House-banked poker
A casino table game that uses poker hand rankings but is played against the dealer rather than against other players, so there is no pot, no betting between players and no skill edge over anyone but the house.
Frequently asked questions
What is house-banked poker?
Any poker-derived table game where the casino covers the bets and pays fixed odds — Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Heads-Up Hold'em, Bavarian Texas Hold'em and similar. You play the bank, not the table.
How is it different from real poker?
In a house-banked game the mathematics guarantee the casino a long-run edge, and no strategy removes it. In a poker game the house takes a rake and the players compete for each other's money, so a stronger player can win over time.
Why does the distinction matter when planning a trip?
Because a casino listing 'Poker' may only be offering a house game. Before travelling, check whether there are scheduled cash games or tournaments — our venue pages state which, and when they actually run.