"Texas Hold'em" in an Indian Casino.

Well, Harrah's Rincon and Pala, both North San Diego casinos have the table game, although each of the tables are different in their betting and dealing of cards.

This story is about the Pala table - each player has 4 betting choices to make - ante (a must), trips, blind (pays for flush and above if I remember correctly) and of course Play. Having never played the table at Pala I stopped by to watch and maybe get into the game.

Play starts with each player laying down their bets on ante, and trips and blind which are bonus bets and must be bet before the community cards are turned up. Then the 5 community cards,dealt out of a "Shufflemaster", are laid face down on the felt and then 2 cards to each player and the house. Betting starts on the right, you don't have to bet, and goes around, then the left 3 community cards are turned face up - in this case a 8, 7 and 6 of clubs (possible flush or straight), again betting starts on the right and as before you do not have to bet, then the 2 remaining community cards are turned face up - in this case the 5 and 4 of clubs, darn if it wasn't a straight flush and everyone is a screaming and hollerin - now everyone bets their max. bet because of course they are winners, the dealer turns up his cards a 10 and a 2, everyone beats the dealer with their hole cards winning from $200 to over $1000.

Exciting as h***! So what do I do, I go over and played "Let-It-Ride" alongside Alice and she gets 4 3's for $1025.

Maybe I better stick to Black Jack it's better for the heart.