Card Games

Red Dog

Red Dog — also known as Acey-Deucey, Between the Sheets, or In-Between — is a simple card game in which the player bets that a third card's rank will fall between the values of two initially dealt cards. The game was common in Nevada casinos from the 1930s through the 1980s before fading from most major properties, but maintains a following in online casinos and smaller venues. The house edge varies from 0% to over 5% depending on the spread between the initial two cards, with payouts of up to 5:1 for a one-card spread. Optimal strategy is straightforward: only raise when the spread is 7 or greater.

Rules & Gameplay

Player places an Ante. Two cards are dealt face-up. If consecutive (e.g., 7-8): immediate push (bet returned). If equal rank: third card is dealt; if it matches, pays 11:1; otherwise push. Otherwise: the spread (number of ranks strictly between the two cards) is announced. The player may raise (equal to the Ante) or not. A third card is dealt: if it falls between the two cards in rank, player wins. Payout scale based on spread: spread of 1 = 5:1, spread of 2 = 4:1, spread of 3 = 2:1, spread of 4–11 = 1:1. Aces are always high. Suits are irrelevant. Game typically uses six decks. House edge on base game with optimal raise strategy: approximately 2.8%.

Basic Strategy

The single correct strategy decision: only raise (double the bet) when the spread is 7 or greater. At a spread of 7, you have 28 cards in 48 remaining that win — a 58.3% probability, making the raise profitable. At spread 6 or fewer, the win probability drops below 50% and the raise should not be made. Always raise on spread 7–11. Never raise on spread 1–6. On a pair (equal cards), the push/11:1 outcome is independent of strategy. This simple rule reduces the house edge to approximately 2.8% from the much higher edge that results from raising on all spreads. The game moves quickly and is well-suited to players who want minimal decision-making with moderate house edge.

At a Glance

Category: Card Games
Sections: Rules + Strategy

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What is Red Dog: Two cards are dealt face-up and the "spread" (the gap between them) is announced. You then decide to Raise (double your bet) or Stand, and a third card is drawn. If it falls between the two, you win at the spread-based payout. Tighter spreads mean higher payouts — spread 1 pays 5:1!

Special Cases: Consecutive cards (e.g., 5-6) result in an automatic push — your bet is returned. If a Pair is dealt, a third card is immediately drawn: a matching card (Three of a Kind) pays 11:1; otherwise, the round pushes.

Basic Strategy: Raise when the spread is 7 or more — at that point more than half the remaining ranks fall in the winning zone, making the raise mathematically profitable. For spreads of 6 or less, Stand to minimize losses. Hunting for that 11:1 Triple payout is the thrill of the game!

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