
Special 21’s pay 2:1
All other wins pay 1:1
No splitting pairs
Double down on any two cards
Insurance offered on dealer ace
Player wins on six cards totaling 21 or less, except when dealer has blackjack
Dealer hits on 16 or less
Dealer stands on 17 or more, and on six cards totaling less than 21
Bet returned on all pushes
The following are Special 21’s:
Five-Card Charlie: 21 with exactly five cards pays 2:1
777: 21 with three sevens pays 2:1
Straight Flush: 21 with 6-7-8 of the same suit pays 2:1
Hard Hand
Soft Hand
Splitting
Se e Als o
Starting a Game
About Blackjack
Blackjack Card Values
Face cards count as 10.
Aces count as either 1 or 11.
All other cards count as their face value.
Craps
Craps Bas ics
About Craps
How to Play Craps
Types of Craps Bets
When Bets Can Be Placed and Removed
Craps Odds and Payouts
The Craps Layout
Playing Craps in Hoyle Cas ino
Placing a Bet
Review ing the Results
Craps Tables and Tournaments
Cus tom izing Craps
About Craps
Craps is the most popular dice game in the Unites States. It’s a fast and exciting game with lots of action. In
terms of intricacy of rules, betting options, and payout ratios, it is unparalleled among casino games. Many Craps
bets offer very favorable odds to the player, and if you bet wisely, you can keep the house’s advantage to a very
small percentage (about 0.6% in the best cases). Among the best bets are Pass and Come, especially when you
take advantage of the associated free odds bets.
Se e Als o
How to Play Craps
Types of Craps Bets
Placing a Bet in Craps
The Craps Layout
How to Play Craps
Craps is played by making bets against the casino. Players stand around a large, sunken table. The table is
covered with a betting layout, where you can place chips to make different types of bets. One person, the shooter
(who may or may not be betting), rolls two dice. The result of the roll determines which bets win or lose. For many
types of bets, it can take multiple rolls to determine whether the bet wins or loses.
The game is played in turns. At the start of a turn a shooter is chosen. The shooter’s goal is to pass.
There are two types of rolls, each involving the possibility of passing or not passing:
The initial roll (the come out roll): The first roll of the shooter’s turn is called the come out roll.
If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 (a natural) on this roll, the shooter passes, various bets are paid out, and the
turn ends.
If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll (called "crapping out"), the shooter does not pass,
various bets are paid out, and the turn ends.
If the shooter does not roll a natural or craps on the come out roll, the total rolled becomes the point
number. A disk labeled "ON" is placed on the point number on the table, to remind players what the point
number is. It then becomes the shooter’s goal to roll the point number again before rolling dice totaling 7.
Subsequent rolls: If the shooter does not roll a natural or craps on the come out roll, he or she continues to
roll until either the initial point number is rolled again, or a 7 is rolled.
If the shooter rolls the point number, the shooter passes, various bets are paid out, and the turn ends.
If the shooter rolls a 7, the shooter has sevened out and does not pass, various bets are paid out, and the
turn ends.
For any other roll, various bets are paid out, and the shooter continues to roll, trying again for the point
number.
After the shooter passes or does not pass, a new turn begins, possibly with a different shooter. Traditionally, the
same person can continue to be the shooter as long as he or she doesn’t seven out . Otherwise the next person
clockwise around the table has the option to shoot.
Se e Als o
About Craps
Types of Craps Bets
The Craps Layout
Types of Craps Bets
There is a vast array of bets that you can make in Craps, but they fall into a few general categories.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets: Betting on the Pass Line simply means betting that the shooter will pass on
his or her current turn. On the contrary, betting on the Don’t Pass Bar means betting that the shooter will not
pass on his or her current turn (one important exception is that if the shooter rolls a 12 on the come out roll,
you do not win with a Don’t Pass bet). Betting the Pass Line makes you a "right" bettor, because you are
betting with the shooter. Betting Don’t Pass make you a "wrong" or "contrarian" bettor, because you are betting
against the shooter.
Free odds: Suppose you place a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet and a point number is established on the come
out roll. You now have the option of "backing up" your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets with free odds bet. These
bets are situated just behind your original bet. The maximum amount of your free odds bets varies depending
on your game settings.
Come and Don’t Come bets: These bets are very much like Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets. Conceptually, they
are like starting a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet after the shooter has already established a point number on the
come out roll.
To understand these bets, consider an example. Suppose you place a Pass Line bet and the shooter rolls a 9
on the come out roll. As explained above, your Pass Line bet will win if the shooter can roll another 9 before
rolling a 7 on subsequent rolls. But now, after the initial 9 was rolled, supposed you place a Come bet by
putting chips in the box marked COME. The Come bet is like starting a Pass Line bet in the middle of the
shooter’s turn. Specifically, on the roll after you place the Come bet, if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the Come bet
wins; if on this roll the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, the Come bet loses. If the shooter rolls any other number, let’
s say it’s a 5, the Come bet moves to the corresponding numbered box at the top of the table. In this case, you
are now betting that the shooter will roll another 5 before rolling a 7. Now your Pass Line bet (hoping for a 9)
and your Come number bet (hoping for a 5) are both active.
Don’t Come bets are just the opposite of Come bets, betting that the shooter won’t Come. Here the very top
row of boxes is used to hold the Don’t Come numbers. (Again, there is the exception that if the shooter rolls a
12 on the initial roll after placing your Don’t Come bet, you do not win.)
Free odds: Free odds can be placed on Come numbers and Don’t Come numbers, just as they can on Pass
Line and Don’t Pass bets.
Place bets: Here you place a bet on one of the numbers at the top of the table. You are simply betting that that
number will be rolled before a 7.
Buy bets. Buy bets are variations of Place bets. They are positioned in the upper-third portion of the Place
numbers boxes and are indicated with a "B". When you buy a bet, you pay 5% of the bet value to the casino
immediately. In return, winning buy bets are paid out at true odds instead of the normal Place bet odds.
Lay bets: Here you place a bet on one of the numbers at the top of the table, and are betting that a 7 will come
up before that number is rolled. They are positioned in the upper-third portion of the numbers boxes at the top
of the layout and are indicated with an "L". When you lay a bet, you pay 5% of the bet value to the casino
immediately.
One roll bets: There are a number of places on the table where you can bet that the next roll (whether it’s a
come out roll or not) will have certain values. These include:
The bets in the area marked ONE ROLL BETS. Among these are betting on a 7, on a craps (2, 3, or 12), on
a roll of 2, a roll of 3, a roll of 11, or a roll of 12. Placing a Bet on the area marked HORN BET is equivalent
to placing one fourth of the bet on each of the adjacent number bets.
The bet areas marked C and E are simply another way to bet on a craps or an 11.
Placing a Bet in the box marked FIELD is betting that the next roll will be one of the numbers in the box.
Big 6 and Big 8: Here you bet that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Hardways: In the box marked HARDWAYS you can bet that a certain number will be rolled as a double before
a 7 is rolled, or before that number is rolled as a non-double. For instance, a Hardway bet on double 3s wins
when double 3s are rolled, but loses when a 7 or any other 6 is rolled, such as a 5/1 or 4/2 combination.
Se e Als o
About Craps
How to Play Craps
The Craps Layout
When Craps Bets Can Be Placed and Removed
Pass Line
Place any time, cannot be removed
Pass Line Odds
Place behind established Pass Line bet any time except on come out roll,
remove any time
Don’t Pass
Don’t Pass Odds
Place on come out roll only, remove any time
Place behind established Don’t Pass bet any time except on come out roll,
remove any time
Come
Place any time except come out roll, cannot be removed
Come Number Odds
Place behind established Come number bet any time except on come out roll,
remove any time
Don’t Come
Don’t Come Number Odds
Place any time except come out roll, cannot be removed
Place behind established Don’t Come number bet any time except on come out
roll, remove any time
Place 6 or 8
Place any time except come out roll, remove any time
Place 5 or 9
Place 4 or 10
Any Craps
Place any time
Two
Place any time
Three
Place any time
Any Seven
Place any time
Eleven
Place any time
Twelve
Place any time
Hard 4 or 10
Place any time, remove any time
Hard 6 or 8
Big 6 or Big 8
The Field
Place any time
Buy 4 or 10
Buy 5 or 9
Buy 6 or 8
Lay 4 or 10
Lay 5 or 9
Lay 6 or 8
Se e Als o
About Craps
How to Play Craps
Types of Craps Bets
The Craps Layout
Chips appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. To view all values of chips available, click the left or right
arrow symbols.
Placing a Bet
2 When you are satisfied with the amount of your bet, click your cursor (left mouse button) at the exact spot on
the Craps layout where you want to place the bet. You can place as many bets as you like.
To place a Free-odds bet on a Pass or Don’t Pass bet (after the come-out roll), click on the area behind your
original Pass Line bet (just outside the layout line), or on top or just to the right of your original Don’t Pass bet.
To place a Free-odds bet on a Come or Don’t Come bet, click on top of your original Come or Don’t Come bet
chips (after they have been moved to the Place Number of the point).
3 To bet a different amount on different parts of the layout, repeat step 1 to change the chip value before placing
another chip on the layout.
4 If you need to, you can add to or subtract from a bet even after it has been placed. Click the bet on the table to
add the current bet amount to the bet. Right-click the bet to subtract the current bet amount from the bet.
5 When you are satisfied with the placement of your bet(s), click Done.
Note:
You do not have to place a bet each time the dice are rolled. If you don’t feel lucky for a particular roll, don’t bet
anything!
Se e Als o
Types of Craps Bets
Odds and Payouts for the Various Craps Bets
Note that the free odds b ets are the only b ets where the house has no advantage.
Pass Line
Payoff: 1 to 1
House advantage: 1.4%
Don’t Pass
Payoff: 1 to 1
Come
Payoff: 1 to 1
Don’t Come
Payoff: 1 to 1
Place 6 or 8
Payoff: 7 to 6
Place 5 or 9
Payoff: 7 to 5
Place 4 or 10
Payoff: 9 to 5
Pass Line/Come Odds (aka Free Odds)
4 or 10
Payoff: 2 to 1
House advantage: 0%
5 or 9
Payoff: 3 to 2
House advantage: 0%
6 or 8
Payoff: 6 to 5
House advantage: 0%
Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Odds (aka Free Odds)
4 or 10
Payoff: 1 to 2
House advantage: 0%
5 or 9
Payoff: 2 to 3
House advantage: 0%
6 or 8
Payoff: 5 to 6
House advantage: 0%
Any Craps
Payoff: 7 to 1
Two
Payoff: 30 to 1
Three
Payoff: 15 to 1
Any Seven
Payoff: 4 to 1
Eleven
Payoff: 15 to 1
Twelve
Payoff: 30 to 1
Hard 4 or 10
Payoff: 7 to 1
Hard 6 or 8
Payoff: 9 to 1
Big 6 or Big 8
Payoff: 1 to 1
The Field
Payoff: 1 to 1 or 2 to 1
The numb ers for the Buy and Lay b ets take into account the 5% cost of making the b et.
Buy 4 or 10
Payoff: 2 to 1
Buy 5 or 9
Payoff: 3 to 2
Buy 6 or 8
Payoff: 6 to 5
Lay 4 or 10
Payoff: 2 to 1
Lay 5 or 9
Payoff: 2 to 3
Lay 6 or 8
Payoff: 5 to 6
Se e Als o
About Craps
How to Play Craps
Types of Craps Bets
The Craps Layout
The Craps Layout
Click the various sections of the layout to find out about each type of bet you can place.
Examples of Pass and Come Bets with Free-Odds
Examples of Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets with Free-Odds
Pass (Line) Bet
When you bet on the Pass Line, you are betting with the dice (or the shooter) to win with a natural (first throw), or to
make the point before sevening out. When you bet with the dice, it is referred to as right betting. You can place a
Pass Line bet on the Come Out roll, and before or after a point is established, but you cannot remove the bet after
placing it, then rolling the dice.
You can make a free odds bet on the Pass bet after the point has been established on the Come Out roll. You place
a free odds Pass Line bet on the area behind your original Pass Line bet (just outside the layout line).
Free Odds Bets on Pass Line Bets
This wager is made on an original Pass Line bet. You place a free odds Pass Line bet on the area behind your
original Pass Line bet (just outside the layout line).
You can make free odds bets after the point has been established (on the Come Out roll). The bet can equal the
amount you originally bet on the Pass Line, or can be as high as the current free odds setting (the amount of the
original bet multiplied by those odds).
Don't Pass (Bar) Bet, Free Odds Bets on Don't Pass Bets
Don't Pass. When you bet Don't Pass, you bet against the dice (wrong betting). To collect this bet, the shooter must
roll a 2 or 3 on the first roll (12 is barred by the house to prevent your advantage over the casino), or seven out before
rolling the point. By barring the 12, the casino gains a 1.4% advantage over a Don't Pass bettor. You can only place a
Don't Pass bet on the Come Out roll.
Free Odds Bets on Don't Pass Bets. This wager is made on an original Don't Pass bet. You place a free odds Don't
Pass bet just to the right of the original Don't Pass bet. You can make free odds bets after the point has been
established (on the Come Out roll). The bet equals the amount of the payoff for the original Don't Pass bet, or can be
as high as the current free odds setting (the amount of the original bet payoff multiplied by those odds).
Come Bet
When you bet Come, you bet with the dice (or the shooter) to win with a natural (first throw), or to make the point
before sevening out. When you bet with the dice, it is referred to as right betting.
You can only place a Come bet when a point has been established. When the point is established, the Come bet
chips are moved onto the lower portion of the Place Numbers box with that number.
Don't Come Bet
When you make a Don't Come bet, you bet against the dice (wrong betting). To collect this bet, the shooter must roll
Craps (a 2 or 3 on the first roll; 12 is barred by the house to prevent your advantage over the casino), or seven out
before rolling the point.
You can only place a Don't Come bet when a point has been established. When the point is established, the Don't
Come bet is moved above the Place Number of the point, in the rectangles the farthest above the Place Numbers
boxes, at the top of the layout.
Come Bets, Free Odds on Come Bets, Buy Bets
Come Bets. After you make a Come bet and a point is established, the Come bet is moved to the middle portion of
the Place Number box of the point.
Free Odds Bet on a Come Bet. This wager is made on an original Come bet. You can make this wager after a point
is established and the Come bet has been moved to the middle portion of a Place Number box. You place a free
odds Come bet just to the lower-right of the Come bet chips. The bet can equal the amount of the original Come bet,
or can be as high as the current free odds setting (the amount of the original bet multiplied by those odds). Unlike
the original Come bet, this bet is off on a Come Out roll and is returned to you if the original bet is won or lost on a
Come Out roll.
Buy Bets. Buy bets are placed in the upper-third portion of the Place Numbers boxes. (These bets are indicated by a
"B" in a blue circle.) Buying a bet is similar to making a Place Numbers bet; you bet that the number will be made
before a 7. But this bet is made slightly differently and the casino's advantage is different as well. You must pay the
casino 5% of the amount of the bet you place when you place it. The house commission is taken directly from your
bankroll. These bets pay off at true odds. You cannot make a Buy bet on a Come Out roll. After you place a Buy bet, it
is valid (working) on all rolls except subsequent Come Out rolls.
Don't Come, Free Odds Bets on Don't Come Bets, Lay Bets
Don't Come Bets. After you make a Don't Come bet and a point is established, the Don't Come bets are moved to
the middle portion of the rectangles above the Place Numbers, at the top of the layout.
Free Odds Bet on a Don't Come Bet. This wager is made on an original Don't Come bet. You can make this wager
after a point is established and the Don't Come bet is been moved to the middle portion of the rectangles the
farthest above the Place Numbers, at the top of the layout. You place a free odds Don't Come bet just to the
lower-right of the original Don't Come bet chips. The bet can equal the amount of the payoff for the original Don't
Come bet, or can be as high as the current free odds setting (the amount of the original bet payoff multiplied by
those odds).
Lay Bets. Lay bets are placed in the upper-third portion of the rectangles the farthest above the Place Numbers
boxes, at the top of the layout. (These bets are indicated by an "L" in a red circle.) When you make a Lay bet, you
make a bet against a number. For example, if you think the next roll will be a 7, you could make lay bets against all
numbers instead of making a Don't Come bet. To make this bet, you must pay a 5% commission to the house when
you place the bet, based on the payoff. The house commission is taken directly from your bankroll. Lay bets pay off
at true odds. You cannot make a Lay bet on a Come Out roll. After you place a Lay bet, it is always working.
Place Numbers Bets
With this bet, you bet that a particular number will appear before a seven. You can make a place bet after the Come
Out roll. You can place a bet on each or every place number. You can remove, reduce or add to a place bet at any
time prior to the next roll. Place bets are valid (working) on all rolls except the Come Out roll.
These bets are placed in the rectangles just below the Place Numbers boxes.
Payoffs for Place Bets
Number
House Payoff
True Odds
House Advantage
4 and 10
9-5
2-1
6.67%
5 and 9
7-5
3-2
4.0%
6-5
1.52%
6 and 8
7-6
Field Bets
A field bet is a bet on the number 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 being rolled, regardless of what the point is. (This bet is
always working, even on the Come Out roll.) The next roll of the dice immediately determines whether this bet wins
or loses.
3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 pay at even money.
2 and 12 pay 2 to 1.
If a 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled, the bet is lost.
These bets have higher odds and are less favorable to players. The house has a 5.5% advantage on these wagers.
Big 6 or Big 8
For Big 6 or Big 8, the shooter must roll a 6 or 8 before the sevening out. This bet is always working and can be
placed at any time. It pays at even money.
This is not a good bet to make. The house has a 9.09% advantage on this wager.
Any Seven
This proposition (or center) bet clearly favors the house and should be avoided. Center bets are always working. In
most cases, the next roll determines the outcome of the bet (except for hardway bets). More experienced Craps
players avoid these bets; all of their odds greatly favor the house.
Any Seven is a terrible bet to make. The house advantage is 16.67%.
The house pays 4 to 1 (the true odds are 36-6 or 5-1).
Any Craps
Any Craps is a terrible bet to make. The house advantage is 11.1%.
The house pays 7 to 1 (the true odds are 8-1).
2 or 12
2 or 12 is a terrible bet to make. The house advantage is 13.89%.
3 or 11
3 or 11 is a terrible bet to make. The house advantage is 11.1%.
Hard 4 and 10
A hardway roll is a number made with a matching pair, or doubles. These bets continue until the same number
comes up easy , a 7 is rolled, or the shooter rolls a hard 4 or 10 (and collects this bet).
The Hard 4 and the Hard 10 are terrible bets to make. The house advantage is 11.1%.
The house pays 7 to 1 (though the true odds are 8-1).
Hard 6 or 8
A hardway roll is a number made with a matching pair, or doubles. These bets continue until the same number
comes up easy , a 7 is rolled, or the shooter rolls a hard 6 or 8 (and collects this bet).
The Hard 6 and the Hard 8 are terrible bets to make. The house advantage is 9.09%.
The house pays 9 to 1 (though the true odds are 10-1).
Horn Bet
The Horn Bet is a four way bet combining the 2, 3, 11, and 12 Center bets. It requires four chips to make this bet (or
multiples of four). The next roll determines the outcome of the bet.
The Horn bet merely enhances the number of bets that favor the house. The house advantage is 12.5%.
The casino pays the winning bet and subtracts the other chips from the payoff.
C&E Bets
Placing a Bet on a C is equivalent to placing the bet on the ANY CRAPS section of the ONE ROLL BETS box.
Placing a Bet on an E is equivalent to placing the bet on the 11 (5 plus 6) section of the ONE ROLL BETS box.
Craps Tournaments
Under normal circumstances, Craps pits each player against the house. But in a Craps tournament, players also
compete against each other. Players enter the tournament with equal tournament bankrolls, and the player with
the highest bankroll after four turns is the winner. As play progresses, they can easily measure how well they are
doing by comparing their current bankrolls with those of the other players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Craps tournament usually ends after four turns, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends sooner
if players run out of money to bet against each other.
In Craps tournaments, free odds is always set at 2x.
Se e Als o
Starting a Game
Tournament Play
About Craps
Horse Racing
Hors e Racing Bas ics
About Horse Racing
Playing Hors e Racing in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Hoyle Derby
Cus tom izing Hors e Racing
About Horse Racing
Racing in general has been a popular sport for many hundreds of years. In ancient Rome, chariot races were the
entertainment of the day. In today’s culture, we have everything from camel racing to greyhound racing. Racing
can be found on nearly every continent in some form or another. As long as racing has been around, it is likely
that betting on the members of the race has been around as well.
Horse racing is particularly popular in the United States and Australia. The rules are fairly simple: pick a horse
that you like and place a bet that will pay depending on what place the horse comes in at. The player has three
choices: bet that the horse will come in at win, place, or show.
Win simply means that you are betting that your horse will come in first. You will see the longest odds and the
biggest payouts for win bets.
Place means that you are betting that your horse will come in either first or second. The odds are slightly better
here than for win bets.
Show means that you are betting that your horse will come in either first, second, or third. The odds tend to be
much better for show bets.
Odds
Odds are paid out as follows:
On the main screen (where you make your bets), you will see a list of the horses. To the right of each horse is a
list of odds for win, show, and place. Odds will usually say something like "7 – 1" or "3 – 2". For a 7 – 1 bet, if the
horse wins, for every dollar you put down, you will get seven dollars back. For example, if you place $1000 place
bet on Bye Bye Blue and his place odds are 7 – 1 and he comes in either first or second, you will get back $7000.
The higher the odds, the less likely it is that the horse will come in first, second, or third.
Se e Als o
Placing a Bet
When you first go into Horse Derby, you will be taken to a main screen that shows each of the five horses and the
odds associated with each of them for win, show, and place bets. About halfway down the screen, you will be
able to place bets. To bet on a horse, do the following:
A cursor will be flashing where you can place a bet. The minimum bet is two dollars and the maximum bet is
1000 dollars. Enter the amount that you would like to bet on the horse.
Now, click on one of the colored buttons to the right of the bet amount. To make a "win" bet, click on the blue
button; "place" is the red button; "show" is the yellow button.
Using either the mouse pointer or the Tab key, move your cursor to the next horse that you want to bet on and
repeat the above steps. Continue doing the above steps until all bets that you want have been placed.
To clear a bet, simply move the cursor to the bet to be erased and hit Backspace. To change the place that you
believe the horse will come in, simply click on the lit button and select a new one (if you are removing the bet,
you can leave the button unselected).
To remove all bets, select the Clear button from the lower right corner.
On the right of the screen, you will see what the odds are for each horse that you bet on, and what position you bet
on. You will also see the amount that will be paid out to you should you win.
When you are done placing bets, click on the Submit button in the lower right corner. This will take you to the main
racing screen.
Watching a Race
In the upper left corner of the main racing screen, you will see a shaded box. During the race, the box will show
the placement of each horse in the race. The horse(s) that you bet on will be highlighted so that you can track how
they are doing in the race. The horse racing announcer will also keep you updated on where each horse is in the
race.
Race Results
When the race is over you will be taken to the Race Results screen. On this screen you will see how each horse
did. It will also show you how much money you won and on which horse(s). Winnings are automatically credited
to the player’s bank account.
Occasionally the race is very close and you will first see a "Photo Finish" screen. When done viewing the Photo
Finish screen, click on the Results button in the lower right corner of the screen and it will take you to the Race
Results screen.
When done viewing Race Results, you can either bet on another race by clicking on the Next Race button, or you
can exit to the main screen by selecting the Exit button, both in the lower right corner.
Se e Als o
About Horse Racing
Keno
Ke no Bas ics
About Keno
Playing Ke no in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Keno
Placing a Bet
The Keno Dialog Box and the Keno Room
Cus tom izing Ke no
About Keno
Keno is a type of lottery similar to state lotteries common throughout North America. These games have a long
tradition of success (at least from the perspective of the lotteries’ sponsors). Keno is no exception. Lotteries are
unique in that, unlike many forms of gambling, they are not only state-sanctioned but they are often
state-sponsored. It is likely that arguments over the propriety of state-run "gambling" have been going on for
millennia. Augustus Caesar held the first recorded public lottery; his purpose was to raise funds to beautify the
city of Rome.
As played in American casinos, Keno is the direct descendant of the Chinese Lottery. Keno uses a transparent
plastic globe called the cage that contains small air-blown balls. This device is used to generate the random,
winning numbers in Keno.
Keno Play
You play Keno by filling out a Keno ticket and then turning it in. The games occur at different intervals, depending
on the time that you set in the Keno Setup dialog box.
Each Keno ticket has 80 numbers, corresponding to the 80 numbers printed on balls contained in the Keno cage,
from which the winning numbers are derived.
When you turn in a ticket, you are registered for the next game. When the game begins, the numbered balls are
spit from the Keno cage into the goose, an outlet that takes the balls one at a time. The number on each ball is
flashed on a brightly lit screen located in the Keno lounge. The numbers remain lit until the game is completed
(that is, when 20 numbers are drawn).
You win if you picked a sufficient number of correct numbers, based on the payoff chart provided for the bet you
made.
The Ticket
In addition to showing the 80 numbers you can bet on, the tickets contain boxes for other information including:
Name
The number of games (bets)
Price per game
The total amount of money you’re betting (this equals the number of games you’re playing times the amount of
each bet).
You fill out the tickets by clicking on the numbers you are picking to win. In Hoyle Casino, you can pick 1-15
numbers or 20 numbers.
Ticket Registration
In Hoyle Casino, you can submit your Keno ticket at any time from any room by clicking the Go To menu and
selecting Keno. This brings up a dialog box in which you can create and submit tickets.
When you submit your ticket in the Keno lounge, you also hand in your bet. You can view your Keno tickets in the
Keno lounge. This ticket shows all the numbers you marked off, the game number, and the number of games for
which your ticket is valid. The time your game takes place is also provided during ticket registration.
Winning
You must go to the Keno room to get credit for any winning tickets. (Note: If you are playing in a casino, it is very
important to head for the Keno counter if you win something. If a subsequent game begins before you’ve
presented your winning ticket, you will forfeit all winnings, whether this happens to be $1 or $50,000. Heed this
warning and make sure you cash out a winning ticket!)
Replaying a Ticket
For your convenience, the casino also allows you to replay your tickets. You may want to do this if you have a
fondness for the numbers you picked, if it was a winning ticket, or if you have a premonition, etc. The best reason
(in our opinion) to replay your tickets is to avoid filling out a new card and going through the process of selecting
new numbers.
To use a duplicate ticket, all you need to do is click Duplicate on the ticket form, and it’s treated just like an
original. You can keep handing in your duplicates for as long as you want.
To replay a Keno ticket:
1 Click the Duplicate button on the Keno ticket form.
2 Click the Submit button on the Keno ticket form.
Se e Als o
How to Play Keno
Placing a Bet
How to Play Keno
When you are in the Hoyle Casino, you can play your Keno tickets from any game room, or you can go to the Keno
game room to watch the numbers as they are picked.
To play Keno in the Keno room:
Click the Go To menu and then choose Keno Room.
To play Keno from anywhere in the Casino:
Click the Go To menu and then choose Keno Tickets.
To fill out a Keno ticket:
1 Click each number that you want. A black X appears on each of your selections. You can pick between 1 and
15 numbers or exactly 20 numbers.
2 Click Submit to turn in your card.
To play additional tickets, click New for each ticket that you want to play and repeat steps 1 and 2.
You can then wait for the clock to tick down until the drawing starts, or you can click the Quick Play button to
play the card immediately along with any other submitted cards.
To play the same numbers in a different drawing, click Duplicate.
To close the Keno setup window, click OK.
To change your Keno game setup
When filling out a Keno ticket, you can select the time interval between games and choose special betting
options. For more on betting options, click here:
Se e Als o
About Keno
Placing a Bet
Placing a Bet in Keno
Most bets in Keno are designated by the number(s) you pick. For example, a "one-spot straight ticket" is a bet on
a single number. A "two-spot straight ticket" is a bet on two numbers. The amount of money you can bet in Keno
depends on the type of bet you’re making. These bets usually range from $1-20 for straight tickets.
The most common bet is a five-spot straight ticket at a price of $1, in which five numbers are picked. For this bet
to win, three of the numbers you pick must come up on the balls. This particular bet pays even money if you pick
three numbers right. If you pick four winning balls, you are paid off at 9 to 1. If, in this example, you guess all five
balls right you’ve hit the jackpot, paying 800 to 1.
As another example, the payoffs for a common $2 bet (in this case, a 10 spot straight ticket) are shown here:
Catch:
Win:
10
50,000
9
8,000
8
2,000
7
260
6
40
5
4
In addition to straight bets, other types of bets are available. These include specials, the edge, top/bottom, and
left/right bets.
The specials bets include four-, five-, and six-spot specials. When you bet on 4 to 6 numbers, a Specials
checkbox appears in the Spots box on the Keno ticket. Click on the checkbox to change your ticket to a specials
bet. Specials bets are more expensive to place, but pay at better odds than a standard four- to six-spot straight
ticket.
The edge bet selects all the numbers around the edge of the Keno ticket as winning numbers.
The top/bottom bet is a bet that a high number of winning numbers will occur in the top or bottom half of the
Keno ticket. No spots are marked on the ticket. Instead, you are betting that there will be many more numbers
picked on either the top or bottom halves of the ticket. The greater the imbalance between top and bottom, the
higher the payoff.
The left/right bet is a bet that a high number of winning numbers will occur in the left or right half of the Keno
ticket. No spots are marked on the ticket. Instead, you are betting that there will be many more numbers picked
on either the left or right halves of the ticket. The greater the imbalance between left and right, the higher the
payoff.
Se e Als o
About Keno
How to Play Keno
You can play Keno from anywhere in the Casino using the Keno dialog box. If you go to the Keno room, you can
play Keno and also watch the big screen as the numbers are selected. If you play outside the Keno room using
the Keno dialog box, you need to go to the Keno room to collect any Keno winnings.
To play Keno in the Keno room:
Click the Go To menu and then choose Keno Room.
To play Keno from anywhere in the Casino:
Click the Go To menu and then choose Keno Tickets.
If you win Keno money while outside of the Keno room, a message will appear informing you of your win. Go to
the Keno room at your convenience to collect your winnings.
Se e Als o
About Keno
How to Play Keno
Placing a Bet
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Pok e r Bas ics
About Pai Gow Poker
Ranks of Pai Gow Poker Hands
Playing Pai Gow Pok e r in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Placing a Bet
Pai Gow Poker Tournaments
Cus tom izing Pai Gow Pok e r
About Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is an Americanized version of an ancient Chinese dominoes game, pai Gow (literal translation, "
To make nine"). You can easily distinguish pai Gow from Pai Gow Poker. The former is played on Chinese
dominoes, while the latter is played with cards. If you find pai Gow in a casino, you may also find that Asians are
playing it. This is because the numbers printed on the dominoes are in Chinese, which gives would-be gamblers
a good reason to shy away from pai Gow in its original form.
Pai Gow Poker is a game that provides great winning opportunities, and its pace is slower than Blackjack.
Therefore, the game gives players an opportunity to relax a little while they play. The casino’s usual advantage
over a player is about 2.5 percent, but playing as the banker when the opportunity arises can lower the house edge
to as little as 1.27 percent.
Se e Als o
Placing a Bet
The hand rankings in Pai Gow Poker, ranked from highest to lowest, are almost identical to Poker. One exception
is that an A-2-3-4-5 is considered the second highest straight (or straight flush), ranking just behind the
A-K-Q-J-10, and just ahead of the K-Q-J-10-9 (this is an optional rule in Hoyle Casino).
Five Aces
Four aces plus the joker form five aces. This is the highest-ranking hand in Pai Gow Poker.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence in the same suit are called a straight flush. If two straight flushes compete, the hand with
the highest-ranking cards in the flush sequence wins. The highest-ranking straight flush is called a royal flush
(A-K-Q-J-10).
Four of a Kind
Any four cards of the same rank form four of a kind. If two players have four of a kind, the hand with the four higher
cards wins.
Full House
Three of a kind and a pair form a full house. The full house with the highest-ranking three of a kind wins against
another full house.
Flush
A hand of any five cards all of the same suit is called a flush. A flush with the highest-ranking cards beats another
flush hand. If the highest cards from each players hand tie, the next highest-ranking cards determine the winner,
and so on.
Straight
A hand of any five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit is a straight. The straight with the highest-ranking
cards at the head of the sequence is the winner against another straight hand. The A-2-3-4-5, as the second
highest hand in Pai Gow Poker, is the only exception.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s, form three of a kind. The highest-ranking three cards wins
against another three of a kind hand. Three aces are the highest, three 2s the lowest. Three of a kind beats two
pair or any lower hand.
Two Pair
Two cards of the same rank, and two matching cards of any other rank form two pair. The hand with the
highest-ranking pair wins against another hand of two pair. If the highest-ranking pair ties, the hand with the
second highest-ranking pair wins.
One Pair
Any two cards of the same rank form one pair. The hand with the highest-ranking pair wins against another hand
of a pair. If both hands have the same pair, the highest-ranking unmatched card in the hand determines the
winner.
High Card
A hand with no matched cards is called high card. With two competing high card hands, the hand with the
highest-ranking card wins. If the highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards
are compared, and so on.
Se e Als o
About Pai Gow Poker
In Pai Gow Poker, each player receives seven cards and sets (arranges) the seven cards into a five-card and a
two-card hand.
The only stipulation for setting hands is that the five-card hand (high hand) must outrank the two-card hand (low
hand).
The deck used in Pai Gow Poker is a standard 52-card deck with the addition of one joker. The joker is not a
traditional wild card; it can only be used as an ace or as a card that completes a straight or a flush.
To win a bet, you must beat both the banker’s five-card and two-card hand. One player is designated the banker.
The house dealer is the default banker, but each human player will have the opportunity to be the banker every
five hands when this option is turned on. See Playing as Banker for more details.
How Play Proceeds
Before play begins, each player places their bet on the table in front of them. Starting at a randomly selected seat,
the dealer deals seven cards face down to the banker and to each seat at the table, regardless of whether a
player is present there or not.
Each player in turn sets his hand to form one five-card hand (the high hand) and one two-card hand (the low
hand). Likewise, the banker also sets his or her hand. When the dealer is the banker, the hand must be set
according to fixed rules.
Setting Your Hand
Click the two cards for your low hand, then click OK to proceed.
Player’s hands are compared against the banker’s hands to see who is the winner. In order to win a bet, the
banker or player must win both the five-card and the two-card hand. If one hand is won and one is lost, this is a
push and no money is exchanged. The banker wins tie hands, which are called copies.
A 5 percent commission is paid to the casino for any winning bets by the player regardless of whether he or she
is the banker (5 percent of net winnings).
Playing as Banker
Players have the opportunity to act as banker by selecting the "Allow player bankers" option in the Pai Gow Poker
Settings window. When this feature is turned on, a white "banker" marker makes its way around the table, moving
one seat to the right after every hand. When the marker reaches you, if you can cover the maximum allowable bet
for each other player at the table and the dealer, you are asked if you would like to be the banker. Player banking
is not offered at tables with no maximum bet, and computer players never choose to bank.
If you choose to bank, it means that in the upcoming hand, the other players and the dealer wager against your
hand, not the dealer’s hand. You do not place a bet when you are banking. Players make their wagers, and the
dealer places a house wager equal to the table minimum near the middle of the table.
Cards are dealt and hands are set as normal. Even though you are playing as the house, you do not have the
house restrictions on how to set your hand. You can set it however you like, as long as it is legal.
Once all hands are set, they are revealed and compared to yours. You win all tie hands, which gives you an
advantage you don’t have when the house banks, and lowers the house edge. Winners are paid off from your
bankroll, and losing wagers are added to your bankroll. The house still takes a 5% commission on all wins, so
banking does not eliminate the house edge completely, but it does lower it.
Se e Als o
About Pai Gow Poker
Placing a Bet in Pai Gow Poker
At the beginning of each hand, you must place a bet. The bet you make must meet the minimum bet requirement,
but not exceed the maximum bet limit.
arrow symbols.
To place a bet:
2 When you are satisfied with the amount of your bet, click the bet circle in front of your seat to place your bet.
Se e Als o
About Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker Tournaments
Under normal circumstances, Pai Gow Poker pits each player against the house. But in a Pai Gow Poker
tournament, players also compete against each other. Players enter the tournament with equal tournament
bankrolls. As play progresses, they can easily measure how well they are doing by comparing their current
bankrolls with those of the other players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Pai Gow Poker tournament usually lasts 25 hands, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends
sooner if players run out of money to bet against each other.
The following rules are followed in Pai Gow Poker tournaments:
5-4-3-2-A is the lowest-ranking straight.
Players cannot be the banker.
Se e Als o
Tournament Play
About Pai Gow Poker
In real casinos, the house wager is equal to the last wager the banking player made against the house.
"Tie hands" refers to identical five or two-card hands in a showdown, not pushes. If a player and the banker both
have a two-card hand of Q-7, the banker wins the two-card hand.
Poker
Poker basics
About Poker
Ranks of Poker Hands
How Betting Works in Poker
Playing Poker in Hoyle Casino
How to Play Poker
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Seven Card Stud
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo
Five Card Draw
Five Card Draw Low ball
Placing a Bet
Poker Tournaments
Customizing Poker
About Poker
Poker is a popular game throughout the world. It combines principles of card games known hundreds of years
ago in Europe and probably long before that in Asia, but in its present form it is of distinctly American origin. There
are many variations of Poker, but they all follow the same basic principles and differ mostly in details. A person
who has learned these principles can play without difficulty in any game.
Poker is a game of betting which player holds the best hand. In most cases, the best hand contains the five
highest-ranking cards, but what is considered the best hand can vary in some types of Poker. In a Hi-lo Poker
game, two players have the opportunity to win and split the pot. The player with the highest-ranking hand and the
player with the lowest-ranking hand both win.
All bets made by all players go in a pile of chips in the center of the table, called the pot. No player can compete
for the pot unless he or she is willing to meet the highest bet made by another player. Because of this rule,
players are able to bluff and win the pot.
The object of the game is to win the pot. A player can win the pot in one of two ways:
After all bets are in, all players that are still in show their hands. The player with the best hand wins.
If, during betting, a player makes a bet that no other players are willing to meet, that player wins the pot without
showing his or her cards.
All cards of the 52 card deck are used. The cards are dealt one at a time, clockwise motion (number of cards
varies with game). Aces are high, but Aces rank low in the sequence A-2-3-4-5.
There are actually many variations of Poker with slightly different rules. For the specific details on each of the
Poker games in the Hoyle Casino, see that game's description.
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Seven Card Stud
Five Card Draw
Five Card Draw Lowball
Hoyle Casino offers different Hold'em, Stud, and Draw tables, based on lower and upper bet amounts. The lower
and upper bet amounts you make at each betting interval will vary depending on the game you are playing and the
rules for the betting interval at that point in the game. If you want to join a table with higher stakes, be sure you
have enough cash to stay in the game.
Se e Als o
How to Play Poker
Betting in Casino Poker games
Placing a Bet
Before you play a game of Poker, you should learn the ranks of hands that you can win with. The following
combinations of cards rank the same in every form of Poker. They are listed in order from highest to lowest value.
Aces rank high in all hands except the straight (or straight flush), or in a low hand (hi-lo games). In a straight, the
Ace can rank either high or low, depending on the card sequence. The ace is high in the sequence A-K-Q-J-10.
Aces rank low in the sequence 5-4-3-2-A. You cannot use the ace to wrap a lower sequence with a higher
sequence, such as 3-2-A-K-Q.
High-Low Note: In a high-low Poker game, two players have the opportunity to win and split the pot. The player
with the highest-ranking hand and the player with the lowest-ranking hand win. When determining the value of
low hands, ace is the lowest rank, and straights and flushes do not count. The best low hand possible is
5-4-3-2-A, but it would also count as a straight for the high hand.
Royal Flush
A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit. It is a straight flush by definition, but as the highest-ranking straight flush possible, it
has earned its own name.
The royal flush beats all other hands in Poker without wild cards. In a game with wild cards, five of a kind beats a
royal flush. Since there are no wild cards in Hoyle Casino Poker, five of a kind is not possible.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence in the same suit. A straight flush beats four of a kind or any lower hand. If two straight
flushes compete, the hand with the highest-ranking cards in the flush sequence wins. For example, 6-5-4-3-2
beats 5-4-3-2-A, and Q-J-10-9-8 beats J-10-9-8-7.
Four of a Kind
Any four cards of the same rank. If two players have four of a kind, the hand with the four higher cards wins. Four
of a kind beats a full house or any lower hand.
Full House
Three of a kind and one pair. The full house with the highest-ranking three of a kind wins against another full
house. Full house beats a flush or any lower hand.
Flush
A hand of any five cards all of the same suit. If two flushes compete, the flush with the highest-ranking card wins.
If the highest cards from each player’s hand tie, the next-highest-ranking card determines the winner, and so on.
A flush beats a straight or any lower hand.
Straight
A hand of any five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit. The straight with the highest-ranking cards at the
head of the sequence wins against another straight hand. The highest possible straight is A-K-Q-J-10. The
lowest possible straight is 5-4-3-2-A. A straight beats three of a kind or any lower hand.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s. The highest-ranking three cards wins against another three of a
kind hand. Three aces are the highest; three 2s the lowest. Three of a kind beats two pair or any lower hand.
Two Pair
Two cards of the same rank, and two matching cards of any other rank. The hand with the highest-ranking pair
wins against another hand of two pair. If the highest-ranking pair ties, the hand with the second highest-ranking
pair wins. If the pairs in both hands tie, the hand with the highest-ranking fifth card wins. Two pair beats any hand
One Pair
Any two cards of the same rank. The hand with the highest-ranking pair wins against another hand of one pair. If
both hands have the same pair, the highest-ranking unmatched card in the hand determines the winner. If the
highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared, and so on. One
High Card
A hand with no matched cards. With two competing high card hands, the hand with the highest-ranking card wins.
If the highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared, and so on.
Se e Als o
About Poker
How to Play Poker
How to Play Poker
In Poker, turns (opportunities to check, call, raise, fold, show, and so on) pass from player to player in clockwise
rotation. The cards are dealt this way as well.
The number of cards dealt to the player or to the board, the time that cards are dealt, and betting intervals varies
with the type of Poker game. For details, see:
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Seven Card Stud
Five Card Draw
Se e Als o
About Poker
Placing a Bet
Betting takes place during periods of the game called betting intervals. The number of intervals varies depending
on the game. In Hoyle Casino, all Poker games are fixed-limit. This means the amount of each bet or raise is
predetermined, and players only choose whether or not to bet, not how much to bet.
During each betting interval, a player has the first right or obligation to bet (open). In the first betting interval of the
game, the player to the immediate left of the dealer opens. The responsibility for the first opening bet changes to
a new player with each hand.
In Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hold'em, Five Card Draw, and Five Card Draw Lowball games, the dealer button
indicates which player must open in each betting interval of the game. The player to the left of the dealer button
always begins the betting.
In Seven Card Stud games, the player with the lowest-ranking card showing must open in the first betting
interval. If there is a tie in card rank, the player closest to the left of the dealer opens. In subsequent betting
intervals, the player with the highest-ranking card showing must open. Again, if there is a tie in card rank, the
player closest to the left of the dealer opens.
In Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo games, the player with the highest-ranking card showing must open in the first
betting interval. If there is a tie in card rank, the player closest to the left of the dealer opens. In subsequent
betting intervals, the player with the lowest-ranking card showing must open. Again, if there is a tie in card
rank, the player closest to the left of the dealer opens.
In all Hoyle Casino Poker games, the first betting interval begins with a mandatory bet called a blind. In Hold'em
games, two blinds are required: the small blind (blind open) and the big blind (blind raise).
Small blind (or blind open). Half of the first betting amount (the lower bet amount for the table).
Big blind (or blind raise). A raise to bring the pot to the level of the first betting amount. This blind is usually the
same amount as the small blind, except for cases where the small blind is smaller because the player is
all-in.
You can stay in the hand by doing one of three things:
Call. Match the current highest bet in the pot. This is referred to as "staying in" the hand.
Raise. Match the current highest bet in the pot, then add more money to the pot to become the highest bet in
the pot. Each player must at least match (call) this bet to stay in.
Note In all betting intervals, if more than two players are betting, there is a limit of three raises amongst all
players (not counting the blind raise in the first betting interval of a Hold'em game, or the first partial raise after
a blind bet in a Stud game). If only two players are in the hand, the number of raises is unlimited. In
tournament mode, there is a three-raise limit at all times, even if there are only two players left in the hand.
Check. In all of the Poker games in Hoyle Casino, you are permitted to check if no player before you has
opened with a bet. When you check, you stay in the hand without having to call or raise. Each player after you
can also check until one of the players makes an actual bet.
You can also drop out of the pot by folding. When you fold, you turn in your hand and lose any chips you have
added to the pot for that hand. You can fold at any time.
Betting continues until all bets are equalized. Bets are considered equalized when the turn comes around to the
player who in his or her turn made the highest bet, and when every other player either called the bet or folded.
Hoyle Casino Poker uses table stakes for betting, which means that a player does not have to meet a bet for an
amount which is larger than all the chips or money that player has on the table. A player in this situation is all-in,
and can put all of his or her money in the main pot (even if it does not cover the bet) and stay in the hand. This
player no longer participates in the betting.
If more than two players are still in a hand in which one player is all-in, bets made after that point are added to a
side pot, which is only available to the players who have paid in the required bets. If the player who is all-in wins
the main pot (which he or she contributed to), the best hand of the other players wins the side pot.
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About Poker
How to Play Poker
Placing a Bet
Placing a Bet in Poker
In Hoyle Casino, all Poker games are fixed-limit. This means the amount of each bet or raise is predetermined,
and players only choose whether or not to bet, not how much to bet. You bet by clicking your desired action (open,
call, or raise) in the Poker Betting dialog box when the bet comes around to you. You can also use the keyboard
shortcuts described below.
Control/Option
Description
Call
Bet the minimum amount required to stay in the hand. Click Call, press C on the
keyboard, or select Call from the Actions menu.
Raise
Raise the amount each player must bet to stay in the hand. Click Raise, press R
on the keyboard, or select Raise from the Actions menu.
Check
Stay in the hand without placing a bet. This option is only available if no one has
placed a bet yet during that betting interval. Click Check, press C on the
keyboard, or select Check from the Actions menu.
Open
Places the first bet in a betting interval. Click Open, press O on the keyboard, or
select Open from the Actions menu.
Fold
Drop out of the current hand and forfeit any chips that you have bet. Never fold if
you still have the option to check. Click Fold, press F on the keyboard, or select
Fold from the Actions menu.
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About Poker
How to Play Poker
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Seven Card Stud
Five Card Draw
Five Card Draw Low ball
Texas Hold'em
In Texas Hold'em, seven cards are available to each player. Players' hands consist of two cards dealt face down
to each player and five cards dealt face up to the board, which are shared by all players in the game. Players can
construct their final hands using any five cards from the two cards in their own hands and the five cards from the
board. A player wins by having the highest-ranking hand of five cards.
Each hand can start with eight players or fewer. Opening betting rotates clockwise with each new hand using a
dealer button and blinds. The blind bets are mandatory bets made by the first two players to the left of the dealer
button. The last player to bet usually has the advantage. Because the dealer button moves to each player, each
player has the chance to benefit from this advantage. For details on blinds and the betting process, see How
Betting Works in Poker.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with each player receiving two cards face down, followed by the first betting interval. The player
immediately to the left of the dealer button must open the betting. The first bet is called a blind open (or small
blind) and is equal to half of the lower bet amount for the table. The second bet is called a blind raise (or big
blind) and raises the pot to be equal to the lower bet amount. The player to the left of the blind open is
responsible for the blind raise. The player to the left of the blind raise must call the mandatory bet amount, raise
an amount equal to the size of the bet, or fold. Betting then passes around to each player as it would normally. If
all players either call or fold, the player who made the blind raise then has the option of checking or raising.
In all betting intervals, if more than two players are betting, there is a limit of three raises amongst all players (not
counting the blind raise in the first betting interval). If only two players are in the hand, the number of raises is
unlimited. In tournament mode, there is a three-raise limit at all times, even if there are only two players left in the
hand.
The Flop
The next three cards dealt face up to the board are called the flop. The dealer turns all three cards over at the
same time, for all players to use in their hands. The second betting interval begins with the first player to the left of
the dealer button. This player can check, fold, or open with a bet. The lower bet amount is required at the flop.
Each player then has the option to check, call, raise, or fold. The betting continues as long as players keep
raising their bets. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting has equalized).
The Turn
The fourth card dealt face up to the board is called the turn. A third betting interval ensues, again starting with the
player to the left of the dealer button and ending with all bets equalized. The upper bet amount is now in force.
The River
The fifth and final card dealt face up to the board is called the river or fifth street. The final betting interval takes
place, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button and ending with all bets equalized. The upper bet
amount is still in force.
The Showdown
When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands. The player with the highest-ranking five
cards wins the pot. If hands tie, the pot is split between the winners.
Summary of the Deal
Two cards dealt to each player (face down), first betting interval.
Third, fourth, and fifth cards dealt to the board (face up), second betting interval.
Sixth card dealt to the board (face up), third betting interval.
Seventh and final card dealt to the board (face up), final betting interval.
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Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em is a variation of Texas Hold'em, but nine cards are available to each player instead of seven.
Players' hands consist of four cards dealt face down to each player and five cards dealt face up to the board,
which are shared by all players in the game. Players must construct their final hands using two cards from their
own hands and three cards from the board. A player wins by having the highest-ranking hand of five cards.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with each player receiving four cards face down, followed by the first betting interval. The player
an amount equal to the size of the bet, or fold. Betting then passes around to each player as it would normally.
After all players either call or fold, the player who made the blind raise then has the option of checking or raising.
hand.
When the bet comes around to the human player in Hoyle Casino, the two cards that make the player’s best
possible hand at that point are marked with black diamonds.
The Flop
The Turn
The River
The Showdown
When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands. The player with the highest-ranking five
cards wins the pot. If hands tie, the pot is split between the winners.
Summary of the Deal
Four cards dealt to each player (face down), first betting interval.
Fifth, sixth, and seventh cards dealt to the board (face up), second betting interval.
Eighth card dealt to the board (face up), third interval.
Ninth and final card dealt to the board (face up), final betting interval.
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Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Omaha Hold'em is a variation of Texas Hold'em, but nine cards are available to each player instead of seven. In a
Hi-lo Poker game, more than one player has the opportunity to win and split the pot. Players' hands consist of four
cards dealt face down to each player and five cards dealt face up to the board, which are shared by all players in
the game. Players must construct their final hands using two cards from their own hands and three cards from
the board. A player wins by having the highest-ranking or lowest-ranking hand of five cards (or both). In the same
hand, the low hand and high hand can use different sets of cards.
This form of Omaha Hold'em is also known as "Eights or Better." To qualify as a low hand in Omaha Hi-Lo, the
hand must be an 8-high (8 as the high card in an unmatched hand) or better (such as 7-high). In low hands,
straights and flushes are ignored, and aces count as low cards. The best low hand possible is 5-4-3-2-A, though
it is also a straight. It is possible for no player to have a low hand. At least three different cards of 8 or less must
be on the board for a low hand to be possible.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with each player receiving four cards face down, followed by the first betting interval. The player
an amount equal to the size of the bet, or fold. Betting then passes around to each player as it would normally.
After all players either call or fold, the player who made the blind raise then has the option of checking or raising.
hand.
The Flop
The Turn
The River
The Showdown
When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands. The players with the highest- and
lowest-ranking five cards (two from player's hand, three from the board) split the pot. If no player has a low hand,
the highest-ranking hand wins the pot. If there is a tie between high hands or low hands, the high or low portion of
the pot is then split between those hands.
For example:
Pot = $100
Player 1 wins high and gets $50.
Player 2 ties low and gets $25.
Summary of the Deal
Four cards dealt to each player (face down), first betting interval.
Fifth, sixth, and seventh cards dealt to the board (face up), second betting interval.
Eighth card dealt to the board (face up), third betting interval.
Ninth and final card dealt to the board (face up), final betting interval.
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Seven Card Stud
Players' hands consist of seven cards dealt to each player. The first two are dealt face down. The third, fourth, fifth
and sixth cards are dealt face up. The final (seventh) card is dealt face down. A player wins by having the
highest-ranking hand of five cards.
Each hand can start with seven players or fewer. If eight players are sitting at the table, one has to sit out for the
hand.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with each player adding his or her ante to the pot. The ante for Seven Card Stud at the Hoyle Casino
is 40 percent of the lower bet amount. Each player receives two cards face down and one card face up, followed
by the first betting interval.
The player with the lowest-ranking card showing must open the betting. (If there is a tie in low card rank, the
player closest to the left of the dealer opens.) This is called the blind open. The blind open bet is half the amount
of the lower bet amount for the table. Each player then has the option to call, raise, or fold.
The first raise increases the size of the bet to the size of the lower bet amount for the game. The betting continues
as long as players keep raising their bets (up to three raises, not counting an opening partial raise). If only two
players are in the hand, the number of raises is unlimited. In tournament mode, there is a three-raise limit at all
times, even if there are only two players left in the hand. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting
has equalized).
On the next three rounds of dealing, each active player receives a face-up card, then another betting interval takes
place. Cards are dealt face up until the player has four face-up cards (and two face down). The betting intervals at
this stage of the game begin with the player who has the highest-ranking cards showing. This player can check,
fold, or open with a bet. Each player then has the option to check, call, raise, or fold. The betting continues as long
as players keep raising their bets. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting has equalized).
During the first and second betting intervals, the lower bet amount for the table is in force for bets. On the third,
fourth, and final betting intervals, betting must open and continue at the higher bet amount for the table.
Finally, the last card is dealt to each player (seventh card, face down). The highest hand showing starts the
betting. When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands (the showdown). The players with
the highest-ranking five cards split the pot. If hands tie, the pot is split.
Summary of the Deal
Three cards dealt to each player (two down, one up), first betting interval.
Fourth card dealt to each player face up, second interval.
Fifth card dealt to each player face up, third interval.
Sixth card dealt to each player face up, fourth interval.
Seventh card dealt to each player face down, final betting interval.
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In a Hi-lo Poker game, more than one player has the opportunity to win and split the pot. Players' hands consist of
seven cards dealt to each player. The first two are dealt face down. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth cards are dealt
face up. The final (seventh) card is dealt face down. A player wins by having the highest-ranking or lowest-ranking
hand of five cards (or both). In the same hand, the low hand and high hand can use different sets of cards.
Each hand can start with seven players or fewer. If eight players are sitting at the table, one has to sit out for the
hand.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with each player adding his or her ante to the pot. The ante for Seven Card Stud at the Hoyle Casino
is 40 percent of the lower bet amount. Each player receives two cards face down and one card face up, followed
by the first betting interval.
The player with the lowest-ranking card showing must open the betting. (If there is a tie in low card rank, the
player closest to the left of the dealer opens.) This is called the blind open. The blind open bet is half the amount
of the lower bet amount for the table. Each player then has the option to call, raise, or fold.
The first raise increases the size of the bet to the size of the lower bet amount for the game. The betting continues
as long as players keep raising their bets (up to three raises, not counting an opening partial raise). If only two
players are in the hand, the number of raises is unlimited. In tournament mode, there is a three-raise limit at all
times, even if there are only two players left in the hand. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting
has equalized).
On the next three rounds of dealing, each active player receives a face-up card, then another betting interval takes
place. Cards are dealt face up until the player has four face-up cards (and two face down). The betting intervals at
this stage of the game begin with the player who has the highest-ranking cards showing. This player can check,
fold, or open with a bet. Each player then has the option to check, call, raise, or fold. The betting continues as long
as players keep raising their bets. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting has equalized).
During the first and second betting intervals, the lower bet amount for the table is in force for bets. On the third,
fourth, and final betting intervals, betting must open and continue at the higher bet amount for the table.
Finally, the last card is dealt to each player (seventh card, face down). The highest hand showing starts the
betting. When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands (the showdown). The players with
the highest- and lowest-ranking five cards split the pot. If there is a tie between high hands or low hands, the high
or low portion of the pot is then split between those hands.
For example:
Pot = $100
Player 1 wins high and gets $50.
Summary of the Deal
Three cards dealt to each player (two down, one up), first betting interval.
Fourth card dealt to each player face up, second interval.
Fifth card dealt to each player face up, third interval.
Sixth card dealt to each player face up, fourth interval.
Seventh card dealt to each player face down, final betting interval.
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Five Card Draw
Hands consist of five cards dealt to each player, all face down. From these five cards, the player can choose to
discard several cards (three cards maximum) and draw the same number of cards to replace them. A player wins
by having the highest-ranking hand of five cards.
Each hand can start with eight players or fewer.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with a blind open and blind raise from the players to the immediate left of the dealer. The betting
continues clockwise as long as players keep raising their bets (up to three raises, not counting the blind raise). If
only two players are in the hand, the number of raises is unlimited. In tournament mode, there is a three-raise
limit at all times, even if there are only two players left in the hand. Betting stops when all players have called (the
betting has equalized).
The dealer then deals replacement cards to make each player’s hand total five cards. The second (and final)
betting interval takes place.
After the second betting interval, all players who are still in show their cards. The player with the highest-ranking
hand of five cards wins. If hands tie, the pot is split.
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Players' hands consist of five cards dealt to each player, all face down. From these five cards, the player can
choose to discard several cards (three card maximum) and draw the same number of cards to replace them. A
player wins by having the lowest-ranking hand of five cards (5-4-3-2-A is the lowest hand possible).
Each hand can start with eight players or fewer.
How Play Proceeds
Play begins with a blind open and blind raise. These are played by the players to the immediate left of the dealer
button. The betting continues clockwise as long as players keep raising their bets (up to three raises, not
counting the blind raise). If only two players are in the hand, the number of raises is unlimited. In tournament
mode, there is a three-raise limit at all times, even if there are only two players left in the hand. Betting stops
when all players have called (the betting has equalized).
The dealer then deals replacement cards to make each player’s hand total five cards.
A second betting interval follows.
After the second betting interval, all players who are still in show their cards. The player with the lowest-ranking
hand of five cards wins. If hands tie, the pot is split.
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Roulette
Roule tte Bas ics
About Roulette
Roulette Bets and Odds
The Roulette Layout
Playing Roulette in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Roulette
Placing a Bet in Roulette
Roulette Tables and Tournaments
Cus tom izing Roulette
About Roulette
Roulette was developed around the turn of the century and is one of the most popular gambling games in the
world. It is played in virtually every gambling house in North and South America and in Europe, where it is even
more popular.
The game uses a special wheel, a betting layout, and chips. The wheel is divided into 38 (American) or 37
(European) sections, each of which has walls to hold a small ball where it lands after the wheel is spun. The
sections are numbered from 1 to 36, (half red and half black, half odd and half even) plus a green section marked
0. European wheels have only the 0 green section. American wheels have an additional green section marked
00. The addition of the 00 section greatly increases the odds in favor of the house. For this reason, Roulette is not
as popular in United States casinos as it is in Europe.
When Atlantic City rules are used in Roulette: For any even-money bets, if the ball lands on 0 or 00, half of the
amount of any even-money bet is returned to you. If Nevada rules are in force, you lose the entire even-money bet
on 0 or 00.
Numbers 1-18 are considered the lows; numbers 19-36 are the highs.
Roulette is a banking game: all bets are placed against the house.
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The Roulette Layout
Players make bets by placing chips in various locations on the table. After all bets are placed, the croupier spins
the wheel in one direction and tosses the small ball in the opposite direction. The ball then comes to rest on one
number – the winning number for the spin. The bank pays or collects from each bettor. Bets can then be placed
again for the next spin.
Players often choose the bets they like to make and stick with them for a series of spins. Use Place Last Bets in
the Actions menu to do this.
A history of the most recent numbers appears above the Roulette table.
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About Roulette
The Roulette Layout
arrow symbols.
To place a bet:
To clear the bet, click the eraser.
To place your last bet again, select Place Last Bets from the Actions menu, or press P.
2 When you are satisfied with the amount of your bet, click your cursor (left mouse button) at the exact spot on
the Roulette layout where you want to place the bet. You can place as many bets as you like.
3 To bet a different amount on different parts of the layout, repeat step 1 to change the chip value before placing
another chip on the layout.
4 If you need to, you can add to or subtract from a bet even after it has been placed. Click the bet on the table to
add the current bet amount to the bet. Right-click the bet to subtract the current bet amount from the bet.
5 When you are satisfied with the placement of your bet(s), click Done.
Note:
You do not have to place a bet each time the roulette wheel spins. If you don’t feel lucky for a particular spin,
don’t bet anything!
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About Roulette
The Roulette Layout
There are many different types of bets available in Roulette. Different bet types pay off different odds.
Inside bets
Straight-Up Be ts
Pay 35 to 1. Place a chip on any single number.
Split Be ts
Pay 17 to 1. Place a chip in between any two adjacent numbers.
Quad (Corner) Be ts
Pay 8 to 1. Place a chip between any four number groupings (for example 11-12-14-15), and you get all four
numbers in that group.
Stre e t (Trio or Three Num be r) Be ts
Pay 11 to 1. Place a chip on the horizontal line across the top of the layout on any of the twelve columns of
three numbers. You get all the numbers in that street. Two other street bets are available: you can also place a
chip in the intersection between 0-1-2 or in the intersection between 00-2-3.
Quint Be t
Pays 6 to 1. The only possible five number grouping in the Roulette layout is 0-00-1-2-3. Place the chip on the
upper horizontal line between the 00 and 3. This bet favors the house by more than 7 percent.
Double Stre e t (Six Num be r) Be ts
Pay 5 to 1. Place a chip in between streets that are side by side to get all six numbers in the double streets.
Outside Bets
Black , Re d, Odd, Eve n, 1-18, 19-36
Pay 1 to 1.
Doze n Be ts : 1s t 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12
Pay 2 to 1.
Colum n Be ts
Pay 2 to 1. Place a chip in a box at the end of one of three columns.
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About Roulette
Placing a Bet
The Roulette Layout
The Roulette Layout
The chips in the illustration below are examples of the different types of bets you can place on the Roulette layout.
Click on the chips and various sections of the layout to find the payout for each type of bet.
Dozen Bets
Pay 2 to 1.
Column Bets
Pay 2 to 1.
Black, Red, Odd, Even, 1-18, 19-36
Pay 1 to 1.
Straight-Up Bets
Pay 35 to 1.
Split Bets
Pay 17 to 1.
Street (Trio or Three Number) Bets
Pay 11 to 1.
Quad (Corner) Bets
Pay 8 to 1.
Quint Bet
Pays 6 to 1.
Double Street (Six Number) Bets
Pay 5 to 1.
Roulette Tournaments
Under normal circumstances, Roulette pits each player against the house. But in a Roulette tournament, players
also compete against each other. Players enter the tournament with equal tournament bankrolls, and the player
who finishes with the highest bankroll is the winner. As play progresses, they can easily measure how well they
are doing by comparing their current bankrolls with those of the other players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Roulette tournament usually ends after 10 spins, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends
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Tournament Play
About Roulette
Caribbe an Stud Poke r Bas ics
About Caribbean Stud Poker
Ranking Hands in Caribbean Stud Poker
Playing Caribbean Stud Poke r in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
Placing Bets in Caribbean Stud Poker
Payoffs in Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker Tournaments
Cus tom izing Caribbe an Stud
Caribbean Stud Poker is a card game that pits players against a casino dealer. The object of the game is to beat
the dealer's five-card hand according to the ranking of cards used in Poker.
Players make an Ante wager to get into the game and then a Bet wager if they want to stay in the game and
compete against the dealer. No one can compete against the dealer, however, unless the dealer's hand qualifies
with an ace and a king or higher. If the dealer's hand does not qualify, all Ante wagers still in play receive even
money, no matter how bad the hands may be. And all Bet wagers are returned without payoff, no matter how good
the hands may be.
For some players, the greatest attraction of Caribbean Stud Poker is the optional wager on the bonus jackpot. For
just a $1 side bet, a player stands to win thousands of dollars. Before betting on the bonus jackpot, however,
consider the odds. The top payoff, for a royal flush, is $200,000, but the odds of getting a royal flush are 1 in
649,739!
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Cards are ranked in Caribbean Stud Poker as they are in Poker. If you aren't familiar with this ranking, it’s a good
idea to familiarize yourself with it before playing Caribbean Stud Poker.
Aces rank high in all hands except the straight (or straight flush). In a straight, the ace can rank either high or low,
depending on the card sequence. The ace is high in the sequence A-K-Q-J-10, but it’s low in the sequence
5-4-3-2-A. You cannot use the ace to wrap a lower sequence with a higher sequence, such as 3-2-A-K-Q.
The following card combinations are ranked in order from highest to lowest.
Royal Flush
A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
The royal flush beats all other hands.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence in the same suit. A straight flush beats four of a kind or any lower hand.
If two straight flushes compete, the hand with the highest-ranking cards in the flush sequence wins. For example,
6-5-4-3-2 beats 5-4-3-2-A, and Q-J-10-9-8 beats J-10-9-8-7.
Four of a Kind
Any four cards of the same rank. If two players have four of a kind, the hand with the four higher cards wins. Four
of a kind beats a full house or any lower hand.
Full House
Three of a kind and one pair. The full house with the highest-ranking three of a kind wins against another full
house. Full house beats a flush or any lower hand.
Flush
A hand of any five cards all of the same suit. If two flushes compete, the flush with the highest-ranking card wins.
If the highest cards from each player’s hand tie, the next-highest-ranking card determines the winner, and so on.
A flush beats a straight or any lower hand.
Straight
A hand of any five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit. The straight with the highest-ranking cards at the
head of the sequence wins against another straight hand. The highest possible straight is A-K-Q-J-10. The
lowest possible straight is 5-4-3-2-A. A straight beats three of a kind or any lower hand.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s. The highest-ranking three cards wins against another three of a
kind hand. Three aces are the highest; three 2s the lowest. Three of a kind beats two pair or any lower hand.
Two Pair
Two cards of the same rank, and two matching cards of any other rank. The hand with the highest-ranking pair
wins against another hand of two pair. If the highest-ranking pair ties, the hand with the second highest-ranking
pair wins. If the pairs in both hands tie, the hand with the highest-ranking fifth card wins. Two pair beats any hand
One Pair
Any two cards of the same rank. The hand with the highest-ranking pair wins against another hand of one pair. If
both hands have the same pair, the highest-ranking unmatched card in the hand determines the winner. If the
highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared, and so on. One
High Card
A hand with no matched cards. With two competing high card hands, the hand with the highest-ranking card wins.
If the highest-ranking unmatched cards tie, the next highest-ranking unmatched cards are compared, and so on.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, the highest high card hand consists of an ace and a king.
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Caribbean Stud Poker is played on a customized blackjack table, using a single deck of cards. In front of each
player are betting areas marked "Ante" and "Bet." There’s also a small unmarked drop slot for the bonus jackpot.
At a Caribbean Stud Poker table in Hoyle Casino you are joined by three other players. (Or you can play alone.)
Play moves clockwise around the table. It’s your turn when your nameplate lights up. You get two turns per hand.
On your first turn:
1 Place your Ante wager. You must leave yourself with enough remaining cash to cover the potential Bet wager,
which is equal to twice your Ante.
2 If you want to make a $1 side wager, place your wager on the bonus jackpot.
3 Click the Done button.
The dealer deals each player five cards, facedown. The dealer keeps five cards and turns the last one face up.
Look at your cards. Compare your cards and the upturned card of the dealer to the Caribbean Stud Poker Card
Rankings, and decide whether to fold or call.
On your second turn, do either of the following:
Click the Call button to place a Bet wager equal to twice your Ante wager.
OR
Click the Fold button to withdraw from the hand and lose your Ante wager.
All of the dealer’s cards are now revealed, and play is over. Wagers are paid off according to Caribbean Stud
Poker Payoff Schedules.
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Placing a Bet in Caribbean Stud Poker
Placing an Ante Wager
At the beginning of each hand, you must place an Ante wager that meets both the minimum and maximum
requirements of the table. You must leave yourself with enough remaining cash to cover the potential Bet wager,
which is equal to twice your Ante.
You set the amount of your Ante wager using the chips that appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. The
chips represent different values: $5, $10, $25, and so on. To display more values, click the left or right arrow
symbol on either side of the chips.
To place an Ante wager:
1 Set the amount for the wager: Click on any of the chips in the lower right corner of the screen.
To increase the amount, click the left mouse button on one or more of the chips. (To set $15, for example,
click the $5 chip and the $10 chip.)
To decrease the amount, click the right mouse button on one or more of the chips.
The current amount appears below the chips. To reset the amount to zero, click the eraser symbol to the
left of the chips.
2 Click on the Ante circle in front of your position.
Placing a Wager on the Bonus Jackpot
On your first turn, you have the chance to place a $1 wager on the bonus jackpot. A meter at the upper left corner
of the Caribbean Stud Poker screen shows the current value of the jackpot (in Hoyle Casino, this value is always
$200,000).
To place a wager on the bonus jackpot:
Click on the unmarked drop slot above the Ante circle.
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What happens to your Ante and Bet wagers depends on the dealer’s hand and whether it "qualifies." To qualify,
the dealer’s hand must include at least an ace and a king, a pair, or better. For example, a dealer’s hand
containing A-K-3-7-10 or 3-3-7-9-2 qualifies whereas a hand containing A-Q-2-4-8 does not. Remember, too, your
hand competes only with the dealer’s hand, not with the hands of the other players.
What happens to each player’s Ante and Bet is summarized in the following table.
Dealer’s hand qualifies
Dealer’s hand does not
qualify
Dealer’s hand is Player loses both the Ante No matter which hand is
better
and the Bet.
better, player wins even
money on the Ante, and
the Bet is returned without
payoff.
Player’s hand is Player wins even money
better
on the Ante and wins on
the Bet according to the
Bet payoff schedule.
Hands tie
Both the Ante and the Bet
are returned with-out
payoff.
Ante Payoffs
Payoffs made on Ante wagers are always even money.
Bet Payoffs
Payoffs on Bet wagers are made according to the following schedule.
Hand
Payoff
Royal Flush
100 to 1
Straight Flush
50 to 1
Four of a Kind
20 to 1
Full House
7 to 1
Flush
5 to 1
Straight
4 to 1
Three of a Kind
3 to 1
Two Pair
2 to 1
One Pair
even money
Bonus Jackpot Payoffs
The meter in the upper left corner of the Caribbean Stud Poker screen displays the value of the bonus jackpot (in
the Hoyle Casino, this value is always $200,000). Bets on this jackpot are paid off according to the following
schedule.
Hand
Payoff
Royal Flush
$200,000
Straight Flush
$20,000
Four of a Kind
$500
Full House
$100
Flush
$50
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Under normal circumstances, Caribbean Stud Poker pits each player against the dealer. In a Caribbean Stud
Poker tournament, players still compare their hands to the dealer’s, but they compare their bankrolls against
each other. Players enter the tournament with equal tournament bankrolls, and the winner is the player with the
highest bankroll after 25 hands. The opening stake is taken from the players’ own bankrolls and is not a separate
stake. As play progresses, players can easily measure how well they are doing by comparing their current
bankrolls with those of the other players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Caribbean Stud Poker tournament usually lasts 25 hands, unless there is a tie to resolve. It
ends sooner if players run out of money to bet against each other.
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Starting a Game
Tournament Play
Let It Ride
Le t It Ride Bas ics
About Let It Ride
Ranking Hands in Let It Ride
Playing Le t It Ride in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Let It Ride
Placing Bets in Let It Ride
Payoffs in Let It Ride
Let It Ride Tournaments
Cus tom izing Le t It Ride
About Let It Ride
Let It Ride is a card game with a simple goal: Get a good Poker hand. It’s you against the cards, and if your cards
don’t measure up to expectations, you have two chances to take back part of your wager—or let it ride.
You bet on getting a winning five-card Poker hand using the three cards dealt to you and the two cards the dealer
reserves as "community cards," for use by all players. There are no draws or discards.
At the outset, you place three wagers of equal value. You can take back one of these wagers after looking at the
three cards you are dealt. You can take back another wager after the dealer reveals one of the two community
cards. The third wager remains in play no matter what.
Winning hands—a pair of 10s or better—receive payoffs according to the Let It Ride payoff schedule.
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Cards are ranked in Let It Ride as they are in Poker. If you aren't familiar with this ranking, it’s a good idea to
familiarize yourself with it before playing Let It Ride.
Royal Flush
A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind
Any four cards of the same rank.
Full House
Three of a kind and one pair.
Flush
A hand of any five cards of the same suit.
Straight
A hand of any five consecutive cards, but not of the same suit.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s.
Two Pair
Two cards of the same rank and two cards of another other rank, such as two 4s and two 9s.
Pair of 10s or Better
Two 10s, jacks, queens, kings, or aces.
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About Let It Ride
Let It Ride is played on a customized Blackjack table, using a single deck of cards. In Hoyle Casino you are
joined at a Let It Ride table by as many as three other players. (Or you can play alone.) In front of each player are
three betting circles marked 1, 2, and $. Before cards are dealt, each player puts wagers of equal value into the
three circles. If the table minimum is $5, for example, your wagers total $15.
Play moves clockwise around the table. It’s your turn when your nameplate lights up.
On your first turn:
Click on any one of the three betting circles to place your wagers.
The dealer then deals each player three cards facedown. (Two other cards are reserved as "community cards,"
which you will share with the other players to complete your hands.)
On your second turn:
1 Look at your cards and compare them to the ranking of Let It Ride hands.
2
Depending on the cards you were dealt, take back the wager in circle 1 or leave it in play:
Click the Take It Back button to remove the wager in circle 1.
Click the Let It Ride button to keep the wager in play.
The dealer then reveals the first of the community cards.
On your third turn:
1 Look at your cards as well as the upturned community card, and compare them to the ranking of Let It Ride
hands.
2
Depending on your cards, take back the wager in circle 2 or leave it in play:
Click the Take It Back button to remove the wager in circle 2.
Click the Let It Ride button to keep the wager in play.
The second community card is revealed, and play ends. Wagers are paid off according to Let It Ride Payoff
Schedules.
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About Let It Ride
Placing a Bet in Let It Ride
There are three wagers in Let It Ride. You place them all at once, in equal amounts, at the beginning of each
hand. There are betting circles in front of each player marked 1, 2, and $. One wager goes into each betting circle.
You set the amount of each wager using the chips that appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. The chips
represent different values: $5, $10, $25, and so on. To display more values, click the left or right arrow symbol on
either side of the chips.
Remember that you are setting an amount for each of the three wagers; if you set an amount of $25, for example,
your three wagers would total $75.
To place your three Let It Ride wagers:
1 Set an amount for each wager: Click on any of the chips in the lower right corner of the screen.
left of the chips.
2 Place all three wagers at once: Click on any of the three betting circles.
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About Let It Ride
At the end of play, players are paid on all remaining wagers, according to the following table.
Hand
Payoff
Royal Flush
1,000 to 1
Straight Flush
200 to 1
Four of a Kind
50 to 1
Full House
11 to 1
Flush
8 to 1
Straight
5 to 1
Three of a Kind
3 to 1
Two Pair
2 to 1
Pair of 10s or better
Even money
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About Let It Ride
Under normal circumstances, Let It Ride is as noncompetitive as a card game can be. If you want to play Let It
Ride in competition against other players, however, you can enter a tournament. Players enter a tournament with
equal bankrolls, and the player with the highest bankroll after 25 hands is the winner. The stake money is taken
from the players’ own bankrolls and is not a separate stake. As play progresses, players can easily measure
how well they are doing by comparing their current bankrolls with those of the other players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Let It Ride tournament usually lasts 25 hands, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends sooner if
players run out of money to bet against each other.
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About Let It Ride
Tournament Play
Three Card Poker
Thre e Card Poke r Bas ics
About Three Card Poker
Ranking Hands in Three Card Poker
Playing Thre e Card Poke r in Hoyle Cas ino
How to Play Three Card Poker
Placing Bets in Three Card Poker
Payoffs in Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker Tournaments
Cus tom izing Thre e Card Poke r
In Three Card Poker, players can:
Bet that their hands will include a pair or better.
Bet their hands against the dealer’s hand.
Bet on their own hands and against the dealer.
Betting on your hand is a simple matter of making a Pair Plus wager. You know whether you have won a Pair Plus
payoff as soon as you look at your cards. (There is no raising or discarding, and the dealer’s cards are
irrelevant.) Pair Plus payoffs are made according to a schedule that begins with even money for a pair.
Betting against the dealer starts with an Ante wager. After looking at your cards, you might decide to continue
against the dealer by placing a Play wager equal to the Ante. Or you might decide to fold, losing your Ante as well
as any Pair Plus wager you may have made.
In the end, the fate of your Ante and Play wagers depends on the dealer’s cards. If the dealer’s cards "qualify"
with a Queen high or better—and your hand is better than the dealer’s —you win even money on your Ante wager
as well as your Play wager.
If the dealer’s cards do not qualify, you win even money on your Ante wager (no matter how bad your cards may
be), but your Play wager is returned without payoff (no matter how good your cards may be).
Betting against the dealer makes you eligible for Ante Bonus payoffs: With a hand that includes at least a Straight
you are eligible for an Ante Bonus payoff even if the dealer’s hand fails to qualify or you lose to the dealer’s hand.
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The ranking of hands in Three Card Poker differs from Poker in important ways. Because there are only three
cards to a hand, a straight is harder to form than a flush and ranks higher. And three of a kind beats them both.
Aces rank high in all hands except in 3-2-A.
The following card combinations are ranked in order from highest to lowest.
Straight Flush
Three cards of the same suit in sequence. The highest straight flush is A-K-Q; the lowest is 3-2-A. A straight flush
beats Three of a Kind and any lower hand.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, regardless of suit. Three aces rank highest and three 2s lowest. Three of a kind
beats a straight and any lower hand.
Straight
Three cards in sequence but not of the same suit. The highest straight is A-K-Q; the lowest is 3-2-A. A straight
beats a flush and any lower hand.
Flush
Three cards of the same suit but not in sequence. A flush beats a pair and any lower hand.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank. Two aces rank highest and two 2s lowest.
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Three Card Poker is played on a Blackjack-style table, using a single deck of cards. In Hoyle Casino you are
joined at a Three Card Poker table by as many as three other players. (Or you can play alone.) In front of each
player are three betting areas: a Pair Plus circle, an Ante circle, and a Play square.
Play moves clockwise around the table. It’s your turn when your nameplate lights up.
On your first turn:
1 Place your Pair Plus wager, Ante wager, or both wagers.
The dealer deals each player three cards and keeps three cards. Look at your cards and compare them with the
ranking of Three Card Poker hands.
On your second turn:
Click the Fold button to drop out of the hand. (When you fold, you lose your Ante wager as well as any Pair Plus
wager you may have made.)
OR
Click the Play button to place a Play wager equal to your Ante wager.
The dealer’s cards are now revealed, and play is over. Wagers are paid off according to the Three Card Poker
payoff schedules.
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Placing a Bet in Three Card Poker
Placing Pair Plus and Ante wagers
You place Pair Plus and Ante wagers by clicking on the Pair Plus and Ante circles in front of you. You set the
amount of these wagers using the chips that appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. The chips represent
different values: $5, $10, $25, and so on. To display more values, click the left or right arrow symbol on either side
of the chips.
You can place just one of these wagers—or both wagers in equal or different amounts.
To place a Pair Plus wager or an Ante wager:
1 Set an amount for the bet: Click on chips in the lower right corner of the screen.
left of the chips.
2 Click on the Pair Plus circle or the Ante circle in front of you.
Placing a Play wager
When your second turn comes around, you can make a Play wager equal to your Ante wager. Or you can fold
without placing the wager.
To place a Play wager:
In the Actions dialog box, click the Play button.
An amount equal to your Ante wager automatically appears in the Play area.
To fold instead of placing the wager, click the Fold button.
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Pair Plus payoffs
Payoffs on Pair Plus wagers are made according to the following schedule, regardless of the dealer’s hand:
Hand
Pair Plus Payoff
Straight flush
40 to 1
Three of a kind
30 to 1
Straight
6 to 1
Flush
4 to 1
Pair
Even money
Note: You are not eligible for a Pair Plus payoff if you fold. By folding, you lose not only your Ante wager but your
Pair Plus wager, too.
Ante and Play payoffs
What happens to your Ante and Play wagers depends on the dealer’s hand and whether it "qualifies." To qualify,
the dealer’s hand must include at least a queen or better (for example, Q-J-8 or 3-3-7). If it qualifies, your cards
are compared with the dealer’s according to the unique Three Card Poker rankings. Remember, your hand
competes only with the dealer’s hand, not with the hands of the other players.
What happens to each player’s Ante and Play is summarized in the following table.
Dealer’s hand qualifies
Dealer’s hand does not
qualify
Dealer’s hand is Player loses both the Ante No matter which hand is
better
and the Play.
better, player wins even
money on the Ante, and
the Play is returned
without payoff.
Player’s hand is Player wins even money
better
on the Ante and the Play.
Hands tie
Both the Ante and the Play
are returned with-out
payoff.
Ante Bonus payoffs
Even if the dealer’s hand fails to qualify or beats your hand, you may have one more chance at winning money: A
hand with a Straight or better qualifies for an Ante Bonus payoff. Ante Bonuses are paid on the Ante wager (not the
Play wager) according to the following schedule:
Hand
Ante Bonus payoff
Straight flush
5 to 1
Three of a kind
4 to 1
Straight
Even money
Flush
None
Pair
None
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Under normal circumstances, Three Card Poker pits each player against the dealer. But in a Three Card Poker
tournament, players also compete against each other. Players enter the tournament with equal tournament
bankrolls, and the player who finishes the tournament with the highest bankroll is the winner. As play progresses,
players can easily measure how well they are doing by comparing their current bankrolls with those of the other
players.
In Hoyle Casino, a Three Card Poker tournament usually lasts 25 hands, unless there is a tie to resolve. It ends
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Tournament Play
Poker Tournaments
Poker Tournament Basics
About Poker Tournaments
Playing Tournament Poker in Hoyle Casino
How to Play in a Poker Tournament
Strategies for Winning Poker Tournaments
Customizing Poker Tournaments
Playing regular Poker at a casino or card room involves sitting down at a table for an undefined stretch of
same-stakes hands. Each hand is a separate, unrelated event, and there is no specific end or overall objective
other than to leave with more money than you brought to the table. Poker tournaments add excitement and a
sense of greater purpose to the game by applying a structure and a goal beyond playing to win each individual
hand.
Hoyle Casino offers tournament play in all seven of its Poker variations, as well as a Triple Crown tournament, in
which a different game is played in each of the tournament’s three rounds. For details on how to play any
individual game, click on the name of a game below. For more information on playing in Hoyle Casino Poker
tournaments, go on to Poker Tournament Rules.
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em Hi-Lo
Seven Card Stud
Five Card Draw
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How to Play Poker
Poker Tournament Rules
Understanding the structure of a Poker tournament is important to doing well in it. Poker tournaments have
different rules for the buy-in, advancing and elimination, stakes, and prizes. The Hoyle Casino rules are outlined
below.
The Buy-In
Players buy-in at the beginning of the tournament and receive an amount of tournament chips equal to the
buy-in. The tournament chips have no value outside of this one tournament, and they cannot be cashed in.
There are five buy-in levels: $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000. You may not buy into a $50,000
tournament until you have won a tournament in the same game at a lower buy-in.
Advancement & Elimination
Each tournament starts with 49 entrants at seven tables, and lasts for three rounds.
Each table plays 14 hands in the first round. The three players with the highest bankrolls after 14 hands
advance to the second round.
Each table plays 28 hands in the second round. The two players with the highest bankrolls after 28 hands
advance to the third round.
Players who make it to the third round play until only one payer has all of the chips. The order in which players
are eliminated in the third round determines the placing for cash prizes.
If you are eliminated, you may choose to stay and watch the rest of the round, or you can leave the tournament.
The Stakes
The stakes in all Hoyle Casino Poker tournaments are fixed-limit. The bets in the later betting rounds of each
hand are twice as much as the bets in the early betting rounds. The limits increase every seven hands. In a
$1,000 buy-in tournament, the stakes increase as follows:
Round & Hands
Early Bet-Late Bet
Round 1, Hands 1-7
$5-$10
Round 1, Hands 8-14
$10-$20
Round 2, Hands 1-7
$20-$40
Round 2, Hands 8-14
$30-$60
Round 2, Hands 15-21
$40-$80
$50-$100
Round 3, Hands 1-7
$100-$200
Round 3, Hands 8-14
$200-$400
$300-$600
Round 3, Hands 22-??
Add $100-$200 to the limit every seven hands until the tournament ends
The stakes for tournaments with higher buy-ins are multiplied accordingly. For example, the stakes in a $5,000
tournament are five times as high as the stakes listed above. The stakes for a $50,000 tournament are 50 times
the stakes listed above.
Prizes
Since the tournament chips are not worth anything outside of the tournament, top-finishing players are rewarded
with cash prizes. The seven players who make it to the last round receive a prize, but 4th-7th place finishers only
receive a reimbursement of their buy-in. Here is the prize structure for a $1,000 buy-in tournament:
Finish
Prize
First Place
$30,000
Second Place
$10,000
Third Place
$5,000
Fourth Place
$1,000
Fifth Place
$1,000
Sixth Place
$1,000
Seventh Place
$1,000
The prizes for tournaments with higher buy-ins are multiplied accordingly. For example, the prizes in a $5,000
tournament are five times as high as the stakes listed above. The prizes for a $50,000 tournament are 50 times
the amounts listed above.
If two or more players are eliminated in the same hand, the prize money for those spots is added together and
divided evenly among the players eliminated. For example, if there are four players remaining and two of them are
eliminated in the same hand, the third and fourth place prizes are added together and divided evenly between the
two eliminated players.
Special Game Notes
The Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo and Omaha Hold’em Hi-Lo tournaments may take longer to finish because of their
split pots, but they will end. Omaha Hold’em Hi-Lo frequently does not have a low hand, and it is possible to
win both the high and the low in Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo.
The Triple Crown tournament has a different game in each round: Omaha Hold’em Hi-Lo in the first round,
Seven Card Stud in the second round, and Texas Hold’em in the third round.
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How to Play Poker
Winning in a Poker tournament requires strategy beyond that used in a regular Poker game. Here are some
things to keep in mind when playing a Hoyle Casino Poker tournament:
Advancing to the next round is the bottom line. If you are nearing the end of the first or second round and you
are not in a position to make the cut, play more aggressively; you have nothing to lose.
If you are nearing the end of the first or second round and you are in a position to make the cut, play a bit more
conservatively, but not too conservatively. You don’t want to let another player pass you, and you want to build
up your bankroll as much as possible for the next round.
The computer players have different poker-playing abilities. If you take advantage of the weaker players in the
early rounds, you can build up your bankroll to give you an advantage when you advance to the next round.
The top seven finishers each receive a cash prize, and everyone else walks away with nothing. With this
structure, the only thing that matters is advancing to the third round.
In the third round, always work to eliminate other players. If a player has gone all-in in round three and you are
not sure you have them beat, you may want to check instead of opening. This will help keep other players in
who might otherwise fold, and there will be a better chance that someone will have a hand to beat the all-in
player.
Play more conservatively in the third round. The computer opponents will be better players, and it will take
better, more conservative play to beat them. Also, by playing conservatively, you may be able to stay in while
other players eliminate themselves. If you can make it to third place, you will actually make money in the
tournament. If you finish fourth through seventh, you only get your buy-in back.
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How to Play Poker
fixed-limit
A poker betting structure in which the amount of each bet or raise is a set value, usually with an early round and late
round bet amount. In a fixed-limit game, players only choose whether or not to bet, not how much to bet.
buy-in
The initial stake or entry fee required to compete in a gambling tournament.
Baccarat
Baccarat Basics
About Baccarat
How to Play Baccarat
Playing Baccarat in Hoyle Casino
Placing a Bet in Baccarat
The Baccarat Scorecard
Baccarat Tournaments
Customizing Baccarat
About Baccarat
Baccarat is a classic casino game commonly associated with elite high rollers and extravagant trappings.
Despite its highbrow reputation and somewhat complicated card-drawing rules, however, Baccarat is one of the
more straightforward casino games you’ll find. Simply place a bet on which of the two hands, Player or Banker,
you think will come closer to a total of nine. If you’re right, you win; if you’re wrong, you lose. The dealer plays out
each hand according to some strict drawing rules, but as far as the players are concerned, it’s that simple.
Baccarat also has good odds relative to most casino options, which is one reason it is so popular with the high
rollers. If you want to play a simple game of chance with a low house advantage, Baccarat awaits.
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In Baccarat, no matter how many players are at the table, only two hands are dealt: the Player hand and the
Banker hand. Players wager on the hand they predict will total closest to 9 (or they wager on a tie) by placing
chips in the appropriate box on the table layout in front of their seat.
The act of placing a bet is the end of the player’s decision-making. The round is then played out according to a
strict procedure involving no player choices. You could skip to Baccarat Payouts at this point and not be any worse
off than someone who knows the Baccarat rules backwards and forwards. For the record, though, here is how a
Baccarat hand plays out:
1.
Two cards are dealt face down to the Player hand, followed by two cards face down to the Banker hand. The
dealer first reveals the Player hand, and then the Banker hand.
2.
The dealer assesses the current value of the hands. The value of a hand is determined as follows:
Tens and face cards count as zero.
Aces count as one.
Cards 2 through 9 count as their face value.
When a hand totals more than nine, the first digit is dropped: for example, a hand of a 9 and a 4 totals
three, not 13. A hand of two 10s totals zero, not 20. This means that all hands have a value from 0 to 9.
3.
If either hand totals 8 or 9, it is called a natural, and the hand ends. If neither hand is a natural, the dealer
then determines if either of the hands requires a third card based on the Baccarat drawing rules. No
Baccarat hand ever has more than three cards.
4.
The dealer determines if the Player hand or Banker hand is closer to nine, or if they are tied. The dealer pays
off winning bets according to Baccarat payout rules, and collects losing bets.
Baccarat Drawing Rules
If either the Banker or Player hand is dealt an 8 or a 9 (a natural), the round ends. If not, the dealer first follows the
rules on the Player Hand Drawing Chart, and then, if necessary, follows the Banker Hand Drawing Chart.
Payoffs in Baccarat
Once the hand has played out, the dealer announces whether Player or Banker is the winner, or whether it was a
tie.
Winning Player bets are paid off at even money.
Winning Banker bets are paid off at even money, and the house takes a 5% commission.
Winning Tie bets are paid off at 8-1, and all Player and Banker bets are a push (they neither win nor lose).
The Banker hand is a bit more likely to win than the player hand, which is why the house takes the 5%
commission on winning Banker bets. Taking the commission into account, the house edge is 1.24% on Player
wagers, 1.06% on Banker wagers, and 14.36% on Tie wagers. Obviously, the Tie wager is a sucker bet that
should be avoided unless you are clairvoyant, in which case, skip Baccarat altogether and play the lottery instead.
As for Banker vs. Player, you may be thinking, if the house edge is lower on the Banker bet, I should bet it every
time, right? While it is true that the numbers support the Banker wager as the statistically better bet, the difference
is slight. If you sit down at a Baccarat table and bet Banker all night, you are trading the fun of going with your gut
and mixing it up a bit in exchange for a very small statistical gain.
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About Baccarat
At the beginning of each hand, you have the option to place a bet. If you make a bet, it must meet the minimum bet
requirement, but not exceed the maximum bet limit.
arrow symbols.
To place a bet:
1 Click on the chips to add to or subtract from your intended bet.
2 When you are satisfied with the amount of your bet, click on the type of bet you want to place: Player, Banker, or
Tie. You can place as many bets as you like. When you are finished betting, click Done, and play will begin.
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About Baccarat
Like most casinos, Hoyle Casino offers Baccarat players a scorecard for tracking the Player and Banker wins.
Many Baccarat players swear by various methods of tracking Player-Banker patterns to predict future outcomes.
Unfortunately, there is no statistical basis for the notion of finding predictable patterns in the chaos of
well-shuffled cards. The fact that most casinos provide a Baccarat scorecard should be any gambler's first clue
that there is no advantage to doing it.
However, keeping score does add to the fun of Baccarat, and in Hoyle Casino, we keep score for you! To view you
scorecard, click the scorecard next to your character.
Scorecard Notation
Wins are recorded in red, and losses are recorded in black.
The number used to record each Player and Banker result represents how many times that hand has won
in the current shoe. This gives you a running total of Player and Banker wins at a glance.
Ties are recorded as dashes through the Player and Banker spaces.
When you sit out the hand, Player and Banker results are recorded in black with a circle around them. Tie
results when you sit out are not circled.
Important Scorecard Note: the scorecard is designed to track the wins and losses of a player placing one bet
per hand. If you elect to place multiple bets (on Player and Tie, for example), the scorecard will record the hand as
if you sat out, regardless of whether you win or lose money.
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About Baccarat
Under normal circumstances, Baccarat is not played against the other players at the table. In a Baccarat
tournament, players are still trying to predict whether the Player hand or the Banker hand will win, but they
compare their bankrolls against each other.
Players enter the tournament with equal tournament bankrolls, and the player with the highest bankroll after 25
hands (or more in case of a tie) is the winner. The opening stake is taken from the players’ own bankrolls and is
not a separate stake. As play progresses, players can easily measure how well they are doing by comparing their
current bankrolls with those of the other players.
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About Baccarat
Tournament Play
Starting a Game
Video Blackjack
Video Blackjack Basics
About Video Blackjack
How to Play Video Blackjack
Playing Video Blackjack in Hoyle Casino
Choosing a Video Blackjack Machine
Placing a Bet in Video Blackjack
Customizing Video Blackjack
Video Blackjack is a machine-based version of the classic table game. It offers lower stakes, faster play, a sense
of solitude, and, even in an actual casino, the freedom to count cards openly. Whether these factors are a reason
to play Blackjack video-style or a reason to head back to the table game depend upon what you are looking for in
your Blackjack experience, but there is certainly an argument to be made for playing against the machine.
Video Blackjack follows the same basic structure of its table-game forefather, so if you are familiar with the rules
and strategies of Blackjack, you will be right at home in front of a Video Blackjack machine. If you are new to
Blackjack, you should review the Blackjack Help section.
Video Blackjack machines all follow the same basic principles of standard Blackjack play, but there are usually
subtle differences in the rules of Video Blackjack that can raise or lower the house advantage. Picking a favorable
machine is the first and most important step in winning at Video Blackjack.
Once you have picked a machine, you place your bets and communicate your actions to the
dealer-in-the-machine through pressing the appropriate on-screen buttons, or using the shortcut keys.
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To play a Video Blackjack machine, click the bill slot on the machine, and choose how many credits you want to
play with.
You can bet anywhere from one to five credits at a time. You have two options in betting:
Click the Bet One button once for each credit you wish to bet.
Click the Bet Max button to bet five credits.
When you bet five credits, the machine automatically deals the cards. When you bet less than five credits, you
must click the Deal button to start the hand.
After you click the Deal button, you will be dealt two cards face up, and the dealer will be dealt one card face down
and one card face up. At this point you must choose from the actions available to you. Your options will be lit up at
the bottom of the screen
If you win, you then accumulate credits. To collect your credit(s), click the Cash Out button.
Summary of Video Blackjack Actions
Bet One
Bets one credit. Use this option to specify the exact number of credits, without making a maximum bet. To quickly
make the maximum bet, click Bet Max. You can only use this option if you have credits on the machine.
You can bet one from credit during play by:
Clicking Bet One.
Pressing the letter B on the keyboard.
Choosing Bet One from the Actions menu.
Bet Max
Bets the maximum number of credits. To specify the exact number of credits, without making a maximum bet,
click Bet One for each play. You can only use this option if you have enough credits on the machine.
You can make a maximum coin bet during play by:
Clicking Bet Max.
Pressing the letter M on the keyboard.
Choosing Max Bet from the Actions menu.
Deal
Starts game play by dealing the cards.
You start the deal by clicking Deal when the button is lit.
Hit
Deals another card to your hand.
You can hit during play by clicking Hit when the button is lit.
Stand
Indicates that you do not want to perform any more actions on the current hand.
You can stand by clicking Stand when the button is lit.
Split
Separates an opening pair of same-value cards into two new hands, and places a second bet equal to your initial
bet on the second hand. Each hand is played out separately, and each hand will automatically receive a second
card. When you split aces, only one more card will be dealt to each hand.
To split your pair, click Split when the button is lit.
Double
Doubles your bet and adds one more card to your hand, after which you must stand. This can only be done on
hands with two cards.
You can double by clicking Double when the button is lit.
Insurance Yes/No
Insurance is offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Choosing Yes places a side bet equal to half your
original wager that the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer does have blackjack, you win 2:1 on your insurance bet.
Accept or reject insurance by clicking Yes or No button when you are offered the choice.
Cash Out
Pays out all credits in the Video Blackjack machine. The credits include any winnings on the machine to that
point.
You can cash out during play by:
Clicking Cash Out when it is lit.
Pressing the letter C on the keyboard.
Choosing Cash Out from the Actions menu.
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The first step for maximizing your return at Video Blackjack happens before you ever place a bet: picking the right
machine. Traditional Blackjack games have many rule variations, and Video Blackjack is no different. Some rules
improve the odds for the player while some improve the odds for the house, and it is important to know how the
most common variations affect your expectation.
Hoyle Casino offers two Video Blackjack machines. The rules for each machine are listed below, as well as
information on the impact of these rules on your expectation.
Classic Blackjack
Rules
Single-deck
Blackjack pays 3:2
Split on any pair
Split aces get one more card each only
This is a machine with rules reflecting the typical Las Vegas Strip table game, but it is a single-deck game, and is
therefore a fairly even expectation game.
The only departure from the standard rules is the fact that the player wins on six cards totaling less than 21, and
that the dealer must stand on six cards totaling less than 21. These rules are in place to limit the number of cards
in any hand to six, since there is limited space on a video screen.
The six-card limitation on the dealer and the six-card win for the player is an advantage for the player. It won’t help
you often, but it will help often enough that it makes this machine a slightly better than even game (about 100.1%)
if played correctly.
Special 21’s
Rules
Single-deck
Blackjack pays 3:2
Special 21’s pay 2:1
No splitting pairs
Special 21’s
Five-Card Charlie: 21 with exactly five cards pays 2:1
777: 21 with three sevens pays 2:1
Straight Flush: 21 with 6-7-8 of the same suit pays 2:1
This machine offers a trade-off: you cannot split pairs, which brings your expectation down, but it also offers a
nice 2:1 payout when you get one of the three "Special 21’s." 777 and the Straight Flush are hard to come by, but
Five-Card Charlie happens often enough to offset the edge the house gains from your inability to split pairs.
In the end, it works out about even, but don’t chase the Special 21’s. Play a basic Blackjack strategy (see
manual), and let Five-Card Charlie come to you.
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To place a bet in Video Blackjack, click the bill slot on the machine, and choose how many credits you want to
play with.
When you bet five credits, the machine automatically deals the cards. When you bet less than five credits, you
must click the Deal button to receive your cards.
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Slot Machines
Slot M achine Bas ics
About Slot Machines
Playing Slot M achines in Hoyle Cas ino
Choosing a Slot Machine
Playing Slot Machines
Cus tom izing Slot M achines
About Slot Machines
There are four categories of slot machines in Hoyle Casino: Fun & Video, Single Line, Multiple Line, and
Progressive. Each slot machine has its own theme, different credit amounts required for play, and different
payouts. See Choosing a Slot Machine for details on each category and each machine.
Bet Levels
All slot machines in Hoyle Casino are all multi-coin machines. For the Fun & Video and Single Line machines,
the number of coins in play determines which pay column is used (pay columns are shown in the lighted panel
above the reels). For example, betting two coins activates the second pay column.
The Multiple Line and Progressive machines use multiple paylines instead of successive pay columns. Betting
multiple coins activates additional paylines, either horizontally above or below the middle payline, or diagonally.
Slots Odds
The house advantage for the machines is generally about 16 to 20 percent. These odds are not very good
compared to the odds for most other casino games. However, you will find that some slot machines are "looser"
than others, meaning they pay out more money.
Going for a Jackpot
Each reel has at least one jackpot symbol, and to win a jackpot you must get each reel to stop on this jackpot
symbol.
For a 20 stop, three-reel machine with one jackpot symbol per reel, the odds of lining up all three jackpot symbols
are 20 x 20 x 20, or 8000 to 1. Some machines have more than one jackpot symbol per reel, which improves the
odds of hitting a jackpot, but the payout for a jackpot on these machines will usually be lower.
Se e Als o
There are four categories of slot machines in Hoyle Casino: Fun & Video, Single Line, Multiple Line, and
Progressive. Click on any category to learn more about that kind of slot machine, and click on any name to learn
about that machine.
To choose from the available machines while playing Hoyle Casino, click the Go To button on the menu bar,
select Slot Machines, select the category of slot you want to play, pick a machine, and then choose the bet level
you want.
Fun & Vide o
Alien Invasion
Monster Slots
Bug Out
Shoes
Cover the Spread
Sweet Success
Flying High
Road Pizza (Video)
Funny Money
Three Wishes (Video)
Single Line
Emerald Oasis
Piñata Payout
Ruby River
Shooting Stars
Sapphire Sea
Six Shooter
Cold Cash
Sugar Daddy
Margarita Madness
Wild Wheel
M ultiple Line
Emerald Oasis (3 Line)
Emerald Oasis (5 Line)
Ruby River (3 Line)
Ruby River (5 Line)
Margarita Madness (3 Line)
Margarita Madness (5 Line)
Progre s s ive
Emerald Oasis
Margarita Madness
Ruby River
Progressive Fruit
At each machine, you must insert a minimum bet. The following bet levels are available:
5¢
10¢
25¢
$1
Se e Als o
About Slot Machines
$5
$10
$25
$50
$100
$250
$500
$1000
Fun Slots
Fun slot machines are variations on the classic fruit slot machines, each with a unique theme. They are all single
line slot machines that follow the straightforward fruit model: there is one cherry-style symbol that pays a small
payout when one or two show up, and there is one lemon-style symbol that is worth nothing, even with three in a
row. For all other symbols, get three in a row and win!
Single Line Slots
Single Line slots, like Fun slots, have one payline, with the number of coins determining the pay column used.
Unlike Fun slots, they use the more traditional bar and 7 symbols, as well as special, machine-specific symbols.
Click on the name of any single line slot to learn more about it.
Multiple Line Slots
Multiple Line slot machines let players bet on additional paylines by adding more coins. Each additional coin
activates an additional payline up to the 3 or 5 line maximum, depending on the machine. Multiple Line slots use
the traditional bar and 7 symbols, as well as special, machine-specific symbols. Click on the name of any
Multiple Line slot to learn more about it.
Progressive Slots
Progressive slots are similar to their Multiple Line counterparts. Progressive slots, however, have an
ever-increasing super jackpot tied to a network of multiple machines. The jackpot progressively increases each
time someone plays a machine in the network. When a player eventually hits the progressive jackpot, it resets to
a base starting point and begins building again. Click on the name of any Progressive slot to learn more about it.
Video Slots
Video slots are relative newcomers to casinos. Instead of the usual reels and gears, Video slots use a video
screen and a computer. With all the action happening through computer-generated animation, Video slots aren’t
limited by three spinning reels, only by the imaginations of their creators. Click on the name of a Video slot
machine to learn more about it.
Alien Invasion is a five-coin, single-line machine.
Bug Out is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine.
Cove r the Spre ad is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
Flying High is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
Funny M one y is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
M ons te rs is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine.
Shoe s is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine.
Sw e e t Succes s is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
Road Pizza is a tw o-coin video s lot m achine.
The Pizza symbol is wild and matches any other symbol.
Four pizza slices starts a two-minute timer. Every unique winning combination you hit
in those two minutes adds to a Toppings bonus, paid out at the end of the two
minutes. Watch out for carrots! If you get four carrots in a row during the two minutes,
the Toppings are cleared.
Thre e Wis he s is a thre e -coin vide o s lot m achine .
If three Hands of Fatima symbols appear, any payout on your next spin is multiplied
by the amount shown next to the magic lamp multiplier. This can increase your payout
by up to twenty-five times!
Em e rald Oas is is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
The Emerald Oasis symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
One Emerald Oasis symbol pays 4x the payline.
Two Emerald Oasis symbols pay 16x the payline.
Three Emerald Oasis symbols pay the top payline jackpot!
Ruby Rive r is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
The Ruby River symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
One Ruby River symbol pays 9x the payline.
Two Ruby River symbols pay 81x the payline.
Three Ruby River symbols pay the top payline jackpot!
Sapphire Se a is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
Any Ring Up Symbol rises when it stops below the payline.
Any Ring Down symbol lowers when it stops above the payline.
The Wild Sapphire symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
One Wild Sapphire symbol pays 2x the payline.
Two Wild Sapphire symbols pay 4x the payline.
Three Wild Sapphire symbols pay the top payline jackpot!
Cold Cas h is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine.
Three Cold Cash symbols on a three-coin bet pay the jackpot!
M argarita M adne s s is a tw o-coin, single -line m achine .
Piñata Payout is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
The Piñata Payout symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
One Piñata Payout symbol pays 2x the payline.
Two Piñata Payout symbols pay 4x the payline.
Three Piñata Payout symbols pay the top payline jackpot!
Shooting Stars is a three-coin, single-line machine.
The Shooting Stars symbol is wild, and matches any other symbol on the payline.
Six Shoote r is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine .
Two or three Six Shooter symbols on the payline win six free same-wager spins!
Sugar Daddy is a thre e -coin, single -line m achine
Any Candy Bar symbol rises when it stops below the payline.
Any Hard Candy symbol lowers when it stops above the payline.
The Sweet! symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
One Sweet! symbol pays 2x the payline.
Two Sweet! symbols pay 4x the payline.
Three Sweet! symbols pay the top payline jackpot!
Wild Wheel is a five-coin, single-line machine.
The Wheel Bar symbol rises when it stops below the payline.
The Wild Wheel symbol is wild and matches any other symbol on the payline.
Em e rald Oas is (3 Line) is a thre e -coin, three -line m achine
The Emerald Oasis symbol is wild, and matches any other symbol on the payline.
Ruby Rive r (3 Line) is a thre e -coin, three -line m achine .
M argarita M adne s s (3 Line) is a thre e -coin, thre e -line m achine .
Em e rald Oas is (5 Line) is a five -coin, five-line m achine .
Ruby Rive r (5 Line) is a five -coin, five-line m achine .
M argarita M adne s s (5 Line) is a five -coin, five-line m achine .
Em e rald Oas is (Progre s s ive ) is a thre e -coin, thre e -line , progre s s ive m achine .
Three Emerald Oasis symbols on a three-coin bet pay the progressive jackpot!
Ruby Rive r (Progre s s ive ) is a thre e -coin, three -line , progre s s ive m achine .
Three Ruby River symbols on a three-coin bet pay the progressive jackpot!
M argarita M adne s s (Progre s s ive ) is a thre e -coin, three -line , progre s s ive m achine .
Red-White-Green 7s on a three-coin bet pay the progressive jackpot!
Progre s s ive Fruit is a thre e -coin, three -line , progre s s ive m achine .
Three bars on a three-coin bet pay the progressive jackpot!
How to Play Slot Machines
To play a slot machine:
1 Click on the bill slot on the front of the machine. You will be asked to enter how many credits you want to put
into the machine. Click OK when done.
2 Bet the amount you want for the current spin by clicking Bet One, Bet Max, or Play Max.
3 Spin the reels by clicking the arm, clicking the Spin button, pressing S on the keyboard, or choosing Spin from
the Actions menu.
If you win, you accumulate credits. You can then bet your credits (instead of inserting more coins) for the next
spin. You can bet from one coin up to the maximum number of coins available by clicking the Bet One or Bet Max
buttons.
To collect your credits, click Cash Out. Your bankroll will be automatically credited.
Summary of Slot Machine Buttons
Bet One
Bets one coin from your credits to play a single row. On a multi-coin machine, use this option to specify the exact
number of coin plays you want, without making a maximum coin bet. You can only use this option if you have
credits on the machine.
You can bet one coin from your credits during play by:
Clicking Bet One (when it is lit).
Bet Max
Bets the maximum number of coins from your credits to play all available rows (and bets) on a multi-coin
machine. You can only use this option if you have enough money in your bankroll to cover the maximum bet
amount.
Clicking Bet Max (when it is lit).
Choosing Bet Max from the Actions menu.
Play Max
Bets the maximum number of coins from your credits to play all available rows (and bets) on a multi-coin
machine and automatically starts the spin for play. You can only use this option if you have enough credits on the
machine.
You can play the maximum bet by:
Clicking Play Max (when it is lit).
Pressing the letter P on the keyboard.
Choosing Play Max from the Actions menu.
Spin
Spins the reels to play.
You can spin by:
Clicking the arm on the slot machine.
Clicking Spin (when it is lit).
Pressing the letter S on the keyboard.
Choosing Spin from the Actions menu.
Cash Out
Pays out all credits and coins bet in the machine. When you cash out, the coins fall out the bottom of the machine
or are immediately credited to your bankroll.
You can cash out by:
Clicking Cash Out (when it is lit).
Se e Als o
About Slot Machines
Video Poker
Vide o Pok e r Bas ics
About Video Poker
How to Play Video Poker
How to Play Multi-Hand Video Poker
Playing Video Pok e r in Hoyle Cas ino
Choosing a Video Poker Machine
Placing a Bet in Video Poker
Cus tom izing Vide o Pok e r
About Video Poker
Video Poker, a man-against-machine electronic version of Poker, is one of the more popular games in casinos
today. Some people enjoy the solitude that Video Poker provides. It can be easier to concentrate on winning
without distractions that inevitably occur where a human dealer and other human players are involved.
In Video Poker, you don’t have to think about bluffing, betting, and whether you’re giving out too much information;
you just think about the cards, and play. You also don’t have to wait for shuffling and dealing. The machine makes
these things happen instantaneously. Many Video Poker enthusiasts are blazingly fast players, but this is a
matter of choice. You can set your own pace in this game.
Another reason for the game’s great popularity is that some Video Poker machines offer an opportunity to win
money from the casino. A few machines pay out a 102 percent return on your money if you adhere to an optimal
strategy. Now those are worthwhile odds!
Se e Als o
In Video Poker, the object of the game is to build the best Five Card Draw Poker hand possible. If you are not
familiar with the ranking of Poker hands, see Ranks of Poker Hands from the Poker section.
Unlike regular Poker, however, you are not trying to get a better hand than other players; you are simply trying to
build a good enough hand to earn a payout. What hand is good enough to earn a payout depends upon the
machine. See Choosing a Video Poker Machine for details on the payouts of each machine. The payout scale for
the machine is also shown in the lighted panel above the buttons.
Your payout for a given hand will also depend on the number of credits you bet. For the most part, increasing your
bet simply multiplies the one-credit payout by the number of credits you bet. For example, betting three credits will
multiply the one-credit payout for each hand by three. The exception is usually the five-credit payout for the best
possible hand. If you bet five credits (the maximum) and get the best hand possible (usually a royal flush or five of
a kind), the payout is more than five times the one-credit payout for that hand. This is to encourage players to bet
the maximum every time, and you should. You may never get a royal flush, but you want to get the full payout if you
do.
After placing a bet and clicking the Deal button, five cards appear on the screen. At this point you must choose the
cards you want to keep. You are allowed one re-deal, and can draw anywhere from zero to five new cards. Each
card must be individually selected if you wish to keep it. You can keep a card by clicking it, at which point the word
Held shows up on the screen above the card. Cards marked by the word Held will not be replaced when you draw
new cards. You can easily change your mind about keeping a card by clicking it a second time. Make sure the
Held notation disappears when you do so.
If you have a pat hand (five good cards), you can click the Hold All button to quickly mark each card with Hold.
Conversely, the Discard All button unmarks each card.
When you’re ready to draw new cards, click the Deal button. The cards not marked by the word Held will be
replaced, resulting in your final hand.
If you win, you then accumulate credits. To collect your credit(s), click the Cash Out button.
Summary of Video Poker Buttons & Shortcuts
Deal
Starts game play by dealing the first set of cards. Also deals the next set of cards after the discard.
You start or continue the deal by:
Clicking Deal.
Pressing the letter D on the keyboard.
Choosing Deal from the Actions menu.
Hold 1
Holds the first card (on the far left) for your current hand.
You hold the first card by:
Clicking on the first card.
Pressing the number 1 on the keyboard.
Choosing Hold 1 from the Actions menu.
Hold 2
Holds the second card (second from the left) for your current hand.
You hold the second card by:
Clicking on the second card.
Hold 3
Holds the third card (third from the left) for your current hand.
You hold the third card by:
Clicking on the third card.
Hold 4
Holds the fourth card (fourth from the left) for your current hand.
You hold the fourth card by:
Clicking on the fourth card.
Hold 5
Holds the fifth card (fifth from the left) for your current hand.
You hold the fifth card by:
Clicking on the fifth card.
Hold All
Holds all the cards for your current hand.
You hold all cards by:
Clicking Hold All (when it is lit).
Pressing the letter A on the keyboard.
Choosing Hold All from the Actions menu.
Discard All
Discards all the cards for your current hand.
You discard all cards by:
Clicking Discard All.
Pressing the letter R on the keyboard.
Choosing Discard All from the Actions menu.
Bet One
Bets one credit. Use this option to specify the exact number of credits, without making a maximum bet. To quickly
make the maximum bet, click Bet Max. You can only use this option if you have credits on the machine.
You can bet one from credit during play by:
Clicking Bet One (when it is lit).
Bet Max
Bets the maximum number of credits. To specify the exact number of credits, without making a maximum bet,
click Bet One for each play. You can only use this option if you have enough credits on the machine.
Clicking Bet Max (when it is lit).
Cash Out
Pays out all credits bet for the Video Poker machine. The credits include any winnings on the machine to that
point.
You can cash out during play by:
Clicking Cash Out (when it is lit).
Speed Deal (Multi-Hand Video Poker Only)
Instantly reveals all hands after exchanging cards, instead of revealing the hands one by one.
You can speed deal after starting the card exchange by:
Clicking anywhere on the screen.
Pressing the letter S on the keyboard.
Se e Als o
About Video Poker
Take the popularity of Video Poker and multiply it by fifty. What do you get? Multi-Hand Video Poker, of course—
one of the hottest casino games around! It plays just like regular Video Poker, except you can play up to fifty hands
at once! This is not as overwhelming as it may sound. Really, you are playing one hand of video poker, but getting
up to 50 different results on the draw.
First, choose the number of hands you wish to play by clicking one of the numbers across the bottom of the video
poker screen on the screen: 1, 5, 10, 25, or 50. Then, place a bet and click the Deal button. Clicking Bet Max will
play five credits for every hand you chose to play. The maximum you can bet is 250 credits, five credits for each of
50 hands.
After you click Deal, you are presented with five cards. Each hand you are playing contains these five cards. At this
point, just like regular Video Poker, you must choose the cards you want to keep. You are allowed one re-deal on
each hand, and you can draw anywhere from zero to five new cards. The cards you choose to keep are kept for
each hand you are playing.
You can keep a card by clicking it, at which point the word "Held" shows up on the card. That card is also turned
up on all the additional hands you are playing, indicating that it will not be replaced in any of the hands. If you
change your mind about keeping a card, click it a second time. Make sure the word "Held" disappears, and the
card flips back over on all the additional hands. If you have a pat hand (five good cards), you can click the Hold All
button to quickly mark each card with Hold.
When you’re ready to draw new cards, click the Deal button. For each hand you play, a random set of replacement
cards is drawn for each hand. As the final hands are revealed, your winning hands are tallied to the left and right
of the main hand. Each winning hand has a color-coded outline representing the type of hand it is. Rolling the
cursor over any of the small-sized hands pops up an enlarged version of it for easier viewing.
If you win, you accumulate credits. To collect your credit(s), click the Cash Out button.
The keyboard shortcuts are the same in Multi-Hand Video Poker as they are in Single Hand Video Poker.
Notes
The odds for multi-hand video poker are the same as their single-hand video poker counterparts. The strength or
weakness of each starting hand is magnified by playing it multiple times, but overall, the odds don’t change.
Therefore, strategies for optimizing your return at the single-hand versions carry over to the multiple-hand
versions.
Se e Als o
About Video Poker
There are three types of Video Poker machines: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and 10s or Better. To learn more
about the types of machines or any individual machine, click on the names below.
When you join a Video Poker game, you must choose a bet level, and you must observe the minimum bet
amounts during play.
To choose from the available machines while playing Hoyle Casino, click the Go To menu, select Video Poker,
choose Multi-Hand or Single Hand, pick a machine, and then choose the bet level.
The machines have different payoff percentages. Advertised payoff percentages can be misleading, though.
When a casino says they have a machine with a 99% payoff percentage, it doesn’t mean the machine produces a
win 99% of the time. It means that in the long run, the odds are you will win back 99% of the money you wager.
Click on the name of any machine to see its payoff percentage and its payouts.
Note
The odds for a Multi-Hand machine are the same as its Single Hand counterpart. Easy Money, Wild Thing, and
Wild Party are available as Multi-Hand Video Poker machines.
Jack s or Bette r M achines
Easy Money
Jack’s Back
Crawdad
De uce s Wild M achines
Wild Country
Born to Be Wild
Wild Thing
Wild Party
10s or Bette r M achines
A-10 Shun
Hang 10
At each machine, you must insert a minimum bet. The following bet levels are available:
$1
$5
$25
$100
There is also a $.25 bet on Multi-Hand Video Poker machines.
Se e Als o
About Video Poker
Jacks or Better Machines
The Jacks or Better machines pay out 98 percent to 100 percent at the top end.
Expect an even game when playing the Jacks or Better machines, with not as many
extremes of winning and losing streaks as you get with the Deuces Wild machines.
Deuces Wild Machines
Some Deuces Wild machines offer great potential for winning money, with a few
offering returns up to 102 percent. Naturally, with four wild cards the minimum winning
hand is going to change; expect Deuces Wild machines to display three of a kind as a
minimum hand. Expect a roller coaster ride of great winning streaks sandwiched
between losing streaks.
When playing Deuces Wild machines, make sure you never discard your 2s; it’s easy
to forget how valuable they are!
10s or Better Machines
Some of the earliest Video Poker machines are 10s or Better machines. It’s usually
difficult to find a 10s or Better machine that offers a high return, although it’s possible
to find some wheat among the chaff. A few machines may offer close to a 100 percent
return, but most are in the 90-95 percent range.
You can expect the payoffs for a 10s or Better machine to be lower than the Jacks or
better machine. This is natural, since a lower hand (a pair of 10s) brings a win in the
10s or Better machines.
Easy Money
Payoff: 100%.
This machine is called a 9/6 Jacks or Better machine. The 9/6 refers to the payoff for
the full house (9 to 1) and the flush (6 to 1). 9/6 Jacks or Better machines with a high
five-coin royal flush payout are among the better Video Poker machines you will find,
and will pay even money if you adhere to an optimal playing strategy.
Jack’s Back
Payoff: 95.5%.
This machine is called a 6/5 Jacks or Better machine. The 6/5 means the full house
pays 6 to 1 and the flush pays 5 to 1.
Crawdad
Payoff: below 93%.
This machine pays out big credits for four of a kinds formed with face cards and aces,
but the overall payoff is low.
Wild Country
Payoff: below 94%.
Wild Country is the only Deuces Wild machine to pay 4-1 on full houses, but it pays
lower on straight flushes, five of a kind, and wild royal flushes. In the short run, the 4-1
full house is nice, but when you finally hit that five of a kind, you’ll wish you were on a
different machine.
Born to Be Wild
Payoff: below 95%.
Born 2 Be Wild offers lower payouts than Wild Thing on straight flushes or better, and it
doesn’t offer higher payouts on the lower hands to compensate. Accordingly, the payoff
percentage on Born 2 Be Wild is lower than it is on Wild Thing.
Wild Thing
Payoff: below 96%.
The higher payouts for straight flushes or better make this a relatively good Deuces
Wild machine.
Wild Party
Payoff: 99%.
In addition to the four deuces, a wild joker is also included with Wild Party. There is a
nice 3-1 payoff on flushes, and the 800-1 payout on a natural royal flush is better than
any of the other machines. There is a much lower payout on four of a kind through four
deuces, but the additional wild card means you will hit payoffs more often. The extra
straights and flushes will make up for the lower jackpots on the high hands.
Wild Party also has a 4000-1 payoff for 5 wild cards!
A-10 Shun
Payoff: 99.1%.
A-10 Shun has a lower payout than Hang 10 on flushes and full houses, but pays 2-1
on two pairs, compared to a 1-1 two-pair payout on Hang 10.
Hang 10
Payoff: below 95%.
Compared to A-10 Shun, Hang 10 offers nice payoffs for the full house and straight, but
low payoffs for two pair.
To place a bet in Video Poker, click the bill slot on the machine, and choose how many credits you want to play
with. In Multi-Hand Video Poker, first choose how many hands you would like to play by clicking on the 1, 5, 10, 25,
or 50 buttons on the game screen.
In Multi-Hand Video Poker, you are betting one credit for each hand you are playing. For example, clicking Bet Max
when playing 50 hands means you are wagering 250 credits, five for each hand.
When you bet five credits, the machine automatically deals you five cards. When you bet less than five credits, you
must click the Deal button to receive your first five cards.
Se e Als o
About Video Poker
You can use Face Creator to create a unique picture to represent yourself while you’re playing games. This
picture is shown on the screen when you play games on your computer. You can make just one face to represent
yourself, or you can make several different faces and choose a different face each time you play!
Click one of the topics below to learn more about Face Creator:
Starting Face Creator
Using Face Creator
The Face Creator Screen
There are several different ways to start Face Creator.
To start Face Creator:
In the Sign In dialog box, click the Face Creator button.
OR
From the Main Screen, click the Face Creator picture on the screen, or click Face Creator on the Go To menu.
OR
In the Players dialog box, click the Face button next to your face. You will be taken to a Settings screen; click
the Face Creator button to start Face Creator.
Note: If you start Face Creator from the Sign In screen, the face you make is automatically assigned to the
currently selected player. And if you make a face when you’re already signed in, it is automatically assigned to
you.
To change an existing Face Creator face:
In Face Creator, click the Load button, select the face you want to change, and then click OK to load that face
into Face Creator.
Click here to learn how to use Face Creator:
Se e Als o
Using Face Creator
Using Face Creator
You can create a unique picture for yourself using Face Creator. You can start with a new face, or load a
previously created face by clicking the Load button.
For a detailed explanation of the Face Creator screen, click here:
To make a face in Face Creator:
1 Click a feature (head, eyes, nose, and so on) on the Face Creator screen. The feature will be selected, and
pictures you can use for the feature appear in the 12 feature boxes at the top of the screen.
You can select features in any order, and you don’t have to specify every feature (your face can have no nose,
for example).
2 Select the picture you want to use for that feature. To see additional screens of pictures, click on the
numbered buttons or on the left and right arrows under the two rows of pictures.
Note: For eyes and eyebrows, you can select matching pairs, or you can select different left and right eyes and
eyebrows, if you like. When you click on eyes or eyebrows, a selection box pops up with the choices left only,
right only, and both. Click on which side or sides you wish to change (both is the default choice), then select
the new feature.
3 You can move features around on the face by clicking the arrow buttons surrounding the sample face or by
clicking the arrow keys on your keyboard. All features except the body, head, and clothes can be moved.
If you move a feature and want it moved back where it was originally, click the Center button.
4 Add any other features you want.
5
Select one of the four skin tones for your face.
6
Choose a voice for your character. There are five male voices, and five female voices. Click on the Voice
Selection Menu right below your character to select a voice. You can preview the selected voice by clicking on
the speaker icon
7 Click Exit to exit Face Creator. Your face is saved automatically. If you want to make multiple faces before
exiting, you can click save to save your current face before making a different one.
If you loaded a different face earlier and made changes to that face, you are asked if you want to save the new
face you created over the old face. Click OK to save the face over the old face, or click Cancel to save the face
as a new face.
Assign faces you have made to players using the Sign In screen.
To remove a feature from the face:
1 Select the feature you want to remove.
2 Click the Clear button.
To clear the entire face:
Click the New button to start a new face from scratch. Your current face will be cleared.
To delete a Face Creator face:
You can remove any Face Creator faces that you no longer want in the Sign In dialog box. Select the
face you want to delete using the scroll bar below the face window, then click the Delete button to the
right of the face. (You can do this when you sign in to start the game, or you can open the Sign In dialog
box by clicking Sign In on the File menu from the Main Screen.)
Notes and Tips:
Moving eyebrows to different heights is a good subtle way to add personality to your face.
Moving a nose downward can create an impression of a longer nose; moving it upward can make a shorter
nose.
Be creative! Many items can be moved anywhere on the face.
Clothing is specific to the body you select. If you select an article of clothing and then change your body, you
may need to select new clothes for your new body.
To quickly create a unique new face, click the Random button. (This is good if you’re not feeling creative, but
still want a change.) You can still make changes to the random face, if you want. Be careful when using this
button as this will erase the face currently on the screen.
Se e Als o
Talking with Your Character
In previous versions of the Hoyle products, your character would sit quietly while the Hoyle characters did all the
talking. Now, you can get in on the conversation!
Each character plaque, including yours, has a happy and sad face button on it.
If you click on a Hoyle character's happy face icon, you will say something congratulatory to them. If you click on
their sad face icon, you will say something to console them. You can use these buttons any time, but you will get
a response more often if the situation is appropriate for congratulations or consolations.
As for yourself, if you are feeling good or feeling bad, you can say so by clicking the appropriate icon on your
plaque. The Hoyle characters may have something to say about the way you feel, too.
Se e Als o
Using Face Creator
Click the picture of Face Creator below to get help with that part of Face Creator:
To get a step-by-step description of how to use Face Creator, click here:
Facial Features
Shows all of the available options for the current feature you are working with. Click the left and right arrow buttons to
move through the pages of options, or click a numbered button to move to a specific page.
Head
Selects the shape of your head.
Body
Selects your body type. Both male and female body types are shown.
Skin Tone
Selects the skin tone for your head and body.
Eyebrows
Selects eyebrows. To select matching eyebrows, just click the mannequin head on the picture of eyebrows you
want. To select a different left or right eyebrow, click left only or right only above the eyebrows selection area and
then select the eyebrow picture you want .
Eyes
Selects eyes. To select matching eyes, just click the mannequin head on the picture of eyes you want. To select a
different left or right eye, click left only or right only above the eyes selection area and then select the eye picture you
want .
Eye/Eyebrow selection area
Appears when you select eyes or eyebrows. This lets you individually select eyes or eyebrows to add character to a
face. To select just the left eye or eyebrow, select left only, to select just the right eye or eyebrow, select right only.
To select both eyes or eyebrows (the normal selection), select both.
Nose
Selects a nose. Move the nose up and down to lengthen or shorten it.
Mouth
Selects a mouth.
Face
Shows the face in progress, with any features you have added to your face. Click on the arrows to move the currently
selected feature around on the face. All features except the body and clothes can be moved.
Click the Center button to center the current feature, or click the Clear button to clear the feature you just added to the
face.
Center button
Centers the currently selected feature if it has been moved.
Clear button
Removes the currently selected feature from your face.
arrow
Moves the currently selected feature in the face in the direction indicated. All features except the body and clothes
can be moved.
Hair and Hats
Selects hair and hat combinations.
Clothes
Selects clothing for your body. You will only see clothes that fit the body shape you chose.
Eye wear
Selects glasses or other accessories for your eyes. Some glasses will hide your eyes.
Facial Hair
Selects a variety of types of facial hair.
Save button
Resets the current face, and removes all of the face’s features, so you can start a new face from scratch.
Load button
Loads an existing Face Creator face so that you can make changes to it.
Help button
Brings up this help file.
Exit button
Exits Face Creator, saving the current face. If you loaded a face into Face Creator, you have the option to overwrite
the old face or save the face as a completely new face.
Voice Selection
Choose a voice for your Face Creator charater.
Voice Sample
Click to hear a sample line from the currently selected voice.
New Button
Click to make a new face
Random Button
Click to make a face from random Face Creator parts.
Missing topic found during conversion.
Four Card Poker
Four Card Poker features head-to-head play against the dealer and an optional bonus bet. It is similar to
Three Card Poker®, but with one major difference. In Three Card, the Play wager must equal the Ante; in
Four Card, players may bet up to three times their Ante when staying in the game.
How To Play:
All players first make an Ante bet to compete with the dealer and have the option to also make an Aces Up
bet to play against the paytable.
Each player receives five cards to make four-card poker hands. Four-card straights are straights, four-card
flushes are flushes.
The Dealer’s Hand:
The dealer gets six cards to make his four-card hand. One of the dealer's cards is dealt face-up.
Stay or Fold?
After seeing your hand, you may fold or stay in the game by making a Play wager. You may bet one to three
times your Ante if you choose to stay in the game.
Winning & Losing:
The dealer reveals his hand and compares it to each player’s hand. If a player beats (or ties) the dealer, his
Play and Ante bets win even money. If the dealer beats the player, the Play and Ante bets lose. Note: The
dealer always qualifies.
Automatic Bonuses:
Premium hands—three-of-a-kind and higher—receive automatic payouts. These are paid on the Ante wager.
Automatic Bonuses always win, even if the player loses to the dealer.
Aces Up:
The Aces Up side bet wins when the player has a pair of Aces or better.
Ranking of Hands:
Four-of-a-Kind, Straight Flush, Three-of-a-Kind, Flush, Straight, Two Pair, Pair
Paytable:
Four-of-a-Kind
Straight Flush
Three-of-a-Kind
Flush
Straight
Two Pair
Pair of Aces
Automatic
Bonus
Aces Up
25 to 1
20 to 1
2 to 1
50 to 1
40 to 1
9 to 1
6 to 1
4 to 1
2 to 1
1 to 1
Thre e Card Poke r Bas ics
Cus tom izing Four Card Pok e r
Royal Match 21
Royal Match 21 is an optional bonus bet for Blackjack that considers the first two cards the player receives. If
the cards are the same suit or a Royal Match (a King and Queen in suit), the player wins. The Crown
Treasure Bonus is paid if the player and the dealer each receive a Royal Match.
Playing the Game:
To begin each round, players make their standard Blackjack wagers and the Royal Match wager. The dealer
then follows house procedures for Blackjack. Once the players have two cards, the dealer settles winning
Royal Match wagers. If players have two suited cards, they win according to the paytable. If their first two
cards are not suited, they lose their Royal Match wager. Note: All bonus payouts apply to the first two cards
only.
Paytable:
Royal Match
Two Suited Cards
Crown Treasure
25 to 1
2.5 to 1
$1,000
Black jack Bas ics
About Blackjack
Cus tom izing Royal M atch 21
Fortune Pai Gow Poker
Fortune Pai Gow Poker is a variant and is played the same way Pai Gow Poker is with the following
exceptions.
To begin each round, players make their standard Pai Gow wagers and the Fortune bonus wager. If a player
wagers at least $5 on the Fortune bonus, the dealer must place an "Envy" button next to it.
The dealer then follows house procedures for Pai Gow poker. While reconciling the standard pai gow poker
wagers, the dealer also reconciles Fortune bonus bets. If the player's hand qualifies for payouts, the dealer
pays him according to the posted paytable. If the player's hand does not qualify for payouts, the dealer takes
his Fortune wager.
The dealer pays any Envy Bonuses at the end of the round. If at least one player has a four-of-a-kind or
higher, all players with envy buttons win according to the posted paytable. In the event more than one player
has at least four-of-a-kind, all players with envy buttons win multiple payouts.
Hand
Pays
Envy
7 card straight flush
Royal Flush + Royal Match
7 card straight Flush with Joker
Five Aces
Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four-of-a-Kind
Full House
Flush
Three-of-a-Kind
Straight
Three Pair
5,000 to 1
1,000 to 1
750 to 1
250 to 1
100 to 1
50 to 1
20 to 1
5 to 1
4 to 1
3 to 1
2 to 1
Push
$1,000
$250
$100
$50
$25
$10
$5
Pai Gow Pok e r Bas ics
About Pai Gow Poker
Cus tom izing Fortune Pai Gow Pok e r

Hoyle Casino Help Contents

Transcription

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