Say hello to Royal Poker, a new poker-based game from Ezugi. Players take on a live dealer, and their goal is to beat him with a better five-card hand.
It may seem that Royal Poker is a complex game, but if you‘ve ever played Russian Poker before, you‘ll have no problem understanding this release. Why? Because Royal Poker is simply another name for Russian Poker.
Poker enthusiasts can look forward to the additional options offered by the game as they increase the winning odds. This spices up the overall experience, making Royal Poker more exciting than Casino Hold‘em.
This article will explain how to play the new Royal Poker game. Hopefully, it will improve your chances of winning!
Playing the Game
First thing first. Royal Poker is played with a single deck of fifty-two cards, shuffled before each round. There‘s no limit to the number of players that can take part in the game. After the game starts, the dealer will deal five face-up cards to each player‘s position and five to his own position. One of his cards is dealt face-up.
Once you‘ve received the initial five cards, you can choose from four options:
- Fold – this folds the hand, and you lose your Ante bet.
- Play the hand as it stands – you proceed by placing a wager worth two times the Ante.
- Get an additional card – receiving the first community card costs the price of the Ante.
- Swap cards – you can swap between two and five cards paying the price of the Ante.
The dealer will then deal five face-up community cards. These cards will provide an additional card and the swap cards requested by players. We have to point out that all cards get allocated in the order of their appearance.
Insurance
If your hand has a Three of a Kind plus an Ace-King (or higher), you‘ll have the chance to insure it. Insurance pays 1:1, and after completing the hand, you can continue to play it or Fold it. If you wish to continue, you‘ll have to place a bet of two times the Ante.
Dealer Revealing His Cards
Once the dealer reveals his cards, they‘ll be ordered in rank order. To be able to play, the dealer needs a Dealer Qualifying, meaning his hand has to contain Ace-King (or higher). If the dealer cannot continue, he‘ll get the Ante back, with the bet spot returning as a push.
On the other hand, if the dealer qualifies, all the hands will be compared. The best one wins the round.
In some cases, the player has the option to buy an additional card to help the dealer‘s hand qualify.
Once they are presented with that option, players can use it for the price of an Ante. The highest card is removed from the dealer‘s hand and replaced with another one taken straight from the deck. The game will continue if the hand qualified.

Royal Poker Strategies
Players can use several strategies when playing Royal Poker. All of them depend on the cards they have and the available options.
The best way to win is by having a strong hand. We‘ll focus on playing those hands with the best odds of winning.
When it comes to options you can use to improve your hand, there are moments when it‘s advisable to do so and times when you should avoid them altogether.
Starting with a good hand is essential. Or at least, you‘ll need one with potential. If your hand is weak, building on it is simply throwing your money away. It‘s vital to know which hands to keep and then use the suitable options to improve it.
Using the correct strategy allows you to do both. We‘ve focused on simple strategies, and although they don‘t guarantee a win, they can prevent unnecessary mistakes. That can impact your bankroll management and help you play for longer.
What‘s a Strong Hand?
As we mentioned, having a strong hand, or one with potential is what we‘re after. You can continue building a hand if it contains the following cards:
- An Ace-King or higher
- An Open-ended straight
- Four cards to a flush
- Three cards part of a straight or royal flush
- A Queen when the dealer‘s face-up card is a five or lower.
All other hands are weak, and we suggest folding. There‘s no use in spending money on the hand.
Taking a Sixth Card
A sixth can make all the difference, enabling players to complete a hand and form a two-card combination. These may lead to additional payouts.
You should take the sixth card in these cases:
- When you have a flush draw or an open-ended straight draw.
- If you already have a winning hand and want to improve it.
Buying the sixth card costs the price of the Ante bet.
Swapping or Exchanging Cards
Players use this option to swap one or more cards. Here are the available possibilities:
- Exchange two cards if you have three cards of a straight or royal flush.
- Exchange the other three cards if you have Ace and King.
- If you have three of a kind, exchanging the other two cards can significantly improve your hand.
- If you have a Queen, and the dealer’s face-up card is less than a five, you can exchange the remaining four cards.
Choosing this option costs the price of the Ante.
Taking Insurance
You’ll be able to use Insurance if you have Three of a Kind plus Ace/King or more. Choosing this option pay even if the dealer fails to qualify.
Insurance is a gamble, and we believe it’s a risk not worth taking.
Helping the Dealer to Qualify
The concept itself is exciting, and you’ll be tempted to use this option. However, it’s crucial to know when to proceed.
If you have a week hand, don’t help the dealer qualify. On the other hand, you may buy the dealer another card if you have a strong hand. However, if the first card is a King or Ace, stop.
Royal Poker may appear complicated, but trust us when we say it’s not. Players only need to focus on their hands, and the dealer’s up card. Be sure to rely on the correct Royal Poker strategy, and worry less about the dealer not qualifying.
