WILD but FRIENDLY POKER Working Copy 5-29-17 edit afternoon

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John Vergari's
Wild Poker
Over 50 Fun Games for Friends and Family
By: John Vergari
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© 2017 John Vergari All Rights Reserved
First Edition
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ISBN
978-0997398830
0-997398833
Credits
Cover Design: ProDesign
Interior Graphics: Doc
Hibernian Publishing
Brick, New Jersey
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Introduction
What makes the games in this book wild? Most of the games have at
least one wild card and many of the games have multiple wild cards,
which in many cases causes a great deal of confusion when reading the
cards, making many of the games really wild.
What makes the games in this book friendly? The general rules specify
that there will be no checking and raising, and no head to head betting.
And there is a maximum of three raises per card. The most important
factor that assures friendliness is that “cards tell.” If a player needs help
in reading the cards, that player places his/her cards on the table and all
the other players will assist in calling the hand. However, a player may
not be helped while the cards are still in the player’s hands, or if the
player has not called the last bet that was made.
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Acknowledgements
I want to thank all of my poker friends for their contributions in my
coming up with the wide variety of crazy games as described in this
book.
Specifically, the Lakeland School District retired teachers’ monthly
Friday night 5-10-15 club, and the Wednesday night men’s poker club,
and the Friday afternoon coed poker club both of Lavallette, N.J. Last
but by no means least, my loving wife, and my in-laws for the frequent
Saturday evening poker parties.
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Table of Contents
Definitions 9
General Rules 10
Ranking of Poker Hands 12
Up and Down the River 14
Colors 16
7 ½ - 21 18
Mutt and Jeff 20
Pass the Trash 21
Third Card Wild 23
Eleven Combo 24
Three and Out 25
Suit and Hand 26
Five Card Draw 27
Molly Low 29
Bingo High 31
Bingo High/Low 33
Four Corners High 35
Four Corners High/Low 37
Sliders High 39
Sliders High/Low 41
Pyramid High 42
Pyramid High/Low 44
Change the Diaper 45
Spit in the Ocean 46
Match Your Belly 47
Low Hole 48
Acey Duecy 49
Low Hole Roll Your Own 50
Bed Springs 51
Good and Bad 53
Twenty-One 55
Forty-Two 56
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Pick Two - High/Low 58
Two or None High/Low 60
Thirty-Two 62
Exchange One Buy One 64
Criss Cross 65
Four by Four + One 67
Criss Cross Low Hole Wild 69
High/Low Quads 71
Connect Three 73
Black Bottom 75
Middle Card Splitter 76
Queens and Follow the Queens 78
Sevens Take All 79
Follow the Queen – Follow the Pair 80
Mount Vernon 81
High/Low Numbers 83
Three Buys High/Low 85
One Buy High/Low 86
High/Low Packs 87
Jumble High 89
Palm Beach Draw 91
Make Your Own Wild Card 92
Double Cross 94
Day Baseball 96
Night Baseball 97
Woolworths 98
Pin Wheel High/Low 99
Philly High/Low 101
Seven Stud Low 102
Four Quads High/Low 103
Zinger High/Low 105
Square Zinger High/Low 107
Omaha High/Low 109
Keep or Pass High/Low 110
Twist Single or Double 112
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Elevator 113
Butterfly High/Low 115
Suited Connector's Wild 116
Six Way Criss Cross 117
No Brainer Showdown 119
High/Low Drop 'Em 120
Duplicate Showdown 122
“H” High/Low 123
Pine Tree 125
Bundles High/Low 127
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DEFINITIONS
1. Ante – an amount of money the dealer only, or each player, puts up
before any cards are dealt
2. Bump or Raise –used to indicate that a player wants to increase the
amount that was originally bet
3. Pass or Buy – used to indicate that the player doesn’t have openers or
does not wish to draw a card
4. Call or See – when a player puts up the amount bet without raising
5. Buy a card – some games allow the players to exchange one or more
cards for a predetermined amount
6. Card or No Card – used to indicate to the dealer that the player either
wants a card dealt or the player does not want a card on that turn
7. Frozen – in the games which allow the players the option of taking or
refusing a card, he/she may refuse a card only three times; thereafter
that player can no longer draw a card for the remainder of the hand
8. Declare – in high/low split pot games, players express which way they
are going. In some games, declaring is done verbally; in other games
the coin in hand method of declaring is used. No coin for low, one coin
for high, and two coins for both ways
9. Check – when a player who has the right to make the bet chooses not
to do so
10. Fold – on a player’s turn, if the player does not wish to participate any
longer in the hand, he says “fold” and turns the cards in, face down.
11. Community Card – one or more cards which may be used by all the
players in making their best five card hand
12. Must Bet – In the games where the players’ cards are not visible to the
other players and the bettor is determined on the rotation system, the
player whose turn it is has to bet or fold
13. No Peek or Night – games in which all player cards are dealt face down
and cannot be seen until revealed one at a time
14. Roll – a player turns up a down card. In some games it is done on the
player’s turn. In other games, all of the players turn up one card at the
same time on the dealer’s command
15. Unit – the amount of the bet predetermined by all the players in the
group
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GENERAL RULES
1. Dealer calls the game he/she wishes to play.
2. Dealer explains any special rules for the game selected.
3. Dealer announces the method of betting for the game selected.
4. In all games, there will be no checking and raising.
5. In all games, the number of raises allowed is optional and is
decided by the group before the game begins.
6. In games where players’ cards are showing, the player having
the highest hand is the bettor. That player has the option of
placing a bet or checking. If the bettor opts to check, then the
option to bet or check rotates around the table clockwise.
7. In games where players’ cards are not exposed, the player
making the bet rotates around the table for each new bet. In
these games, the player whose turn it is to bet MUST place the
bet or fold. No checking is allowed. The rotation begins with the
player to the dealer’s left.
8. In seven card games, only five cards are used to determine the
best hand. In the event of a tie, the pot is split. A sixth card tie
breaker is not allowed.
9. In games having wild cards, five of a kind beats a royal flush.
(see section on ranking of hands)
10. When playing High/Low games, no wild cards are used.
11. When a player opts to go both ways in a High/Low game,
he/she MUST win both, or lose both. Ties lose.
12. In all games, “Cards Tell.” A player’s cards may be read by any of
the other players in the game, only if the player seeking help
lays his/her cards on the table. A player may not be helped
while he/she is holding their cards in their hand.
13. In all games, the dealer will always distribute cards to the
players, one card at a time.
14. In “No Peek” games, players cannot look at any of the cards
dealt to them. If they do look at any of their cards, even if
inadvertently, they are automatically out of the hand.
15. In games that have five or more community cards, and the
winning hand is the five community cards, the hand is a “wash.”
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The dealer collects all cards and a new hand is dealt. Players will
determine the betting procedure for completing the hand.
16. When only two players remain in a hand, no bets are to be
made. Remaining cards are dealt and the winner is determined.
However, if the game being played has “paid for premium
cards,” they MUST be paid for.
17. In all the games described in this book, the amount of bets is
not specified. The only reference to bet amounts is in terms of
units. A unit could be a penny, a nickel, a dime, or a quarter. The
players in the poker group determine the amount of a unit prior
to the start of play.
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RANKING of HIGH POKER HANDS
(Wild card)
1. Five of one kind – Aces down to 2’s
2. Royal Flush – Ace high, straight flush
3. Straight Flush – a five card sequence in the same suit
4. Four of One Kind. Ace down to 2’s (if tied, highest 5 th card wins)
5. Full House – three cards of the same rank with two cards of the
same rank. The highest three card rank wins.
6. Flush – five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Highest
card wins.
7. Straight – five cards, not of the same suit, in a sequence (highest
card in the sequence wins). The best straight possible is A – K –
Q – J – 10.
8. Three of a Kind - three cards of the same rank (Aces down to
2’s)
9. Two Pairs – two cards of the same rank with two other cards of
the same rank. The hand containing the highest pair wins. In
case of a tie, the second highest pair wins. If a tie still exists, the
highest 5 th card would win.
10. One Pair – two cards of the same rank. Ace down to 2’s.
11. High Card – highest ranked card in the hand wins. In case of a
tie, the next highest card wins.
RANKING of LOW POKER HANDS
NOTE: In Low Poker, no wild cards are to be used.
Straights and Flushes do not count. An Ace is always low.
1. 6 4 3 2 ace
2. 6 5 3 2 ace
3. 6 5 4 2 ace
4. 6 5 4 3 ace
5. 7 4 3 2 ace
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6. 7 5 3 2 ace
7. 7 5 4 2 ace
8. 7 5 4 3 2
9. 7 6 3 2 ace
10. 7 6 4 2 ace
11. 7 6 4 3 ace
12. 7 6 4 3 2
13. 7 6 5 2 ace
14. 7 6 5 3 ace
15. 7 6 5 3 2
16. 7 6 5 4 ace
17. In a continuing pattern up to K, Q, J, 10, 9
18. Smallest Pair
19. Smallest Two Pair
20. Smallest Three of a Kind
21. Smallest Straight
22. Smallest Flush
23. Smallest Full House
24. Smallest Four of a Kind
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UP and DOWN the RIVER
1. The dealer distributes five cards to each player; all cards are
dealt face down.
2. The dealer then lays out nine community cards as follows:
3. Play begins with the dealer revealing one community card at a
time in random order, leaving the wild card face down.
4. A bet is made after each of the community cars is turned up.
Since the players’ cards are hidden throughout this game, no
checking is allowed; the bettor MUST bet or fold.
5. The player to the left of the dealer is the first bettor. A new
bettor follows in rotation after each of the community cards are
turned up.
6. After the eight community cards are turned up and bet on, the
dealer then turns up the wild card.
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7. The players now read their cads and make the strongest five
card hand from the eleven cards available to them.
8. The cards which the players may use in making their hand, are,
their five held cards, the wild card, and any of the five cards
from the top card to the bottom card on the left side or on the
right side. They cannot use cards from both sides.
9. A final betting round follows the turning up of the wild card.
10. When the betting is complete, the players remaining in the
hand show their cards and the winner is determined.
NOTE A: This game can be played as a High/Low game by simply
eliminating the wild card.
NOTE B: Dealer has the option of revealing two cards at a time
instead of one.
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COLORS
1. The dealer distributes five cards to each player, face down.
2. After dealing each player their five cards, the dealer will lay out
nine community cards as follows:
3. Play begins with the dealer revealing the top card from the left
column and emphasizing its color. A bet follows using the
rotation system.
4. The dealer then reveals the top card from the right column and
again emphasizes its color. A bet follows.
5. Play continues with the dealer turning over another card from
the left column. If the color matches the color of the top card in
the column, that card remains in play. If the card is not the
same color, it is removed from play.
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6. This procedure continues with the dealer alternating from one
column to the other, until all community cards but the wild card
have been turned up. A bet follows after each new card is
revealed, regardless if that card remains in play or is discarded.
7. The possibilities are that the cards in one column are red and
the cards in the other column are black. It is also possible that
both columns could be black or both could be red. Regardless of
the color arrangement, all of the cards that remain on the table
may be used by all the players.
8. The wild card can now be turned over and a final bet made.
9. The players now have their five held cards, the wild card, and at
least two community cards, with a possibility of having eight
community cards to choose from. Players have a minimum of
eight cards and a maximum of fourteen cards from which they
use the five that give them the best hand.
10. After the final bet which follows the turning up of the wild card,
all the hands are revealed and the winner is determined.
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7½ - 21
NOTE: All of the face cards (picture cards) are counted as ½ point each.
Aces are counted as “one” or “eleven.”
All other cards are counted at their face value.
Poker rankings are used only to determine which player is the
bettor. Before dealing any cards, the dealer will announce the variation
he/she wants to play and will explain the specific rules for that
variation.
Variations:
A. Each player is dealt two cards, one up and one down.
B. Each player is dealt two cards face down.
C. Each player is dealt two cards face down, then turns up one of
the two. Player has the choice of which one.
D. Closest to the number, over or under, will be permitted.
E. Once a player’s cards total more than 7½, the player has the
option of continuing to the next level (21) or folding.
F. Each player is dealt three cards, face down. Players pass one
card to the player on their left or right (dealer’s option). Players
then discard one card and roll one card. Each player now has
two cards, one up and one down.
Playing the Hand:
1. After the initial deal, a bet is made. Betting is by the rotation
system, with the player to the dealer’s left making the first Must
Bet.
2. After the first round of bets, the dealer will ask each player in
rotation if they want another card dealt to them.
3. The players respond to the question by saying “card” if one is
wanted, or they respond with “no card” if the player wishes to
forego the option on that round of play.
4. After each player has had the opportunity to take or refuse a
card, a bet is made. The player with the highest poker hand
showing is the bettor. The bettor has the option of checking or
betting. The players that follow have the option of betting, if no
bet was made; checking also if the previous player checked,
raised, or folded.
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5. Play continues until each player remaining in the hand refuses a
card.
6. Once a player has refused to take a card three consecutive
times, that player is “frozen” and is no longer able to get a card
for the rest of the hand.
7. If just one player takes a card during any round, a bet always
follows. When a round is completed without any of the players
taking a card, the hand is over.
8. Players now declare which way (high-low) they are going by the
coin in hand method.
9. After declaring, a final bet is made, cards revealed, and the
winners are determined.
10. If there is a tie in the number, the player who got to the number
with the fewest number of cards is declared the winner.
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MUTT and JEFF
This game is very similar to 7½ - 21 and is played the same way.
The dealer can select the two numbers that the players will try to
achieve, one number for low, and one number for high. Some of the
more commonly played numbers are 2 – 22, 3 – 33, 7 – 27, or 10 – 30.
Regardless of the two numbers the dealer calls, the rules of play and
variations are exactly the same as they were explained in the 7½ - 21
game.
Variation:
The dealer may declare that if a player passes the low number, he/she
has the option of continuing to try and win the high portion of the hand
or that player may fold. If the player goes over the high number, that
player MUST fold.
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PASS the TRASH
1. The dealer distributes seven cards to each player, and
announces which way the cards will be passed.
2. Players select the two cards which are the least important
towards achieving their ultimate high or low goal.
3. On the dealer’s call, the two cards are passed to the player to
the left or to the right, according to the dealer’s original
direction.
4. In rotation, a Must Bet follows after each of the three times that
cards are passed. (No checking is allowed during this phase of
the hand.)
5. After the third pass, betting is complete. The players remaining
in the hand will select the five cards they are going to play with
and discard, unseen by the other players, the two cards they do
not want.
6. The players now arrange their five cards in the order they want
them to appear to the other players during the “rolling” phase
of the game. The pile of five cards is placed face down in front
of each player. Once the cards are in place, they can no longer
be rearranged by the player.
7. Playing of the hand continues with each player simultaneously
turning over the first card of their pile.
8. Betting on that card takes place. The player with the highest
card is the bettor. In this phase of the game, since players’ cards
are showing, checking is allowed. The bettor has the option of
making a bet or checking. The players that follow in rotation
may call, raise, or if the bettor checked, he/she may also check.
Players also have the option to fold when it is their turn.
9. After the betting on the first rolled card is over, the same
procedure follows for the next three cards. (Players now have
four of their cards showing.)
10. Before turning over their last card, the players will declare
which way they are going, high or low, using the “coin in hand”
method.
11. After declaring, the last round of betting follows. The player
having the highest hand starts the betting.
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12. When the betting is over, players will show their cards and the
winners will be determined.
Variations:
In the “rolling” phase, instead of discarding two cards and playing with
only five cards, players may keep all seven cards. This variation does
two things: it gives the players a chance to go both high and low by
using one combination of five cards for high, and another combination
of five cards for low. Rolling seven cards provides for two extra bets,
resulting in a larger pot.
The passing of cards phase can be changed by the dealer to 3-2-1 pass
instead of 2-2-2.
Another variation would be to increase the amount of each bet after
each pass and eliminate the “rolling” phase of the game. Players declare
or low after the third pass. A bet follows after declaring, cards are
shown and the winner determined.
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THIRD CARD WILD
1. Before dealing any cards, the dealer announces “No Peek”
which simply means that the players will not look at any of the
seven cards which will be dealt to them. If a player
inadvertently looks at any of the cards, that player is
disqualified from the hand and forfeits the ante.
2. Play begins with the first player to the dealer’s left, turning up a
card then making a bet or checking. All other players follow in
rotation until that betting round is over.
3. The next player turns up a card, if it is higher than the previous
player’s card, a bet is made. If it is not higher, that player will
continue turning up cards until the previous hand is beaten.
4. Play continues in this manner. Each player on their turn MUST
keep turning up their cards until the previous hand is beaten.
Each time a new high hand is created, it is followed by a bet.
5. In turning up their cards, the players will eventually get to their
third card. This card is their wild card and will result in that
player having at least one pair, or perhaps three of a kind. The
wild card is set apart from the first two cards.
6. Play continues one player at a time until there are only two
players remaining in the hand. At this point, no further betting
takes place.
7. After the final player reveals his/her last card, the winner of the
hand is declared.
NOTE: If while turning up cards, the player turns up a card that
matches their wild card, it is also wild and should be set aside with the
first wild card.
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ELEVEN COMBO
1. Before dealing any cards, the dealer will announce “No Peek”
and the combination of “11” that will be played. The combo
options are 6/5, 7/4, 8/3, or 9/2. The higher card is the wild
card, and the lower card allows the player to buy another down
card. Both combo cards have to be paid for at a predetermined
rate.
2. The first player to the dealer’s left starts the play by turning up
the first of the seven cards that were dealt. A bet follows.
3. Each player that follows in rotation MUST turn up cards until
the previous high hand is beaten. A bet always follows when a
new high is created.
4. If a player, while turning up cards in an effort to beat the
previous high hand, turns up one of the combo cards or a
premium card: A, K, Q, J, or 10, he/she immediately pays for
that card or can opt to fold. If the bonus or premium card did
not make that player’s hand high, the player continues to turn
up cards until he/she has the high hand.
5. The hand continues one player after another in rotation until
only two players are left. At that point, there is no betting but
players are still obligated to pay for the bonus or premium cards
they may turn up.
6. When the last player turns over the last card, the winner is
declared.
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THREE and OUT
1. The dealer names the suit that will be wild and also be the
“killer” suit.
2. The game is played with seven cards. The first two are dealt
down, and the next five are dealt face up.
3. All of the cards in the named suit are wild, either in the hole or
showing. The wild cards that are showing have to be paid for
immediately at the predetermined rate.
4. A bet follows each round of cards dealt. The player with the
high hand showing is the bettor. Betting options in this game
are check, bet, raise or fold.
5. If during the hand a player is dealt three up cards of the named
suit, that “kills” that player’s hand and that player is out of the
hand.
6. After the last card is bet on, the players remaining in the hand
will show their cards and a winner is determined.
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SUIT and HAND
1. On the initial deal, each player gets three cards. The first two
are down, and the third one is up. The dealer then places one
card face down, in the center of the table. This card will be the
last card shown. It will be the wild card and it will determine
what suit will split the pot. The player who ends up with the
highest card in that suit, from their three hole cards, will win
half the pot.
2. Play proceeds like any seven card stud game. Players are dealt
up cards, one at a time until they have four up cards. A bet
follows after each round of cards has been dealt. The bettor is
always the player having the highest hand. Betting options are
bet, check, call, raise, or fold.
3. Players are dealt their seventh card down, followed by another
bet. After the seventh card bet is over, the dealer turns up, the
community card. This is a wild card that can be used by every
player, and if they match it in their hand it is also wild. The
community card also indicates the suit that will split the pot.
The highest whole card in that suit wins half of the pot.
4. The players make the best five card hand from their seven held
cards and the wild card.
5. After seeing the community card the players have to declare
which way they are going. The declaration is made “verbally”
with a bet or check. The player who has the highest hand is the
first to bet and declare. Each player in turn follows the same
procedure. To declare which way they are going the players will
say “Suit,” “Hand,” or “Both ways.”
6. After every player has declared and the betting is completed,
cards are shown, and the winners determined.
NOTE: In order for a player to declare “Suit,” at least one of the players’
three whole cards MUST be in that suit.
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FIVE CARD DRAW
1. The dealer announces the specific rules for the variation of five
card draw he wants to play.
2. Options the dealer has: The dealer may opt to play with a wild
card of his/her choosing. The most common choices are deuces,
Jacks, or just the one-eyed Jacks. The dealer could select any
card he/she desires to be wild. The dealer may opt to play
without a wild card.
3. The dealer declares what will be required to open the hand.
Usually it takes a pair of Jacks or better, or the dealer can call
any pair open, or “guts” to open (anything at all can open the
hand).
4. The dealer declares what is necessary to win the hand. When no
wild card is used, the best hand wins (providing the player has
the required openers). When wild cards are play, you MUST
have at least three of a kind or better to win the pot.
5. If no one has openers, there is a replay. Every player antes again
and is dealt a new hand. If the hand is opened but there is no
winner, there is a replay, every player antes again and is dealt
anew hand (providing the player did not fold on the preceding
round).
6. There is a three-replay limit; thereafter, anything can open and
the best hand wins.
7. After all the rules are explained, each player is dealt five cards.
8. After the players see their cards, the option of opening or
passing begins with the player to the left of the dealer and
rotates around the table. If the hand is opened, then each
player following the opener has the option of folding, calling or
raising.
9. After the first round of betting is complete, players starting with
the opener may ask, in rotation, for one, two or three cards to
try to improve his/her hand. The player must first discard the
cards to be replaced.
10. After all players get their new cards, the betting or checking
begins with the opener and rotates clockwise around the table.
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11. When all the betting is completed, the opener reveals his hand
first, then all other players reveal their cards and a winner is
determined.
28

MOLLY LOW
1. Each player is dealt five cards.
2. Five cards are placed face down in the center of the table as
follows:
3. These five are community cards, any of which may be used by
every player, combined with any of their five held cards when
making their strongest five card hand.
4. The lowest card in the player’s hand is their wild card.
5. The dealer turns the community cards over one at a time. A bet
is made on each card after they are revealed. If any of the
community cards match a player’s wild card, it is also wild.
6. The betting rotates around table from the dealer’s left. The
player whose turn it is to bet MUST bet or fold (no checking
allowed).
29

7. After the last community card has been turned up, a final bet is
made, followed by players revealing their hands in rotation.
8. The winning hand is the best five cards made up from the
player’s wild card, plus four other cards selected from his/her
hand and the community cards.
MOLLY HIGH
The rules for Molly High are exactly the same as described in Molly Low
except that instead of the lowest card becoming the wild card, the
“highest” card in a player’s hand is their wild card.
RED DOG
The rules in this game are the same as in other Molly games except the
wild card in this game is the lowest RED card in a player’s hand. All cards
like it are also wild. Another variation of this game is to simply
substitute the word BLACK for red, hence naming the game BLACK DOG.
30

BINGO HIGH
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. Ten community cards are arranged face down in the center of
the table as follows:
3. The dealer turns the community cards up one at a time in
random order. The wild card is the last card to be turned over.
4. A bet is made by the rotation rule on each new card. The
amount that can be bet on each of the community cards is
declared by the dealer before any of the community cards are
revealed.
5. Players may use any one, two, or three of the community cards
located in the same row plus the wild card.
6. Choices can be from the three vertical rows, the three
horizontal rows, or the two diagonal rows. Each row has three
cards to choose from.
7. The best five of the nine cards available wins the hand.
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8. There are eight combinations of three cards to choose from or a
player may opt to use four of the cards in his/her hand plus the
wild card to make the strongest possible hand.
9. A player may not use more than four community cards including
the wild card.
10. After the wild card is revealed, the last round of betting takes
place. At this point, players can either call the bet, raise, or fold.
No checking is allowed.
11. Players then show their cards and a winner is determined.
32

BINGO HIGH/LOW
1. Bingo High/Low begins the same way Bingo High does. It varies in
that only nine community cards arranged face down in the center of
the table as follows ( there is no wild card):
2. Play proceeds the same way with the dealer revealing one
community card at a time followed by a bet.
3. After seeing all the community cards, each player calculates which
way, high or low gives him/her the best chance of winning the pot.
4. Players also have the option of going both ways. This can be
accomplished by combining their held cards with the community
cards from two different rows. However, the player MUST win both
ways or he/she loses both. (General Rule #11)
5. After players have declared using the coin in hand method, a final
bet is made. During the final bet, the players have the option of
calling, raising, or folding. No checking is allowed.
33

6. When the betting is complete, players show their cards and the
winners are determined.
34

FOUR CORNERS HIGH
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges ten community cards, face down, in the
center of the table as follows:
3. The community cards that a player may use in this game are any
of the four cards grouped in any one of the four corners.
4. Before revealing any of the community cards, the dealer
announces how the betting will be done.
5. The dealer then reveals the nine community cards one at a time
in random order, leaving the wild card face down.
6. A bet is made after each card is revealed, following the rotation
rule, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. The player
whose turn it is to bet MUST either make the bet or fold. No
checking is allowed.
35

7. After the last bet has been complete for the nine community
cards, the dealer will reveal the wild card.
8. The players now decide which cards in one four card corner,
combined with cards from his/her hand, plus the wild card, will
give him/her the strongest possible five card hand.
9. The last round of betting may now begin. When all the players
have had the opportunity to call, raise or fold, and the betting is
complete, those players remaining in the hand will reveal their
cards and a winner will be determined.
NOTE: A variation would be if the dealer opts to turn two community
cards at a time. Results would only change the size of the pot.
36

FOUR CORNERS HIGH/LOW
1. Four Corners High/Low begins the same way as Four Corners
High. The difference is that only nine community cards are
arranged face down without a wild card as follows:
2. Play proceeds the same way with the dealer revealing one
community card at a time followed by a Must Bet.
3. After seeing all nine community cards, players will decide which
way, high or low, has the best chance of winning the pot.
4. Players also have the option of going both ways. This can be
done by combining his/her held cards with community cards
from two different corners. However, like in all high/low games,
the player MUST win both or he/she loses both. (General Rule
#11)
37

5. After all the players have simultaneously declared their choice
using the coin in hand method of declaring, a final bet is made.
6. When the last round of betting is over, players show their cards
and the winners are determined.
NOTE: A variation would be if the dealer opts to turn over two
community cards at a time. Results would only change the size of the
pot.
38

SLIDERS HIGH
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. Nine community cards are arranged face down as follows:
3. The dealer reveals the four center cards one at a time. A bet is
made on each card. The layout now gives you two rows of two
cards vertical and two rows of two cards horizontal. You may
not use the cards on the diagonal.
4. The dealer proceeds by revealing each of the sliders one at a
time. A bet is made after each slider is revealed.
5. The layout now gives you four rows of three cards vertical, and
four rows of three cards horizontal. You may only use one slider
with either of the two cards in line with it (each slider has two
rows of two cards in line with it).
39

6. After the predetermined amount for each bet on the eight
community cards is made (no checking allowed, players MUST
bet or fold), the dealer reveals the wild card which is then
followed by a final bet.
7. Players now decide what combination of five cards from the
nine cards he/she can chose from would produce the strongest
hand. The nine cards from which a player could choose would
be the five in their hand, the wild card, one slider, and either of
the two cards in the same line as one slider (only one slider may
be used).
8. After the last bet is completed, players show their cards and a
winner is determined.
40

SLIDERS HIGH/LOW
1. This game proceeds exactly like Sliders High except there is no
wild card.
2. After all of the community cards are exposed and all of the
betting rounds have been completed, players determine which
choice, high, low, or both ways, would give them the best
chance of winning the pot.
3. Players reveal their choice simultaneously with the coin in hand
method.
4. After choices are established, the final round of bets are made,
followed by the players revealing their cards and the winners
are determined.
41

PYRAMID HIGH
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges eleven community cards face down in the
center of the table as shown below:
3. In this game the players may use one card from each row of the
pyramid combined with the wild card and his/her five held
cards.
4. There are ten cards the player may choose from to make the
strongest five card hand possible, the five in hand, the wild card,
and four from the community cards (one from each row).
5. Playing of the hand involves the dealer revealing one
community card at a time in random order. A predetermined
Must Bet follows each new card revealed. Betting is on the
rotation basis, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
The no checking rule applies in this game.
42

6. After all ten of the pyramid cards have been revealed and bet
on, the dealer turns over the wild card.
7. A final bet is made, cards shown, and the winner is declared.
43

PYRAMID HIGH/LOW
1. This game is played exactly like pyramid high except there is no
wild card and there are two winners.
2. The revealing of the community cards one at a time, followed
by a bet is done the same way as in the high game.
3. In this game after the last pyramid card is revealed and bet on,
the players declare which way they are going. Their choice could
be high, low, or both ways. The choices are made
simultaneously using the coin in hand method.
4. After declaring, the last round of betting can begin. The player
whose turn it is to bet MUST bet or fold. No checking. The
players who follow in the rotation have a choice of calling,
raising, or folding.
5. When the betting is over, the players remaining in the hand
show their cards and the winners are determined.
44

CHANGE the DIAPER
1. To start the game, the dealer deals three cards to each player.
The first two cards are face down and the third card is up. The
dealer then places one card face up in the center of the table.
This card is a wild card and can be used by every player.
2. The player having the highest card showing is the bettor.
He/she has the option of betting or checking. If a bet is made,
all the players that follow have the option of calling, raising, or
folding.
3. After the first up card betting is complete, each player gets
another up card and the same betting procedure as the first
round is followed. This procedure continues until each player
has four up cards.
4. If during the dealing a player is dealt a natural pair, the dealer
will immediately cover the wild card with a new card, and then
continues dealing cards to the other players. There is no limit as
to how many times the wild card could be changed, but in the
end there is only one that can be used by the players to better
their hand and that one is the last one created.
5. After the betting on the fourth up card is complete, players are
dealt their last card down. If any of a player’s cards match the
wild card, they would also be wild.
6. The last bet is made at this point with the player having the
highest hand showing making the bet or checking. Players
following the bettor can call, raise, or fold.
7. When the betting is over, players show their cards and the
player having the best five cards of the eight available is
declared the winner.
45

SPIT in the OCEAN
1. This game begins with each player getting three cards dealt to
them. The first two are down and the third card face up. After
completing that part of the deal, the dealer places one card face
down in the center of the table. This card will be the wild card
and will be turned up after seven cards have been dealt.
2. The player with the highest up card is the bettor for the first
round of bets. If there are equal high cards showing, the first
high card to the left of the dealer is the bettor.
3. The bettor has the option of making a bet, checking, or folding.
The players who follow in rotation have the option of calling,
raising, or folding.
4. The game proceeds with each player being dealt three more up
cards. Each new up card is followed by a bet. The player with
the best poker hand is the bettor.
5. When each of the players remaining in the hand have met the
last up card bet, the dealer will deal each player their seventh
card down, which is followed by another round of betting.
6. After the seventh card betting is done, the dealer turns over the
wild card. Players can now evaluate their hand, choosing the
best five cards of the eight including the wild card. If they match
the wild card with a held card that is also wild.
7. The last round of betting is now made, cards shown, and the
winner declared.
46

MATCH YOUR BELLY
1. This is a seven card stud game with multiple wild cards a
possibility.
2. The game begins with each player being dealt three cards. The
first two cards are dealt face down and the third card is dealt
face up.
3. The player having the highest of the up cards is the bettor for
the first round of betting. Since player cards will be showing in
this game, checking is an allowable option.
4. The game proceeds as any seven card stud game. There will be
three more up cards and the seventh card down. Each card
dealt will be followed by a bet and the bettor for each bet will
be the player having the highest hand showing.
5. The wild cards in this game are any of a player’s hole cards that
match any of the up cards. If you have one match, you have two
wild cards, the one in the hole and the one up. If you have two
matches, you will have four wild cards. If you have three of a
kind, you will have three wild cards providing at least one is up
and one is down.
6. After the seventh card is dealt, the final round of betting takes
place.
7. When the last round of betting is over, those players remaining
in the hand show their cards and a winner is determined.
NOTE: If the dealer so desires, a slight variation to this game may be
declared. The dealer could declare that a pair in the hole could both be
wild even if they do not match any of the up cards.
47

LOW HOLE
1. This is a seven card stud game. The dealer deals three cards to
each player. The first two cards are down and the third card is
up.
2. The lower of the two down cards is temporarily player’s wild
card. If the two cards are paired, they are both temporarily wild.
When the players receive their last card, it is dealt down and
could possibly change the low hole wild card.
3. After the initial deal of three cards, the players will be dealt
three more up cards and the last card down. A bet follows each
new card dealt. The bettor is always the player having the
highest hand showing. Betting options in this game are check,
bet, raise, or fold.
4. After the last card betting is done, players show their cards and
the winner is determined.
NOTE: This game can be changed slightly if the dealer declares, before
dealing any cards, that the players will have a seventh card option.
What this means is that if a player does not want to chance having
his/her wild card being changed by the seventh card, for a
predetermined fee, the player can have the last card dealt up.
48

ACEY DEUCEY
1. All players ante up an agreed upon amount. This is now “The
Pot” and is gathered and left in the center of the table.
2. Each player is dealt two cards face down.
3. The object of this game is for the player to draw one card that
will fall between the two cards he/she is holding. The larger the
spread between the two cards, the better the chance for a
successful draw.
4. The largest spread would be the Ace and the Deuce, an eleven
card spread. Depending on the spread of his/her cards, the
player can make a bet for any portion of the pot, or the player
can gamble for the whole pot.
5. If the player does not draw an in between card, the amount
risked is added to the pot. If on the other hand, the card drawn
does fall between the player’s two cards, then the amount
risked is taken from the pot.
6. This procedure continues until each player has had the
opportunity to play or until the pot is wiped out. The possibility
for the pot to get wiped out can happen with the very first
player. Once the pot is wiped out, the game is over.
7. If money still remains in the pot after each player has had a
turn, a new hand is dealt, and the same procedure is followed
as in the previous round.
8. Many times during the game players will get cards which are
paired or sequenced, making it impossible to draw a card
between them. In this case, the player will feed the pot a
predetermined amount and does not draw a card.
9. Since this game can last a long time, players MUST agree at the
very beginning how many rounds will be played.
10. At the end of the agreed upon number of rounds, one hand of
showdown poker (five cards all face up) will be dealt. The best
hand takes whatever money is left in the pot.
49

LOW HOLE – ROLL YOUR OWN
1. This is a seven card stud game with each player having at least
one wild card.
2. The wild card will be the lowest card of the player’s three hole
cards and any others, either up or down, that match it.
3. The playing of the hand starts with each player being dealt
three cards, all face down. The player will select one of the
three and “Roll” (turn it up). A bet follows the roll. The player
with the highest card is the bettor. Standard betting rules apply.
4. After the first round of betting is over, the players will be dealt
another down card. Once again, the players will roll one of the
three down cards, followed by another bet.
5. This procedure continues until the players have two down cards
and four up cards.
6. The seventh and last card is dealt down with “no” rolling option.
It MUST remain down. This card could possibly change the
player’s hand by being lower than the previous low card.
7. The last round of betting follows the dealing of the last card.
8. When the betting is over, players show their cards, highest hand
first, then the others in rotation and the winner is determined.
NOTE: This game can be changed slightly if the dealer declares, before
dealing cards, that the players will have a seventh card option. What
this means is that if a player does not want to chance having the wild
card changed by the seventh card, for a predetermined fee, the player
can have the last card dealt up.
50

BED SPRINGS
1. Each player is dealt five cards. All face down.
2. The dealer will arrange eleven community cards as follows:
3. In random order, the dealer will turn over all of the community
cards except the wild card. After each card there is a bet.
Betting begins with the player to the dealer’s left and thereafter
in rotation. This is a “no checking” game.
4. After the ten community cards are revealed and bet on, the
dealer turns over the wild card.
5. Players now have eight cards from which they use the five
which will give them the strongest hand. The eight cards are the
five in hand, the wild card, and two of the community cards. The
only two community cards a player can use are any one from
the top row of five and the card directly below it.
51

6. After seeing the wild card, a final bet is made, cards are then
shown, and a winner is determined.
Variations:
A. The dealer may wish to play the game with players using any
one card from the top row combined with any one card from
the bottom row.
B. The dealer may wish to play the game as a High/Low game by
simply not using a wild card.
The slider could be used with any of the five columns of two, making
them three card columns. The player may use any of or all three of the
cards when making his/her best five card hand.
52

GOOD and BAD
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. The dealer will arrange eleven community cards as follows:
3. Before revealing any of the community cards, the dealer will
indicate which row of five cards will be the “Good” cards and
which row will be the “Bad” cards.
4. Play starts with the dealer first tuning over a “Good” card. This
card is bet on using the rotation system. No checking.
5. The dealer then turns over a “Bad” card. If a player has the
same card in his/her hand, it MUST be immediately discarded. A
bet follows.
6. Play continues with the dealer alternating the turning of cards
between the good row and the bad row until all the good and
53

ad cards are finished with. The dealer now reveals the wild
card.
7. If the wild card matches any of the bad cards, it is discarded and
the game proceeds without a wild card. If it does not match a
bad card, it stays wild and may be used by all the players. If the
wild card matches a good card or one of a player’s held cards,
they would also be wild.
8. Players make the strongest hand they can from whatever cards
they have left after discarding the bad cards, plus the wild card,
if there is one, and the five good community cards.
9. A final bet is made, cards shown, and the winner determined.
NOTE: A variation to this game would be for the dealer to turn over two
cards at a time, one from the good row and one from the bad row.
54

TWENTY-ONE
1. Players are dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges eight community cards as follows:
3. In making their highest five card hand, players may use any two
cards from the row of five cards, one card from the row of two
cards, plus the wild card, combined with cards from their hand.
4. In playing the hand, the dealer reveals, in random order, all of
the cards in the five card row, followed by the two cards
arranged below the five card row. Each of the seven community
cards are bet on as they are revealed. These seven bets are
rotation Must Bets.
5. After the seventh card has been bet on, the dealer reveals the
wild card followed by the final bet.
6. Cards are now show and the winner is determined.
55

FORTY-TWO
1. Players are dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges twelve community cards as follows:
3. In this game, players make their best five card hand by
combining their five held cars with any two cards from the row
of five cards, the wild card, and one card from the row of two
above the five, or below the five, plus the single card from the
same side. Players cannot use cards from the three above the
row of five with any of the three below the row of five. There
are ten cards a player can choose from to make the strongest
five card hand.
4. In playing the hand, the dealer will reveal all of the community
cards, one at a time, in random order, leaving the wild card the
last one to be revealed.
56

5. A Must Bet follows each of the eleven community cards as they
are revealed. The rotation system for betting applies. No
checking.
6. After the last community card has been revealed and bet on,
the dealer turns up the wild card, which is followed by the last
Must Bet.
7. In rotation, from the dealer’s left, the players show their cards
and the winner is determined.
57

PICK TWO – HIGH/LOW
1. The dealer arranges nine community cards as follows:
2. Players are dealt five cards, the first two down, followed by
three up. A bet follows each of the up cards. The player with the
highest hand is the bettor. Betting on these cards is standard,
one unit until a pair is showing, two units on a pair or better.
3. The object of the game is to achieve the highest five card hand
or the lowest five card hand.
4. In addition to their five held cards, the players may use two of
the community cards for their high hand, and two others for
their low hand. However, the two cards selected MUST be
adjacent to each other, either one above the other, or side by
side. The two cards may not be randomly selected. The players
may opt to play only their five held cards, or they may want to
58

use four of their held cars with only one of the community
cards.
5. After the betting on the players’ held cards is over, the dealer
begins to reveal the community cards in the following order.
The four corner cards first, then the center card. A one unit bet
is made on each of these five cards. The remaining four
community cares are then revealed, followed by a two unit bet
on each of the four cards.
6. Players now declare which way they are going, High, Low, or
Both Ways, using the coin in hand method. The final round of
two unit bets follow the players declaring.
7. Cards are now shown and the winners determined.
59

TWO or NONE – HIGH/LOW
1. This is a six card stud game. Each player is dealt two down cards
and one up.
2. The dealer then arranges four community cards as follows:
3. Players bet on the first up card. Standard betting rules apply.
4. Play proceeds with each player being dealt two more up cards,
followed by the sixth card down.
5. A bet follows each of the up cards as well as the last down card.
6. The dealer now reveals the four community cards in random
order. Each card is bet on. The amount to be bet on each card is
determined before any cards are dealt.
7. The object of the game is to have the highest five card poker
hand or the lowest five card hand.
60

8. When making their hand, the players may use five of their six
held cards, or they may use three of their six held cards
combined with any two from the community cards. However, if
they want to use the community cards, they MUST use two
cards.
9. After the four community cards have been revealed and bet on,
players declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method. In this game, players may go both ways by using
different combinations of five cards from the ten cards they
have available to them.
10. After declaring, the final bet is made, cards shown, and the
winners declared.
61

THIRTY-TWO
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. Five community cards are arranged as follows:
3. This is a High/Low game. The object of the game is to achieve
the highest or the lowest five card poker hand.
4. Playing the hand involves the dealer revealing the five
community cards, one at a time, in random order. A “Must” bet
follows each of the five community cards.
5. In forming their hand, the players “cannot” use their five held
cards only. Players MUST use three cards from their hand
combined with two of the community cards. No other
combination may be used.
62

6. A player may go both ways in this game by using one
combination of 3/2 for high and another combination of 3/2 for
low.
7. After all the community cards have been revealed and bet on,
players reveal which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method of declaring.
8. A final bet follows the declaring, cards are then shown, and the
winners are determined.
NOTE: A variation would be that the two cards to be used from the five
community cards MUST be touching.
63

EXCHANGE ONE / BUY ONE
1. This is a five card stud game with a little twist.
2. The cards are dealt as in any five card stud game, one down and
four up.
3. A bet follows each of the four up cards. Standard betting rules
apply.
4. After the betting on the last card is over, each player in rotation
from the dealer’s left, have an option to exchange one card
only. Before the dealer gives the card, the player MUST first
discard the card that is to be replaced. The one card can be the
single down card, or it can be any one of the four up cards.
Players can pass on this option. The cost of the exchange is one
unit of the base bet.
5. A bet follows the exchange round, even if only one player
makes the exchange.
6. Holding all five cards, each player in rotation has the option of
“buying” a sixth card up. The cost of the buy is five times the
base bet.
7. Buying a card is an option the players do not have to take. They
may choose to play the five cards dealt to them.
8. After each player has had the opportunity to buy a card, the
final bet is made. Cards are then shown, and the winner is
determined.
NOTE: If the dealer wishes, this game can be played with a pre-declared
wild card.
Another variation would be making the game High/Low.
64

CRISS CROSS
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. The dealer lays out five community cards plus a wild card as
follows:
3. In random order, the dealer turns over each of the five
community cards.
4. On the rotation system, a Must Bet follows each of the
community cards after they are revealed.
5. After all of the community cards are turned up and bet on, the
dealer turns over the wild card which is followed by the last bet.
6. Players form their best five card hand by combining any of their
five held cards with the wild card and any of the three cards in
the vertical row, or any of the three cards in the horizontal row.
7. Cards are now shown and the winner is determined.
65

NOTE: This game can be played as a High/Low game by not having a
wild card.
Another variation could be rolling the player’s five held cards after all of
the community cards and the wild card are turned over and bet on. This
variation produces a much larger pot.
66

FOUR by FOUR + ONE
1. Each player is dealt four cards, all face down.
2. The dealer lays out five community cards as follows:
3. Playing of the hand begins with the dealer turning up the first
community card, usually the card on the end of the row of four
cards.
4. A Must Bet follows, using the rotation system of betting.
5. After the first card betting is complete, the dealer reveals the
next community card from the row of four cards. A round of
betting follows.
6. The next card to be revealed is the card set alone above the row
of four cards. This card is an “indicator” card. The player who
has the highest card in the same suit as the indicator card will
win half of the pot. The indicator card can also be used by all of
67

the players to make their best five card hand. It is not a wild
card.
7. The dealer then reveals each of the other two community cards
one at a time, each followed by a bet.
8. The players make their best five card poker hand by combining
cards from their four held cards with any of the cards from the
five community cards. It is possible for a player to win the entire
pot without a split, by having the highest poker hand as well as
the highest card in the indicator suit.
NOTE: A variation the dealer may want to play is basically the same
except when laying out the community cards; the single indicator card is
placed below the row of four cards. This changes the pot splitter to the
lowest card in that suit instead of the highest card.
Another variation would be for the players to declare either suit-hand or
both using the coin in hand method:
None for suit
One for hand
Two for both
68

CRISS CROSS LOW HOLE WILD
1. On the initial deal, each player gets three cards, two down and
one up.
2. The dealer then lays out five community cards as follows:
3. Playing of the hand proceeds like any other five card stud game.
Players will be dealt one more up card and one more down
card. Each new card dealt is followed by a round of bets.
4. From this point in the game, players know what their wild card
is. It is the lowest card in the hole. If the wild card is matched by
any of the players’ up cards or any of the community cards as
they are revealed, they are also wild.
5. After the last of the player’s held cards is bet on, the dealer will
reveal the community cards one at a time, in random order. A
bet follows each new card after it is revealed.
69

6. The players make the best five card hand from their five held
cards, and any of the three community cards in either the
horizontal row or the vertical row. The community cards a
player uses MUST be in the same row.
7. After the last community card is bet on, players show their
cards and a winner is declared.
NOTE: A variation the dealer may wish to play is to allow players, for a
predetermined fee, the option of having their last card dealt up. This
option would assure players that their low hole card would not be
changed.
70

HIGH/LOW QUADS
1. Each player is dealt three cards, all face down.
2. The dealer arranges twelve community cards as follows:
3. Playing of the hand involves revealing the twelve community
cards, one at a time, in random order. The rotation system for
betting follows each new card after it is revealed. The player
whose turn it is to bet in the rotation MUST bet or fold. No
checking allowed.
4. Players make their best five card hand by combining any of their
three held cards with any of the four cards located in one of the
five groups or “Quads.” A group or quad consists of four cards
which are touching each other and form a square.
5. After the twelfth community card has been bet on, players
declare high, low, or both ways, using the “coin in hand”
71

method of declaring. Both ways is an option in this game
because players can use one quad for high and another quad for
low.
6. After players declare, a final bet is made. When the betting is
done, cards are shown and the winners are determined.
7. The betting process in this should be agreed upon prior to any
of the community cards being revealed. Since there are so many
community cards, a one unit per card bet would result in a large
pot.
Variations:
The dealer may choose to rearrange the community cards layout by
more cards, or by reducing the number, or he/she may choose to reveal
them two at a time.
72

CONNECT THREE
1. Each player is dealt five cards face down.
2. The dealer arranges thirteen community cards as follows:
3. The card set to the side is the wild card and is the last card the
dealer reveals. If it matches any of the other twelve community
cards or any cards in a player’s hand, they are also wild. The
amount to bet per each card should be agreed on by all the
players prior to the dealer revealing any of the community
cards.
4. To play the hand, the dealer turns up, in random order, all
twelve of the community cards one card at a time. Each new
card revealed is followed by a Must Bet, using the rotation
system of betting. After the twelfth community card is bet on,
73

the dealer reveals the wild card, which is followed by the final
bet.
5. Players make their highest five card poker hand by combining
any of their five held cards, with the wild card, and any of three
community cards which are adjacent to each other (above or
below each other side by side, or around a corner).
6. Players now show their cards and the winner is determined.
NOTE: Depending upon the stakes being played for, the dealer and the
other players may agree to increase or decrease the number of cards
placed in the community card arrangement. Dealer may also opt to
reveal two community cards at a time.
Another variation would be to eliminate the wild card and make it a
high/low game.
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BLACK BOTTOM
1. This is a seven card stud game with a few variations. The cards
are dealt the same as for any seven card stud game, two down,
four up, and one down.
2. This is a split pot game. One half of the pot for the best five card
poker hand and the other half of the pot goes to the player who
has the highest spade in the hole. It is possible for one player to
win both parts of the pot.
3. The “Queen of Spades” is a key card in this game. If during the
dealing of the up cards, the queen of spades comes out, the
hand is dead at that point. The dealer collects all the cards. All
of the money previously bet remains in the pot. Players ante
again, and a new hand is dealt.
4. If the queen of spades does not come out, the hand plays out
and the queen of spades in the hole is wild. It “cannot” be used
as the highest spade in the hole to split the pot.
5. The killing of the hand and the redealing can only occur three
times. During the fourth hand, the queen of spades is wild,
either up or down, it cannot kill the hand.
6. After the final bet is over, players show their cards and the
winners are declared.
Variations:
A. The game can be played exactly the same way with
clubs being the key suit instead of spades.
B. The dealer may choose to call the game “Red Bottom,”
and have either hearts or diamonds being the key suit.
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MIDDLE CARD SPLITTER
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. The dealer lays out five community cards as follows:
3. The dealer establishes the amounts that are to be bet on each
of the community cards. The bets could be equal for all five
cards or they could be varied. The most commonly played
arrangement is one unit on the first card, two units on the
second card, and three units on each of the remaining cards.
4. The “middle” card, the one set apart from the others, is the pot
splitting card. If the splitter card is a seven or lower, the lowest
card in that same suit wins half of the pot. If the splitter card is
an eight or higher, then the highest card in that same suit wins
half of the pot. Aces are always high.
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5. The highest five card poker hand which wins the other half of
the pot is made from the player’s five held cards and “only two”
of the five community cards. The splitter card could be one of
the two cards used.
6. To play the hand the dealer reveals each of the community
cards, one card at a time. A Must Bet, using the rotation system,
follows each new card turned up. The splitter card is the third
card to be revealed.
7. After the betting on the last community card is over, the players
remaining in the hand show their cards and the winners are
declared.
8. In this game, one player could win both halves of the pot, if
he/she has the highest poker hand as well as the winning
splitter card.
Variations:
A. Players would be allowed to use three of the five
community cards to form their hand.
B. Players can declare high/low or both ways using the coin in
hand process
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QUEENS and FOLLOW the QUEENS
1. This is a seven card stud game. Cards are dealt as in any other
seven card stud game. The first two cards down, the next four
up, and the last card down.
2. Standard seven card stud betting rules apply throughout the
game.
3. In this game, the Queens are wild. Queens which are dealt up
have to be paid for at the predetermined rate. The card which is
dealt immediately following the Queen is also a wild card.
However, this wild card changes with each Queen that is dealt.
If the very last card that is dealt is a Queen, then only the
Queens are wild. If no Queens are dealt up, then only the
Queens in the hole are wild.
4. After the last card has been dealt and bet on, players show their
cards, and the winner is determined.
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“SEVENS” TAKE ALL
1. This is a seven card stud game. Cards are dealt as in any other
seven card stud game. The first two cards down, the next four
up, and the last card down.
2. Standard seven card stud betting rules apply throughout the
game.
3. In this game, there are nine wild cards, all the two’s, all the
Jacks, and the King of Diamonds. Each of the wild cards which
are dealt up is immediately paid for at the predetermined rate.
4. Regardless of how high the player’s hands may be, in this game
a natural pair of sevens tops them all. If a natural pair of sevens
is dealt up, the hand is over at the point. No other cards are
dealt. The player who was dealt the pair of sevens wins the pot.
5. If a player has a pair of sevens in the hole, they would only be a
winner if no pair of sevens was dealt up. The up pair of sevens
ends the game as soon as they are dealt, therefore the sevens in
the hole never come into play.
6. If no player gets a natural pair of sevens, then the player having
the highest five card poker hand wins the pot.
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FOLLOW the QUEEN – FOLLOW the PAIR
1. This is a seven card stud game. Cards are dealt as in any other
seven card stud game. The first two cards are down, the next
four are up, and the last card down.
2. A betting round follows each of the four up cards and after the
last down card. As in all seven card stud games, the player who
has the highest hand is always the bettor. The standard betting
rules apply.
3. Playing the hand could be confusing. The card which
immediately follows a queen or a natural pair is wild. Each time
a queen is dealt, a new wild card is created. Each time a natural
pair is dealt, a new wild card is created.
4. If the very last up card is a queen, or it creates a natural pair,
then the only wild card is the Queen of Spades.
5. If during play, the Queen of Spades is dealt up, it “kills” the
hand. All cards are thrown in, players re-ante, and a new hand is
dealt. The pot from the previous round grows.
6. Killing the hand is allowed to happen three times only. On the
fourth round, the dealer will say “it lives,” meaning that the
Queen of Spades is a wild card, up or down, and it cannot kill
the hand. The last wild card created is also wild.
7. After the last card, betting is complete, players show cards,
highest hand first, and then all others in rotation, and a winner
is declared.
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MOUNT VERNON
1. This is a seven card stud game. Players are dealt the first two
cards down, the next four up, and the last card down.
2. After dealing the first up card, the dealer arranges four
community cards as follows:
3. Play proceeds as in any seven card stud game. The standard
betting rules apply; a bet follows each new up card dealt, and
the last down card.
4. The community cards now come into play. Each of the three
cards in a row is revealed and each one is bet on.
5. After the last of the three community cards is bet on, the dealer
turns up the wild card, followed by the last round of bets.
6. Players form their best five card hand using a combination of
cards from their seven, the wild card, and any of the other three
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community cards. If any of their seven, or any of the three
community cards match the wild card, they are also wild.
7. Cards are shown, highest hand first, followed by the others in
rotation, and the winner is declared.
NOTE: If there are eight players in the game, they only get five cards
dealt to them, two down, and three up.
If there are seven players in the game, the dealer may use the same
procedure as for eight players or the dealer may deal seven cards to
each player and use only two community cards plus the wild card.
If there are six players or less, the cards are dealt as first described.
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HIGH/LOW NUMBERS
1. Poker hands are not relevant in this game. This game is a game
of addition.
2. The numerical value of cards is: Aces = 1 or 11
Face cards = 10
All other cards = face
value
3. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
4. The dealer arranges eight community cards as follows:
5. To play the hand, the dealer reveals each card from the row of
five cards. If a player has a matching card, it MUST be
immediately discarded and placed face up in front of him/her.
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6. Each of the five cards is bet on. The bettor is the player having
the highest card or highest total showing. Standard betting rules
apply.
7. If a player discards all five of his/her held cards, that player wins
the low half of the pot. That player continues in the betting
during the remainder of the hand.
8. If a player does not discard any of his/her five held cards, that
player immediately is paid a pre-determined bonus from every
player at the table (players who folded included).
9. The remaining three community cards do not require players to
discard any more of their cards. These three cards are indicator
cards only. If a player matches either or both cards in the row of
two, the value of those cards in the player’s hand doubles. If a
player matches the last indicator card, its value is tripled.
10. If during the revealing of the community cards, a card is
repeated, it is immediately covered by another card from the
deck. If the dealer runs out of cards the repeated card is
removed from play.
11. After the trippler card is bet on, players declare which way they
are going with the coin in hand method. Their options are high,
low, or both ways.
12. After declaring, a final bet is made, cards shown, and the
winners determined.
NOTE: The community cards “are not used” as part of a player’s hand.
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THREE BUYS – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five cards, two down, and three up.
2. A bet follows each up card dealt. The player having the high
card or hand is the bettor. Standard betting rules apply.
3. After the fifth card is bet on, the buying phase of the game
begins. Each player will have an opportunity to exchange either
an up card or a down card during three following rounds. The
exchange always starts with the player to the dealer’s left and
then rotates around the table giving each player a chance to
buy a card.
4. The cost of a buy is one unit for the first buy, two units for the
second buy, and three units for the third buy. A unit is the
minimum amount being wagered. If it is a nickel-dime game,
the buys would cost five, ten, fifteen. A bet follows each buying
round.
5. The object of the game is to achieve the lowest hand or the
highest hand with the five cards a player ends up with.
6. Players may opt to play the five cards dealt to them. They can
also opt to skip a buy on any of their turns.
7. After the last buy and bet, players declare going high or low
using the coin in hand method.
8. After declaring, a final bet is made, cards are shown, and the
winners are determined.
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ONE BUY – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. In this game, a player may buy up to three cards at a
predetermined cost for each card. The player MUST discard the
cards not wanted before being dealt the exchange cards.
3. Players may opt not to buy any cards, and just play the five they
were dealt.
4. The object of this game is to achieve the highest five card poker
hand or the lowest five card poker hand.
5. After all the exchanges are completed, the players arrange their
five cards the way they want them to appear to the other
players during the “rolling” phase of the game. Players roll a
card (turn a card up) simultaneously on the dealer’s command.
6. A bet follows each card rolled.
7. Before rolling the last card, players MUST declare which way
they are going, using the coin in hand method.
8. A final bet follows declaring. Cards are then shown and the
winners declared.
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HIGH/LOW – PACKS
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. The dealer arranges seventeen community cards, seven sets of
two each, and one set of three cards as follows:
3. Recommended betting is: One unit on the first four packs
Two units on the next three
packs
Three units on the final pack of
three cards
4. The dealer reveals each pack of two cards (both cards together),
followed by the recommended bets.
5. The dealer then reveals the final pack of three cards (all at
once).
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6. The object of this game as in all high/low games is to make the
best high hand, or the best low hand, or both.
7. In calling their hand, the players can use their five held cards, or
they may use three of their held cards with one pack for high
and another pack for low. However, if they want to use a pack
from the community cards they MUST use both cards in the
pack.
8. This rule does not apply to the three card pack, a player may
use one, two, or all three cards in that pack.
9. After all the community cards have been revealed and bet on,
players declare which way they are going using the coin in hand
method of declaring.
10. The final two unit bet follows.
11. Players then show their cards and the winners are determined.
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JUMBLE – HIGH
1. Each player is dealt five cards, all face down.
2. The dealer arranges five community cards as follows:
3. In this game, each player will have at least one wild card, and
that card is the lowest of the five held cards. If it is matched by
any of the usable community cards, they would also be wild.
4. The middle card, the one set apart from the others, is the pot
splitting card. If it is a two to seven, the player having the lowest
card in that suit wins half of the pot. If it is an eight to King, the
player having the highest card in that suit wins half of the pot. If
it is an ace, the pot does not get split. The player having the
highest poker hand wins the entire pot.
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5. Playing the hand involves rotation Must Bets following the
initial deal of five cards, then after each of the community cards
as they are revealed.
6. The community cards are revealed in the following order: one
card from the two on the left and one card from the two on the
right. Next to be revealed is the splitter card. The two remaining
cards are revealed one at a time, in any order, after the splitter
card has been revealed.
7. To form their best poker hand, the players may use their five
held cards only, or they may combine their held cards with one
or both of the two community cards on the right side of the
splitter, or they may use one or both of the two cards on the
left of the splitter. Players “may not” use cards from both sides.
The last option the players have is to combine four cards from
their hand with the single splitter card. The splitter card may
not be used with any other community cards.
8. After all the community cards have been revealed and bet on,
players show their cards and the winners are determined.
90

PALM BEACH DRAW
1. This is a high/low draw poker game with a twist.
2. The game begins with a two unit ante.
3. Each player is dealt five cards and three down community card
in the center of the table.
4. To open the hand with a two unit bet, a player may open on
“Guts” alone. No pair required.
5. If the hand is not opened, cards are thrown in, players ante
again, and a new hand is dealt.
6. After the hand is opened the dealer “Flops” the three
community cards (three cards all at once).
7. After seeing the three flop cards, players have the option of
drawing up to three cards from the dealer. This is done in
rotation, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
Players MUST discard unwanted cards before getting their draw
cards.
8. In forming their hand, players may use their five held cards only
or they may combine their held cards with one, two, or three of
the flop cards.
9. After each player has had the opportunity to draw new cards, a
bet is made.
10. Players now declare which way they are going, using the coin in
hand method. In this game, players may elect to go both ways
by using one combination of five cards for high, and a different
combination of five cards for low.
11. After declaring, the final two unit bet is made.
12. When all betting is completed, players show their cards and the
winners are determined.
NOTE: If the dealer runs out of cards during the draw phase of the
game, cards which have been discarded are gathered, shuffled, and
dealt. Players should keep their discards separated until they get their
new cards to eliminate the possibility of being dealt cards they
previously had held.
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MAKE YOUR OWN WILD CARD
1. Each player is dealt five cards, face down.
2. The dealer arranges five community cards as follows:
3. The community cards are revealed one at a time, in random
order. A Must Bet follows each of the community cards as they
are revealed. The amount bet on each card is announced by the
dealer prior to revealing any of the cards.
4. After seeing all of the community cards, the players decide
which of their five held cards would make the best wild card
and give them the strongest poker hand. The players who elect
to remain in the hand, arrange their cards the way he/she wants
them to appear to the other players as they roll each card. The
players MUST be sure that they arrange their cards so that the
last card they roll is their wild card. If any of the community
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cards match the player’s wild card, they will also be wild. Once
the players set their hand and place it on the table in front of
them, they can no longer change the arrangement of their card.
5. When the players roll a card, they do so together when the
dealer says “roll.”
6. An optional bet is made on each card that is rolled. The bettor
during this phase of the hand is always the player having the
highest hand showing (checking is an option).
7. After the last card (wild card) is rolled, cards are read. The best
five cards of the ten cards available to each player wins the pot.
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DOUBLE CROSS
1. Each player is dealt five cards, face down.
2. The dealer arranges ten community cards as follows:
3. In random order, the dealer turns up each of the nine
community cards which form the cross. Using the rotation
system a Must Bet follows each of the cards after they are
revealed.
4. After all nine community cards are turned up and bet on, the
dealer reveals the wild card.
5. Players form their best five card hand by combining any of their
five held cards with the wild card and any of the three cards in
the vertical row, or any of the three cards in the horizontal row
providing that the three cards are adjacent to each other.
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Players may not use cards from a vertical row with cards in a
horizontal row.
6. There are six combinations of three cards that players may
choose from.
7. After the wild card is turned up, a final bet is made, cards are
shown, and the winner is determined.
NOTE: This game could be played as a High/Low game by eliminating
the wild card.
The dealer may opt to reveal two cards at a time instead of one,
resulting in a smaller pot.
95

DAY BASEBALL
1. This is a seven card stud game with a few twists. The hand is
dealt as any other seven card stud game, the first two cards
down, the next four up, and the last card down.
2. In this game, all threes and all nines are wild cards. All fours
which are dealt up, allow the player receiving it to immediately
get an extra down card. Each of these up “premium” cards
(threes, nines, fours) have to be paid for when they are dealt, at
the predetermined rate.
3. Premium cards which are in the hole do not have to be paid for,
and fours in the hole do not earn an extra card.
4. As in all seven card stud games, a bet follows each of the four
up cards as they are dealt, as well as the last card which is dealt
down.
5. Standard seven card stud betting rules apply. The player having
the highest hand is always the bettor.
6. After the last card has been dealt and bet on, cards are shown,
the player with the highest hand shows first, followed by the
other players in rotation, and a winner is determined.
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NIGHT BASEBALL
1. The dealer announces before dealing that this is a “No Peek”
game.
2. The players all get seven down cards dealt to them. Without
looking at any of the cards, they stack the pile in front of them.
3. The “premium” cards in this game are the same as in Day
Baseball. All threes and nines are wild, and fours earn an extra
card. All premium cards are paid for as soon as they appear.
4. The player to the dealer’s left, starts the hand by revealing the
top card in his/her pile, followed by a Must Bet.
5. The next player in rotation turns up cards until the previous
hand is beaten. This player now makes the Must Bet.
6. Play continues in this manner. Each player whose turn it is to
play, keeps turning up cards until his/her hand is higher than
the previous player’s. If a player goes through his/her pile
without beating the previous hand, the player exits the game
and the betting order reverts back to the previous bettor.
7. Play continues in this manner until there are only two players
remaining.
8. When there are only two players left, betting stops, but the
players still have to pay for any premium cards they turn over.
9. After the last card is turned up, the two hands are compared,
and the winner is determined.
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WOOLWORTHS
1. This is a seven card stud game with all fives and tens wild.
2. The dealer has the option of setting a price on the premium
cards or letting them be free.
3. Standard seven card stud betting rules apply. A bet follows each
of the four up cards and the last down card.
4. After all betting is done, cards are shown, bettor first, followed
by the other players in rotation, and a winner is determined.
Variations:
A. The dealer may declare that in order for the fives and tens to be
wild, a player MUST have one of each. If a player has one or the
other, they are not wild. If a player has two fives or two tens,
neither is wild.
B. Dealer may opt to play with a third premium card which would
allow players to get an additional card (similar to the fours in
Baseball).
C. This game may also be played as a “No Peek” game, like Night
Baseball.
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PIN WHEEL – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges nine community cards as follows:
3. The dealer reveals one card from each of the four pairs of cards,
followed by a single unit Must Bet.
4. The dealer then reveals the second card in each group, followed
by a two unit Must Bet.
5. After all the two unit bets have been made, the dealer turns
over the center or “axle” card, this is followed by a three unit
Must Bet.
6. In forming their hand, players may use the axle card with any
other two pack. The players may use one combination for low,
and a different combination for high. Players may not mix cards
from different packs.
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7. Players may elect to use only their five held cards for one
option, and use the community cards for the other option.
8. If players want to use any of the community cards they MUST
use three cards (the axle card and one two pack).
9. After betting on the axle card, players declare which way they
are going using the coin in hand method.
10. A final three unit bet or a “check” follows the declaring. Cards
are shown and the winners determined.
100

PHILLY HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt four down cards.
2. In this game, players may use only two of the four down cards
in making their best five card hand.
3. Players may use two of the four for a low hand, and two of the
four for a high hand.
4. A two unit bet is made on the four down cards. The player to
the dealer’s left is the first to bet or check. Other players follow
in rotation.
5. When the first round of betting is complete, the dealer “burns”
one card (buries it under the chips or coins) then “flops” three
community cards (turns three cards up together).
6. A two unit bet follows the three card flop. The bettor is the
second player in rotation from the dealer’s left.
7. After the betting on the three card flop is complete, the dealer
burns one card then flops the last two cards.
8. Players now have seven cards to choose from to make their best
five card hand, two from their four down cards and the five
community cards.
9. In making their best hand, players MUST use two cards from
their held cards combined with three of the community cards.
10. In this game, players may opt to go both high and low by using a
different combination of five cards for each option. However,
they MUST use two from their hand combined with three from
the community cards.
11. After betting following the two card flop is complete, players
declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method.
12. A final two unit bet follows the declaring phase; the bettor is
the next player in rotation. When all bets have been made,
players show their cards, and the winners are determined.
101

SEVEN STUD LOW
1. This is a seven card stud poker game. The player having the
lowest five card hand wins the pot.
2. The cards are dealt as in any seven card stud game, two down
and one up initially. A bet follows; the player having the lowest
card showing is the bettor. He/she has the option of betting,
checking, or folding.
3. Each player remaining in the hand will be dealt three more up
cards and the last card down.
4. A bet follows each card after it is dealt. The player with the
lowest hand showing is the bettor. The betting procedure and
amounts per bet is agreed on at the onset of the game.
5. After the betting on the last card is completed, cards are shown,
and the winner is determined.
NOTE: Unlike the professional version of this game called “Razz,”
straights and flushes do count. The best low hand in this game is 6-4-3-
2-Ace.
102

FOUR QUADS – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer then arranges ten community cards as follows:
3. The object of this game is to achieve the highest five card hand
or the lowest five card hand, or both.
4. In making their hand, the players combine their held cards and
community cards from one of the four quads (a quad is a group
of four cards which form a square).
5. The combination of cards allowed could be one and four, two
and three, three and two, four and one.
6. A player may use one combination for a low hand and another
combination for a high hand.
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7. In making their hands, players may not mix cards from different
quads for a low hand or a high hand. Community cards used for
either the high or low MUST be in one quad.
8. In rotation, on a player’s turn, he/she MUST either bet or fold.
No checking allowed.
9. The dealer reveals the community cards two at a time in
random order. A Must Bet follows each new card. The amount
of each bet is to be agreed upon at the onset of the game.
10. After all ten community cards are revealed and bet on, players
declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method.
11. After declaring, a final round of betting takes place. Cards are
then shown, and the winners declared.
104

ZINGER – HIGH/LOW
1. The dealer distributes five cards to each player, all face down.
2. The dealer arranges seven community cards as follows:
3. The object of this game is to achieve the highest five card poker
hand or the lowest five card hand. To do so, the players may use
their five held cards only, or they can combine “two” cards from
their hand with “three” of the community cards.
4. The “Zinger” in this game is if a player wants to use any of the
community cards, he/she MUST use three cards and two from
their hand. They cannot use only one or two of the community
cards.
5. The three community cards the players may use are the single
“floater” card with either the two on the left, the two in the
105

middle, or the two on the right. No other combination is
allowed.
6. To play the hand, the dealer reveals the bottom row of three
cards, one at a time. Each card revealed is followed by a single
unit Must Bet. The player making the bet rotates from the
dealer’s left.
7. The next row of cards is revealed the same way; each card
revealed is followed by a two unit Must Bet.
8. The single “floater” card which becomes the third card in each
row, is the last card revealed and is followed by a three unit
Must Bet.
9. When the betting on the floater is completed, players declare
which way they are going, using the coin in hand method of
declaring.
10. The last round of three unit bets follows the declaring; cards are
then shown, and the winners are determined.
NOTE: In this game, players may opt to go both ways by using different
combinations of cards.
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SQUARE ZINGER – HIGH/LOW
1. The dealer distributes five cards to each player, all face down.
2. The dealer then arranges eight community cards as follows:
3. The object of this game is to achieve the highest or the lowest
five card poker hand. To do so, the players may use their five
held cards only, or they may use two cards from their hand with
three of the community cards.
4. The “Zinger” in this game is if a player wants to use any of the
community cards, he/she MUST use three cards and two from
their hand. They cannot use only one or two of the community
cards
5. The three community cards a player may use are the three in
either of the two vertical rows or either of the three in the two
horizontal rows. No other arrangement can be used.
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6. To play the hand, the dealer reveals each of the four corner
cards, two at a time. Each card is followed by a one unit Must
Bet. The player making the bet rotates from the dealer’s left.
7. The remaining four community cards are revealed one at a time,
in random order. Each card is followed by a two unit Must Bet.
8. When the betting on the last community card is over, players
declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method.
9. The last round of two unit bets follows the declaring; cards are
then shown, and the winners are determined.
NOTE: In this game, players may opt to go both ways by using different
combinations of cards.
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OMAHA – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt four cards, one at a time, all face down.
2. A bet follows. The player to the left of the dealer has the first
option. That player can either check or bet.
3. When the betting is complete, the dealer burns the top card in
the deck (places it unseen under the chips or coins on the table)
then “flops” three cards (exposes three cards all at once).
4. A round of betting follows the flop. The second player starts the
betting. The player can either bet or check. When the betting is
over, the dealer burns another card and then turns up the
“Turn” card (fourth up card).
5. Another round of bets follows the turn card. The third player to
the left of the dealer starts the betting with the option of
checking or betting. When the betting is over, the dealer burns
another card then turns up the “River” card (the fifth up card).
6. Another round of betting follows the river card. The fourth
player starts the betting with the option of betting or checking.
7. In this game, the players may only use two of their held four
cards and three of the cards from board. They may use one
combination of five for High and another combination of five for
Low.
8. In order to qualify for a low hand, the hand cannot have a card
higher than an eight. The five cards may be in numerical
sequence (straight) or may all be of the same suit (flush) as long
as none of the five is higher than eight.
9. A player can win both the high and the low with different
combinations of five cards, two from his/her hand and three
from the community cards.
10. After all the betting is complete, players show their cards and
the winners are determined. Players do not have to declare high
or low, cards tell.
NOTE: Quite often in this game, there is no low hand possible. In that
situation, the entire pot goes to the player with the highest hand.
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KEEP or PASS – HIGH/LOW
1. This is a seven card stud game. Players will end up with three
down cards and four up cards from which they make their best
five card hand either high or low.
2. The method used to deal the seven cards is unique and quite
different than the standard method of dealing seven card stud.
3. Each player is dealt three down cards. The players then roll one
card of their choice (turn it up). A bet follows; standard betting
rules apply. High hand has the first option of check, bet, or fold.
4. The dealer now places a card in front of the first player to his
left. That player has the option of keeping the card or passing it
to the next player. If the card is passed, the passer puts one unit
into the pot. The passer then gets a new card which he MUST
keep.
5. The second player has the option of keeping the passed card or
passing it to the next player. If he keeps the card, it costs
nothing. If he chooses to pass it, he MUST put one unit into the
pot. The passer then gets a new card which he MUST keep. If
the player kept the card , the dealer turns up a new card for the
next player. When it’s the dealer’s turn, he has the option of
keeping the card or burying it at a one unit cost. If he keeps it,
there is no fee. If he buried it, he gets a new card which he
MUST keep. This procedure continues until all players have four
up cards.
6. If during passing rounds, a card being passed would give the
next player a pair, it costs the passer two units. If during the
passing of the fourth up card, if the card being passed would
give the receiver three of a kind, two pairs, four cards to a
straight or flush, it would cost the passer five units if he/she
chooses to pass the card.
7. The seventh card is dealt to the first player face down. Only the
player it was dealt to sees it. The same passing rules apply, one
unit in the pot to pass, no cost to keep. If the card is passed, it is
passed face down. The passer then gets his last card down.
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8. When all players have their last card, a bet is made, then players
declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method. A final bet is made after declaring. Cards are then
shown, and the winners determined.
NOTE: A round of betting follows after the completion of each passing
round. The bettor is the player with the high hand showing. Checking is
an option.
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TWIST
(single or double)
1. This is a five card stud game. Players are dealt one card down
and then four cards up. The dealer announces prior to dealing
whether the game is to be Single or Double Twist.
2. A round of betting follows each up card dealt. The player with
the high hand has the option of betting, checking, or folding.
3. After the fifth card has been dealt and bet on, each player in
rotation has the option to exchange one of his five cards. The
cost of the exchange would be predetermined before the game
begins. The player may exchange his down card or one of the
four up cards. The player may also decline the exchange option
and just play the five cards he/she was dealt.
4. If the dealer said the game was “Single Twist,” the last bet
would be made after the last player had his/her chance to
exchange a card.
5. After the last bet is complete, players declare which way they
are going, using the coin in hand method.
6. The last round of betting follows the declaring.
7. If the dealer had said the game was “Double Twist,” the players
would have the option to exchange one card a second time. The
player may opt to pass on the option for the second exchange.
After each player had his chance to “Twist” (exchange a card), a
round of betting follows. The player with the high hand is the
bettor.
8. Repeat Steps 5 and 6.
NOTE: A round of betting after declaring is the dealer’s choice which
MUST be announced prior to dealing the hand.
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ELEVATOR
1. This is a High/Low game.
2. Each player is dealt five cards. All face down.
3. The dealer then arranges eleven community cards as follows:
4. The middle card in the bottom row is the slider. This card
becomes the third card in each row.
5. In making the best five card hand, a player MUST use two cards
from his/her hand plus one row of three community cards.
6. Players may use one combination for Low and a different one
for High.
7. The dealer randomly reveals the community cards two at a
time, one from the left column and one from the right column.
The slider is the last card revealed.
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8. A bet follows after each two cards are revealed. The betting is
by rotation; therefore, the bettor MUST bet or fold. No checking
is allowed.
9. After the last bet is made, all players will declare which way
they are going, using the coin in hand method.
10. A final bet follows declaring, after which players cards are
shown, and the winner is declared.
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BUTTERFLY – HIGH/LOW
1. This is a seven card stud game. The method for obtaining their
seven cards is unlike any other poker game.
2. Each player is dealt four cards, two down and two up. The
remaining deck is placed in front of the dealer face down. The
dealer then turns one card up and places it to one side of the
deck, and then he turns up a second card and places it to the
other side of the deck. Play is now ready to begin.
3. The first player now has an option; he may “buy” either of the
two exposed cards or he may opt to take a “freebee;” in that
case, the dealer passes the player the unseen top card from the
deck face up. The first player now has five cards, two down and
three up. If the player opted to buy one of the exposed cards,
the dealer replaces it with another exposed card.
4. Play continues in this manner until all players have their fifth
card. The player having the high hand is the bettor, since
players’ hands are exposed. Checking is an option.
5. Play continues in this manner until all players have seven cards.
A round of bets follows after the last player gets his sixth card
and then again after the seventh card.
6. Players MUST now declare which way they are going, using the
coin in hand method. A final round of betting follows, after
which cards are shown, and the winners are determined.
NOTE: The cost to buy a card and the bets is to be determined before
cards are dealt; usually it is a one unit cost.
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SUITED CONNECTOR’S WILD
1. Before dealing any cards, the dealer announces that this is a
“No Peek” game. The dealer then deals seven cards to each
player, all face down. If a player inadvertently looks at the cards
dealt, that player is disqualified from the hand.
2. Players stack their seven cards in one pile in front of them.
3. The first player to the dealer’s left begins play by turning up the
top card of their pile. If it is higher than the indicator card that
was cut from an alternate deck, that player’s turn is over. If it is
not higher, the player keeps turning cards until the indicator is
beaten.
4. The next player then turns cards up until the previous hand is
beaten.
5. This procedure continues until each player in the game has had
their first turn. After the last player has a turn, a round of
betting takes place. High hand on board MUST bet or fold.
There is no checking in this game.
6. Play continues in this manner; each player on their turn keeps
revealing cards until the previous hand is beaten. A Must Bet is
made after all players complete a round.
7. If when revealing their cards a player shows a suited sequence
of two connected cards, IE 7-8 of clubs/ 2-3 of hearts/ K-Q of
spades, both cards in the sequence are wild. They are separated
from the other cards in the player’s hand. It is very possible in
this game for a player to attain more than one set of wild cards.
If a third card shows up in a suited sequence it is also wild.
8. An Ace can be connected with a King or a Two.
9. When a player reveals all his/her cards and does not beat the
previous hand, that player must fold. Play continues until there
are only two players left in the hand, at which time no further
bets are made and the winner is determined.
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SIX WAY CRISS-CROSS
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer lays out five community cards, face down as follows:
3. In random order, the community cards are revealed one at a
time. The middle card is the wild card and is the last one
revealed. All matching cards, either held by a player or one of
the other community cards, would also be wild.
4. On a rotation basis, a Must Bet follows each of the community
cards after they are revealed.
5. Players form their best five card hand by combining any of their
five held cards with the wild card and any of the three
community cards that are touching: the three in the vertical
row, the three in the horizontal row, or the three in each of the
four corners. (There are six different three card possibilities.)
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6. After the final bet is made, cards are shown and the winner is
determined.
NOTE: This game can also be played as a High/Low game by not making
the middle card wild. It is used at its face value.
Another variation could be that if a player uses any of the community
cards, that player MUST use all three cards in a specified arrangement
as stated in Step 5, and only two of their five held cards.
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NO BRAINER – SHOWDOWN
1. This game requires no poker skills or strategies. Winning in this
game depends entirely on the “Luck of the Draw.”
2. Before play begins, each player antes four quarters, one each in
four separate pots. Each pot is subsequently won for a different
criterion.
3. Before dealing cards to the players, the dealer turns up one card
and places it in the center of the table where it remains for the
hand. This card is an indicator which will determine the winner
of two of the four pots.
4. The dealer now starts to deal the hands. If there are eight
players in the game, they will be dealt six cards each. If there
are seven players or less, they will all be dealt seven cards. The
cards will be dealt all face up.
5. The winners of each of the four pots will be:
A. Low card of the suit shown
B. High card of the suit shown
C. Lowest poker hand
D. Highest poker hand
NOTE: It is possible for a player to win more than one pot.
This game is usually played as the last game of the session.
The amount of the ante could vary. The amount MUST be mutually
agreed upon prior to dealing any cards.
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HIGH/LOW DROP ‘EM
1. This is a game of addition. Poker hands do not apply.
2. Each player is dealt five down cards.
3. The dealer then arranges ten community cards as follows:
4. The numerical value of cards is: Ace = 1 or 11
Face cards = 10
All other cards
= face value
5. Play begins with the dealer revealing one of the community
cards.
6. If a player has that card, it’s discarded. A bet follows.
7. Play continues in this manner until all ten community cards are
revealed.
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8. If during this phase of the game a player gets rid of all of their
cards, the hand is over and that player is the winner of the
entire pot.
9. If no player got rid of all his/her cards, the game continues.
10. Players now total up the value of their remaining cards.
11. Players declare which way they are going, using the coin in hand
method.
12. A bet follows. Cards are then shown and the winners declared.
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DUPLICATE SHOWDOWN
1. This game is played with two separate decks of cards.
2. Poker hands do not apply. It is nothing more than a game of
chance; luck alone is the determining factor.
3. Before any cards are dealt, each player antes five units.
4. The dealer passes each player five cards, one at a time, from
one deck.
5. That deck is now put aside.
6. The game continues with the dealer turning up one card from
the alternate deck.
7. The player having the duplicate card discards it and puts one
unit in the pot.
8. The dealer turns up the next card and the player having that
card discards it and puts one unit in the pot.
9. Play continues in this manner. However, the second card a
player discards requires two units going into the pot. The third
drop three units, the fourth drop four units.
10. The game ends when a player drops their last card. That player
wins the whole pot.
NOTE: This game produces only one winner; there can never be a tie.
Bonus Option: If a player keeps all five cards, he gets five units from all
other players. This is not very likely to occur, but it is possible. If this
happens with more than one player, they also get the bonus.
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“H” – HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five cards.
2. The dealer arranges eight community cards as follows:
3. In making your best high or low poker hand, you MUST use
three of the community cards plus two from your hand. The
community cards that have to be used are one of the four
corner cards, and two from the four in the middle row.
4. Using only the five dealt cards is also an option.
5. The dealer reveals each of the community cards as follows one
at a time: the four corners followed by the four in a row.
6. A Must Bet in rotation order follows the revealing of each card.
7. After the last revealed card is bet on, players declare which way
they are going, using the coin in hand method.
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8. A last round of betting follows declaring. Cards are then shown
and the winners determined.
NOTE: Dealer can opt to turn over two cards at a time.
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PINE TREE
1. Each player is dealt four down cards.
2. The dealer arranges seven community cards as follows:
3. The dealer reveals the top community card. A one unit bet
follows.
4. The dealer reveals both of the two middle community cards. A
two unit bet follows.
5. The dealer reveals all three of the bottom row of community
cards. A three unit bet follows.
6. The bottoms single card is the wild card. It is the last community
card revealed and it is followed by the last three unit bet.
7. In forming their best five card hand, the players MUST use only
two of their four held cards, the wild card, and any two of the
remaining community cards.
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8. Cards are shown and the winner is determined.
126

BUNDLES HIGH/LOW
1. Each player is dealt five down cards.
2. The dealer arranges twelve community cards as follows:
3. The dealer reveals all three cards at once in each of the top row
of three cards.
4. A rotation bet follows after each of the three top bundles are
revealed.
5. The dealer now reveals the three cards in the remaining bundle,
followed by another bet.
6. In forming their best five card hand, players may use their five
held cards only, or they may use any of the cards in any one of
the three card bundles. They may not mix cards from these
three bundles.
7. The bundle selected may be combined with the bottom bundle.
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8. The players now have eleven cards from which they can make
their best five card hand, their five held cards, a bundle of three
from the top row, and the three in the bottom bundle.
9. At this point, players declare either high, low, or both ways
using the coin in hand method. After declaring, a final bet is
made.
10. Cards are now shown and the winners are determined.
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John Vergari, who lives at the Jersey Shore, is an avid poker player and an
individual with many talents with a varied background. At age 90, this is John's
first book.
John served his country as a member of the armed forces in the early fifties.
After the military, John pursued a teaching career by attending New York
University, earning both a BA and MA. While at NYU, John was a member of the
football team. After college, John worked his way through three stints as an
educator, starting in 1950 and ending in retirement in 1988.
Today John spends his time playing golf, as an active participant in his church,
watching his grandchildren grow, and of course, he is part of two poker clubs.
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