Analysing The Three Main Poker Variants Online at Live Casinos

As most poker players are aware, there are alternatives to playing at dedicated poker sites. In the past, the difference between those choices was stark. At a poker site, you could play against other players – hunt for fish, if that was your strategy.

In contrast, a casino site could only offer virtual games against a piece of software, and, that was not always an attractive investment in terms of time and money for experienced poker players.

But with the advent of live dealer casinos, the choice becomes a little more difficult. Playing against a dealer with real cards, etc., has an allure that should entice more poker players to play at online casinos, especially if it is a live casino with a welcome bonus that appeals to poker players.

However, we aren’t here to make the argument of choosing live casino over poker-specific sites. Instead, we want to look at the three most popular variants of live poker at online casinos, and simply judge if they are worth your time.

Three Card Poker Live

Two of the biggest live software developers, Evolution Gaming and Playtech, have released three-card poker, although the latter has opted to go under the more traditional 3 Card Brag title.

All versions of the game are dealer vs player, and you’ll find side bet options for larger payouts. As you will probably be aware, three card poker is incredibly simple and can make a refreshing change from strategy-heavy poker games.

Criticisms: Three Card Poker’s attractive simplicity is also its main weakness as there is little strategy beyond playing the ante bet and bankroll management.

Positives: Some decent side bet payouts for a prial/trips (40:1) or the more achievable run (6:1) and flush (4:1).

Live Casino Hold’em

Undoubtedly the most popular poker variant at live casinos, Casino Hold’em is a variation of five-card Texas Hold’Em.

It’s obviously a lot more strategic than Three Card Poker, although there are limitations to playing a dealer bound by rules (dealer qualifies with a pair of 4s or better) compared to an opponent. Still, there is a chance to be aggressive with the call bet, basically doubling down like in blackjack.

Criticisms: Very few, to be frank. The online live version of Casino Hold’em replicates exactly what you would find in a land-based casino. The game has plenty of fans, and the online offering delivers it to their device.

Positives: If you like to dream big, then some Live Casino Hold’em variants offer mammoth progressive jackpot prizes. Evolution Gaming, for instance, runs what it claims to be the world’s biggest prize at a live table – Jumbo 7 Jackpot – potentially paying millions of dollars for a seven-card straight flush.

Caribbean Stud Poker Live

Again, Playtech and Evolution dominate the live casino market with this popular poker variant. Strategy is also limited to playing the ante bet and call bet, although the call bet is twice the ante and allows for a bit more aggression than Casino Hold’em.

Basic five-card poker strategy applies, and you are given a little bit of an advantage by seeing one of the dealer’s five cards. The payouts are quite generous for the call bet, especially if you have a decent hand.

Criticisms: It can be really frustrating when the dealer does not qualify (they must have king/ace or above, so it’s not infrequent) when you have a good hand as a push is called, returning your stake but thwarting any chance for a bigger payout.

Positives: Jackpot side bets. Playtech’s version, Casino Stud Poker Live, has an excellent side bet option, costing just a $1 and it will give you a shot at a massive progressive prize for a royal flush, as well as some other lucrative payouts for lower-ranked hands.