If you’re looking for a table game that combines the best of both poker and blackjack then look no further than criss cross poker. It’s a fun and simple game that can be played by 2-8 players and features unique betting options. The goal of the game is to use a combination of player’s two personal cards and community cards to make a pair of five-card poker hands. Winning hands pay out according to the game’s paytable.
To begin a hand the dealer deals everyone in the table five cards. Once everyone has their cards they can decide whether to fold or raise 1x the amount of their ante bet. If they raise they will be paid even money on a pair of Jacks or better and push on any other pair of 6’s through 10’s. They will also have the option to make a “middle” bet which pays out on a three of a kind or higher. The dealer will then offer a middle card and a winning middle bet is paid according to the table’s paytable.
The game is named for the layout of five community cards that form a criss-cross pattern across the table. The game was developed as a for-fun variation in the online poker community in the early 2010s and was released as an official game in 2014. It has quickly become popular at Riverwind Casino and is now found in dozens of casinos around the country.
While learning how to play criss cross poker is easy, mastering the game requires patience. It’s important to understand that the odds of making a high-ranking hand are very low, so it’s necessary to be patient and not force a hand. It’s also important to know when to fold on a hand that seems hopeless. Although this might seem like giving up on a small chance of victory, it’s actually the best way to increase your chances of winning in the long run.
As with any table game, a basic strategy will help you win more frequently. For example, when you’re dealt an ace and a king in your two cards, be sure to raise your middle bet to 3x. This is the only way to increase your chances of a high-ranking hand. Moreover, you should always fold on a pair of twos or worse in your two cards.
Another key to playing criss cross poker is knowing how to place the Across and Down bets. You should always raise your Across bet when you have a strong pair and only bet the Middle bet when you have an average pair. If you make both of these bets, then you can win the Across and Down bets, as well as the Five-Card Bonus. However, if you fold on both of these bets then you’ll only get paid for the Across and Down bets. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the next hand to try your luck again.
