• Poker

Best Strategies for Red Dog Poker

The Red Dog Poker game is one of the simplest card games to learn in the casino. However, just because Red Dog is simple, that does not mean you can win without having a tried and true strategy.

Mastering the right Red Dog Poker strategy will set you up for huge wins when playing this game at top online casino sites. This guide will highlight the basics of the game and teach you the best strategies for winning at Red Dog.

What Is Red Dog Poker?

First and foremost, what is Red Dog Poker? This simple card game is usually played with a single deck and requires players to guess the value of the next card to be dealt.

Specifically, you are guessing whether the value of the next card will be between the first two. The dealer starts by flipping two cards face up. Then, if you think the third card will fall between the first two, you can bet on it. 

How to Play Red Dog Poker

Red Dog starts with the player placing their ante wager. The amount you bet is important because it will limit how much you can wager later.

After everyone has placed their ante, the dealer will place two cards face-up. This is where your Red Dog Poker strategy comes into play. You must decide whether to place a second wager on the round. Your bet must be equal to the amount you wagered on the ante.

To win, the third card the dealer puts on the board must fall between the first two. For instance, if the first two cards were a five and a 10, the third card needs to be between six and nine for you to win.

If you are not confident that the third card will be a winner, you can choose to stand instead of betting again. This will cut your potential winnings in half, but it will also prevent you from losing more of your bankroll.

Red Dog Poker Payouts

The spread between the first two cards in a round will determine your chances of winning the game. It will also affect the potential payout for the round.

• 1 card spread = 5:1 payout
• 2 card spread = 4:1 payout
• 3 card spread = 2:1 payout
• 4 to 11 card spread = 1:1 payout

In the case of a between the opening cards, the dealer will flip a third card up. If this third card creates three-of-a-kind, the player wins an 11:1 payout. For spread and value purposes, aces are always high in Red Dog.

Basic Red Dog Poker Strategies

Red Dog Poker is an easy game to learn, but even the simplest casino games require some form of strategy. Here are four strategic tips to help you become a successful Red Dog player.

Only Raise on Spreads of 7+

Red Dog is largely a luck-based game, and there are few decisions for the player to make. The biggest choice you must make each round is whether to stand or raise after seeing the first two cards.

It is widely agreed that players should only raise on spreads of seven or more. Any spread of four or more cards results in a 1:1 payout, but that does not mean your odds of winning are the same.

There are 13 card values in a standard deck. So, with a spread of seven or higher, you are more likely to win than lose. Raising in these situations will help you cash in when the odds are in your favor.

Look for Multi-Deck Games

Another tip to keep in mind is that you should play multi-deck variations of Red Dog when you can. As I mentioned earlier, casinos usually only offer single-deck versions of this game.

The reasoning behind this is simple: single-deck versions of Red Dog have the highest house edge. This is excellent news for casinos, but it hurts the player.

Every deck added to the game decreases the house edge. For example, single-deck Red Dog has a house edge of around 3.155%.

However, Red Dog games that use eight decks only have a house edge of approximately 2.751%. That is a difference of nearly half a percent, which can add up to significant savings over time.

Use Bonus Promotions to Wager More

Skilled gamblers also know how to use casino bonuses to maximize their betting power. You can look like a pro and get more out of every wager you make in Red Dob by using the right bonuses.

Taking advantage of deposit match offers allows you to grow your bankroll significantly. Bonus funds will enable you to bet more, play more extended sessions, or both.

Practice for Free Online

The best way to improve your skills and master the top Red Dog Poker game strategies is to practice. However, playing real-money casino games can be expensive, especially for new players who are still trying to learn the ins and outs of the game.

Luckily, there are multiple top-rated casino sites that offer free versions of their Red Dog games. Playing free demos is the easiest way to learn how to play Red Dog without spending a dime of your bankroll.

Variations of Red Dog

A simple and fun game like Red Dog Poker was bound to spawn several spin-offs. Here are other similar casino card games you should try if you like Red Dog.

Acey-Deucey

A card game very similar to Red Dog. However, players have expanded betting options, including the option to wager on a tie. Players can also bet up to the amount in the pot instead of their individual ante when raising.

Yablon

A variant of Red Dog that uses a different payout structure for spreads and ties. Players also have the option to declare their first ace as “low” instead of high. 

High Card Pool

A version of Red Dog for multiple players. Every player bets on whether they will have the highest card. The player who is dealt the highest card wins the pot. If there is a tie, the players who tied draw another card.

High/Low

A game like Red Dog that is played with only two cards instead of the traditional three. The dealer shows one card, and the player bets if the next card will be higher or lower than the first card.

Where to Practice Red Dog Poker Strategies

Now that you know the basics of Red Dog Poker, you should be ready to put your skills to the test. Here are three safe casino sites with free and real-money versions of Red Dog Poker available.

Red Dog Casino

Starting off my list of the top places to enjoy Red Dog Poker is, fittingly, Red Dog Casino. This site has hundreds of slots, as well as popular card games like blackjack and Red Dog. The Red Dog game at Red Dog Casino was developed by Betsoft, one of the top game developers for casino sites.

If you choose to play at Red Dog Casino, you can take advantage of thrilling bonus offers. For instance, new members who use the code DOGCRYPTONIZED can claim a 230% deposit match on their next five deposits.

Bovada

Another great option for playing Red Dog Poker online is Bovada. You can bet between $1 and $100 a hand in the Red Dog game at this casino. The simplistic UI is also very player-friendly, and there is a free demo for you to try before you risk your bankroll.

As a new member, you can claim Bovada’s 125% welcome bonus offer. This promo rewards you with up to $1,250 in bonus funds on your first three crypto deposits.

BetUS

Rounding out my list of the top places to enjoy Red Dog Poker online is BetUS Casino. Unlike the sites above, the Red Dog game at BetUS is not from BetSoft. Instead, it offers games from two other well-respected developers, Nucleus Gaming and Mobitaz.

Both versions offer a free demo, so you can see which one you prefer without digging into your bankroll. When you are ready to play for real cash, use the code JOIN200 for a 50% deposit match on casino funds worth up to $1,250 on your first crypto deposit. 

What Red Dog Poker Strategy Do You Use?

The Red Dog Poker game can be entertaining and profitable with the right strategy. Check out the guide above to learn more about how to play and win at Red Dog.

Then, check out our casino reviews to find the right Red Dog site for you. I recommend Red Dog Casino, but any of our top-ranked sites with this card game will provide a top-notch experience. All our suggested sites have thrilling bonuses, too, so you can get extra funds for playing Red Dog online today.