[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-louisiana-stud-poker-rules-strategy-en":3,"mdc--u6iso1-key":83},{"id":4,"slug":5,"status":6,"section":7,"category":8,"author":9,"publish_date":10,"read_time":11,"image":12,"embedded_components":13,"related_calculators":13,"related_articles":14,"title":15,"description":16,"keywords":17,"content":31,"faq":32,"availableLocales":78},"f73ddce5-9381-4459-a6f6-f77c05aad849","louisiana-stud-poker-rules-strategy","published","poker","guides","Evgeniy Volkov","2026-02-27",14,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Flouisiana-stud-poker-rules-strategy.webp","[]",[],"Louisiana Stud Poker: Rules, Strategy & Odds (2026)","Louisiana Stud Poker rules, strategy for all 3 decisions, house edge 4.91%, side bets analysis, and how it differs from Cajun Stud and Mississippi Stud.",[18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30],"louisiana stud poker","louisiana stud poker rules","louisiana stud poker strategy","louisiana stud how to play","louisiana stud side bets","louisiana stud odds","louisiana stud house edge","louisiana stud vs cajun stud","louisiana stud vs mississippi stud","louisiana stud pay table","louisiana stud 3-up bonus","louisiana stud pocket bonus","5-card stax progressive","# Louisiana Stud Poker: Rules, Strategy & Odds (2026)\n\nPicture this: you sit down at a table that looks exactly like [Mississippi Stud](\u002Fblog\u002Fmississippi-stud-strategy). Two hole cards, three community cards, decisions to raise or fold. But something is different. The pay table has no flush payouts on the base game. The side bets have names you have not seen before: 3-UP Bonus, 5-Card Stax Progressive.\n\nWelcome to Louisiana Stud Poker — Galaxy Gaming's Gulf Coast twist on the Mississippi Stud formula. If you have played [Cajun Stud](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker), you are already 90% there. But that remaining 10% — the missing flush payouts, the swapped side bets — changes the math enough to trip you up.\n\nThis guide breaks down everything: the complete rules, the full 2026 pay table, optimal strategy for all 3 decision points, every side bet analyzed, and a head-to-head comparison with the games you already know. In about 14 minutes, you will know more about Louisiana Stud than most dealers on the floor.\n\n## TL;DR — Louisiana Stud at a Glance\n\n### Key Numbers\n\n| Metric | Value |\n|--------|-------|\n| Hole Cards | 2 |\n| Community Cards | 3 |\n| Decision Points | 3 |\n| Base Game House Edge | ~4.91% |\n| Best Side Bet | Pocket Bonus (~6%) |\n| Worst Side Bet | Lo Ball (~12%) |\n| Push Hands | Pairs 6s–10s |\n| Minimum Qualifying Hand | Pair of Jacks |\n\nLouisiana Stud plays identically to Mississippi Stud and Cajun Stud on the surface, but the payouts and side bets are unique. The base game is solid at 4.91% house edge — comparable to the best table games in any casino. Just stay away from Lo Ball.\n\n## What Is Louisiana Stud Poker?\n\nLouisiana Stud Poker is a proprietary table game developed by Galaxy Gaming. It belongs to the Mississippi Stud family: you receive 2 hole cards, 3 community cards are dealt face-up one at a time, and you build the best 5-card poker hand using all 5 cards.\n\nThe game sits at the intersection of community card poker and classic table games. You play against a pay table — not against other players and not against a dealer hand. If your final 5-card hand qualifies, you win according to the posted payouts. If not, you lose your ante and any raises.\n\n### Louisiana Stud vs. Cajun Stud — Are They the Same Game?\n\nShort answer: almost, but not quite. Both are Galaxy Gaming products. Both use the same 2+3 card structure. Both share the Pocket Bonus and Lo Ball side bets.\n\nHere is what is different:\n\n| Feature | Louisiana Stud | Cajun Stud |\n|---------|---------------|------------|\n| Base pay table flush payout | No | Yes (pays 5:1) |\n| Main side bet | 3-UP Bonus (community cards) | Board Bonus (community cards) |\n| Progressive | 5-Card Stax (optional) | None standard |\n| Push range | Pairs 6s–10s | Pairs 6s–10s |\n| House edge | ~4.91% | ~4.91% |\n\nThe critical difference is the flush removal from the base pay table. In [Cajun Stud Poker](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker), hitting a flush on your 5-card hand pays 5:1 on all bets. In Louisiana Stud, a flush pays nothing extra on the base game (though it still counts for side bets). This sounds worse for the player, but the other pay table values are adjusted to maintain a similar overall house edge.\n\nThink of it this way: [Cajun Stud is the Louisiana Stud variant that added flush payouts back in](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker). Louisiana Stud is the stripped-down original.\n\n### Louisiana Stud vs. Mississippi Stud — Key Differences\n\nLouisiana Stud and [Mississippi Stud](\u002Fblog\u002Fmississippi-stud-strategy) share the same skeleton: 2 hole cards, 3 community cards, 3 decisions. But the details diverge:\n\n| Feature | Louisiana Stud | Mississippi Stud |\n|---------|---------------|-----------------|\n| Push rule | Pairs 6s–10s push | Pairs 6s–10s push |\n| First raise range | 1x–3x | 1x–3x |\n| Side bets | 3-UP, Pocket, Lo Ball, 5-Card Stax | 3-Card Bonus (varies) |\n| Pay table structure | Adjusted values | Standard values |\n| Flush on base game | No payout | Standard flush payout |\n\nThe strategy is similar in spirit but differs in specific thresholds because the payout structure changes which borderline hands are worth raising with.\n\n### Who Makes Louisiana Stud? (Galaxy Gaming)\n\nGalaxy Gaming is the Nevada-based game developer behind Louisiana Stud, Cajun Stud, and dozens of other table game variants. Founded in 2006, they license proprietary games to casinos worldwide. Louisiana Stud targets Gulf Coast and Southern US casinos, where the regional branding resonates with players who want something familiar yet distinct from standard Mississippi Stud.\n\n## How to Play Louisiana Stud — Step by Step\n\nThe game flow is simple once you see it in action. Here is every step, from sitting down to collecting your payout (or sliding your chips to the dealer).\n\n### Step 1 — Place Your Ante (+ Optional Side Bets)\n\nPlace your ante bet in the designated circle. Table minimums typically range from \\$5 to \\$25 in 2026. You can also place optional side bets at this time:\n\n- **3-UP Bonus** — based on the 3 community cards\n- **Pocket Bonus** — based on your 2 hole cards\n- **Lo Ball** — based on your final 5-card hand (lowest wins)\n- **5-Card Stax Progressive** — pays for premium hands with a progressive jackpot\n\nSide bets are independent of your base game decisions. They pay or lose regardless of whether you fold or raise.\n\n### Step 2 — Two Hole Cards\n\nThe dealer gives you 2 cards face-down. Only you see your hole cards. This is your first piece of information and your first decision point.\n\n### Step 3 — First Decision: Raise 1x–3x or Fold\n\nAfter looking at your hole cards, you choose:\n\n- **Raise 3x** — place a bet equal to 3 times your ante (strong hands)\n- **Raise 1x** — place a bet equal to your ante (marginal hands worth seeing more cards)\n- **Fold** — forfeit your ante and any side bets still in play\n\nThis is the biggest decision in Louisiana Stud. A 3x raise commits serious money. The strategy section below tells you exactly when to raise 3x, 1x, or fold.\n\n### Step 4 — First Community Card — Second Decision\n\nThe dealer reveals the first of 3 community cards. Combined with your 2 hole cards, you now see 3 of the 5 cards that will form your final hand. Your options:\n\n- **Raise 1x** — add another ante-sized bet\n- **Fold** — lose everything wagered so far\n\nNo 3x option on this street. You either stay in for 1x more or walk away.\n\n### Step 5 — Second Community Card — Third Decision\n\nThe dealer reveals the second community card. You now see 4 of 5 cards. Same options:\n\n- **Raise 1x** — one more ante-sized bet\n- **Fold** — lose all previous wagers\n\nThis is your last chance to bail before the final card.\n\n### Step 6 — Final Card & Showdown\n\nThe third and last community card is revealed. Your 5-card poker hand is now complete. The dealer compares it to the pay table:\n\n- **Pair of Jacks or better** — you win according to the pay table\n- **Pair of 6s through 10s** — push (your bets are returned)\n- **Pair of 5s or lower \u002F no pair** — you lose all bets\n\nNo dealer hand to beat. No bluffing. Pure math against a fixed pay table. Because you play against the house rather than other players, Louisiana Stud is immune to collusion — unlike traditional poker where [chip dumping remains the most common form of cheating](\u002Fblog\u002Fchip-dumping-poker).\n\n## Louisiana Stud Pay Table — Full Payout Chart (2026)\n\n### Ante & Raise Pay Table\n\nEvery bet you have placed (ante + all raises) pays at the same ratio based on your final hand:\n\n| Hand | Payout |\n|------|--------|\n| Royal Flush | 500:1 |\n| Straight Flush | 100:1 |\n| Four of a Kind | 40:1 |\n| Full House | 10:1 |\n| Flush | Push |\n| Straight | 6:1 |\n| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |\n| Two Pair | 2:1 |\n| Pair of Jacks or Better | 1:1 |\n| Pair of 6s–10s | Push |\n| All Other | Loss |\n\nNotice the flush paying nothing (push). This is the defining feature that separates Louisiana Stud from Cajun Stud and Mississippi Stud. A flush does not lose — your bets are returned — but it does not win either.\n\n### Push Rule: Pairs of 6s–10s\n\nThe push rule is identical across the Mississippi Stud family. If your final hand is a pair of 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, or 10s, all bets are returned. No win, no loss. This creates an interesting strategic wrinkle: mid pairs are \"free rolls\" that let you stay in the game without penalty.\n\nIn practice, the push rule means roughly 12-15% of hands end in a push, which softens the volatility compared to games without this feature.\n\n### 5-Card Stax Progressive\n\nThe 5-Card Stax is an optional \\$1 progressive side bet. It uses your complete 5-card hand (2 hole cards + 3 community cards):\n\n| Hand | Typical Payout |\n|------|---------------|\n| Royal Flush | 100% of Progressive |\n| Straight Flush | 10% of Progressive |\n| Four of a Kind | \\$500 |\n| Full House | \\$100 |\n| Flush | \\$50 |\n| Straight | \\$25 |\n| Three of a Kind | \\$5 |\n\nNote that flushes DO pay on the 5-Card Stax even though they push on the base game. The progressive jackpot seed is typically \\$10,000+, making the royal flush payout potentially life-changing. However, the house edge on progressive bets is typically 15-25% depending on the jackpot size — only worth considering when the meter is unusually high.\n\n## Louisiana Stud Side Bets Explained\n\nLouisiana Stud offers up to 4 side bets beyond the base game. Each one is completely optional and independent of your fold\u002Fraise decisions.\n\n### 3-UP Bonus — Rules & Payouts\n\nThe 3-UP Bonus is unique to Louisiana Stud. It pays based ONLY on the 3 community cards — your hole cards are irrelevant.\n\n| 3 Community Cards | Payout |\n|-------------------|--------|\n| Suited Three of a Kind | 100:1 |\n| Straight Flush | 40:1 |\n| Three of a Kind | 25:1 |\n| Straight | 6:1 |\n| Flush | 3:1 |\n| Pair | 1:1 |\n\nSince you are betting on just 3 cards, the probability of hitting premium hands is higher than you might expect. A pair among the 3 community cards occurs roughly 17% of the time. The house edge is approximately 7%.\n\n### Pocket Bonus — Rules & Payouts\n\nThe Pocket Bonus pays based on your 2 hole cards only. This is the same side bet found in [Cajun Stud Poker](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker).\n\n| Hole Cards | Payout |\n|------------|--------|\n| Pair of Aces | 30:1 |\n| Any Pair | 3:1 |\n| Suited | 2:1 |\n\nSimple: pairs pay, suited cards pay, everything else loses. The pair frequency (5.88%) and suited frequency (23.5%) are fixed probabilities that do not change with strategy. House edge is approximately 6% — the best side bet in Louisiana Stud.\n\n### Lo Ball — Rules & Payouts\n\nLo Ball rewards the worst poker hands. Your final 5-card hand is evaluated for its \"high card\" value, and the lower it is, the better you do.\n\n| Highest Card | Payout |\n|--------------|--------|\n| 7-High (or lower) | 50:1 |\n| 8-High | 20:1 |\n| 9-High | 8:1 |\n| 10-High | 5:1 |\n| Jack-High | 2:1 |\n\nA 7-high hand with no pairs, no straights, and no flush is extremely rare with 5 cards (roughly 0.1% chance). The house edge on Lo Ball is approximately 12%, making it the worst bet at the Louisiana Stud table by a wide margin.\n\n### Are the Side Bets Worth It? (House Edge)\n\nLet's put all the numbers side by side:\n\n| Bet | House Edge | Verdict |\n|-----|-----------|---------|\n| Base Game (Ante + Raises) | 4.91% | Best bet at the table |\n| Pocket Bonus | ~6% | Acceptable for entertainment |\n| 3-UP Bonus | ~7% | Moderate — occasional fun |\n| 5-Card Stax Progressive | 15-25% | Only near record jackpots |\n| Lo Ball | ~12% | Avoid completely |\n\nThe base game is where your money should go. If you want a side bet, the Pocket Bonus is your least costly option at \\$1 per hand.\n\n::chart-louisiana-stud-payouts\n::\n\n## Louisiana Stud Strategy — All 3 Decisions\n\nThe key to Louisiana Stud strategy is the same system used in Mississippi Stud: evaluate your cards, assign points, and make the mathematically correct raise or fold decision. High cards (Jack through Ace) are worth more because they directly connect to the pay table threshold (pair of Jacks = payout).\n\n### First Decision (Two Hole Cards)\n\nThis is the most impactful decision. You are committing 1x or 3x your ante — or giving up your ante entirely.\n\n#### Raise 3x Hands\n\nRaise the maximum (3x your ante) with:\n\n- **Any pair** — even low pairs. A pair in your hand gives you a strong starting position for two pair, trips, or a full house\n- **Two cards Jack or higher** — J-J, J-Q, J-K, J-A, Q-Q, Q-K, Q-A, K-K, K-A, A-A. You are already halfway to a paying pair\n- **Suited high cards (10+)** — two suited cards with both 10 or higher. Flush draw potential (even though base game flushes push, you still benefit from straight possibilities and side bets)\n\n#### Raise 1x Hands\n\nRaise 1x (minimum raise) with:\n\n- **One high card (J+) with a mid card (6-10)** — you have a shot at a paying pair with one more high card on the board\n- **Suited connectors (6+)** — suited 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10. Straight and flush draw potential\n- **Two mid cards (6-10) suited** — marginal but playable\n\n### Second Decision (After 1st Community Card)\n\nNow you see 3 cards total (2 hole + 1 community). Raise 1x if ANY of these apply:\n\n- **You have a pair of 6s or better** — you are already in push or win territory\n- **You have 3 to a flush with 2+ high cards (J+)** — multiple ways to improve\n- **You have 2 high cards (J+)** — strong chance of pairing up\n- **You have an open-ended straight draw with 2 high cards** — dual draw potential\n\nFold if you have none of the above: no pair, no high cards, no realistic draw.\n\n### Third Decision (After 2nd Community Card)\n\nYou now see 4 of 5 cards. This decision is the most straightforward because you have the most information:\n\n- **Raise 1x with any pair** — even low pairs push, so you cannot lose\n- **Raise 1x with 4 to a flush** — one card to hit and at minimum push\n- **Raise 1x with 4 to an outside straight** — 8 outs for a straight (pays 6:1)\n- **Raise 1x with 3+ high cards (J+)** — multiple pairing opportunities\n\nFold everything else. At this point, if you have no pair, no draw, and fewer than 3 high cards, the math says walk away.\n\n### Common Mistakes to Avoid\n\n1. **Chasing Lo Ball with base game decisions** — Your fold\u002Fraise choices should be based on the base game pay table. Lo Ball pays independently regardless of what you do\n2. **Raising 3x with any suited hand** — Only suited high cards (10+) justify 3x. Suited 3-7 is a fold or 1x at best\n3. **Folding mid pairs on the third street** — Pairs of 6-10 always push. There is zero risk in staying with a mid pair. Never fold a pair\n4. **Treating flushes as winners** — In Louisiana Stud, a flush is a push on the base game. Do not get excited about flush draws the same way you would in Cajun Stud. They protect your bankroll (push) but do not profit\n5. **Playing 5-Card Stax at every table** — The progressive is only worth \\$1 when the meter is significantly above the seed. At the default jackpot level, the house edge exceeds 20%\n\n## Louisiana Stud Odds & House Edge\n\n### Base Game House Edge (~4.91%)\n\nThe base game house edge of 4.91% is calculated on the ante bet using optimal strategy. This puts Louisiana Stud in the middle tier of table games:\n\n| Game | House Edge |\n|------|-----------|\n| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% |\n| Craps (pass line) | 1.41% |\n| [Mississippi Stud](\u002Fblog\u002Fmississippi-stud-strategy) | 4.91% |\n| **Louisiana Stud** | **4.91%** |\n| [Caribbean Stud](\u002Fcasino\u002Fhouse-edge-calculator) | 5.22% |\n| Three Card Poker | 3.37% |\n| Let It Ride | 3.51% |\n\nLouisiana Stud matches Mississippi Stud exactly in house edge. This is by design — Galaxy Gaming calibrated the pay table to deliver a familiar mathematical profile.\n\n### Side Bet House Edges\n\n| Side Bet | House Edge | Cost per \\$1 Bet per Hand |\n|----------|-----------|--------------------------|\n| Pocket Bonus | ~6% | \\$0.06 |\n| 3-UP Bonus | ~7% | \\$0.07 |\n| Lo Ball | ~12% | \\$0.12 |\n| 5-Card Stax | 15-25% | \\$0.15–\\$0.25 |\n\nAt 30 hands per hour with a \\$1 side bet on each, the Pocket Bonus costs you about \\$1.80\u002Fhour. Lo Ball costs \\$3.60\u002Fhour. The difference adds up over a 4-hour session: \\$7.20 vs \\$14.40 in expected losses from the side bets alone.\n\n### Element of Risk Per Hand\n\nThe element of risk is a more useful metric than house edge because it accounts for your total amount wagered across all streets, not just the ante.\n\nWith optimal play, your average total bet is approximately 3.6x the ante (because you raise on most streets). The element of risk is:\n\n$$\\text{Element of Risk} = \\frac{\\text{House Edge (on ante)}}{{\\text{Average Total Bet Ratio}}} = \\frac{4.91\\%}{3.6} \\approx 1.36\\%$$\n\nIn simple terms: for every dollar you put at risk across all your bets, you lose about 1.36 cents. That is competitive with many casino games and significantly better than roulette (2.63-5.26%) or most slot machines (2-15%).\n\n::inline-louisiana-stud-calculator\n::\n\n## Louisiana Stud vs. Other Poker Variants\n\n### vs. Caribbean Stud\n\nCaribbean Stud gives you 5 cards against the dealer's 5. One decision point: raise or fold. Louisiana Stud gives you 3 decision points and uses community cards.\n\n| Factor | Louisiana Stud | Caribbean Stud |\n|--------|---------------|----------------|\n| House Edge | 4.91% | 5.22% |\n| Decision Points | 3 | 1 |\n| Community Cards | Yes (3) | No |\n| Progressive Available | Yes (5-Card Stax) | Yes |\n| Strategy Complexity | Moderate | Simple |\n\nLouisiana Stud is mathematically better and gives you more control, but Caribbean Stud is simpler and faster.\n\n### vs. Mississippi Stud\n\nThese are essentially siblings. Same card structure, same number of decisions, same house edge. The differences are purely in the pay table and available side bets.\n\n| Factor | Louisiana Stud | Mississippi Stud |\n|--------|---------------|-----------------|\n| House Edge | 4.91% | 4.91% |\n| Flush Payout (Base) | Push | Standard |\n| Side Bets | 3-UP, Pocket, Lo Ball, Stax | 3-Card Bonus (varies) |\n| Regional Availability | Gulf Coast focus | Nationwide |\n\nIf you know Mississippi Stud strategy, you can sit at Louisiana Stud with only minor adjustments for the flush-push rule.\n\n### vs. Cajun Stud\n\n[Cajun Stud](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker) is the closest relative. Both are Galaxy Gaming. Both use the same 2+3 structure. The differences:\n\n| Factor | Louisiana Stud | Cajun Stud |\n|--------|---------------|------------|\n| Flush Base Payout | Push | 5:1 |\n| Unique Side Bet | 3-UP Bonus | Board Bonus |\n| Progressive | 5-Card Stax | None standard |\n| Strategy | Slight flush devaluation | Flush draws more valuable |\n\nThe main strategic implication: in Cajun Stud, flush draws are worth pursuing aggressively because they pay 5:1. In Louisiana Stud, flush draws only protect your bankroll (push) — so borderline flush-draw hands that are a raise in Cajun Stud might be a fold in Louisiana Stud.\n\n### Comparison Table\n\n| Feature | Louisiana Stud | Cajun Stud | Mississippi Stud | Caribbean Stud |\n|---------|---------------|------------|-----------------|----------------|\n| Hole Cards | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |\n| Community Cards | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |\n| Decisions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |\n| House Edge | 4.91% | 4.91% | 4.91% | 5.22% |\n| Flush Pays (Base) | Push | 5:1 | Yes | Yes |\n| Best Side Bet HE | ~6% | ~6% | Varies | ~5% |\n| Progressive | Optional | No | No | Yes |\n\n## Where to Play Louisiana Stud in 2026\n\n### Live Casino Locations\n\nLouisiana Stud is primarily found in:\n\n- **Gulf Coast casinos** — Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama coastal properties\n- **Las Vegas** — Select Strip and downtown casinos with Galaxy Gaming agreements\n- **Regional US casinos** — Tribal and commercial casinos in states with table game licenses\n\nThe game is marketed under the Louisiana Stud brand specifically for Southern\u002FGulf Coast properties. Check with your local casino or Galaxy Gaming's website for current placements.\n\n### Online Availability\n\nAs of 2026, Louisiana Stud has limited online presence. Most online casinos offer Mississippi Stud or Caribbean Stud instead. If you want to practice the strategy:\n\n- Use our [Session Simulator](\u002Fcasino\u002Fsession-simulator) to model the expected outcomes\n- Try the [House Edge Calculator](\u002Fcasino\u002Fhouse-edge-calculator) to compare Louisiana Stud against other games\n- Check the [RTP Calculator](\u002Fcasino\u002Frtp-calculator) to understand long-term returns\n- Practice with the [Volatility Calculator](\u002Fcasino\u002Fvolatility-calculator) to gauge session variance\n\nFor live poker variants, explore our guides to [3 Shot Poker](\u002Fblog\u002F3-shot-poker-rules-strategy), [Triple Double Bonus](\u002Fblog\u002Ftriple-double-bonus-poker-strategy), and [Dirty Diaper hand analysis](\u002Fblog\u002Fdirty-diaper-poker-hand). If you prefer online cash games, our [fast fold poker strategy guide](\u002Fblog\u002Ffast-fold-poker-strategy) covers Zoom, Rush & Cash, and other high-speed formats. For poker math, our [Bankroll Calculator](\u002Fpoker\u002Fbankroll) and [Equity Calculator](\u002Fpoker\u002Fequity-calculator) are free tools that work for any poker format.\n\n## FAQ\n\nThe FAQ section above covers the 15 most common questions about Louisiana Stud Poker. If your question is not listed, the strategy and odds sections of this guide should have the answer.\n\n## Final Thoughts\n\nLouisiana Stud Poker sits in a sweet spot: familiar enough for Mississippi Stud players to jump right in, yet distinct enough to justify its own table. The 4.91% house edge is competitive, the 3-decision structure gives you real agency, and the side bet menu lets you customize your risk level.\n\nThree things to remember:\n\n1. **Stick to the base game.** The Pocket Bonus is the only side bet worth occasional play. Everything else eats your bankroll faster than the base game\n2. **Flushes push, they do not pay.** Do not chase flush draws like you would in Cajun Stud. A flush saves your money but does not make you money\n3. **The strategy is learnable.** Three decision points, clear thresholds, no dealer hand to worry about. Within a few sessions, you will play near-optimal without a strategy card\n\nFor the [Quad Aces vs Royal Flush](\u002Fblog\u002Fquad-aces-vs-royal-flush) dreamers: yes, the progressive 5-Card Stax hits on a royal flush. But at 15-25% house edge per dollar, that dream comes at a steep price.\n\nNow go find a Louisiana Stud table and put the strategy to work. The math is on your side — as long as you avoid Lo Ball.\n\n### Keep Learning\n\n- [Cajun Stud Poker — Complete Guide](\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker) — the flush-paying variant\n- [Mississippi Stud Strategy](\u002Fblog\u002Fmississippi-stud-strategy) — the original community card game\n- [3 Shot Poker Rules & Strategy](\u002Fblog\u002F3-shot-poker-rules-strategy) — another Galaxy Gaming variant\n- [Match the Dealer Blackjack Side Bet](\u002Fblog\u002Fmatch-the-dealer-blackjack-side-bet) — side bet math explained\n- [Fibonacci Betting System](\u002Fblog\u002Ffibonacci-betting-system) — bankroll management approach",[33,36,39,42,45,48,51,54,57,60,63,66,69,72,75],{"answer":34,"question":35},"Louisiana Stud Poker is a community card poker variant by Galaxy Gaming. You get 2 hole cards and share 3 community cards, making decisions to raise or fold at 3 points during the hand.","What is Louisiana Stud Poker?",{"answer":37,"question":38},"Almost. Both are Galaxy Gaming products with identical base game rules, but Louisiana Stud removes flush payouts from the base pay table and replaces the Board Bonus side bet with a 3-UP Bonus. It also offers the optional 5-Card Stax Progressive.","Is Louisiana Stud the same as Cajun Stud?",{"answer":40,"question":41},"The base game house edge is approximately 4.91% of the ante, identical to Mississippi Stud. Side bets range from 6% (Pocket Bonus) to 12% (Lo Ball).","What is the house edge in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":43,"question":44},"Both use 2 hole cards plus 3 community cards, but Louisiana Stud has different pay table values, different side bets (3-UP Bonus, 5-Card Stax), and separate decision thresholds because the payout structure changes optimal strategy.","How does Louisiana Stud differ from Mississippi Stud?",{"answer":46,"question":47},"The 3-UP Bonus is a side bet based on the 3 community cards only. It pays for pairs, straights, flushes, three-of-a-kind, and straight flushes formed by the 3 shared cards. House edge is approximately 7%.","What is the 3-UP Bonus in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":49,"question":50},"5-Card Stax is an optional progressive side bet using your 2 hole cards plus the 3 community cards. It pays for hands from three-of-a-kind up to a royal flush, with the progressive jackpot hitting on a royal.","What is the 5-Card Stax Progressive?",{"answer":52,"question":53},"Raise 3x with any pair, two high cards (Jack or better), or suited high cards (10+). These hands have the highest expected value and justify the maximum raise.","When should I raise 3x in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":55,"question":56},"Fold at the first decision if both hole cards are below 6 and not suited. At later streets, fold if you have no pair, no draw, and fewer than 2 high cards in your combined hand.","When should I fold in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":58,"question":59},"The Pocket Bonus has the lowest house edge among Louisiana Stud side bets at approximately 6%. It is the best side bet available if you want extra action, though it still costs more than the base game.","Is the Pocket Bonus side bet worth it?",{"answer":61,"question":62},"Yes. The Lo Ball side bet carries roughly 12% house edge, making it the worst bet on the table. Your expected loss per hour is significantly higher with Lo Ball active.","Should I avoid the Lo Ball side bet?",{"answer":64,"question":65},"Pairs of 6s through 10s push (tie) in Louisiana Stud. You do not win or lose on these hands. Only pairs of Jacks or higher win, while pairs of 5s or lower lose.","What is the push rule in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":67,"question":68},"Online availability is limited in 2026. Louisiana Stud is primarily found in land-based casinos across the Gulf Coast region and select Nevada properties. Check Galaxy Gaming's placement map for current locations.","Can I play Louisiana Stud online?",{"answer":70,"question":71},"The element of risk (house edge divided by average total bet) is approximately 1.36%. This accounts for the fact that your average total wager across all streets is about 3.6x the ante.","What is the element of risk in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":73,"question":74},"You make 3 decisions: after seeing your 2 hole cards, after the first community card, and after the second community card. Each decision is raise (1x or 3x for the first, 1x for later streets) or fold.","How many decisions do I make in Louisiana Stud?",{"answer":76,"question":77},"Louisiana Stud has a slightly lower house edge (4.91% vs 5.22%) and offers 3 decision points instead of 1, giving you more control. However, Caribbean Stud has a simpler structure and a progressive jackpot.","Is Louisiana Stud better than Caribbean Stud?",[79,80,81,82],"ru","en","de","tr",{"data":84,"body":85},{},{"type":86,"children":87},"root",[88,96,111,124,129,135,142,272,277,283,288,293,299,304,309,421,433,445,451,462,574,579,585,590,596,601,607,612,658,663,669,674,680,685,718,723,729,734,755,760,766,771,792,797,803,808,841,854,860,866,871,1035,1040,1046,1051,1056,1061,1066,1171,1176,1182,1187,1193,1198,1288,1293,1299,1309,1366,1371,1377,1382,1467,1472,1478,1483,1596,1601,1605,1611,1616,1622,1627,1634,1639,1672,1678,1683,1716,1722,1727,1770,1775,1781,1786,1829,1834,1840,1894,1900,1906,1911,2032,2037,2043,2134,2139,2145,2150,2155,2586,2591,2595,2601,2607,2612,2720,2725,2731,2736,2827,2832,2838,2847,2937,2942,2948,3149,3155,3161,3166,3199,3204,3210,3215,3269,3322,3328,3333,3339,3344,3349,3382,3395,3400,3406],{"type":89,"tag":90,"props":91,"children":93},"element","h2",{"id":92},"louisiana-stud-poker-rules-strategy-odds-2026",[94],{"type":95,"value":15},"text",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":98,"children":99},"p",{},[100,102,109],{"type":95,"value":101},"Picture this: you sit down at a table that looks exactly like ",{"type":89,"tag":103,"props":104,"children":106},"a",{"href":105},"\u002Fblog\u002Fmississippi-stud-strategy",[107],{"type":95,"value":108},"Mississippi Stud",{"type":95,"value":110},". Two hole cards, three community cards, decisions to raise or fold. But something is different. The pay table has no flush payouts on the base game. The side bets have names you have not seen before: 3-UP Bonus, 5-Card Stax Progressive.",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":112,"children":113},{},[114,116,122],{"type":95,"value":115},"Welcome to Louisiana Stud Poker — Galaxy Gaming's Gulf Coast twist on the Mississippi Stud formula. If you have played ",{"type":89,"tag":103,"props":117,"children":119},{"href":118},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcajun-stud-poker",[120],{"type":95,"value":121},"Cajun Stud",{"type":95,"value":123},", you are already 90% there. But that remaining 10% — the missing flush payouts, the swapped side bets — changes the math enough to trip you up.",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":125,"children":126},{},[127],{"type":95,"value":128},"This guide breaks down everything: the complete rules, the full 2026 pay table, optimal strategy for all 3 decision points, every side bet analyzed, and a head-to-head comparison with the games you already know. In about 14 minutes, you will know more about Louisiana Stud than most dealers on the floor.",{"type":89,"tag":90,"props":130,"children":132},{"id":131},"tldr-louisiana-stud-at-a-glance",[133],{"type":95,"value":134},"TL;DR — Louisiana Stud at a Glance",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":137,"children":139},"h3",{"id":138},"key-numbers",[140],{"type":95,"value":141},"Key Numbers",{"type":89,"tag":143,"props":144,"children":145},"table",{},[146,164],{"type":89,"tag":147,"props":148,"children":149},"thead",{},[150],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":151,"children":152},{},[153,159],{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":155,"children":156},"th",{},[157],{"type":95,"value":158},"Metric",{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":160,"children":161},{},[162],{"type":95,"value":163},"Value",{"type":89,"tag":165,"props":166,"children":167},"tbody",{},[168,182,195,207,220,233,246,259],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":169,"children":170},{},[171,177],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":173,"children":174},"td",{},[175],{"type":95,"value":176},"Hole Cards",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":178,"children":179},{},[180],{"type":95,"value":181},"2",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":183,"children":184},{},[185,190],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":186,"children":187},{},[188],{"type":95,"value":189},"Community Cards",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":191,"children":192},{},[193],{"type":95,"value":194},"3",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":196,"children":197},{},[198,203],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":199,"children":200},{},[201],{"type":95,"value":202},"Decision Points",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":204,"children":205},{},[206],{"type":95,"value":194},{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":208,"children":209},{},[210,215],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":211,"children":212},{},[213],{"type":95,"value":214},"Base Game House Edge",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":216,"children":217},{},[218],{"type":95,"value":219},"~4.91%",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223,228],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":224,"children":225},{},[226],{"type":95,"value":227},"Best Side Bet",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":229,"children":230},{},[231],{"type":95,"value":232},"Pocket Bonus (~6%)",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":234,"children":235},{},[236,241],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":237,"children":238},{},[239],{"type":95,"value":240},"Worst Side Bet",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":242,"children":243},{},[244],{"type":95,"value":245},"Lo Ball (~12%)",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":247,"children":248},{},[249,254],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":250,"children":251},{},[252],{"type":95,"value":253},"Push Hands",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":255,"children":256},{},[257],{"type":95,"value":258},"Pairs 6s–10s",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":260,"children":261},{},[262,267],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":263,"children":264},{},[265],{"type":95,"value":266},"Minimum Qualifying Hand",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":268,"children":269},{},[270],{"type":95,"value":271},"Pair of Jacks",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":273,"children":274},{},[275],{"type":95,"value":276},"Louisiana Stud plays identically to Mississippi Stud and Cajun Stud on the surface, but the payouts and side bets are unique. The base game is solid at 4.91% house edge — comparable to the best table games in any casino. Just stay away from Lo Ball.",{"type":89,"tag":90,"props":278,"children":280},{"id":279},"what-is-louisiana-stud-poker",[281],{"type":95,"value":282},"What Is Louisiana Stud Poker?",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":284,"children":285},{},[286],{"type":95,"value":287},"Louisiana Stud Poker is a proprietary table game developed by Galaxy Gaming. It belongs to the Mississippi Stud family: you receive 2 hole cards, 3 community cards are dealt face-up one at a time, and you build the best 5-card poker hand using all 5 cards.",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":289,"children":290},{},[291],{"type":95,"value":292},"The game sits at the intersection of community card poker and classic table games. You play against a pay table — not against other players and not against a dealer hand. If your final 5-card hand qualifies, you win according to the posted payouts. If not, you lose your ante and any raises.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":294,"children":296},{"id":295},"louisiana-stud-vs-cajun-stud-are-they-the-same-game",[297],{"type":95,"value":298},"Louisiana Stud vs. Cajun Stud — Are They the Same Game?",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":300,"children":301},{},[302],{"type":95,"value":303},"Short answer: almost, but not quite. Both are Galaxy Gaming products. Both use the same 2+3 card structure. Both share the Pocket Bonus and Lo Ball side bets.",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":305,"children":306},{},[307],{"type":95,"value":308},"Here is what is different:",{"type":89,"tag":143,"props":310,"children":311},{},[312,332],{"type":89,"tag":147,"props":313,"children":314},{},[315],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":316,"children":317},{},[318,323,328],{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":319,"children":320},{},[321],{"type":95,"value":322},"Feature",{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":324,"children":325},{},[326],{"type":95,"value":327},"Louisiana Stud",{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":329,"children":330},{},[331],{"type":95,"value":121},{"type":89,"tag":165,"props":333,"children":334},{},[335,353,371,389,405],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":336,"children":337},{},[338,343,348],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":339,"children":340},{},[341],{"type":95,"value":342},"Base pay table flush payout",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":344,"children":345},{},[346],{"type":95,"value":347},"No",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":349,"children":350},{},[351],{"type":95,"value":352},"Yes (pays 5:1)",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":354,"children":355},{},[356,361,366],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":357,"children":358},{},[359],{"type":95,"value":360},"Main side bet",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":362,"children":363},{},[364],{"type":95,"value":365},"3-UP Bonus (community cards)",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":367,"children":368},{},[369],{"type":95,"value":370},"Board Bonus (community cards)",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":372,"children":373},{},[374,379,384],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":375,"children":376},{},[377],{"type":95,"value":378},"Progressive",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":380,"children":381},{},[382],{"type":95,"value":383},"5-Card Stax (optional)",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":385,"children":386},{},[387],{"type":95,"value":388},"None standard",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":390,"children":391},{},[392,397,401],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":393,"children":394},{},[395],{"type":95,"value":396},"Push range",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":398,"children":399},{},[400],{"type":95,"value":258},{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":402,"children":403},{},[404],{"type":95,"value":258},{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":406,"children":407},{},[408,413,417],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":409,"children":410},{},[411],{"type":95,"value":412},"House edge",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":414,"children":415},{},[416],{"type":95,"value":219},{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":418,"children":419},{},[420],{"type":95,"value":219},{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":422,"children":423},{},[424,426,431],{"type":95,"value":425},"The critical difference is the flush removal from the base pay table. In ",{"type":89,"tag":103,"props":427,"children":428},{"href":118},[429],{"type":95,"value":430},"Cajun Stud Poker",{"type":95,"value":432},", hitting a flush on your 5-card hand pays 5:1 on all bets. In Louisiana Stud, a flush pays nothing extra on the base game (though it still counts for side bets). This sounds worse for the player, but the other pay table values are adjusted to maintain a similar overall house edge.",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":434,"children":435},{},[436,438,443],{"type":95,"value":437},"Think of it this way: ",{"type":89,"tag":103,"props":439,"children":440},{"href":118},[441],{"type":95,"value":442},"Cajun Stud is the Louisiana Stud variant that added flush payouts back in",{"type":95,"value":444},". Louisiana Stud is the stripped-down original.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":446,"children":448},{"id":447},"louisiana-stud-vs-mississippi-stud-key-differences",[449],{"type":95,"value":450},"Louisiana Stud vs. Mississippi Stud — Key Differences",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":452,"children":453},{},[454,456,460],{"type":95,"value":455},"Louisiana Stud and ",{"type":89,"tag":103,"props":457,"children":458},{"href":105},[459],{"type":95,"value":108},{"type":95,"value":461}," share the same skeleton: 2 hole cards, 3 community cards, 3 decisions. But the details diverge:",{"type":89,"tag":143,"props":463,"children":464},{},[465,483],{"type":89,"tag":147,"props":466,"children":467},{},[468],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":469,"children":470},{},[471,475,479],{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":472,"children":473},{},[474],{"type":95,"value":322},{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":476,"children":477},{},[478],{"type":95,"value":327},{"type":89,"tag":154,"props":480,"children":481},{},[482],{"type":95,"value":108},{"type":89,"tag":165,"props":484,"children":485},{},[486,503,520,538,556],{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":487,"children":488},{},[489,494,499],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":490,"children":491},{},[492],{"type":95,"value":493},"Push rule",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":495,"children":496},{},[497],{"type":95,"value":498},"Pairs 6s–10s push",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":500,"children":501},{},[502],{"type":95,"value":498},{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":504,"children":505},{},[506,511,516],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":507,"children":508},{},[509],{"type":95,"value":510},"First raise range",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":512,"children":513},{},[514],{"type":95,"value":515},"1x–3x",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":517,"children":518},{},[519],{"type":95,"value":515},{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":521,"children":522},{},[523,528,533],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":524,"children":525},{},[526],{"type":95,"value":527},"Side bets",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":529,"children":530},{},[531],{"type":95,"value":532},"3-UP, Pocket, Lo Ball, 5-Card Stax",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536],{"type":95,"value":537},"3-Card Bonus (varies)",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":539,"children":540},{},[541,546,551],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":542,"children":543},{},[544],{"type":95,"value":545},"Pay table structure",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":547,"children":548},{},[549],{"type":95,"value":550},"Adjusted values",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":552,"children":553},{},[554],{"type":95,"value":555},"Standard values",{"type":89,"tag":82,"props":557,"children":558},{},[559,564,569],{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":560,"children":561},{},[562],{"type":95,"value":563},"Flush on base game",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":565,"children":566},{},[567],{"type":95,"value":568},"No payout",{"type":89,"tag":172,"props":570,"children":571},{},[572],{"type":95,"value":573},"Standard flush payout",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":575,"children":576},{},[577],{"type":95,"value":578},"The strategy is similar in spirit but differs in specific thresholds because the payout structure changes which borderline hands are worth raising with.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":580,"children":582},{"id":581},"who-makes-louisiana-stud-galaxy-gaming",[583],{"type":95,"value":584},"Who Makes Louisiana Stud? (Galaxy Gaming)",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":586,"children":587},{},[588],{"type":95,"value":589},"Galaxy Gaming is the Nevada-based game developer behind Louisiana Stud, Cajun Stud, and dozens of other table game variants. Founded in 2006, they license proprietary games to casinos worldwide. Louisiana Stud targets Gulf Coast and Southern US casinos, where the regional branding resonates with players who want something familiar yet distinct from standard Mississippi Stud.",{"type":89,"tag":90,"props":591,"children":593},{"id":592},"how-to-play-louisiana-stud-step-by-step",[594],{"type":95,"value":595},"How to Play Louisiana Stud — Step by Step",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":597,"children":598},{},[599],{"type":95,"value":600},"The game flow is simple once you see it in action. Here is every step, from sitting down to collecting your payout (or sliding your chips to the dealer).",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":602,"children":604},{"id":603},"step-1-place-your-ante-optional-side-bets",[605],{"type":95,"value":606},"Step 1 — Place Your Ante (+ Optional Side Bets)",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":608,"children":609},{},[610],{"type":95,"value":611},"Place your ante bet in the designated circle. Table minimums typically range from $5 to $25 in 2026. You can also place optional side bets at this time:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":614,"children":615},"ul",{},[616,628,638,648],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":618,"children":619},"li",{},[620,626],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":622,"children":623},"strong",{},[624],{"type":95,"value":625},"3-UP Bonus",{"type":95,"value":627}," — based on the 3 community cards",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":629,"children":630},{},[631,636],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":632,"children":633},{},[634],{"type":95,"value":635},"Pocket Bonus",{"type":95,"value":637}," — based on your 2 hole cards",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":639,"children":640},{},[641,646],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":642,"children":643},{},[644],{"type":95,"value":645},"Lo Ball",{"type":95,"value":647}," — based on your final 5-card hand (lowest wins)",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":649,"children":650},{},[651,656],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":652,"children":653},{},[654],{"type":95,"value":655},"5-Card Stax Progressive",{"type":95,"value":657}," — pays for premium hands with a progressive jackpot",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":659,"children":660},{},[661],{"type":95,"value":662},"Side bets are independent of your base game decisions. They pay or lose regardless of whether you fold or raise.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":664,"children":666},{"id":665},"step-2-two-hole-cards",[667],{"type":95,"value":668},"Step 2 — Two Hole Cards",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":670,"children":671},{},[672],{"type":95,"value":673},"The dealer gives you 2 cards face-down. Only you see your hole cards. This is your first piece of information and your first decision point.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":675,"children":677},{"id":676},"step-3-first-decision-raise-1x3x-or-fold",[678],{"type":95,"value":679},"Step 3 — First Decision: Raise 1x–3x or Fold",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":681,"children":682},{},[683],{"type":95,"value":684},"After looking at your hole cards, you choose:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":686,"children":687},{},[688,698,708],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":689,"children":690},{},[691,696],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":692,"children":693},{},[694],{"type":95,"value":695},"Raise 3x",{"type":95,"value":697}," — place a bet equal to 3 times your ante (strong hands)",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":699,"children":700},{},[701,706],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":702,"children":703},{},[704],{"type":95,"value":705},"Raise 1x",{"type":95,"value":707}," — place a bet equal to your ante (marginal hands worth seeing more cards)",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":709,"children":710},{},[711,716],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":712,"children":713},{},[714],{"type":95,"value":715},"Fold",{"type":95,"value":717}," — forfeit your ante and any side bets still in play",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":719,"children":720},{},[721],{"type":95,"value":722},"This is the biggest decision in Louisiana Stud. A 3x raise commits serious money. The strategy section below tells you exactly when to raise 3x, 1x, or fold.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":724,"children":726},{"id":725},"step-4-first-community-card-second-decision",[727],{"type":95,"value":728},"Step 4 — First Community Card — Second Decision",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":730,"children":731},{},[732],{"type":95,"value":733},"The dealer reveals the first of 3 community cards. Combined with your 2 hole cards, you now see 3 of the 5 cards that will form your final hand. Your options:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":735,"children":736},{},[737,746],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":738,"children":739},{},[740,744],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":741,"children":742},{},[743],{"type":95,"value":705},{"type":95,"value":745}," — add another ante-sized bet",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":747,"children":748},{},[749,753],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":750,"children":751},{},[752],{"type":95,"value":715},{"type":95,"value":754}," — lose everything wagered so far",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":756,"children":757},{},[758],{"type":95,"value":759},"No 3x option on this street. You either stay in for 1x more or walk away.",{"type":89,"tag":136,"props":761,"children":763},{"id":762},"step-5-second-community-card-third-decision",[764],{"type":95,"value":765},"Step 5 — Second Community Card — Third Decision",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":767,"children":768},{},[769],{"type":95,"value":770},"The dealer reveals the second community card. You now see 4 of 5 cards. 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The dealer compares it to the pay table:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":809,"children":810},{},[811,821,831],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":812,"children":813},{},[814,819],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":815,"children":816},{},[817],{"type":95,"value":818},"Pair of Jacks or better",{"type":95,"value":820}," — you win according to the pay table",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":822,"children":823},{},[824,829],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":825,"children":826},{},[827],{"type":95,"value":828},"Pair of 6s through 10s",{"type":95,"value":830}," — push (your bets are returned)",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":832,"children":833},{},[834,839],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":835,"children":836},{},[837],{"type":95,"value":838},"Pair of 5s or lower \u002F no pair",{"type":95,"value":840}," — you lose all bets",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":842,"children":843},{},[844,846,852],{"type":95,"value":845},"No dealer hand to beat. No bluffing. Pure math against a fixed pay table. 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Flush draw potential (even though base game flushes push, you still benefit from straight possibilities and side bets)",{"type":89,"tag":1628,"props":1673,"children":1675},{"id":1674},"raise-1x-hands",[1676],{"type":95,"value":1677},"Raise 1x Hands",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":1679,"children":1680},{},[1681],{"type":95,"value":1682},"Raise 1x (minimum raise) with:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":1684,"children":1685},{},[1686,1696,1706],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1687,"children":1688},{},[1689,1694],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1690,"children":1691},{},[1692],{"type":95,"value":1693},"One high card (J+) with a mid card (6-10)",{"type":95,"value":1695}," — you have a shot at a paying pair with one more high card on the board",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1697,"children":1698},{},[1699,1704],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1700,"children":1701},{},[1702],{"type":95,"value":1703},"Suited connectors (6+)",{"type":95,"value":1705}," — suited 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10. 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This decision is the most straightforward because you have the most information:",{"type":89,"tag":613,"props":1787,"children":1788},{},[1789,1799,1809,1819],{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1790,"children":1791},{},[1792,1797],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1793,"children":1794},{},[1795],{"type":95,"value":1796},"Raise 1x with any pair",{"type":95,"value":1798}," — even low pairs push, so you cannot lose",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1800,"children":1801},{},[1802,1807],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1803,"children":1804},{},[1805],{"type":95,"value":1806},"Raise 1x with 4 to a flush",{"type":95,"value":1808}," — one card to hit and at minimum push",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1810,"children":1811},{},[1812,1817],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1813,"children":1814},{},[1815],{"type":95,"value":1816},"Raise 1x with 4 to an outside straight",{"type":95,"value":1818}," — 8 outs for a straight (pays 6:1)",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1820,"children":1821},{},[1822,1827],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1823,"children":1824},{},[1825],{"type":95,"value":1826},"Raise 1x with 3+ high cards (J+)",{"type":95,"value":1828}," — multiple pairing opportunities",{"type":89,"tag":97,"props":1830,"children":1831},{},[1832],{"type":95,"value":1833},"Fold everything else. 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Suited 3-7 is a fold or 1x at best",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1865,"children":1866},{},[1867,1872],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1868,"children":1869},{},[1870],{"type":95,"value":1871},"Folding mid pairs on the third street",{"type":95,"value":1873}," — Pairs of 6-10 always push. There is zero risk in staying with a mid pair. Never fold a pair",{"type":89,"tag":617,"props":1875,"children":1876},{},[1877,1882],{"type":89,"tag":621,"props":1878,"children":1879},{},[1880],{"type":95,"value":1881},"Treating flushes as winners",{"type":95,"value":1883}," — In Louisiana Stud, a flush is a push on the base game. Do not get excited about flush draws the same way you would in Cajun Stud. 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