Have you ever tried an unusual variant of a card game in a casino and ended up really enjoying it? Meet Red Dog, a variant of blackjack that’s also known as Scottish Foghorn or yablon. If you’ve ever played ‘In Between’ or ‘In Between The Sheets’, you’ve played a variant of Red Dog. The online casino version is a bit similar, but has a few key differences that you’ll want to know before you start wagering. Let’s dive into the rules and strategies that you’ll want to try in our detailed Red Dog guide.
Are you looking for a place to give Red Dog a try? MyBookie.ag has online games for you to check out. Read through our detailed Red Dog guide and start playing at MyBookie.ag today!
Online Red Dog Guide: Card Game Rules, Tips & Strategy
Red Dog Guide: The Rules of the game
A round of Red Dog starts with an ante. Once you’ve ante’d up, the dealer will deal two cards face up with space in between for a third card.
This is where you have a decision to make. Will the third card be in between the first two? You have to play either way, but you can choose to add to your bet or let your ante ride. In Red Dog, aces are high and twos are low, with the rest of the deck having poker values. Suits don’t carry any weight in Red Dog.
If you’re playing at a casino, the spread is often announced by a dealer and demonstrated with a marker on the table. However, if you’re playing online, you’ll only see the spread by a marker on the screen. The marker and table should not only show the spread, but also the potential payout.
If the first two cards are consecutive or a pair, you push and get your money back. However, if you get a pair on the initial deal, you can get to see the third card. If it’s three-of-a-kind, most online casinos pay 11-to-1.
Most casinos play with multiple decks. The Red Dog game offered by MyBookie.ag is played with eight standard 52-card decks.
Red Dog Pro Tip
Double-check the rules before playing. A lot of casinos, even online casinos, have games called Red Dog that may not be the same as the game described. Some casinos may also have unique variants that are different or played with unique payouts. Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you risk your money.
Red Dog Guide: What are the payouts?
The payout table is where Red Dog has a unique advantage over playing ‘In Between’ with your buddies.
If the first two cards shown have a spread of four to 11, and the third card is in between, it pays even money.
What if the spread is only three between the two cards? If you win, it pays 2-to-1 at most casinos.
How about a spread of only two between the two cards? If you win, it pays 4-to-1 at most casinos.
And what if the spread is only one between the two cards? If you win, it pays 5-to-1 at most casinos.
Consecutive cards or pairs are considered a tie, and a three-of-a-kind will pay 11-to-1 at most casinos.
Red Dog Guide: What are the odds of winning based on the spread?
The odds follow the logic that you would expect. The higher the spread, the higher your odds of winning. A spread of 11 has a winning percentage of 85.1% according to analysis. However, if you only get a spread of one, the odds of winning are only about 7.7%.
Red Dog Guide: Betting Strategy
Red Dog isn’t nearly as complex as games like poker, roulette, or other card games. It’s fast-paced and allows you to maximize playing time with a lot of hands in a short period of time. Red Dog isn’t as intense in strategy as other games, but there are ways you can adjust your play to avoid betting extra on hands that aren’t in your favor.
When you play, you want to maximize your earning power. Look to ‘ride, or double your bet, if the spread is on the safer side. A safer spread would be a six or higher, but if you want to play a bit looser, you can double on any even money bet.
Hitting a three-card to one-card spread is rare. It’s safer to ‘stand’ or only risk your ante on a short spread. If you’re feeling confident, go ahead and double your bet, but now that you’re doubling down on a hand that isn’t in your favor.
You’ll also want to focus on the spread. The spread has the greatest influence over your ability to win, and you can only adjust your bet after the spread is declared. Bet when the spread is closer to your favor, and stay away
Keep in mind that your time playing online or at a table shouldn’t cause additional stress. You get enough of that from work, family, and sports gambling. If your blood pressure is rising, get up, take a walk, throw on your earphones, and listen to the latest episode of the Sports Gambling Podcast, but always remember to let it ride!
