Red Dog Poker is a Other game offered by Playtech games provider.

Red Dog Poker is a version of a standard casino poker game. You can play it by yourself against a single computer opponent, against several computer opponents or in a private group of your own. Red Dog uses casino values for each card (a number card is worth its face value, a Jack is worth 11, a Queen is worth 12, a King is worth 13 and an Ace is worth 14) and the suit is irrelevant.

To begin, you need to place an initial bet - anything from $1 to $300. Then click deal and the game begins. Two cards are drawn and appear on the playing surface. At this point the game can end; if the cards are consecutive, it is a tie - you get your bet back and the round is over. Also, if the cards are equal, a third is drawn - if this card matches the first two cards, you win the round 11:1, if it does not match the cards, a tie is declared, your bet returned and the round ends.

However, if the two cards that are drawn are different, the game continues with these two cards, and a spread is established. A spread is the value between the two cards. You must establish the difference between the two cards. For example, the difference between a five and a seven is one, where the difference between a six and a King is six.

You now have the option to either raise your bet, which means to double it, or to call, which means to continue without raising your stake. Choose which one you want and select it. A third card will be drawn. What you need is for that card to fall in the spread between the two existing cards. For example, in a hand I played I was dealt an eight and a Queen, with a spread of three, which is indicated to be worth 2:1 for me if my third card is a nine, ten or Jack. As I was then dealt a ten, I won $600 off a $200 bet.

The values of each spread are written on the playing surface and when active, the relevant spread is indicated by the payout table.

For me, the fun of card games in a casino (online and otherwise) is combining strategy with luck. Unfortunately, Red Dog Poker needs no strategy whatsoever - the only decision you have to make is whether to double (raise) your bet or not, which is extremely easy to figure out - the larger your spread, the higher your chance of winning, so bet accordingly.

Although the game features are well designed and is easy to use, I became bored very quickly. There is good money to be earned, but it's a dull way to do it. Try a different card game that you can influence a little more using a strategy for real enjoyment. However, if you're inexperienced, this is a good starter game which will help get you used to thinking of the cards as having a value.