How to Play World Poker Tour 3x Raise Hold'em

Learning how to play World Poker Tour 3x Raise Hold'em will take the average reader about 10 minutes. There are no tough rules or decisions to make, just a few general pieces of advice to improve your odds and the quality of your game.

Without being funny, the object of the game is get lucky, since you don't get to make the same kind of decision you would on a standard poker table. This version of Texas Hold'em is a game found in many casino's table-game area, like blackjack. And, like blackjack, you do get to raise your bet on good hands. However, there are two bonus bets that can sink you quickly (like most bonus bets) if you don't catch any hits.

Those bonus bets carry a house edge of about 7-percent, while the single ante and 3x raise wager only hold the house about a .75 percent edge (a little higher than a good blackjack game). Unfortunately, like blackjack with lucky ladies bonus bets, many players insist on the side-bet to liven up the game - and it does, when you hit a 50-1 payout. Fun when you hit, not so fun the rest of the time. Play at your own risk.

The game of WPT is played with a standard 52-card English deck. You don't really need to know how to play poker, but it could help to make things clearer. The game offers a mandatory "ante" bet circle with a 3x bet circle behind it. You must make the ante bet, and will place a wager 3x your ante bet after seeing your own two-card hand about 90-percent of the time.

You can also wager on two side bets (before seeing your cards, obviously). These bets include a "Player's Hold Cards Bonus" and a "Player's Final Hand Bonus." These bets stay in action regardless of whether you make your 3x raise or fold your hand and lose your ante bet.

Once two cards are dealt to each player and the dealer, players are given time to decide whether to make their 3x raise bet. According to computer simulations, the only time you should not raise is when you hold an unsuited hand (both cards not the same suit) of 2 -3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8 - or a 3-4, 3-6, 3-7. Then, you wait for the dealer to check their hand.

The dealer will "play" the hand if they have any pair and any hand with a blackjack point total of 11 or higher (7 and 2 = 9, will not play - 7 and 4 = 11, will play).

• After the first two cards are dealt, players are paid on their first two card bonus or the wager is lost if they do not make a bonus hand - any pair or an ace-king suited
• After all the community cards are dealt and the ante and 3x raise wagers are settled, the players win on their final hand total of three-of-a-kind or higher.

• If the dealer folds, the player wins even money on the ante and a push on the raise bet
• If the dealer calls, each player uses their first two cards and the five community cards to make their best five-card hand
• When the player has the higher hand, the ante and raise pay even money
• When the dealer has the higher hand, the ante and raise wagers are lost
• If there is a tie hand the wagers are a push

The game moves fairly slowly and encourages a relaxed atmosphere and a chance to interact with the other players and the dealer. Different casinos have different rules for dealer wagers (or tokes), but many players routinely tip the dealer after a nice bonus bet.