First Strike
How to Play
First Strike is a fast head-to-head card game. You and the dealer each build a three-card hand by drafting cards over three rounds. Every round you see a board of six cards and pick the one you want; the dealer picks one too. The middle board is dealt face-down, so round two is a choice of position. At the end, the best three-card hand wins. One friendly twist: the dealer needs a pair or better to play, so if the dealer comes up short your main bet just pushes and your stake comes back. First Strike is an original game, created and developed in-house, and you will only find it on our sites.
- Set your bet. Want extra action? Add Strike Bonus, which pays on the hand you build, and Board Burst, which pays on how the first board opens.
- Six cards flip face-up. Take the one you want for your hand. The dealer takes one too.
- Round two the six cards are face-down. Pick a spot to see what you drew, then the dealer picks.
- Round three flips face-up again. Take your third card to finish your three-card hand.
- Compare hands. The dealer needs a pair or better to qualify. If the dealer misses, your main bet pushes and your stake returns.
- The higher hand wins. A win pays even money (1:1). Side bets pay on their own, whatever happens on the main bet.
If an operator closes a stuck hand, or scheduled cleanup closes a paid Millionaire hand with a saved admission receipt after 24 hours, your main wager is lost and eligible side bets and Millionaire prizes settle from the recorded cards and award; other unfinished hands remain open.
Betting Options
The main bet pays even money (1:1) when you beat a dealer who qualifies with a pair or better; if the dealer misses, your main bet pushes and your stake returns. Two side bets stack on top. Strike Bonus pays on the three-card hand you build. Board Burst pays on how the very first board opens, whatever you pick afterward.
Main bet
| Bet | Payout | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Main bet | 1:1 | Even money. The dealer must hold a pair or better; otherwise your stake pushes back. |
Strike Bonus
| Bet | Payout | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 9:1 | The top hit on the side bet: a three-card straight flush. |
| Three of a Kind | 7:1 | Three of a kind in the hand you build. |
| Straight | 1:1 | Three cards in a row. |
| Flush | 1:1 | Three cards of one suit. |
Board Burst
| Bet | Payout | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 40:1 | The first three board cards line up as a straight flush. |
| Three of a Kind | 20:1 | The first three board cards match rank. |
| Straight | 6:1 | The first three board cards run in order. |
| Flush | 4:1 | The first three board cards share a suit. |
| Pair | 1:1 | The first three board cards contain a pair. |
Millionaire Mode, Win $1,000,000
Millionaire Mode is a $1 side bet added on top of your regular First Strike bet. Your main payouts are unaffected.
Each round, the selected card sample is checked for the six top spades - 9, 10, J, Q, K and A of spades. Land all six and you win $1,000,000. Fewer still pay: 5 = $5,000, 4 = $325, 3 = $20, 2 = $2; 0 or 1, the dollar is lost.
The jackpot is always ready. Every $1 ticket is a full attempt at the headline figure.
Turn it on, meet the displayed Millionaire Mode minimum, and the Royal Spades check runs alongside every round.
Controls and Settings
Gear icon for settings, hotkeys for the draft.
Settings
- Sound on or off.
- Effects celebrations.
- Voices character line on wins.
- Voice Pack pick character.
- Instant Bet skip animation.
- Speed Slow / Normal / Fast.
- Show Tips the guided walkthrough and in-game tips.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Deal / stop Autobet. |
| 1-6 | Pick a board card. |
| Q / E | Halve / double bet. |
| M / I | Mute / Instant Bet. |
| ,./ | Speed. |
Tips & Tricks
Grab the highest card on the first board. The dealer takes the next highest, so you never start behind.
Board two is face-down, so any spot is as good as another.
Board three is the big one. You pick first, and the dealer always grabs whatever card makes its best hand. Look at which card the dealer would most likely want, and if taking it costs you little, take it yourself.
The dealer needs a pair or better to play. Stealing the card that would let the dealer qualify can be better than a tiny upgrade for you.
Is It Fair?
The server seed is shared by rounds in a session and is not revealed after each round. Use Reveal Server Seed in Fairness to end the session and reveal the seed for its rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Strike?
First Strike is a card game we invented. You and the dealer each draft a three-card hand over three boards of six cards, and the better hand wins when the dealer qualifies with a pair or better. The middle board is face-down, so round two is a blind pick.
Can I really win $1,000,000 playing First Strike?
Yes. Turn on Millionaire Mode and a $1 side bet is added per round. Your regular First Strike payouts are unchanged. Each round the selected card sample is checked for the six top spades (9 to A of spades). Land all six and you win $1,000,000. Fewer still pay smaller tiered prizes (5 = $5,000 down to 2 = $2).
Is First Strike rigged?
Every result is provably fair; check any round in the fairness panel.
Can I play First Strike with crypto?
You pay in with crypto - the cashier shows which coins work. Pick the balance you want to play First Strike with, and your stakes and winnings stay in that currency. When you withdraw, you pick the wallet and the cash-out is sent on-chain.
Any tips for playing First Strike?
Take the highest card on the first board, and on the last board think about the dealer: it always grabs the card that makes its best hand, and you pick first. If the card it would most likely want costs you little, take it yourself.
