iPoker Game List

101 iPoker Games

2-Card Poker: Two cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, and then each active player may discard one or both cards and replace them from the deck, or may stand pat. After the draw there is a final betting round, and then a showdown in which the highest two-card poker combination wins (two-card flushes and straights don't count). A pair is a sure thing, but a king-high will win most pots. See also Hurricane.

3-Card Poker: Three cards are dealt face down to each player, and after a betting round each player may discard one, two or three cards and replace them from the deck, or may stand pat. After the draw there is a final betting round, and then a showdown in which the highest three-card poker combination splits the pot with the lowest poker hand. Straights and flushes are not considered. A pair is a good high hand, but a high card will still win its share of pots. You'll need a seven or lower to win the low pot. See also Monte.

5-Card Draw: Also called Draw Poker for High. This is the basic form of draw poker, and by far the most popular. Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace any of his cards with the goal of improving his hand. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest poker hand wins. You'll usually need at least two pairs to win.

5-Card Draw for 6 Players: Also called Draw Poker for High. This is the basic form of draw poker, and by far the most popular. Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace up to three cards with the goal of improving his hand. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest poker hand wins. You'll usually need at least two pairs to win.

5-Card Draw with the Bug: This is a variation of the most popular form of draw poker. There is one joker in the deck, which is used as the "bug". It can be used only as an ace, or to represent the missing card in a straight or flush. The joker cannot be used, for example, to turn two kings into three. Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace any of his cards with the goal of improving his hand. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest poker hand wins. With the presence of the bug, most pots are won by two pairs or better.

5-Card Draw, High-Low: This is a variation of the most popular form of draw poker, played for both high and low hands. Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace any of his cards with the goal of improving his hand for high, or to break up pairs in an attempt to gain the worst poker hand possible. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest and lowest poker hands split the pot. It usually takes a high pair to win the high pot, while a ten-high (with no pairs) is a reasonable low hand.

5-Card Draw, Joker's Wild: This is a variation of the most popular form of draw poker. There is one joker in the deck, and it is fully wild. Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace any of his cards with the goal of improving his hand. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest poker hand wins. With the presence of the joker, most pots are won by two pairs or three-of-a-kind.

5-Card High-Low Stud: This common variation of 5-Card Stud is played for both high and low hands. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up, with a betting round after each one. In the showdown, the pot is split between the holder of the best poker hand, and the holder of the worst poker hand. Look for a pair to win high, and a jack-high (or lower) with no pairs to win low.

5-Card Stud: This is the basic form of stud, or open poker. It is called "open" because one or more cards dealt to each player is openly visible to everyone. This invites closer analysis of the game, since you can compare your entire hand to the partially exposed hands on the table. Stud poker is also characterized by having more betting rounds than draw, or "closed" poker. This usually results in faster action and larger pots. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. The best high hand wins the showdown, and you'll usually need a pair.

5-Card Stud for Low: This variation of basic 5-Card Stud is played for low hands only. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. The best low hand wins the showdown, and you'll usually need a jack (or lower) as your highest card with no pairs.

5-Card Stud [1-3-1]: In this common variation of 5-Card Stud, both the first and last cards are dealt face down. This lends a little more mystery to the game, perhaps enough to entice more players to stay in the pot. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Three more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. The last card is dealt "down and dirty" followed by a final betting round. The best high hand wins the showdown, and you'll usually need a pair.

5-Card Stud, Deuces Wild: This common variation of 5-Card Stud is played with all twos wild, which naturally increases the chances of making more powerful poker hands. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. The highest hand wins the showdown. With four wild cards in the deck, the winner is usually two pairs.

6-Card High-Low Stud: This variation of basic stud poker is played with six cards, for both high and low hands. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up, with a betting round after each one. An "extra" card is dealt face down to each active player, and there is one last betting round. In the showdown, the pot is split between the holder of the best poker hand, and the holder of the worst poker hand. You may use any five of your six cards as your hand. With the additional card, look for a high pair to win high, and a ten-high (or lower) with no pairs to win low.

6-Card Stud: This is 5-Card Stud played with an extra card. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. A sixth card is dealt face down to each active player, followed by a final betting round. You may use any five of your six cards to form your poker hand in the showdown. The best high hand wins the pot, which is typically a high pair.

6-Card Stud for Low: This variation of basic five-card stud is played with an extra card and for low hands only. The first card is dealt face down to each player. Four more are dealt face up with a betting round after each. A sixth card is dealt "down and dirty" to each active player. You may use any five of your six cards to form your poker hand. The best low hand wins the pot, and you'll usually need a nine (or lower) as your highest card with no pairs.

7-Card Flip: In this variation of 7-Card Stud, the dealer gives each player four face-down cards (one at a time). After examining his cards, each player simultaneously turns any two cards face up. When choosing which cards to expose, it pays to keep surprises (like pairs) in the hole. From this point on, the game is identical to seven-card stud. There is a betting round, and then each player is dealt two face-up cards with a betting round after each. The seventh card is dealt face down, followed by a final betting round and a showdown for high. You may use any five of your seven cards to make your best poker hand. As in seven-card stud, most pots are won by two pairs.

7-Card High-Low Stud: This is a very popular form of stud poker. Two cards are dealt face down to each player. Four more cards are dealt face up to each player, with a betting round after each one. The seventh card is dealt "down and dirty" to each remaining player, followed by a final betting round. In the showdown, you may use any five of your seven cards to form your hand. The pot is split between the best and worst poker hands. It typically takes two pairs to win the high pot, and an eight-high (or lower) with no pairs to win low.

7-Card Stud: This is by far the most popular form of stud poker. Two cards are dealt face down to each player. Four more cards are dealt face up to each player, with a betting round after each one. The seventh card is dealt "down and dirty" to each remaining player, followed by a final betting round. In the showdown, you may use any five of your seven cards to form your poker hand. It typically takes two pairs to win this game.

7-Card Stud for Low: This is regular 7-Card Stud played for low hands only. Two cards are dealt face down to each player. Four more cards are dealt face up to each player, with a betting round after each one. The seventh card is dealt "down and dirty" to each remaining player, followed by a final betting round. In the showdown, you may use any five of your seven cards to form your worst poker hand. It typically takes an eight-high (or lower) with no pairs to win the pot.

7-Card Stud, Casino Style: This popular form of stud poker is most often played in casinos and card houses, with the intention of getting the betting action started. Two cards are dealt face down to each player, followed by one card dealt face up. Normally, the highest single exposed card starts the first betting round. But in this game, the player showing the lowest card must place a mandatory "blind" bet (no player may check in the first round). If more than one player has the same lowest rank, the first bettor is determined by the alphabetical order of the names of the suits. For example, if Player 1 shows the deuce of spades and Player 2 shows the deuce of clubs, Player 2 bets first. Three more cards are dealt face up to each player, with a betting round after each one. The seventh card is dealt "down and dirty" to each remaining player, followed by a final betting round. In the showdown, you may use any five of your seven cards to form your poker hand. It typically takes two pairs to win this game.

7-Card Stud, English Style: As stud poker is commonly played in England, each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up, like in 7-Card Stud. There is a betting round, and then two more face-up cards are dealt with a betting round after each one. Each active player may elect to discard one card and replace it from the deck as in draw poker. The drawn card is dealt face up or down according to the discarded card. There is then a fourth betting round, after which each player may discard and draw one more card as before. With each player still having only five cards, there is a final betting round and a showdown for the best high hand. A high pair is a fairly good hand, but two pairs will win often.

7-Card Stud, Spit Card: This variation of 7-Card Stud features an eighth community card shared among all players. Each player is dealt two cards face down, and one card face up. After a betting round, a single "spit" card is dealt face up to the community hand. Each player is dealt three more face-up cards with a betting round after each one. The last card is dealt "down and dirty" to each remaining player, followed by a final betting round. In the showdown, you may use any five of your seven cards, plus the spit card, to form your poker hand. It typically takes a straight or better to win this game.

8-Card High-Low Stud: There are many variations of 8-Card Stud, but this lively one is played for both high and low hands. Two cards are dealt face down and four face up, then two more face down. There are six betting rounds, one after each of the face-up cards and one after each of the last two face-down cards. You may use any five of your eight cards in the showdown to make either your best high hand, your best low hand, or both. The pot is split each way. You'll need at least three-of-a-kind to win high, and with so many cards you'll probably need a seven-high (or lower) with no pairs to win the low pot.

8-Card Stud for Low: There are many variations of 8-Card Stud, but this one is played for low hands only. Two cards are dealt face down and four face up, then two more face down. There are six betting rounds, one after each of the face-up cards and one after each of the last two face-down cards. You may use any five of your eight cards in the showdown to form your lowest poker hand. With so many cards, you'll probably need a seven-high (or lower) with no pairs to win the pot.

8-Card Stud [2-4-2]: There are many variations of 8-Card Stud. The common feature is that each player winds up with four cards face down and four cards face up. In this version, two cards are dealt face down and four face up, then two more face down. There are six betting rounds, one after each of the face-up cards and one after each of the last two face-down cards. You may use any five of your eight cards in the showdown to form your highest poker hand. Three-of-a-kind is a strong hand, but look out for straights, flushes and full houses!

8-Card Stud [3-4-1]: There are many variations of 8-Card Stud. The common feature is that each player winds up with four cards face down and four cards face up. In this version, three cards are dealt face down and four face up, then one more face down. There are five betting rounds, one after each of the face-up cards and one after the last face-down card. You may use any five of your eight cards in the showdown to form your highest poker hand. Three-of-a-kind is a strong hand, but look out for straights, flushes and full houses!

8-Card Stud [4-4]: There are many variations of 8-Card Stud. The common feature is that each player winds up with four cards face down and four cards face up. In this version, four cards are dealt face down and four face up. There are only four betting rounds, one after each of the face-up cards. You may use any five of your eight cards in the showdown to form your highest poker hand. Three-of-a-kind is a strong hand, but look out for straights, flushes and full houses!

Acepots: This is five-card draw with an opening requirement similar to Jackpots. The deck includes one joker, which can represent any card. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of aces to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with the same opening requirement. This process repeats until someone bets with at least two aces. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot. The average winning hand is three-of-a-kind, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least two aces! See also Any Bobtail to Open and Progressive Jackpots.

Anaconda: This popular game combines the feature of betting on gradually exposed hands with the basic principle of the knock-poker family (the ability to obtain cards from other players). Each player is dealt seven cards face down and there is a betting round. Each active player then passes any three cards to the player on his left. There is another betting round, and then each player discards two cards from his hand and arranges his remaining face-down cards in a strategic order. Each player flips his first card over simultaneously, followed by a betting round. This continues for each card until the showdown, with the highest hand winning the pot. Note that if you are dealt a strong hand (like a full house) you are forced to break it up when you pass three of your seven cards. When choosing the cards to pass, you should anticipate receiving low or midrange replacements. The key is the arrangement of your face-down cards. Since they are revealed one at a time, sort them in an order that will keep your opponents guessing to the end. You'll need at least a flush to win this game. See also Anaconda, High-Low, Pass the Trash and Screwy Louie.

Anaconda, High-Low: This popular game combines the feature of betting on gradually exposed hands with the basic principle of the knock-poker family (the ability to obtain cards from other players). Each player is dealt seven cards face down and there is a betting round. Each active player then passes any three cards to the player on his left. There is another betting round, and then each player discards two cards from his hand and arranges his remaining face-down cards in a strategic order. Each player flips his first card over simultaneously, followed by a betting round. This continues for each card until the showdown, with the pot split between the best high and low hands. Note that if you are dealt a strong hand (like a full house) you are forced to break it up when you pass three of your seven cards. The key is the arrangement of your face-down cards. Since they are revealed one at a time, sort them in an order that will keep your opponents guessing to the end, especially as to whether you're going high or low. You'll need at least a straight to win this game for high, and a ten or lower to win the low pot. See also Anaconda and Screwie Louie.

Any Bobtail to Open: This is five-card draw with an opening requirement known as "jacks or better to open." But unlike Jackpots, a bobtail (a four-flush or four-straight) may also open. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of jacks or a bobtail to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with the same opening requirement. This process repeats until someone bets with at least two jacks or a bobtail. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot. The average winning hand is two pairs, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least two jacks, or a possible straight or flush! See also Acepots, Four-Flush to Open, Jackpots and Progressive Jackpots.

Baseball: This is the most popular member of the Baseball family of dealer's choice games. 7-Card Stud is played with all threes and nines wild. When a three is dealt face up, the player must either match the pot or drop. When a four is dealt face up, the dealer immediately gives that player an additional face-up card. With eight wild cards and the ability to have more than seven cards in your hand, you'll need at least four-of-a-kind to win this game. See also Baseball with 5 Cards, Betty Hutton, Dr. Pepper, Football, Four Forty-Four, Four Forty-Two, Heinz, Three Forty-Five, and Woolworth.

Baseball with 5 Cards: This variation of Baseball is five-card stud played with all threes and nines wild. When a three is dealt face up, the player must either match the pot or drop. When a four is dealt face up, the dealer immediately gives that player an additional face-up card. With eight wild cards and the ability to have more than five cards in your hand, you'll need at least a straight to win this game.

Best Flush: Played the same as 5-Card Stud except that only flushes and straight flushes may compete for the pot. The longest flush (five, four, three or two cards of the same suit) wins. In the case of a tie for length, the rank of the cards making up the tied flushes are considered as usual. It usually takes a three-flush to win. See also Best Straight.

Best Straight: Played the same as 5-Card Stud except that only straights and straight flushes may compete for the pot. The longest straight (five, four, three or two cards in sequential order) wins. In the case of a tie for length, the rank of the cards making up the tied straights are considered as usual. It usually takes a three-straight or better to win. See also Best Flush.

Betty Hutton: Named after someone who presumably worked nine-to-five office hours, this member of the Baseball family is seven-card stud with all nines and fives wild. With eight wild cards in the deck, it usually takes four-of-a-kind to win.

Billabong: This is Hold 'em with an extra up-card for everyone. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then two cards are dealt face down to each player followed by one card face up to each player as in 7-Card Stud. Then there is a first betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the eight available. Beware that the majority of the strong cards are shared by everyone. It usually takes three of a kind to win this game.

Blind Opening: Also known as called English Poker, Australian Poker and Blind Tiger, this game is based on 5-Card Draw except that the player at the dealer's left must open the pot and the next player must raise. The game is necessarily played "pass and out" (checking is not allowed) before the draw but "pass and back in'' after the draw. Because of the mandatory bets, the odds favored by the pot are so attractive that usually several players stay in. This game also employs some special poker hands, called dogs and cats. You'll need at least two pairs to win.

Cincinnati: This member of the Spit-in-the-Ocean family is also called Utah or Lamebrains. Five cards are dealt face down to each player, with five more dealt face down to the community hand. The cards in the community hand are exposed one at a time, with a betting round after each one. In the showdown, each player may select any five cards from among his hand and the five cards in the community hand. With ten cards to choose from, it usually takes a flush or full house to win. Remember, though, that strong cards in the community hand are shared by everyone.

Cold Hands: This is a game of pure luck, but it does demonstrate the evaluation of basic poker hands for the novice player. Each player antes ten times the normal amount, then five cards are dealt face up to each player with the best high hand taking the antes. In the real world, this is usually (and rarely) played to claim odd chips left over from a large pot. A pair usually wins. See also Straight Poker.

Courcheval: This French concoction is like Hold 'em, but with two extra hole cards and a different flop. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then four cards are dealt face down to each player followed by one card face up to the community hand. Then there is a first betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, two cards are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the nine available, but you must use exactly two of your own cards and three from the community hand. It usually takes a straight or better to win this game.

Crazy Pineapple: In this variation of Hold 'em, there is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then three cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand, followed by a betting round. Each player must discard one of their hole cards and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the seven available. Beware that the majority of the strong cards are shared by everyone. It usually takes two pairs or better to win this game. See also Pineapple.

Deuces Wild: In one of the most popular wild-card variations of poker, this is 5-Card Draw played with all twos wild. Each player is dealt five cards face down. After a betting round, each active player may discard and replace any of his cards from the deck. There is a final betting round, and then the high hand wins the showdown. Since there are four wild cards in the deck, it's a good idea to fold if you don't have any deuces (unless, of course, you've got a natural cinch hand). Look for at least three-of-a-kind to win most pots.

Double-Barreled Shotgun: Also called Texas Tech. The game begins like Shotgun, but after each player has been dealt three cards face down there is a betting round. Another face-down card is dealt to each active player, followed by a betting round and one more face-down card. Then each player may discard and draw, as in draw poker. After the draw, each player turns up any card and there is a betting round. This is repeated until four cards are exposed, as in five-card stud. The highest hand wins the pot, and you'll need at least two pairs. See also Anaconda.

Dr. Pepper: Named after the popular soft drink whose logo encouraged us to indulge at ten, two and four o'clock, this member of the Baseball family is seven-card stud with all tens, deuces and fours wild. With twelve wild cards in the deck, it usually takes a straight flush to win.

Follow the Queen: This is 7-Card Stud with a twist. Whenever a queen is dealt face-up, the rank of the next card dealt face up is wild for everyone. Since only one rank can be wild at a time, hands can be made or broken suddenly around the table. If another queen is dealt face-up, the previously wild rank is no longer wild as it will be replaced by the rank of the next card dealt face-up, if any. If a queen is the last card to be dealt face-up (or if no queens appear at all), then there are no wild cards and the game continues like regular 7-Card Stud. With anywhere from zero to four wild cards in play, you can expect to see plenty of straights and flushes.

Follow the Queen, Queens Wild: This is 7-Card Stud with queens wild, plus a twist. Whenever a queen is dealt face-up, the rank of the next card dealt face up is also wild for everyone. Since only queens and one other rank can be wild at a time, hands can be made or broken suddenly around the table. If another queen is dealt face-up, the previously wild rank is no longer wild as it will be replaced by the rank of the next card dealt face-up, if any. If a queen is the last card to be dealt face-up (or if no queens appear at all), then there are no extra wild cards and the game continues like regular 7-Card Stud with only the four queens wild. With anywhere from four to eight wild cards in play, you can expect a full house or better to win most pots.

Football: In this variation of Baseball, seven-card stud is played with all fours and sixes wild. When a four is dealt face up, the player must either match the pot or drop. When a deuce is dealt face up, the dealer immediately gives that player an additional face-down card. With eight wild cards and the ability to have more than seven cards in your hand, you'll need at least four-of-a-kind to win this game.

Four Forty-Four: This member of the Baseball family is eight-card stud with all fours wild. Four cards are dealt face down to each player and four cards face up, with a betting interval after the each of the last four cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which with four wild cards is usually a full house or better.

Four Forty-Two: This member of the Baseball family is eight-card stud with all deuces wild. Four cards are dealt face down to each player and four cards face up, with a betting interval after the each of the last four cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which with four wild cards is usually a full house or better.

Four-Flush Beats a Pair: Also called Canadian Stud or New York Stud, this variation of 5-Card Stud features two special poker hands. A four-flush beats a pair but loses to two pairs or any higher hand. A four-straight also beats a pair but loses to a four-flush or any higher hand. The special hands tend to keep more people in the pot, but a high pair is still the likely winner.

Four-Flush to Open: This is five-card draw with an opening requirement known as "jacks or better to open." But unlike Jackpots, a four-flush may also open in order to speed up the game. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of jacks or a four-flush to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with the same opening requirement. This process repeats until someone bets with at least two jacks or a bobtail. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot. The average winning hand is two pairs, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least two jacks or a possible flush! See also Acepots, Any Bobtail to Open and Progressive Jackpots.

Heinz: Named after the popular "57" steak sauce, this member of the Baseball family is seven-card stud with all fives and sevens wild. When a five or seven is dealt face up, the player must either match the pot or drop. With eight wild cards in the deck, it usually takes four-of-a-kind to win.

High Chicago: This is basic seven-card stud, only the highest spade in the hole wins half the pot. This serves to keep more players in the game. In the showdown, the player holding the highest spade among his hole cards splits the pot with the player holding the highest poker hand. You�ll need at least two pairs to win the high pot. See also Low Chicago, High San Francisco, and Low San Francisco.

High San Francisco: This is basic seven-card stud, only the highest heart in the hole wins half the pot. This serves to keep more players in the game. In the showdown, the player holding the highest heart among his hole cards splits the pot with the player holding the highest poker hand. You�ll need at least two pairs to win the high pot. See also Low San Francisco, High Chicago, and Low Chicago.

Hold 'em: This popular casino game is also known as Texas Hold 'em. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then two cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer's left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the "flop") are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the seven available. Beware that the majority of the strong cards are shared by everyone. It usually takes two pairs or better to win this game. See also Pineapple, Shanghai and Super Hold 'em.

Hurricane: This is two-card poker played high-low. Two cards are dealt to each player face down. There is a betting round and then each player may discard and draw up to two cards. After another betting round, the best high and low hands split the pot. Since the ace can be used high or low, it is possible to win both ways if your hand contains an ace, or even a pair of aces. A pair is almost a sure winner, but the average high hand is a king high. A five-high makes a strong low hand.

Hurricane, Deuces Wild: This is two-card poker played high-low with all twos wild. Two cards are dealt to each player face down. There is a betting round and then each player may discard and draw up to two cards. After another betting round, the best high and low hands split the pot. Since the ace can be used high or low, it is possible to win both ways if your hand contains an ace, a deuce, or even a pair of either. With four wild cards in the deck, a pair is needed to win high. A five-high makes a strong low hand.

Jackpots: This is 5-Card Draw with an opening requirement known as "jacks or better to open." Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of jacks to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with the same opening requirement. This process repeats until someone bets with at least two jacks. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot. The average winning hand is a high pair, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least two jacks! See also Acepots, Any Bobtail to Open, and Progressive Jackpots.

Jacks to Open, Trips to Win: This is 5-Card Draw with an opening requirement known as 'jacks or better to open.' Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of jacks to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with the same opening requirement. This process repeats until someone bets with at least two jacks. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot, only this game requires at least a three-of-a-kind or better to win. If no one can produce trips or better in the showdown, then the pot is left unclaimed and the deal is passed out. Any player who has previously folded is not dealt in the next time around, so this rule encourages people to stay in the pot until the bitter end. The average winning hand is obviously a three-of-a-kind, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least two jacks to begin with! See also Jackpots, Acepots, Any Bobtail to Open, and Progressive Jackpots.

Joker Stud: This is regular 5-Card Stud played with the joker as a wild card. A drawback is that if the joker is dealt face up, the betting usually stops abruptly and the player who got the joker takes the pot. Otherwise, you should assume that the joker is among your opponents' hole cards and you should value your own hand somewhat more conservatively than in ordinary stud. Look for a high pair to win most games.

Kankakee: This game features a joker, but it is not shuffled in with the deck. It is placed in the center of the table and is shared by all hands where it is fully wild. 7-Card Stud is played, except that after each player has been dealt two hole cards there is the first betting round, with the wild joker representing the first face-up card in each hand. The player at the dealer's left bets first. Three more face-up cards and one final face-down card are dealt to each active player, with a betting round after each and the highest hand winning the pot. Since everyone has a joker, powerful hands become more common with a flush or full house winning most pots.

Kings and Little Ones: Also called Kings and Low Men, this is 7-Card Stud played with all kings wild for everyone. And in addition, the rank of your lowest hole card, and all other cards in your hand with the same rank, are wild for you. Two cards are dealt face down to each player. Four more cards are dealt face up to each player, with a betting round after each one. The seventh card is dealt �down and dirty� to each remaining player, and if it is lower than your other hole cards your hand can change dramatically. After a final betting round, you may use any five of your seven cards to form your poker hand in the showdown. With so many wild cards in play, it typically takes a straight flush to win this game.

Lamebrain Pete: This member of the Spit-in-the-Ocean family is also called Cincinnati Liz. This is the same game as Cincinnati except that the lowest card exposed in the community hand and all other cards of the same rank are wild. Five cards are dealt face down to each player, with five more dealt face down to the community hand. The cards in the community hand are exposed one at a time, with a betting round after each one. In the showdown, each player may select any five cards from among his hand and the five cards in the community hand. With ten cards and four wild cards to choose from, it usually takes a straight flush to win. Remember, though, that strong cards in the community hand are shared by everyone. Also beware that the rank of the wild card can suddenly change the strength of your hand.

Low Chicago: This is basic seven-card stud, only the lowest spade in the hole wins half the pot. This serves to keep more players in the game. In the showdown, the player holding the lowest spade among his hole cards splits the pot with the player holding the highest poker hand. Aces are high only. You�ll need at least two pairs to win the high pot. See also High Chicago, High San Francisco, and Low San Francisco.

Low Hole Card Wild: Also known as Shipwreck, this is one of the most popular forms of 7-Card Stud. The lowest-ranking card of a player's three hole cards, and every other card of the same rank in his hand, is wild. Since the first, second and seventh cards are dealt face down, the most intriguing (and dangerous) feature of this game is that your last card can dramatically change the value of your hand if its rank is lower than your first two hole cards. Play conservatively and look for a four-of-a-kind to be the surprise winner.

Low Hole, Roll Your Own: As in Low Hole Card Wild (Shipwreck), the lowest-ranking card of a player's three hole cards, and every other card of the same rank in his hand, is wild. The twist is that you get to choose which one of your first three cards is exposed, thereby assuming some control over which rank is wild in your hand before the first betting round. Since the seventh card is also dealt face down, the most intriguing (and dangerous) feature of this game is that your last card can dramatically change the value of your hand if its rank is lower than your first two hole cards. Play conservatively and look for a four-of-a-kind to be the surprise winner.

Low San Francisco: This is basic seven-card stud, only the lowest heart in the hole wins half the pot. This serves to keep more players in the game. In the showdown, the player holding the lowest heart among his hole cards splits the pot with the player holding the highest poker hand. Aces are high only. You�ll need at least two pairs to win the high pot. See also High San Francisco, High Chicago, and Low Chicago.

Lowball: Also known as California Lowball, Draw Poker for Low, and 5-Card Draw for Low, this is the most popular form of poker played for the lowest-ranking poker hand. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, after which each player may discard and replace any of his five cards with the goal of making an even worse poker hand. A good low poker hand contains no pairs, and your highest card should be a ten or lower. The best possible low hand is the "bicycle," or "little wheel" (5-4-3-2-Ace). Straights and flushes are ignored, and aces are low only.

Lowball, Deuce to Seven: This variation of Lowball is popular in professional tournaments. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, after which each player may discard and replace any of his five cards with the goal of making an even worse poker hand. A good low poker hand contains no pairs, and your highest card should be a ten or lower. Unlike regular Lowball, aces are played high only and straights and flushes don't "swing". That is, they count as high hands. So the best possible low hand is 7-5-4-3-2.

Mexican Stud: This lively variation of 5-Card Stud is sometimes called Flip, Pedro, or Peep-and-Turn. The betting is the same as in basic five-card stud except that all cards are dealt face down. After the first two cards are dealt, and then after each subsequent card is dealt, every player picks a single hole card and turns it face up. This option allows you to conceal or expose strategic cards at each stage of the game, in an attempt to keep your opponents guessing. Four-card straights and flushes are legal in this game, but a high pair will usually win. See also Rickey de Laet, and Shifting Sands.

Mike: All five cards are dealt face down. But after each player has been dealt two cards there is a betting round. Then each active player receives a third, fourth and fifth card with a betting round after each card. (Mike can be played with six or more cards.) There is no draw, and the showdown is for the best high hand. A pair will usually win, as in five-card stud.

Monte: Also called 3-Card Monte, this is three-card poker played with three-straights and flushes. Each player is dealt three cards face down. There is a betting round, after which each active player may discard and replace any of his cards. After a final betting round, the best high and low hands split the pot. A three-flush is a good high hand, but a pair is better. You'll need a seven or lower to take the low pot.

Omaha: This fairly popular casino game is similar to Texas Hold 'em except that each player is dealt four hole cards (not two) and you must use exactly two of them in the showdown. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then four cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player after the 'big blind' bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the 'flop') are dealt face up to the widow. There is another betting round and then the widow is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player makes his best high hand from the nine available. But remember, you must use exactly two cards of your own and three cards from the widow. This means you must sometimes break up what looks like a stronger hand. It usually takes a straight or better to win this game. See also Hold 'em and Omaha, 8 or Better.

Omaha, 8 or Better: There is usually a blind bet and a blind raise when this modified high-low variant of Hold 'em is played in casinos and clubs. Each player is dealt four hole cards (not two), followed by a betting round. Three community cards are then dealt face up to the community hand, followed by another betting round. There is a fourth and fifth face-up community card with a betting round after each. In the showdown, each player forms a high and low five-card poker hand from any two of his own cards, plus any three from the community hand. (The high and low hands may use different combinations of cards.) However, unless there is a low hand of eight or lower, there is no low pot to split and the high hand wins the whole pot. Low hands can often be ruled out before the showdown when fewer than three qualifying cards appear in the community hand. Three-of-a-kind is usually strong enough to win for high. See also Omaha.

Padre: This is a variation of Hold �em with five hole cards instead of two. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then five cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the ten available. A flush or better usually wins.

Pass the Trash: This is a variation of Anaconda with two more rounds of passing. Each player is dealt seven cards face down and there is a betting round. Each player then passes any three cards to the player on his left. There is another betting round, and then each player passes two more cards to the left. After another betting round, each player passes one last card to the left. There is a fourth betting round and then each player discards two cards from his hand and arranges his remaining face-down cards in a strategic order. Each player flips his first card over simultaneously, followed by a betting round. This continues for each card until the showdown, with the highest hand winning the pot. You'll need at least a flush to win this game. See also Anaconda, High-Low and Screwy Louie.

Pineapple: This variation of Hold 'em is gaining popularity even in clubs. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then three cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, each player must discard one of their hole cards. Then three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the seven available. Beware that the majority of the strong cards are shared by everyone. It usually takes two pairs or better to win this game. See also Crazy Pineapple.

Pistol Stud: Basic 5-Card Stud is played, except that there is a betting round after the first cards are dealt face down, and another after each round of face-up cards is dealt, making five betting rounds in all. (Five-card stud normally has four betting rounds.) When playing conservatively, this game gives you the opportunity to fold after the first bad card. As in five-card stud, a pair usually wins.

Procter and Gamble: In this seven-card variation of Spit-in-the-Ocean, each player gets four face-down cards followed by three cards dealt face down to the community hand. the community hand cards are exposed one at a time, with a betting round after each. The last card exposed in the community hand, and all other cards of the same rank become wild. In the showdown, each player selects any five cards from among his four and the three on the table. The value of your hand can change dramatically when the final community card (which determines the rank of wild cards) is flipped over. Since there are only four wild cards and everyone has at least one, hands should not be valued as highly as in Deuces Wild. Don't trust anything less than four-of-a-kind to win.

Progressive Jackpots: This is 5-Card Draw with an initial opening requirement known as "jacks or better to open." Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, but a player must have at least a pair of jacks to place the first bet. If no one opens the betting round, the deal is passed out as follows: The dealer collects everyone's cards but leaves their antes in the pot. The deck is shuffled, each player antes again and the game is redealt with a pair of queens or better to open. This process repeats until someone bets, with the minimum hand progressing to kings and then aces if necessary. After the first betting round, each player may replace any of his five cards with new ones dealt from the deck. There is a final betting round, followed by the showdown in which the best high hand wins the pot. The average winning hand is two pairs, but remember that the player who opened was dealt at least a pair of jacks! See also Acepots, Any Bobtail to Open, and Jackpots.

Psycho: This is loosely based on 5-Card Draw, High-Low, but with a lot more action (and confusion). Each player is dealt five cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player in turn may discard and replace up to three of his cards with the goal of improving his hand for high, or to break up pairs in an attempt to gain the worst poker hand possible. Next, each player simultaneously turns any three of his cards face-up. There is another betting round and then each player is dealt another card face-up. After a third betting round, each player is dealt a last card face-down. There is one last round of bets before the showdown, in which the highest and lowest poker hands split the pot. It usually takes a three of a kind to win the high pot, while a seven-high (with no pairs) will win most low pots.

Rickey de Laet: This is the same as Mexican Stud except that every player's hole card, and all other cards of the same rank, is wild in that player's hand. The betting is the same as in five-card stud except that all cards are dealt face down. After the first two cards are dealt, and then after each subsequent card is dealt, every player picks a single hole card and turns it face up. This option normally allows you to conceal or expose strategic cards at each stage of the game, in an attempt to keep your opponents guessing. But more importantly, you should use the roll to control which cards in your hand are wild, especially if you have paired up. Four-card straights and flushes are legal in this game, but a wild full house will usually win. See also Shifting Sands.

Round the World: This member of the Spit-in-the-Ocean family is the same game as Cincinnati except that only four cards are dealt face down to each player and only four cards are dealt to the community hand. The cards in the community hand are exposed one at a time, with a betting round after each one. In the showdown, each player may select any five cards from among his four and the four in the community hand. With eight cards to choose from, it usually takes a straight to win. Remember, though, that strong cards in the community hand are shared by everyone.

Screwy Louie: In this variation of Anaconda, each player is dealt seven cards face down and there is a betting round. Each active player then passes any two cards to the player on his left. There is another betting round, and then each player discards two cards from his hand and arranges his remaining face-down cards in a strategic order. Each player flips his first card over simultaneously, followed by a betting round. This continues for each card until the showdown, with the highest hand winning the pot. When choosing the cards to pass, you should anticipate receiving low or midrange replacements. The key is the arrangement of your face-down cards. Since they are revealed one at a time, sort them in an order that will keep your opponents guessing to the end. You'll need at least a flush to win this game. See also Anaconda, High-Low.

Shanghai: This is Hold 'em with one extra hole card and one less community card on the flop. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then three cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, two cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a third and fourth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the seven available. It usually takes two pairs or better to win this game.

Shifting Sands: This is the same as Mexican Stud except that the first card a player rolls over, and all other cards of the same rank, is wild in that player's hand. The betting is the same as in five-card stud except that all cards are dealt face down. After the first two cards are dealt, and then after each subsequent card is dealt, every player picks a single hole card and turns it face up. This option allows you to conceal or expose strategic cards at each stage of the game, in an attempt to keep your opponents guessing. Four-card straights and flushes are legal in this game, but a wild flush or full house will usually win. See also Rickey de Laet.

Shotgun: This game combines draw poker dealing with stud poker betting. Each player receives three cards face down, followed by a betting round. Two more face-down cards are dealt to each active player, with a betting round after each card. Then each player in turn may discard and replace any of his five cards as in five-card draw. After a final betting round, the highest hand wins. The strengths of hands are the same as in five-card draw, with two pairs winning most pots. See also Double-Barreled Shotgun.

Six Back to Five: This is a variation of 5-Card Draw in which each player is dealt six cards face down. There is a betting round and then each player must discard one card. Then, each player in turn may discard and replace any of his remaining five cards with the goal of improving his hand. There is another betting round and then the showdown, in which the highest poker hand wins. Even with the extra card at the start, you�ll usually need at least two pairs to win.
Snowmen & Hockey Sticks: This is dealt as basic 7-Card Stud, only with all eights (which look like snowmen) and sevens (which look like hockey sticks) wild. With eight wild cards in the deck, it usually takes four-of-a-kind to win.

Spit-in-the-Ocean: Spit-in-the Ocean is actually a large family of dealer's choice games that features the use of a community hand, a set of extra cards dealt to the center of the table which is shared by all players. In this basic version, four cards are dealt face down to each player, and one card is dealt face up to the community hand. The exposed card and every other card of the same rank is wild. the community hand card forms the fifth card of every active player's hand. There is a betting round, and then each player may discard and replace any of his four cards as in draw poker. After a final betting round, it usually takes at least a straight to win the showdown. See also Cincinnati, Lamebrain Pete, Omaha, Proctor and Gamble, Round the World, Stormy Weather, Tennessee, and Wild Widow.

Stormy Weather: In this member of the Spit-in-the-Ocean family, four cards are dealt face down to each player, with one card dealt face up to the community hand after each of the first three rounds of cards. There is a betting round, and then each active player in turn may discard any of his four cards and replace them from the deck. After the draw, the dealer turns up one card in the community hand and there is a betting round. This repeats for the second and third community cards. After the final betting round, each active player may choose only one of the three cards in the center to be his fifth card in the showdown for high hands. You'll need at least three-of-a-kind to win.

Straight Draw Poker: This is basic 5-Card Draw, only checking is not allowed. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is a betting round, in which the first player to the dealer's left must either bet or drop out of the pot. Each active player may then discard and replace up to all five of his cards from the deck. There is a final betting round played "pass and out," where checking again is not allowed. The highest hand in the showdown wins, which is usually two pairs or better.

Straight Poker: This is the simplest form of poker, and probably the most ancient. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. There is one betting round, after which the highest poker hand takes the pot. A pair will usually win.

Super Hold 'em: This is Hold 'em with one extra hole card. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then three cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the eight available. With the one extra card, it usually takes three-of-a-kind to win this game. See also Tahoe.

Tahoe: This is Hold 'em with one extra hole card, and a restriction on community card usage. There is a blind bet and a blind raise, and then three cards are dealt face down to each player followed by a betting round. The first active player to the dealer�s left bets first in each round. Next, three cards (called the �flop�) are dealt face up to the community hand. There is another betting round and then the community hand is dealt a fourth and fifth face-up card, with a betting round after each. In the showdown each player selects his best five cards from the eight available, using only two of his own cards and three from the community hand. With the one extra card, it usually takes three-of-a-kind to win this game. See also Super Hold 'em.

Take One Down, Pass It Around: This wacky but fun game combines the feature of betting on gradually exposed hands with the basic principle of the knock-poker family (the ability to obtain cards from other players). Each player is dealt seven cards face down, and then each player rolls one card face up that he wants to keep. There is a betting round and then each active player passes his six hole cards to the player on his right. Each player then rolls another card face up that he wants to keep. There is a betting round and then each active player passes his five hole cards to the player on his right. This pattern of rolling one card and passing the rest continues until the last card is rolled over (or someone kills the dealer), with the highest hand winning the pot. You'll typically need at least two pairs to win this crazy game. See also Anaconda and Screwy Louie.

Tennessee: This member of the Spit-in-the-Ocean family is the same game as Cincinnati except that the five cards to be exposed in the community hand are not dealt as an extra hand but are turned up, one by one, from the top of the deck. Five cards are dealt face down to each player. Five more cards are dealt face up to the community hand, with a betting round after each one. In the showdown, each player may select any five cards from among his hand and the five cards in the community hand. With ten cards to choose from, it usually takes a flush or full house to win. Remember, though, that strong cards in the community hand are shared by everyone.

Three Forty-Five: This member of the Baseball family is a variation of 8-Card Stud with all fives wild. Three cards are dealt face down to each player and four cards face up, with a betting interval after the each of the last four cards. One last card is dealt face down followed by the final betting round. The highest hand wins the pot, which with four wild cards is usually a full house or better.

Wild Widow: This variation of Spit-in-the-Ocean is sometimes called Pig-in-the-Poke. Four cards are dealt face down to each player, and a fifth card is turned face up in the community hand. All cards of the same rank as the exposed community card are wild. There is a betting round, and then a fifth card is dealt face down to each active player. There is a final betting round, followed by a showdown for the high hand. The exposed card in the community hand merely marks the rank of the wild cards. It is not counted as part of any player's hand. This game is nothing more than Deuces Wild with only three wild cards and no draw, so look for two pairs to win most pots.

Woolworth: Named after the once-popular "five-and-dime" store, this member of the Baseball family is seven-card stud with all fives and tens wild. When a five is dealt face up, the player must either pay five times the betting round's betting limit to the pot, or drop. When a ten is dealt face up, the player must pay ten times the limit or drop out of the pot. With eight wild cards in the deck, it usually takes a full house to win.

Updated 10/19/2007