Introduction
Oasis Poker is closely related to Caribbean Stud. Both are casino table games, based on the Poker family of card games.
Table games lack many of the skill elements of traditional poker games. However, they do borrow the poker hierarchy of Melds as a method of scoring hands.
The game also borrows trappings of poker, such as the second wager being called the “Raise.” As Oasis is a variation on an existing game, it borrows the majority of its rules from its base game, Caribbean Stud.
How to Play Oasis Poker?
Oasis Poker is played using a single copy of the standard Anglo-American 52-card Deck.
Initial Deal
Once each Player has made the requisite Ante, five cards are dealt to each Player face-down.
- Players may not reveal their cards to other Players, nor may they ask other Players to reveal their own.
- One of the Dealer’s five cards will be dealt face-up, such that all Players can see it publicly.
Player Betting Options
From here, Players are given the choice between two betting options.
Raise
Players may Raise, placing an additional wager onto the table exactly twice the value of the Ante. Players must make this Raise in order to participate in the Showdown.
Fold
If Players do not feel strongly about the quality of their hand, they may fold instead.
Folding Players surrender their Ante wager, and the right to any money they may have won, but are not obligated to make the Raise wager.
Showdown
Once every player has folded or raised, the Dealer shall then reveal their four face-down cards. The Showdown will then begin.
In order to qualify for the Showdown, the Dealer must have at least an Ace-King high. In other words, the Dealer must have at least an Ace and a King in their hand, or a meld of superior quality.
If the Dealer does not qualify, the Raise wager will Push while the Ante pays out evenly. If the Dealer does indeed qualify, the payouts will be made accordingly:
- Losing Players will surrender both their Raise and Ante wagers.
- Winning Players will win even money on the Ante, and will be paid via Paytable according to the quality of the meld they produce.
Side Bets
There are also two optional payouts. The Progressive Jackpot, and the 5+1. Both of these side-wagers can still payout, even if the Dealer does not qualify, the Player folds their hand, or the Player loses in the Showdown.
These side-wagers will have paytables and their mechanics explained in the section below.
Payouts and House Edge
The Raise Wager has its own associated pay table. If a Player wins the Showdown against a qualifying Dealer, they will receive a payout according to this table, based on the value of their Raise wager.
| Meld | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100x |
| Straight Flush | 50x |
| Four of a Kind | 20x |
| Full-House | 7x |
| Flush | 5x |
| Straight | 4x |
| Three of a Kind | 3x |
| Two Pair | 2x |
Pairs and Ace-King Highs with a superior kicker pay out even money.
5+1 Bonus
The 5+1 is an optional bonus offered by online versions of Oasis Poker provided by Evolution Gaming. Players that make the 5+1 wager are paid immediately after the Deal.
As 5+1 is only offered via the digital versions of the game, it is possible for Players to receive the appropriate payout for this bonus without alerting other Players of their cards. The following is the table for 5+1:
| Meld | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000x |
| Straight Flush | 200x |
| Four of a Kind | 100x |
| Full House | 20x |
| Flush | 15x |
| Straight | 10x |
| Three of a Kind | 7x |
Any meld of lesser quality than those above will lose, and therefore surrender the wager to the House.
Progressive Jackpot
Many casinos also involve a Progressive Jackpot. Most Progressives only allow a single dollar to be bet. The Progressive for Oasis pays out based on the quality of the meld formed.
Many casinos tweak their payouts and Jackpot amounts by fractions of a percent in order to maximize their profit under their specific conditions. As such, this table may vary from place to place.
Provided here is simply one example:
| Meld | Payouts |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100% of Jackpot Value |
| Straight Flush | 10% of Jackpot Value |
| Four of a Kind | $100 |
| Full House | $75 |
| Flush | $50 |
In most casinos, any lesser meld will simply be a loss for the wager. There are the occasional pay-tables that offer smaller payouts for lesser melds, but the House Edge of these Progressives is usually higher and therefore undesirable.
House Edge
The overall payout for Oasis Poker without side bets is about 5.2%. A little high compared to other games, but low for a Table game. However, the 5+1 adds an edge of 8.5% to the House. The Progressive has a House Edge of about 26.4%.
Oasis Poker Rules
A short summary of the game rules can be found below:
- Players must raise to be in the Showdown.
- The Dealer must have at least Ace-King high to Qualify.
- Ties of equal meld and quality will result in a Push on all non-bonus wagers.
- Oasis borrows most of its ruleset from Caribbean Poker.
Example Hand
Suppose that you have the following cards:
2♦ 7♦ A♣ K♠ J♠
And the Dealer’s top card shows:
K♦
The Dealer shows a King, which increases the odds of the Dealer Qualifying. However, you have a strong Kicker with the Jack.
Further, you already possess one of the Aces, lowering the Dealer’s odds of having an Ace. The Dealer could have a single pair, though, and still beat your hand. The safe option here, therefore, would be to fold.
Strategy and Tips
Tip 1
Do not participate in the 5+1, as it just increases the House Edge without yielding much tangible return. Certainly, the payouts for the 5+1 are high, but in the aggregate, the wager will lose more money than it is worth.
The Progressive may be worth it if the Jackpot has reached a certain point. All Progressives reach a “breakeven point” that it becomes worth wagering on. The above example breaks even at about 26K.
Tip 2
Oasis Poker is a game of knowledge, more than Skill. Knowing when to fold, because the odds are not favorable, is key.
