The Ultimate Guide to Playing Table Games at Yaamava'

Ready to dive into Yaamava's exciting variety of table games? We've created a simple, easy-to-follow guide just for you, filled with tips on how to play AND win!

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Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel boasts an impressive selection of over 150 table games, catering to players of all skill levels. It's no wonder USA Today's 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Awards recognized it as the Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas. Whether you're a fan of blackjack or other table favorites, take a seat, stack your chips, and enjoy the thrill as progressive jackpots climb higher and higher.

Playing the Tables at Yaamava’

For many new players, table games at our casino can feel intimidating—especially compared to the simplicity of slots—because of uncertainty about the rules or gameplay. At Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, we take pride in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where every player has the opportunity to learn and enjoy the incredible games offered. Whether you're a newcomer eager to explore a specific game or a seasoned player looking to broaden your table game repertoire, learning with Yaamava’ has never been easier!

Master the Art of Blackjack

Blackjack is a classic casino card game where the goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without going over. It’s straightforward and perfect for beginners. Number cards are worth their face value, face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are worth 10, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11, depending on what benefits your hand. Each player and the dealer are dealt two cards, with the dealer showing one card face up and keeping the other hidden. Players can "hit" (take another card) to improve their hand or "stand" (keep their current hand). To win, your hand value must be higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, or the dealer must go over 21.

Yaamava’ offers exciting variations of blackjack, including Buster Blackjack, Double Deck Free Bet, Kings Bounty, and Double Down Madness. Each game adds a unique twist to traditional blackjack, providing a fresh challenge and more ways to win. Whether you’re trying to bust the dealer, enjoy a free bet, or play for special bonuses, these variations are as thrilling as they are distinct. Explore them all and find your favorite. 

• Hit: Request an additional card to improve your hand.
• Stand: Decline additional cards and keep your current hand.
• Bust: Exceed a hand value of 21, resulting in an automatic loss.
• Double Down: Double your initial bet after receiving your first two cards, then take one more card.
• Split: Divide your hand into two separate hands if your first two cards are a pair, doubling your bet.
• Push: A tie between the player and dealer; your bet is returned.

More Table Game Favorites at Yaamava’

Here’s a quick and simple guide to help you understand the basics of some of Yaamava’s other popular table games.

EZ Baccarat 

The objective in EZ Baccarat is to beat the banker’s hand by having a higher point total without exceeding 9. Cards are dealt to both the player and the banker, with aces worth 1, face cards worth 0, and all other cards valued at their face value. The goal is to get as close to 9 as possible. A unique feature of this game is that no commission is taken on banker wins, but specific rules apply to certain outcomes.

• Banker: One of the two primary betting options, representing the dealer’s hand.
• Player: The other primary betting option, representing the player’s hand.
• Tie: A betting option where both the player’s and banker’s hands end with the same value.
• Natural: A hand totaling 8 or 9 with the first two cards.
• Commission: A fee (usually 5%) taken from banker bet winnings (not applied in EZ Baccarat).

Fortune Pai Gow 

In Fortune Pai Gow, players aim to create two poker hands: a five-card "high" hand and a two-card "low" hand. Both hands must beat the dealer’s corresponding hands to win. Players receive seven cards to form their two hands, ensuring that the five-card hand outranks the two-card hand. Standard poker hand rankings apply. The game also offers Fortune bets, which give players the chance to win bonus payouts for specific hand combinations.

• High Hand: The five-card hand in Pai Gow poker, which must outrank the low hand.
• Low Hand: The two-card hand in Pai Gow poker, which must rank lower than the high hand.
• House Way: A method the dealer uses to set their hands based on predetermined rules.
• Fortune Bonus: A side bet that pays based on premium hand combinations.
• Push: When both the player and dealer win one hand, resulting in no overall winner.

Mississippi Stud

The goal of Mississippi Stud is to build the best possible poker hand using two personal cards and three community cards. Players begin by placing an ante and are dealt two cards. As each community card is revealed, players can choose to bet or fold. Payouts are based on the final five-card hand ranking. A standout feature of this game is that there’s no dealer hand to beat—your payouts are determined solely by your hand’s strength.

• Ante: The initial bet placed to start the game.
• Community Cards: Three shared cards used by all players to form their hands.
• Fold: Forfeit your hand and your ante if you choose not to continue.
• Raise: Increase your bet as community cards are revealed.
• Paytable: A chart that outlines payouts based on hand rankings.

Mystery Card Roulette 

Mystery Card Roulette is all about predicting where the ball will land on the spinning roulette wheel. Players place their bets on numbers, colors, or sections of the wheel, and the dealer spins the wheel, releasing the ball. Winning bets are paid based on the final number or color. The game’s unique twist lies in the mystery card bonus, which adds extra excitement and special payout opportunities.

• Straight Bet: A wager on a single number.
• Split Bet: A bet placed on two adjacent numbers.
• Street Bet: A bet on three consecutive numbers in a row.
• Mystery Card Bonus: A feature where special cards determine additional payouts.
• Even/Odd Bet: A wager on whether the winning number will be even or odd.

Three-Card Poker 

In Three-Card Poker, players aim to create the best three-card poker hand to beat the dealer’s hand. After placing an ante bet, players are dealt three cards and must decide whether to fold or raise based on their hand strength. Higher-ranking poker hands win, with bonus payouts available for specific hands such as straights or three-of-a-kind. This game combines strategy with the thrill of quick, decisive rounds.

• Ante: The initial bet placed before cards are dealt.
• Play Bet: A bet made after deciding to play against the dealer.
• Pair Plus Bet: An optional side bet on whether the hand contains a pair or better.
• Dealer Qualifies: The dealer must have a Queen-high or better to compete against the player's hand.
• Fold: The player forfeits the ante and exits the round.
• Raise: The player places an additional bet to continue playing.

Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em challenges players to create the best five-card poker hand using two personal hole cards and five community cards. Players start by placing an ante and blind bet, then receive two cards. Betting rounds occur as community cards are revealed in stages. To win, players compare their hand with the dealer’s. The game also features progressive jackpots and side bets, offering exciting bonus payouts.

• Hole Cards: The two personal cards dealt to each player.
• Community Cards: The five shared cards placed on the table in stages (the flop, turn, and river).
• Flop: The first three community cards revealed.
• Turn: The fourth community card revealed.
• River: The fifth and final community card revealed.
• Raise: Increase your bet during specific stages of play.
• Trips Bet: A side bet that pays out if you make three-of-a-kind or better.

Crazy 4 Poker

Crazy 4 Poker tasks players with making the best four-card poker hand to beat the dealer. Players begin by placing ante and super bonus bets, then receive five cards. Four of the cards are used to create the hand, while the fifth card is discarded. Hands are then compared with higher-ranking poker hands winning. The super bonus bet provides additional opportunities to win big with premium hands.

• Four-Card Hand: The player’s best hand created from five dealt cards.
• Discard: The card you remove when forming your four-card hand.
• Super Bonus: A side bet that pays based on premium hands like straights or four-of-a-kind.
• Queen High: The minimum qualifying hand for the dealer.
• Fold: Forfeit your hand and your ante if you don’t think your cards can win.

These simplified rules make it easy to dive into the action and enjoy these popular table games at Yaamava’. Club Serrano members, remember to present your club card when you sit down to play!