If you are an experienced poker player, try testing out one of the many poker variants to make the game more fun but always play responsibly.
Pineapple Holdem
This game is played just like Texas Holdem rules, but you get 3 cards instead of 2. In the regular Pineapple game, you discard one of the 3 cards before the flop. This little variation to the rules allow the players more room for betting, as there are higher chances of great card combinations by all players. So the betting is fast paced and aggressive.
In Crazy Pineapple, you do not have to discard the third card until after the flop.
In Lazy Pineapple, (also known as Tahoe Pineapple), you do not have to discard the third card until the cards have been dealt entirely.
3 Card Holdem
Not the same as Tri card Poker, which is a casino game played against the house. 3 card Holdem is similar to Pineapple, but you get to use all 3 hole cards on your final hand call (using the ones on the table as well, just like in regular poker). This variation is also called Super Eight.
3 Card Poker
As mentioned, 3 card poker is a casino game played against the dealer. The goal is to get a better 3-card hand than the dealer. There are only 5 cards instead of 7 and you take 2 decisions during the game. The game begins by making an ante-bet before any cards are dealt, and side-bets can be made which pay hugely.
These are the rankings for 3 card poker:
- Straight flush
- 3 of a Kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Pair
- High card
Side bets available:
- Pair or Suited
- Straight or Up
Once bets are placed, the dealer hands you 2 cards face down and to the house. A community card is dealt face up. You can then peak at your cards and decide to fold or raise. By folding you lose the ante bet, or you can raise and place a bet size of your ante. The next community card is dealt and you can check or raise. Then the final community card is dealt and you can see if you win or lose:
- If the dealer has a better hand, you lose your bets.
- The dealer ties you, bets are returned.
- You have better cards than the dealer, then you win the bets with a payout of 1 to 1 for your bets and the ante is returned. If the dealer has a pair of 4 or better, you get paid even money on the ante bet as well.
Double Flop Holdem
This is played just like regular poker but with 2 flops, 2 turns and 2 rivers. Basically, you are playing 2 rounds at the same time with just one set of cards dealt. The pot is split between the winner of the two hands, and it is possible to win both of them.
Irish Poker
A similar set of rules to Omaha were players get 4 cards, but you need to choose 2 to discard before the flop.
River of Blood
This is a regular poker game with one small variation. If the card set on the “river” round is red, then there is another round of betting and another river card is set. This continues until there is a black river card. Here are some Reddit tips to adjust your game for River of Blood.
Speed Holdem
Played just like Irish Poker with 4 cards dealt to each player. They have to discard 2 cards before the flop. In Speed Poker, there is only one more betting round and then all 5 community cards are dealt without a flop, turn, and river.
Speed River Runs Wild
The only variation here is that a straight is made from 4 cards and not 5. So straights come out more often in the game.
Two Time Holdem
Each player received 4 cards but have to split them into 2 separate hands. When showdown is reached, you can decide which hand to play from the two. This variation increases the chance of all players being present for the showdown.
Now that you know poker can be fun and wild, wear some cool t-shirts for your poker night with friends.