Criss Cross Poker – Two Ways to Win With One Hand

How Criss Cross Poker is Played

What’s unique about Criss Cross Poker is that there are two ways to win with one hand. The objective of this poker table game is to have a winning five card poker hand which pays according to a poker ranking pay table. The dealer does not play. A standard 52 card deck is used. Before play begins, players must first make two ante bets of equal size, one in the across betting circle and one in the down betting circle. An optional 5 card bonus bet is also available that pays according to the total poker ranking in the 5 card community hand.

The dealer gives each player two hole cards face down and places five community cards face down in a cross pattern. Three horizontal and three vertical. Based on the value of player’s hole cards, the following action takes place:

• Player may make an across bet from 1X to 3X the ante or fold the hand.
• Dealer exposes the two outside cards on the horizontal row of the cross.
• Player may make a down bet from 1X to 3X the ante or fold the hand.
• Dealer then exposes the two outside cards on the vertical column.
• Player must then make a middle bet from 1X to 3X the ante of fold.

After the middle card is exposed, the players use their hole cards to make two five card poker hands, one across and one down. The middle bet pays according to the ranking of the across and down hands according to the following pay table:

Winning Pay table

Royal Flush – 500/1

Straight Flush – 100/1

Four of a Kind – 40/1

Full House – 12/1

Flush – 8/1

Straight – 5/1

Three of a Kind – 3/1

Two Pair – 2/1

High Pair (J-A) – 1/1

Low Pair (6-10) – Push

All Other – Loss

Optional Bonus Pay Table

Royal Flush – 250/1

Straight Flush – 100/1

Four of a Kind – 40/1

Full House – 15/1

Flush – 10/1

Straight – 6/1

Three of a Kind – 4/1

Two Pair – 3/1

Pair of 6’s or Better – 1/1

All Other – Loss

Strategy and House Edge

Here is the recommended strategy:

Across Bet

Fold if your hole cards are unsuited, unpaired, and the highest card is 2-5. If you have a suited Jack-Queen or any pair, make the 3X raise. With all other cards, make the 1X bet.

Down Bet – The same applies to the down hand. You have already seen the two across cards which may assist you with your wagering options.

Middle Bet – You have now seen fou community cards from the deck. If you made at least one 3X bet, do not fold.

The house edge is calculated at about 4.3%, and 3.5% for the optional bonus wager.

Good Luck!