Russian Poker

General Description of Russian Poker

Russian poker is a relatively new game that is based on Oasis Poker. A 52-card standard deck without jokers is used to play against the house, represented by the dealer. It is allowed to use the table for Stud Poker, Oasis Poker, and some other types of poker.

The aim is to get a higher-ranking hand compared to the dealer or win if he does not have at least the lowest-ranking hand.

Standard poker hands are valid in Russian poker. Their list is available below. The hands are provided in descending order:

• Royal flush - 100:1
• Straight flush - 50:1
• Four of a kind - 20:1
• Full house - 7:1
• Flush - 5:1
• Straight - 4:1
• Three of a kind - 3:1
• Two pairs - 2:1
• Pair - 1:1
• Ace/King - 1:1.

Payouts for hands in Russian poker are made if the dealer has any of the hands mentioned above in case of making a bet. The ante is not paid in this case. For example, the player's hand is 4, 4, 4, 8, 2 (three of a kind), and the bet size is $20. The payout is 20*2 (for a bet)*3 (a multiplier for a three of a kind) = $120.

The main difference between Russian poker from other similar versions is the opportunity to collect two hands. These hands may consist of community cards. However, at least one of the first hand cards should not be involved in the formation of the second one.

For example, the player draws the sixth card and collects 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of different suits. This means that he has two straights: eight-high straight and nine-high straight.

Some situations with two hands may be treated differently at various casinos. For example, the player draws the sixth card and collects 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 8 of different suits. Some establishments may treat this situation as two eight-high straights. Yet, the others may pay only for a pair of eights and one straight.

Differences in the interpretation of two hands are observed in other cases, so we recommend that users clarify the nuances of the rules directly at casinos.

Comparison of poker hands in Russian poker occurs by the standard poker rules. Nevertheless, there are some differences. More detailed information about the rules for comparing the hands can be found in the article about the rules for Oasis Poker.

Russian Poker Gameplay

Before the beginning of each round, all players who want to participate in it make an ante. The croupier deals five cards to all the participants. One of his cards is placed face up.

Players evaluate the rank of their cards and make their decisions.

• If the player does not want to continue playing, he folds and loses his ante.
• If the player is satisfied with his cards, he makes a bet equal to two antes and waits for the showdown and comparison of hands.
• The player can also exchange any number of cards, paying for it the amount equal to one ante.
• After exchanging cards, he may either fold or make a bet.
• The player can purchase a sixth card for one ante. This creates the probability of the formation of two hands.

As soon as all players have made their bets or folded, the dealer reveals his cards and compares the hands. If the dealer does not have a hand at all, he pays for antes of all active participants in the 1:1 ratio. If any hand is present, and its rank is higher than the rank of the hand of the player, the latter loses the ante and bet. If the dealer's hand is lower in rank than the player's hand, payouts are made following the paytable. If two hands have been collected, the player receives payouts for each of them by the rules of casinos.

Additional Payouts in Russian Poker

Insurance. If the player collects a three of a kind (or straight at some casinos) or better, the player can insure it against a situation in which the dealer has no hand. For this purpose, the user should make a bet in the amount of one ante before the dealer reveals his cards. If the dealer's cards have no hand, the player will receive the payout for the ante and insurance (1 to 1). If the dealer has a hand, insurance loses, and hands are compared standardly.

Purchase of hands. If the dealer does not have a hand and the player has collected a high-ranking hand, he can try to purchase a hand for one ante. The dealer discards his lowest-ranking card and draws a new one. If a hand is formed, it is compared with the player's hand. If the dealer has no hand, the player's ante is not paid.

Multi-Hand Game

Russian poker is traditionally played on up to four boxes. Every player faces up cards only on one box. Nevertheless, at some casinos, users can play on several boxes (two face up and the others face down). The maximum number of participants reaches six.

Jackpots in Russian Poker

Bonus bets, which are used to win the jackpot, are similar to those available in Oasis Poker. However, there are no universal rules in this respect, so the details should be clarified directly at casinos.

Russian Poker Basic Strategy

The strategy for Russian poker is quite complex so that it will be considered in a separate article on Casinoz.