Criss Cross Poker is an exciting casino table game that puts a fresh spin on traditional poker. Created by AGS, this game uses a standard 52-card deck and a unique cross-shaped layout of community cards. Players aim to build winning hands using their two hole cards and the community cards.
Unlike Mississippi Stud, which uses three community cards, Criss Cross Poker offers more betting rounds and chances to win. The game features three main bets: Across, Down, and Middle, plus an optional Five Card Bonus bet.
With its multiple decision points and potential for big payouts, Criss Cross Poker appeals to both casual players and serious gamblers.
The game’s house edge varies depending on the bet but typically ranges from 1.8% to 4.5%, making it a competitive option among casino poker variants.
Whether you’re at a brick-and-mortar casino or playing online, Criss Cross Poker offers a thrilling poker experience with a twist.
Game Setup and Rules of Criss Cross Poker
Criss Cross Poker uses a standard 52-card deck and a unique table layout. The game’s centerpiece is a cross-shaped arrangement of five community cards. This setup is what gives the game its catchy name!
Deck and Table Layout
The dealer shuffles the deck and places five cards face down in a cross pattern. Two cards go on each side of the cross, with one card smack dab in the middle. This layout is key to the game’s strategy and excitement.
Initial Bets
Before the cards are dealt, players need to put their money where their mouth is. They make two equal bets:
Ante Across: This bet is for the horizontal line of the cross.
Ante Down: This one’s for the vertical line.
These bets are like your ticket to the game. They’re usually between $5 and $25, depending on the casino’s rules.
Optional Five Card Bonus Bet
If you’re feeling lucky, you can also make a Five Card Bonus bet. This side bet is based on the five community cards in the cross.
It’s a fun way to potentially win big, with payouts up to 250 to 1 for a royal flush! Here’s a quick look at some Five Card Bonus payouts:
- Royal Flush: 250 to 1
- Straight Flush: 100 to 1
- Four of a Kind: 40 to 1
Remember, this bet is optional. You can play the main game without it, but some folks like the extra thrill. The house edge on this bet is about 3.53%, which isn’t too shabby for a side bet in a casino game.
How to Play Criss Cross Poker?
Criss Cross Poker is an exciting game that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Take a look at how it all works!
Dealing of Cards
The dealer starts by shuffling a standard 52-card deck. It’s just like the deck you’d use for a game of Go Fish with your buddies, but the stakes are way higher here!
Two Hole Cards to Each Player
First things first, each player gets two hole cards dealt face down. These are your secret weapons, so keep ’em close to your chest!
You can peek at them, but don’t let anyone else see. It’s like having two aces up your sleeve, except it’s totally legal in this game.
Five Community Cards in Cross Pattern
Now, here’s where Criss Cross Poker gets its name. The dealer places five community cards face down on the table in a cross pattern.
It looks a bit like a plus sign or a fancy letter T. This cross is the heart of the game, and it’s where all the action happens.
Betting Rounds
Alright, folks, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is! Criss Cross Poker has three betting rounds, each more exciting than the last.
Across Bet
After you’ve checked out your whole cards, it’s decision time. You can either make an “Across” bet or fold like a cheap lawn chair.
If you’re feeling lucky, you can bet anywhere from 1x to 3x your original Ante Across bet. For example, if your Ante was $5, you could bet $5, $10, or $15 on the Across bet.
Once everyone’s made their choice, the dealer flips over the two outside cards on the horizontal line of the cross. It’s like unwrapping a present, but instead of socks, you might get a Royal Flush!
Down Bet
Next up is the “Down” bet. Same deal as before – you can bet 1x to 3x your Ante Down bet or fold if things aren’t looking so hot. Remember, if you fold now, you lose everything you’ve bet so far.
It’s like walking away from a half-eaten sandwich – sometimes you gotta do it, but it always feels like a waste. After everyone’s placed their Down bets, the dealer reveals the two outside cards on the vertical line of the cross. Now we’re cooking with gas!
Middle Bet
Last but not least, we’ve got the “Middle” bet. This is your final chance to boost your winnings or cut your losses. You can bet 1x to 3x one of your original Ante bets. It’s like doubling down in Blackjack, but with a twist.
Revealing Community Cards
Now for the moment of truth – the dealer flips over that last card in the middle of the cross. It’s like the final piece of a puzzle, and suddenly everything becomes clear. Let’s break down how these community cards work:
The Across hand uses your two hole cards plus the three cards on the horizontal line of the cross.
The Down hand uses your two hole cards plus the three cards on the vertical line of the cross.
The Middle bet is based on whichever of these two hands is stronger.
It’s like having two shots at glory with every hand!
Example Hand
Let’s walk through an example to see how this all plays out:
- You place two $5 Ante bets (Across and Down).
- You get dealt a Jack of Hearts and a Queen of Spades as your hole cards.
- For the Across bet, you decide to bet $10 (2x your Ante).
- The dealer reveals the horizontal cards: 10 of Clubs and King of Hearts.
- You’re feeling good about your potential straight, so you bet $15 (3x your Ante) on the Down bet.
- The dealer reveals the vertical cards: Ace of Diamonds and 9 of Hearts.
- You’re still in it to win it, so you put $10 on the Middle bet.
- The final middle card is revealed: Jack of Clubs.
Now, let’s see what you’ve got:
Across hand: Jack-Queen-King-10-Jack (Two Pair)
Down hand: Jack-Queen-Ace-9-Jack (Two Pair)
In this case, your Across and Down hands are both Two Pair, but the Down hand wins because Aces beat Kings. Your Middle bet would pay out based on the stronger Down hand.
Hand Formation and Evaluation
In Criss Cross Poker, you’re not just playing one hand – you’re playing three! Let’s break it down and see how these hands come together.
Across Hand
The Across hand is like your first shot at glory. You take your two hole cards (the secret ones only you can see) and mix them with the three cards on the horizontal line of the cross. It’s like making a sandwich with your favorite bread and the toppings the dealer gives you.
For example, if you have a Jack of Hearts and a Queen of Spades in your hand, and the horizontal line shows 10 of Clubs, King of Hearts, and Ace of Diamonds, you’ve got yourself a sweet straight!
Down Hand
Now, the Down hand is your second chance at winning big. It’s the same deal as the Across hand, but this time you’re using the vertical line of the cross.
Let’s say the vertical line shows 9 of Hearts, Jack of Clubs, and Ace of Diamonds. With your Jack of Hearts and Queen of Spades, you’ve now got two pairs – Jacks and Aces. Not too shabby!
Middle Hand
The Middle hand is where things get really interesting. It’s not actually a separate hand – it’s more like a bonus round. The Middle bet pays based on whichever of your Across or Down hands is stronger.
In our example, the straight from the Across hand beats the two pairs from the Down hand, so that’s what counts for your Middle bet. It’s like getting to choose the best player from two different sports teams!
Poker Hand Rankings
Now, let’s talk about how these hands stack up. In Criss Cross Poker, we use the standard poker hand rankings. Here’s how they line up, from best to worst:
- Royal Flush: The cream of the crop! It’s like hitting the jackpot in Vegas.
- Straight Flush: Five cards in a row, all the same suit. Pretty rare and pretty awesome.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. It’s like having quadruplets!
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair. It’s a full party in your hand.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit. Matching outfits for your cards.
- Straight: Five cards in a row, any suits. Like counting 1-2-3-4-5.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank. Triplets, if you will.
- Two Pair: Two sets of two cards of the same rank. Double trouble!
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank. Twins in your hand.
- High Card: When you’ve got nothing else, the highest card wins.
Remember, in Criss Cross Poker, you need at least a pair of Jacks or better to win on your Ante bets. Anything lower, and you’re out of luck!
The cool thing about this game is that you get multiple chances to make these hands. It’s like fishing in three different spots at once – you’re bound to catch something good!
Payouts and Odds in Criss Cross Poker
Let’s talk money! In Criss Cross Poker, your payouts depend on how good your hand is. It’s like getting grades in school – the better you do, the more you get!
Standard Payout Table
Here’s how the standard payouts work for your Ante, Across, Down, and Middle bets:
| Hand | Ante Pays | Across/Down/Middle Pays |
| Royal Flush | 1 to 1 | 500 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 1 to 1 | 100 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 1 to 1 | 40 to 1 |
| Full House | 1 to 1 | 12 to 1 |
| Flush | 1 to 1 | 8 to 1 |
| Straight | 1 to 1 | 5 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 | 2 to 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 to 1 | 1 to 1 |
| Pair of 6’s – 10’s | Push | Push |
Imagine you bet $5 on your Ante and make a $15 Across bet. If you hit a Royal Flush, you’d win $5 on your Ante and a whopping $7,500 on your Across bet! That’s like winning the lottery at the poker table!
Five Card Bonus Payout Table
The Five Card Bonus bet is like the cherry on top. It’s based on the five community cards in the cross. Here’s what you could win:
| Hand | Pays |
| Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 100 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 40 to 1 |
| Full House | 15 to 1 |
| Flush | 10 to 1 |
| Straight | 6 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 3 to 1 |
| Pair of 6’s or Better | 1 to 1 |
If you put $5 on the Five Card Bonus and the community cards make a Royal Flush, you’d win $1,250! That’s enough for a fancy dinner and maybe even a new suit to wear to the casino.
House Edge and Expected Return
Now, let’s get real about your chances. The house edge in Criss Cross Poker is about 1.48% when you play perfectly.
That means for every $100 you bet, you can expect to lose about $1.48 in the long run. It’s not too shabby compared to other casino games!
Your expected return is about 98.52%. Think of it like this: for every dollar you bet, you’ll get about 98.5 cents back over time. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s better odds than buying a lottery ticket!
The Five Card Bonus bet has a higher house edge of about 3.53%. It’s riskier, but the payouts are bigger. It’s like ordering the spiciest dish on the menu – more exciting, but not for everyone!
Remember, these numbers are based on perfect play. If you’re new to the game, you might lose a bit more.
But don’t worry – with practice, you’ll get better and your odds will improve. It’s like learning to ride a bike – you might fall a few times, but soon you’ll be cruising!
Strategy and Tips for Criss Cross Poker
Let’s examine some smart strategies for playing Criss Cross Poker. With these tips, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time!
Basic Strategy for Across and Down Bets
When it comes to the Across and Down bets, you’ve got to play it cool. Here’s the lowdown:
If you’ve got a pair or suited QJ in your hand, go big! Raise 3x your Ante bet. It’s like having a secret weapon – use it!
Got small cards like 23, 24, 25, 34, 35, or 45 (not suited)? Fold ’em. These hands are as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
For everything else, make a small 1x raise. It’s like dipping your toe in the water – not too risky, but still in the game.
Remember, the Across and Down bets are pretty much the same. But keep your eyes peeled! Sometimes, what you see in the Across cards might change your Down bet strategy.
For example, if you have 2c, 3c, and the Across cards show 4c, 7d, you might want to fold the Down bet. That 4c could’ve been your lucky card, but it’s already used up!
Middle Bet Strategy
The Middle bet is where things get spicy. You’ve seen four cards by now, so you’ve got more info to work with. Here’s the scoop:
If you made a 3x bet on either Across or Down, don’t fold the Middle. You’re in it to win it!
About 4.5% of the time, you’ll make small bets on Across and Down, then fold the Middle. It’s like knowing when to quit while you’re ahead.
For the Middle bet, you can raise 1x to 3x of either Ante bet. Choose wisely!
Here’s a pro tip: if your Across hand is looking good, your Down hand might not be as strong. It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul – the good cards are already used up!
Five Card Bonus Bet Considerations
The Five Card Bonus bet is like the cherry on top. It’s based on just the five community cards. Here’s what you need to know:
The house edge on this bet is about 3.53%. That’s higher than the main game, so it’s a bit riskier.
You can win big here – up to 250 to 1 for a Royal Flush!
Remember, this bet is independent of your other bets. It’s like playing a mini-game within the main game.
Should you make this bet? Well, it’s a bit of a gamble (pun intended!). If you’re feeling lucky and want a shot at a big payout, go for it. But if you’re playing it safe, you might want to stick to the main bets.
Variations and Special Features
Criss Cross Poker isn’t just your run-of-the-mill card game – it’s got some cool extras that keep players coming back for more! One of the most exciting features is the Progressive Jackpot.
At Canterbury Park in Minnesota, they’ve got a jackpot that starts paying out with just a Three of a Kind in your hand.
Talk about a sweet deal! If you’re lucky enough to hit a 5-card Royal Flush, you’ll take home the whole enchilada – 100% of the jackpot! Some casinos also offer a Bonus Spin feature.
If you get a pair in your first two cards, you might get a chance to spin a wheel for extra cash. The payouts can be pretty hefty, with top prizes of $2,500 or even a progressive jackpot!
For folks who prefer to play from their couch, there are online and mobile versions of the game. You can find Criss Cross Poker apps in the Google Play Store, so you can get your poker fix anytime, anywhere.
These digital versions often come with nifty features like practice modes and stat tracking, helping you sharpen your skills before hitting the real tables.
Comparison to Other Casino Poker Games
Criss Cross Poker stands out from other casino poker games like a shiny penny in a pile of dull coins. One of its biggest perks is that you get to play two hands at once, giving you double the fun and double the chances to win.
Unlike games like Texas Hold’em where you’re up against other players, in Criss Cross, you’re just trying to beat the pay table.
This means you can relax and focus on your own game without worrying about what the guy next to you is up to. The game has a nice mix of skill and luck.
You’ve got to use your noggin to decide when to bet and when to fold, but Lady Luck still plays a part with those community cards.
Speaking of betting, Criss Cross lets you adjust your bets as the hand progresses, which is pretty nifty. The house edge is about 1.48% if you play perfectly, which is better than many other casino games.
Plus, with the Five Card Bonus bet and progressive jackpots at some casinos, you’ve got a shot at some seriously big wins. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!
Conclusion
Criss Cross Poker is a real gem in the world of casino games. It’s got a unique cross-shaped layout that lets you play two hands at once, giving you more bang for your buck. With a house edge of just 1.48% when played perfectly, it’s a smart choice for savvy gamblers.
The game keeps you on your toes with multiple betting rounds and the chance to adjust your bets as you go.
Plus, the Five Card Bonus bet and progressive jackpots at some casinos add an extra layer of excitement. It’s no wonder both players and casinos are falling head over heels for this game.
Whether you’re a poker pro or just starting out, Criss Cross Poker offers a perfect blend of skill and luck that’ll keep you coming back for more. It’s like a rollercoaster ride for your wallet – thrilling, unpredictable, and totally addictive!
