Poker in RDR2: Have Fun and Get Cash in Red Dead (2024)

Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. Because of this, it regularly appears in movies, books, and computer games.

One of the most highly-rated games of recent years, Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), is no exception. At the beginning of the plot, the main character has the opportunity to play several gambling games against cowboys, including poker, dominoes, blackjack, and knives. This is a great way to earn money while completing quests.

If you are wondering where to play poker RDR2, that happens early in the game. You're introduced to poker in the second chapter, "Who is not without sin." A small local "gaming club" is located in one of the starting locations, making it easy for fans to win money from NPCs.

An example of playing poker in RDR2 is clearly demonstrated in the video.

As you progress, you'll unlock several more locations where poker will be available:

• Blackwater

• Valentine

• Saint Denis

• Tumbleweed

• Flatnesk

RDR2 Poker Game Strategy

Beating the NPCs in RDR2 isn't the hardest task. Just follow a few simple strategy tips:

• Know the combinations: Understand the ranking of hands in No Limit Texas Hold'em and know the rules for collecting them.

• Don't bluff: Bets without a strong combination are usually pointless: opponents don't know how to throw away combinations.

• Go for value: Actively take chips from your opponents when you have a strong combination in your hand – it's the easiest way to win.

With the help of a simple poker strategy, you can easily and quickly replenish your game currency reserves. At these tables against the RDR2 AI, you’re looking to play fundamentally sound poker, without getting too creative.

Red Dead Redemption 2 poker doesn’t cost you anything to play, except for the initial cost of the game (which remains high). Another way you can play poker without paying a cent is to enter freerolls, where you can actually win real money, not in-game currency or play chips. With freerolls, you take your seat for free and compete for small prize pools. The good thing is that they run throughout the day, sometimes having guarantees of $400 in prizes for a single event.

Take a look through our schedule to see the freerolls major poker sites are offering today.

Poker Combinations to Know for RDR2

Let's review all poker combinations in ascending order of their strength. Knowing these combinations is essential for successful play in RDR2 and against real opponents when playing for money.

• High card: For example, AK on a 5-7-9-TQ board is a hand called ace-high. No pair.

• One pair: Two cards of the same value. 67 on a flop of 7AK is a pair of sevens.

• Two pairs: Two pairs of two different cards. AK on a flop of A5K – two pairs: aces and kings.

• Set: Three cards of the same rank. 66 on a flop of 6-A-K.

• Straight: Five cards with consecutive values, not tied to suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9. To make a straight, the ace can take two values: the minimum (A-2-3-4-5) and the maximum (TJQKA). However, the hand 2-3-4-K-A is not a straight – it's ace-high.

• Flush: Five cards of the same suit.

• Full house: A combination of a set and one pair. 55 on a board of 5-6-7-K-K is a full house on fives and kings.

• Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank. AA on the board A-5-6-K-A is a four of a kind of aces.

• Straight Flush: A combination of a straight and a flush – five cards of the same suit with consecutive values. For example, hearts 4-5-6-7-8.

• Royal Flush: The strongest hand in No Limit Texas Hold'em is a straight flush from ten to ace.

The Rounds of a Poker Hand

Let's review how a poker hand is played. It consists of several betting rounds:

• Preflop: The first street when players have only two cards face down.

• Flop: The dealer reveals three community cards, and the second street of betting begins.

• Turn: Another round of betting that begins after the fourth community card is dealt.

• River: The final community card and the last chance to win the hand without going to showdown.

• Showdown: If the winner of the hand cannot be determined by betting on the river, the dealer gives a command – and the players open their cards in turn. The winner is determined by the strength of the combination.

Now you know how to play poker RDR2 style. The developers of RDR2 got most details correct, except for the burn cards. The burn card is the top card on the deck, which is discarded face down before dealing the community cards face-up. In Red Dead Redemption 2, you’ll notice that whoever deals the flop, turn, and river, does it without burning a card.

For those who like the poker in RDR2 and want to learn more, check out some useful methods below: