Red Dead Redemption is one of the few games that gets poker right. It has drama, excitement, and skill. But that's not all. Red Dead Redemption also gives you three ways to beat the game – fairly, unfairly, and by cheating. All you need to do is decide which tactic to use. After reading this article you'll know which one will work for you….
- Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a good source of money for your character. If you know what you're doing, you can increase your earnings very fast. The thing is, if you don't know how to play poker in RDR 2, you can lose all your hard work very fast, and then be forced to shoot someone in the face to get it back.
- The aim of poker is to win the pot by having the best cards at the end of the game, or by convincing other players you have the best hand so they drop out. There are lots of different card combinations that have different rankings. Refer to the game's Help Menu Activities Poker, to see all the rules and card combinations.
That being said, the poker games in Red Dead Redemption are a strange mix of cash games and tournaments. On the one side, there's a fixed buy-in just like in tourneys. (The buy-in varies from town to town, though, from $10 at MacFarlane's Ranch to $250 for the Blackwater Hotel high-stakes game.).
Recommended reading: Red Dead Online Will Be Getting 'Anti-Griefing Measures' Soon
Know and use the rules of poker
Some poker games are terrible. I once played a poker game on a long haul flight that was a joke. I went all in for 19 straight hands, whatever my cards, and won each time. Your poker opponents in Red Dead Redemption aren't so forgiving, but with a bit of poker knowledge you can beat them.
If you've already played some online poker then you should know the basics. If you don't, head over to Online Casinos for guidance on how to play. For even more information, the video gives you some tips on how to value your hands:
The great thing about using your poker knowledge in Red Dead Redemption is that your opponents often overvalue their hands. This means if you start with a good pair, hit top pair, or better, you can bet your opponent down. The result is that you can get maximum value from your hand. This is how to beat the game using your poker skills.
Is the claridge casino in atlantic city still opening. Top tip: If you're not aggressive enough your opponents will punish you for it.
Go all in and restart until you beat the game
If you're like me, you're a perfectionist when you play a video game. This means there's no shame in hitting restart until you've got the result you want. No. In fact, it's the right thing to do. Beating poker in Red Dead Redemption is no different.
There's no limit on how many times you can reset and begin and episode on Red Dead Redemption. This means you can take down your opponent in one move, so long as the move plays how you want it to.
The way to do this is to go all in with every hand. If your opponent goes all in on your first hand and loses then great. If your opponent folds then keep shoving until they call you and lose. If you lose then restart your game.
This sounds like a crude tactic but it's one that can work in real poker. If you're an amateur and keep going all in, even a pro poker player will be unsettled. Check out the video below for a compilation of the best all in moments in poker:
Top tip: For this approach to work you must play against only one opponent
Cheat the game – it's what it would do to you
If playing fair or a little unfair doesn't do it for you (it often doesn't for me) then go into full cheat mode. It's a strategy employed in virtually any game at some stage and it can help you beat poker in Red Dead Redemption.
If you're going to cheat the game you need to do it properly. That means using the Liars and Cheats Pack. While it's only effective in the single-player mode, it gives you a real advantage over your opponents. To get one up on your game rival, you must put on the Elegant Suit.
The Elegant Suit lets you cheat by storing an extra card. You use this when you deal – pressing the Y or triangle button to pocket your secret card. This creates a mini game where you have a clear advantage over your opponent – unless you get caught.
Top tip: If you do get caught you'll be challenged to a duel, so make sure you've practised your duelling!
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Roast
Check out the video underneath for some tips on how to cheat and duel in Red Dead Redemption:
Poker is a very popular game and playing it on Red Dead Redemption is hugely enjoyable. To get the most satisfaction out of your Red Dead Redemption poker play you have to win. Now you know how to do it fairly, unfairly, and by cheating. So have fun!
In this guide we cover everything about the mini-game of poker in the Red Dead Redemption 2, from the rules, to the hand rankings and locations you can play the game to help anyone playing through of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online.
Poker is a great way to earn some quick cash if you study the game and learn the effective hand combinations in the single player of Red Dead Redemption 2, and even the online portion of the game.
But beware, as much as you can win a lot of money, you can also lose it all very quickly if you don't pay attention. This complete guide will help you know when to bet and know when to fold.
RDR2 Poker Locations
Where to play Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2
The available locations to play poker are scattered around the map. Places like Valentine and Flatneck station have a lower buy-in and is easier for new player, but nicer and more fancier locations like Saint Denis and Blackwater have a higher buy-in and can be challenging for new players until you get an understanding of the game.
Below are the the locations you will be able to find poker games.
- Main camp: Times vary, but you can play with your fellow gang members.
- Valentine: There are two saloons in Valentine, the saloon beside the general store is the one you will be able to play.
- Flatneck Station: to be able to play poker you must progress throughout the main story until get to chapter 2 and finished the reverend Swanson mission 'Who Is Not Without Sin' after then is poker available in every location. Poker is available from the start for online.
- Saint Denis: There are two saloons also in Saint Denis the one available for poker is near the middle of the city.
- Blackwater: Located on the main street.
- Tumbleweed: Located upstairs in the saloon in town.
Note: You won't be able to reach Blackwater and Tumbleweed in the main story until you reach a certain point further into the story.
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Dishes
In Red Dead Online, Poker can be joined from various Saloons across the open world. Players can play Poker against other players in both Public and Private matches, and all poker tables seat up to 6 players.
RDR2 Poker Guide
The aim of Poker is to win the pot by having the best cards at the end of the game, or by convincing other players you have the best hand so they drop out.
Each player is dealt two cards. These are known as hole cards, and are kept secret from the other players. Over several rounds, shared cards are dealt to the center of the table. These can be seen by everybody and are known as community cards.
A player's hand rank comes from the strongest five-card hand they can make, using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. See the 'Hand Rankings' section below for a full list of combinations.
After each set of cards is dealt, there is a round of betting. Players take turns to place a bet in the pot, which the other players must match (call). If they don't want to match the bet, they must drop out (fold), losing any chance to win the pot
After all betting rounds are complete, the players reveal their cards in a showdown and the player with the best hand wins the pot. Or if only one player remains before the betting rounds are completed, the remaining player steals the pot, winning it without having to reveal their cards.
RDR2 Poker Rules
To start, the two players to the left of the dealer must put in a mandatory bet each, called the small blind and the big blind. The dealer then deals two hole cards to everyone present, and the first betting round starts.
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Recipes
During a betting round players take turns, with play moving clockwise around the table. On a player's turn, they must at least match the bet of the previous players in order to stay in, or they can fold to drop out. On a player's turn, there are five possible actions: check, bet, call, raise and fold.
Check
If no bet has been made, a player can choose to check or bet. A check is equivalent to betting zero and passes the action to the next person clockwise. A player who checks remains in the game and reserves the right to call or raise later. If all active players check during a round of betting, the round is considered complete.
Bet
If no bet has been made, a player may bet any amount they wish. If a player bets, subsequent players must at least match this amount to remain in the hand.
Call
If there has been a bet in the current round, a player may call. To call, the player matches the current bet made by his or her opponent(s).
Raise
If there has been a bet in the current round, a player may raise. A raise means the player is increasing the amount of the current bet. A raise must be at least double the amount of moeny of any previous raise. Subsequent players must at least match this amount to remain in the hand or fold if they do not wish to match the amount.
Fold
A player can always fold, forfeiting all interest in the pot. A player who folds cannot wager any further chips during the current poker hand, and cannot win that hand and is out until next round.
Going All In
If a player places all their chips in the pot, this is known as all-in. They will not be able to take any further action during the hand, but can still win it at the end.
If a player doesn't have enough chips to call the current bet, they can still go all-in. In this case they will only be eligible for the portion of the pot they can match, as they have placed less chips in than the other players. The rest of the pot will be contested by the players who bet the full amount.
Auto Bet
When waiting for your turn, you can use auto-bet to preset what action you want to take. Hold right and select the action you would like to take. You can cancel that action at any time before your turn by holding right again.
Note, that if conditions change so that your preset action is no longer valid, your auto-bet will be canceled automatically. You can set and unset an auto-bet as many times as you like.
Betting Rounds
Rdr2 Poker Side Pots
The first betting round is known as the preflop. After the blinds have been posted and the hole cards dealt, the betting round starts. It continues until all players who remain have bet the same amount, or are all-in.
Three community cards are then dealt as the flop. Another betting round takes place, with players using the new community cards to better understand how strong their hand is. Again the betting round continues until all players who remain have bet the same amount, or are all-in.
Then, a fourth community card is dealt, known as the turn. Another betting round takes place.
Finally, a fifth community card is dealt, known as the river. A final betting round takes place.
Showdown
On reaching the end of the final betting round, the showdown takes place. The players reveal their cards. Taking the best five-card combination of their hole cards and the community cards, each player has a hand ranking (for example, a pair). The player with the best hand ranking wins the pot. See the 'Hand Rankings' below for the full list.
If several players share the best hand ranking, the remaining cards in their five-card hands are taken into account. These are known as kickers. If one of the players has better kickers than the others, they win the pot. If even after taking kickers into account, several players still share the best hand ranking, the pot is split between them.
Red Dead Redemption is one of the few games that gets poker right. It has drama, excitement, and skill. But that's not all. Red Dead Redemption also gives you three ways to beat the game – fairly, unfairly, and by cheating. All you need to do is decide which tactic to use. After reading this article you'll know which one will work for you….
- Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a good source of money for your character. If you know what you're doing, you can increase your earnings very fast. The thing is, if you don't know how to play poker in RDR 2, you can lose all your hard work very fast, and then be forced to shoot someone in the face to get it back.
- The aim of poker is to win the pot by having the best cards at the end of the game, or by convincing other players you have the best hand so they drop out. There are lots of different card combinations that have different rankings. Refer to the game's Help Menu Activities Poker, to see all the rules and card combinations.
That being said, the poker games in Red Dead Redemption are a strange mix of cash games and tournaments. On the one side, there's a fixed buy-in just like in tourneys. (The buy-in varies from town to town, though, from $10 at MacFarlane's Ranch to $250 for the Blackwater Hotel high-stakes game.).
Recommended reading: Red Dead Online Will Be Getting 'Anti-Griefing Measures' Soon
Know and use the rules of poker
Some poker games are terrible. I once played a poker game on a long haul flight that was a joke. I went all in for 19 straight hands, whatever my cards, and won each time. Your poker opponents in Red Dead Redemption aren't so forgiving, but with a bit of poker knowledge you can beat them.
If you've already played some online poker then you should know the basics. If you don't, head over to Online Casinos for guidance on how to play. For even more information, the video gives you some tips on how to value your hands:
The great thing about using your poker knowledge in Red Dead Redemption is that your opponents often overvalue their hands. This means if you start with a good pair, hit top pair, or better, you can bet your opponent down. The result is that you can get maximum value from your hand. This is how to beat the game using your poker skills.
Is the claridge casino in atlantic city still opening. Top tip: If you're not aggressive enough your opponents will punish you for it.
Go all in and restart until you beat the game
If you're like me, you're a perfectionist when you play a video game. This means there's no shame in hitting restart until you've got the result you want. No. In fact, it's the right thing to do. Beating poker in Red Dead Redemption is no different.
There's no limit on how many times you can reset and begin and episode on Red Dead Redemption. This means you can take down your opponent in one move, so long as the move plays how you want it to.
The way to do this is to go all in with every hand. If your opponent goes all in on your first hand and loses then great. If your opponent folds then keep shoving until they call you and lose. If you lose then restart your game.
This sounds like a crude tactic but it's one that can work in real poker. If you're an amateur and keep going all in, even a pro poker player will be unsettled. Check out the video below for a compilation of the best all in moments in poker:
Top tip: For this approach to work you must play against only one opponent
Cheat the game – it's what it would do to you
If playing fair or a little unfair doesn't do it for you (it often doesn't for me) then go into full cheat mode. It's a strategy employed in virtually any game at some stage and it can help you beat poker in Red Dead Redemption.
If you're going to cheat the game you need to do it properly. That means using the Liars and Cheats Pack. While it's only effective in the single-player mode, it gives you a real advantage over your opponents. To get one up on your game rival, you must put on the Elegant Suit.
The Elegant Suit lets you cheat by storing an extra card. You use this when you deal – pressing the Y or triangle button to pocket your secret card. This creates a mini game where you have a clear advantage over your opponent – unless you get caught.
Top tip: If you do get caught you'll be challenged to a duel, so make sure you've practised your duelling!
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Roast
Check out the video underneath for some tips on how to cheat and duel in Red Dead Redemption:
Poker is a very popular game and playing it on Red Dead Redemption is hugely enjoyable. To get the most satisfaction out of your Red Dead Redemption poker play you have to win. Now you know how to do it fairly, unfairly, and by cheating. So have fun!
In this guide we cover everything about the mini-game of poker in the Red Dead Redemption 2, from the rules, to the hand rankings and locations you can play the game to help anyone playing through of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online.
Poker is a great way to earn some quick cash if you study the game and learn the effective hand combinations in the single player of Red Dead Redemption 2, and even the online portion of the game.
But beware, as much as you can win a lot of money, you can also lose it all very quickly if you don't pay attention. This complete guide will help you know when to bet and know when to fold.
RDR2 Poker Locations
Where to play Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2
The available locations to play poker are scattered around the map. Places like Valentine and Flatneck station have a lower buy-in and is easier for new player, but nicer and more fancier locations like Saint Denis and Blackwater have a higher buy-in and can be challenging for new players until you get an understanding of the game.
Below are the the locations you will be able to find poker games.
- Main camp: Times vary, but you can play with your fellow gang members.
- Valentine: There are two saloons in Valentine, the saloon beside the general store is the one you will be able to play.
- Flatneck Station: to be able to play poker you must progress throughout the main story until get to chapter 2 and finished the reverend Swanson mission 'Who Is Not Without Sin' after then is poker available in every location. Poker is available from the start for online.
- Saint Denis: There are two saloons also in Saint Denis the one available for poker is near the middle of the city.
- Blackwater: Located on the main street.
- Tumbleweed: Located upstairs in the saloon in town.
Note: You won't be able to reach Blackwater and Tumbleweed in the main story until you reach a certain point further into the story.
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Dishes
In Red Dead Online, Poker can be joined from various Saloons across the open world. Players can play Poker against other players in both Public and Private matches, and all poker tables seat up to 6 players.
RDR2 Poker Guide
The aim of Poker is to win the pot by having the best cards at the end of the game, or by convincing other players you have the best hand so they drop out.
Each player is dealt two cards. These are known as hole cards, and are kept secret from the other players. Over several rounds, shared cards are dealt to the center of the table. These can be seen by everybody and are known as community cards.
A player's hand rank comes from the strongest five-card hand they can make, using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. See the 'Hand Rankings' section below for a full list of combinations.
After each set of cards is dealt, there is a round of betting. Players take turns to place a bet in the pot, which the other players must match (call). If they don't want to match the bet, they must drop out (fold), losing any chance to win the pot
After all betting rounds are complete, the players reveal their cards in a showdown and the player with the best hand wins the pot. Or if only one player remains before the betting rounds are completed, the remaining player steals the pot, winning it without having to reveal their cards.
RDR2 Poker Rules
To start, the two players to the left of the dealer must put in a mandatory bet each, called the small blind and the big blind. The dealer then deals two hole cards to everyone present, and the first betting round starts.
Rdr2 Poker Side Pot Recipes
During a betting round players take turns, with play moving clockwise around the table. On a player's turn, they must at least match the bet of the previous players in order to stay in, or they can fold to drop out. On a player's turn, there are five possible actions: check, bet, call, raise and fold.
Check
If no bet has been made, a player can choose to check or bet. A check is equivalent to betting zero and passes the action to the next person clockwise. A player who checks remains in the game and reserves the right to call or raise later. If all active players check during a round of betting, the round is considered complete.
Bet
If no bet has been made, a player may bet any amount they wish. If a player bets, subsequent players must at least match this amount to remain in the hand.
Call
If there has been a bet in the current round, a player may call. To call, the player matches the current bet made by his or her opponent(s).
Raise
If there has been a bet in the current round, a player may raise. A raise means the player is increasing the amount of the current bet. A raise must be at least double the amount of moeny of any previous raise. Subsequent players must at least match this amount to remain in the hand or fold if they do not wish to match the amount.
Fold
A player can always fold, forfeiting all interest in the pot. A player who folds cannot wager any further chips during the current poker hand, and cannot win that hand and is out until next round.
Going All In
If a player places all their chips in the pot, this is known as all-in. They will not be able to take any further action during the hand, but can still win it at the end.
If a player doesn't have enough chips to call the current bet, they can still go all-in. In this case they will only be eligible for the portion of the pot they can match, as they have placed less chips in than the other players. The rest of the pot will be contested by the players who bet the full amount.
Auto Bet
When waiting for your turn, you can use auto-bet to preset what action you want to take. Hold right and select the action you would like to take. You can cancel that action at any time before your turn by holding right again.
Note, that if conditions change so that your preset action is no longer valid, your auto-bet will be canceled automatically. You can set and unset an auto-bet as many times as you like.
Betting Rounds
Rdr2 Poker Side Pots
The first betting round is known as the preflop. After the blinds have been posted and the hole cards dealt, the betting round starts. It continues until all players who remain have bet the same amount, or are all-in.
Three community cards are then dealt as the flop. Another betting round takes place, with players using the new community cards to better understand how strong their hand is. Again the betting round continues until all players who remain have bet the same amount, or are all-in.
Then, a fourth community card is dealt, known as the turn. Another betting round takes place.
Finally, a fifth community card is dealt, known as the river. A final betting round takes place.
Showdown
On reaching the end of the final betting round, the showdown takes place. The players reveal their cards. Taking the best five-card combination of their hole cards and the community cards, each player has a hand ranking (for example, a pair). The player with the best hand ranking wins the pot. See the 'Hand Rankings' below for the full list.
If several players share the best hand ranking, the remaining cards in their five-card hands are taken into account. These are known as kickers. If one of the players has better kickers than the others, they win the pot. If even after taking kickers into account, several players still share the best hand ranking, the pot is split between them.
If a player doesn't want to reveal their cards at the showdown, they can muck. This simply forfeits without revealing the hand. When playing against experienced players, this helps to prevent them from learning your style and being able to predict your decisions.
Stealing The Pot
If all players but one fold before reaching the showdown, the final remaining player has stolen the pot and wins all the chips.
Side Pots
If a player has gone all-in during the course of the hand, and so has placed less chips into the pot than the other eligible players, this creates a side pot.
A player is only eligible to win the amount they have wagered themselves from each other player. When a player goes all-in, this amount is separated off in the main pot and the remaining active players can continue betting into a side pot. The all-in player is only eligible to win the main pot.
The other players are eligible to win both the main pot and side pot. If several players go all-in in one hand, this can create several side pots.
RDR2 Poker Hand Rankings
Below you will find the poker hands ranking from strongest to weakest that will give you an edge over the competition in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Royal Flush
An ace, king, queen, jack and 10, all of the same suit.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit.
Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank, and one side card or 'kicker'.
Full House
Three cards of the same rank, and two cards of a different, matching rank.
Flush
Five cards all of the same suit.
Straight
Five cards in sequence, of different suits.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, and two unrelated side cards.
Two pair
Two cards of a matching rank, another two cards of a different matching rank, and one side card.
One pair
Two cards of a matching rank, and three unrelated side cards
High card:
Any hand that does not qualify under a category listed above.
For the other Mini Games and Activities in Red Dead Redemption 2, see all the Table Games Guides and check out the complete Guides Section.
