How to play Russian Poker

Russian Poker is five-card stud against the dealer, with two extras you won't find elsewhere: you may buy a sixth card or exchange cards after seeing your hand.

The ante and the deal

Place an ante, then you and the dealer each receive five cards with one dealer card exposed. You decide before the dealer's hand is revealed.

Your choices

Fold and lose the ante, play by matching double your ante, buy a sixth card for the price of the ante, or exchange one or more cards for a fee.

Dealer qualification

The dealer needs a pair or better to qualify. If they don't qualify you win the ante, and if they do, the higher hand takes the bet at the pay-table rate.

Pay table

Payouts climb from even money on a pair to hundreds to one on a royal flush, so the big hands are where the value lives.

Tips from the table

Play any pair or better; fold most hands weaker than ace-king.
Buying the sixth card is best when you're one card from a straight or flush.
Don't break a made pair to chase a flush unless you already hold four to it.
The exchange fee adds up — use it only when it turns a losing hand into a likely winner.

More free card games

Same table, no loading screens — pick your next hand.