Players begin by placing an ante. This is done by selecting the desired amount of chips from the chip console at the bottom of the game screen. Your ante is shown in the "Bet:" field in the "Player Information" box. The maximum ante cannot exceed 1/3 part of your current balance or $300. This amount may be increased or decreased by placing the mouse on the chip with the desired denomination and clicking the appropriate mouse button. Each time you click the left mouse button you will add a chip from that pile to your planned wager amount. Likewise by clicking on the right mouse button you can decrease your planned wager amount. To begin a hand, place an ante in the 'ANTE' space of your playing area by a left-click on the desired wager amount. If you place a wager that is lower than the minimum table bet limit, your bet amount will be automatically adjusted to the minimum bet amount.

To qualify for the Bonus Jackpot you need to place a $1 bonus bet. You do this by clicking on the flashing chip holder directly above the 'ANTE' space. You may place a Bonus bet as long as the lights surrounding the chip holder are flashing. You may place your Bonus bet before or after placing your ante, however it must be done prior to playing your hand. The size of the Jackpot increases with every bet. The current level of the Jackpot is displayed at the left-hand side or right-hand side of the screen depending on your seating position.

After you have placed your ante and optional Bonus bet, click on the "Deal" button and you will be dealt five (5) cards. The dealer will then receive four cards face down and one card face up. At this point, you may either bet if you think you can win or surrender if you feel that your hand is inadequate. If you choose to surrender, you will lose your ante to the dealer and the hand will end. To surrender, click your mouse on the "Surrender" button. If you choose "Bet", your bet will be exactly equal to twice the amount of your ante. Your total wager is equal to three times your ante (your initial ante plus your bet, which in total equals three times your initial ante).

The dealer will then reveal his cards, and one of two things will happen; he will either qualify, or he will fail to qualify. If the dealer does not have an Ace-King combination or better in his hand, he will fail to qualify. In other words, the dealer must have at least a pair if he does not have both an Ace and a King. If the dealer does not qualify, you will receive a 1 to 1 payoff on your ante and your bet will be returned to you even if your hand is lower than the dealer's hand. If the dealer does qualify, his hand will then be compared to yours. If the dealer's hand beats yours, you will lose your ante and your bet (which will be three times the ante amount). If the dealer's hand and your hand are equal, no money will be exchanged. If your hand beats the dealer's hand, you will win even money (1 to 1) on your ante, plus a payoff on your bet based on the quality of your hand (see below). If the dealer and you both have the same hand (for example you have one pair and the dealer has one pair), then the winner is the one with the highest ranked cards. If the dealer has one pair, for example jack, jack, ten, six and five and the player has one pair hand of jack, jack, ten, eight and four, then the player wins. Your original ante and bet in addition to any winnings will be displayed as separate piles of chips.