Master Mississippi Stud alongside Michael Shackleford.

Michael Shackleford: Hello! I’m Mike Shackleford from the Wizard of Odds website, and today I’m joined by my student Angela Wyman and Lamone, a real-life dealer from Las Vegas. Together, we’re going to explore the ins and outs of playing Mississippi Stud in various casinos.

Mississippi Stud stands out among the new wave of poker games in casinos. Unlike some other options, this game does not involve a dealer hand; instead, players earn payouts based solely on the rank of their own hand, with three chances to increase their bets as the cards are dealt.

Generally, players might find themselves losing more often than not in this game; however, when they do win, the potential payouts can be huge, making it a thrilling and exhilarating experience. Let's dive right in and learn as we go, shall we, Angela?

Angela: All right, let\"s do it.

Michael: Now, just a quick note. We’re broadcasting this from the Galaxy Gaming offices here in Las Vegas, who have graciously provided us with their studio. Unfortunately, they don’t have a dedicated Mississippi Stud table available, so please excuse us for using a Blackjack table instead. Let’s get started with a hand.

Angela: Let’s go ahead and play a hand with this setup.

Michael: Great! We’ll each receive two hole cards, while the dealer will place three community cards on the table. Let's see what you've been dealt.

You have two average cards. In this scenario, it’s advisable to consider making a small raise. As for me, I’m fortunate to have a pair, which is a strong start. Whenever you have a pair on your first two cards, that calls for a significant raise.

Alright, Angela. You’ve drawn three medium cards, plus a smaller one. Given this hand, it’s wise to think about folding.

Michael: Since I already possess a paying hand, I’ll opt for a larger raise. The dealer will then reveal the second community card.

Angela: It’s all right, next time.

Angela, with your three medium cards and one small card, the odds suggest folding would be the best choice.

Michael: Since I already have a hand that's eligible for payout, I'm increasing the bet significantly. The dealer will now reveal the last community card and settle the hand.

I’ve achieved a high pair based on the game’s pay table. All of my bets will receive an even money payout. This game’s pay table stipulates that if a player has at least a medium pair, typically defined as sixes through tens, it results in a push. A high pair, ranging from Jacks to Aces, pays even money.

Payouts are tiered: two pairs yield two to one, three of a kind pays three to one, while a straight boosts the payout to four to one. A flush results in six to one, four of a kind pays 40 to one, a straight flush brings a whopping 100 to one, and a royal flush can reward up to 500 to one.

Remember, it's solely your cards that count in this game. The dealer doesn't play any role in determining your outcome. Let’s go ahead and try another hand, shall we?

Angela: Absolutely, let's play another hand.

Michael: Let’s take a look at your hand. You’ve drawn one high card along with one medium card, which makes it appropriate to consider a small raise.

I’m holding two high cards as well, which also justifies a small raise. You already have a strong enough hand, so you should make the maximum bet of three times your ante. I also have a pair of kings, so I'm going to follow suit with a big bet.

Since you already have a winning hand, go ahead and place the larger bet, and I will match that with my own. The dealer will then reveal the last community card before calculating the results. I’ve got a high pair, meaning all of my bets will pay out even money. You’re in the same position.

Now, let's evaluate your hand. You’ve drawn one medium card and one small card, which unfortunately isn’t sufficient to remain in the game, so folding is advisable.

I’m currently sitting with a pair, even though it’s low, I’ll still make the significant raise. The dealer will now flip over the first community card. Right now, I have a low pair alongside a high card. At this juncture, the odds favor a small raise.

Fantastic! Now I’ve landed two pairs. This qualifies as a winning hand, solidifying my intent to make a substantial raise.

Angela: All right, I'm ready.

With my two pairs, the dealer will payout at two to one for all my bets. Now, it’s your turn to make a wager, Angela.

Michael: Let’s review your hand. You have a small card combined with a large card. Before proceeding, let’s pause to discuss strategy at this initial decision point.

In this game, we categorize cards by rank: high cards are Jacks through Aces, medium cards are sixes to tens, and small cards rank from two to five. So in your case, you have one high card and one low card.

At the initial decision point, the strategy suggests making a big raise of three times your ante with any pair. This strategy extends to making a small raise when at least one high card is present, regardless of the second card or if you hold two medium cards.

Since you possess a high card, this is grounds for a small raise. Let’s take a look at what I have.

I have two medium cards. As defined earlier, these are valued between six and ten, making them eligible for a small raise.

The community card reveals a pair of aces, giving you an automatic winning hand since a high pair generates even money payouts. Consequently, you’re positioned well to make the three times raise for the rest of the game.

From my side, I hold one high card and two medium cards. Trust the strategy that suggests a small raise at this stage. The next community card drawn will be another high card. It’s advisable to pursue a substantial raise since your hand is already a winner.

I’m analyzing two high cards and two medium cards. According to the strategy, this should also warrant a small raise.

Can you understand it so far, Angela?

Question 1 - [08:05]

The dealer reveals the last card. Well done, Angela! You've hit three of a kind, while I hold a pair, specifically a high pair. This means I will receive even money for my bets tied to that pair of aces, and you'll collect three to one for your three of a kind.

[00:08:05] Angela: I grasp the strategy for the first bet, but could you elaborate on the strategy for the second and third rounds of betting?

Michael: That’s an insightful question. Unfortunately, the strategies for those later decision points are a bit too complex to tackle in this brief video.

Any questions, Angela?

Question 2 - [08:55]

However, as always, I provide detailed strategies on my website. The Mississippi Stud strategy can conveniently fit on a single sheet of paper. There are 13 various scenarios when raising after seeing the three community cards, and another 10 situations for decisions involving four cards. I won’t bore you with all the specifics right now, but again, the comprehensive strategy is available at internetradiomercedes.com.

Angela: What is the house edge in this game?

Michael: The house edge for Mississippi Stud stands at 4.91%. At first glance, this might seem quite steep, but it’s important to note that the house edge indicates how much you can reasonably anticipate losing based solely on your initial wager.

For instance, if you place a $100 bet on the ante, you could expect to lose about $4.91. However, I believe it’s more insightful to compare across games using the element of risk, which is derived from your expected loss compared to the total amount wagered.

Question 3 - [09:58]

In this case, a player, after considering all the raises, typically raises about 3.37 times their ante bet. If we divide the 4.91% house edge by that figure, it translates to an element of risk of approximately 1.37%, which is favorable for a novelty game. While traditional games like Craps and Blackjack may offer better odds, this isn’t a bad figure for a newer game.

Angela: I know you generally avoid side bets, but could there be exceptions for this game?

Angela: All right. Just say no.

Michael: Just say no.

Question 4 - [10:20]

Michael: There are no exceptions to the rule. Side bets are fundamentally sucker bets. This game occasionally features side bets, including progressive ones. Regardless, I recommend always avoiding side bets.

Angela: You emphasized making the small bet within that three times ante. But is it ever acceptable to place a medium bet?

Angela: Okay.

Michael: While it is permissible, it is not a strategy I would recommend. If you're holding a strong hand, make a full raise of three times your ante. If your hand isn't great but you still want to play, stick to the small raise. The strategy is clear: there should never be any medium raise.

Written by: Michael Shackleford