Casino Hold’em (Evolution) Review & How to Play (2025)

An Expert Review of Evolution’s Live Casino Hold’em

Casino Hold’em by Evolution Gaming is one of the most popular and engaging versions of live dealer poker online. It captures the core excitement of Texas Hold’em but pits you directly against the dealer in a fast-paced, one-on-one format. It’s the perfect poker game for players who want strategic gameplay without the pressure of bluffing against a table of other players.

This guide explains the rules, the flow of the game, and the optional side bets that can lead to big wins.

How to Play Casino Hold’em

The goal is simple: beat the dealer by making a better five-card poker hand. The game uses a standard 52-card deck and the hand rankings are the same as classic Texas Hold’em.

1. Place Your Ante Bet: To start the hand, you must place an “Ante” bet. At this time, you can also place an optional “AA Bonus” side bet.
2. The Deal: You are dealt two cards face up, and the dealer is dealt two cards face down. Three community cards (the “Flop”) are also dealt face up in the middle.
3. Make Your Decision: Based on your two cards and the three community cards, you must now decide to either PLAY (by placing a call bet equal to 2x your Ante) or FOLD (forfeiting your Ante bet).
4. The River and Turn: If you choose to play, the dealer will deal the final two community cards (the “Turn” and “River”).
5. The Showdown: The dealer reveals their two cards. Both you and the dealer use your two hole cards and the five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. If your hand is better than the dealer’s, you win.

The “AA Bonus” Side Bet

The “AA Bonus” is an optional side bet you can place alongside your Ante. You win this bet if your two hole cards combined with the three Flop cards create a hand of a Pair of Aces or better. It pays out independently of whether you win or lose the main hand against the dealer, offering another way to win.

Final Verdict

Evolution’s Casino Hold’em is a world-class live poker experience. The dealers are professional, the streaming quality is flawless, and the user interface is intuitive. With an optimal RTP of 97.84% (on the main bet), it offers excellent value for players who enjoy strategic card games. It is a must-try for any fan of poker or live casino gaming.