You and your friends may know all the basic Poker games, like Texas Hold ’em and Seven Card Stud. But there are some less common games that are just as fun – although they aren’t usually played by serious poker aficionados. However, if you’re just looking to bring a little spice to your Poker Night, you may want to consider some of these simple games:

Guts

The deal: Each player is dealt three face down cards.

The rules: High hand wins. Flushes and straights do not count. The highest Guts hand is three aces. The lowest Guts hand is a two, three and four.

The play: Everyone antes. Players look at their cards, then fold them up and hold them over the table. Simultaneously on the count of three, players either drop their cards to signify they fold, or they continue holding their cards to signify they stay in the game. Anyone who folds is out of the game. If two or more players are holding cards, they compare hands. Everyone but the winner must match the amount in the pot. Cards are dealt again (only to those players who stayed in the first round). Play continues until only one person has the “guts” to keep holding his/her cards after the count.

 

Screw Your Neighbor

The deal: Everyone receives one face down card.

The rules: High card loses. The worst card to be holding is an Ace. A two is the best card.

The play: Everyone lines up three poker chips in front of them. This is the ante and the only bets of the game. Players look at their individual cards. In turn, starting with the player to the left of the dealer, each player has the option to either hold their card or switch it with the person to their left. (Players must switch if the player to their left wishes to do so.) Cards are either switched or held around the table until play reaches the dealer, who has the option of holding or switching with the top card on the deck. After dealer has decided, everyone reveals card. Player with the highest card loses one of his three chips to the pot. Cards are reshuffled and deal changes hands. Play continues in this manner until everyone has lost their chips except one person, who collects all the chips as his/her win.

Blind One Card Guts (aka Indian Poker)

The deal: Everyone receives one face down card.

The rules: High card wins. The best card to be holding is an Ace. A two is almost a certain loser.

The play: No one looks at their card. On the count of three, everyone brings up their card to their forehead – so that other players can see it, but it’s not visible to the player holding it. Everyone examines each others’ cards. Betting goes around the table, and players are permitted to fold. Once all bets have been placed, cards are revealed. The one holding the highest card wins the pot.

About The Author

Erik Allaire is a master poker player who has won many professional poker events, wishes to represent his country at the world level.

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