File: POKER.TXT
April 7, 1996

Rules/Games for Playing Poker

Poker hands listed in descending order of value:
- Five of a kind (only possible with wild cards).
- Royal flush is the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit.
- Straight flush is any sequence of five cards in the same suit.
- Four of a kind.
- Full house is three of a kind and two of a kind.
- Flush is five cards in the same suit (e.g. 5 spades).
- Straight is any sequence of five cards (mixed suits).
- Three of a kind.
- Two pairs.
- One pair is two of a kind.
- High card, with Ace the highest and 2 the lowest. For suits, the order 
is Spades, Hearts, Clubs, and Diamonds.

For betting, dealer decides amount of ante to be put in pot before play 
begins. A ceiling should be placed on the maximum raise (e.g. 1$) that 
can be made at any time. Should also decide maximum number of times that 
players can raise (e.g. 2) during a round of betting. The initial bet 
for a round does not count as a raise.

If there is a tie (e.g. both winners have a pair of Aces), then must 
decide before game whether tie splits pot or next highest card in hand 
decides the winner.

Some popular forms of poker:

5 Card Draw - Must decide ahead any wild cards and whether there will be 
1of3 of 2of2 draws. 1of3 means there will be one round of drawing where 
each player can draw up to 3 cards; 4 cards can be drawn if player shows 
their Ace. 2of2 means there will be two rounds of drawing where each 
player can draw up to 2 cards. Each player receives five cards face down 
to start play, then rounds made to draw cards (1of3 or 2of2). Best poker 
hand wins.

7 Card Stud - Must decide ahead any wild cards. Can also add Chicago 
variation, in which case the player with highest Spade in their face 
down cards will get half the pot. Play begins with each player receiving 
two cards face down. The next four cards are dealt face up. The last 
card (7th card) is dealt face down. Best poker hand wins.

727 - Pot will be split between person getting as close to 7 (without 
going over) and person getting as close to 27. If you go over 27, then 
you bust and most fold immediately. You may get exactly 7 or 27, in 
which case you know you will win a share of the pot. Aces count 1 or 11, 
but person with Ace showing must declare its value when Ace is received. 
Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) count a half point. Play begins with each 
player receiving one card face down. Each player positions three chips 
in front of them. These chips determine how many times the player can 
pass without receiving a card. Play continues until all players have 
used up their passes. After betting on the opening round of face down 
cards (one card each), the subsequent rounds will deal one face up card 
to players who don't pass.

Indian - each player receives one card face down. Without looking at 
their card, each player places the card on their forehead so the other 
players can see their card (but you can't see your own card).

Iron Cross - each player receives four cards face down. Five cards are 
placed face down on the table, with one card positioned in the center. 
Players look at their cards and bet a round. For subsequent rounds, a 
card from the table is flipped, with the center card being flipped last. 
The center card will be the wild card. Each player can use up to 4 cards 
from the table to make up their best hand. Players can share the same 
cards, so their is no "claiming" the cards. You must use at least one 
card from your own hand to make up your poker hand.

Worst Hand - Like five card draw, but you try to make your worst poker 
hand. Best hand to get is 2,3,4,5,7 in mixed suits.

Guts - Each player receives two cards face down. Each player keeps a 
poker chip in their lap. To decide whether you want to be in on the 
hand, you hide the chip in your hand. To pass, you hide the chip in your 
lap. Each player holds their closed hand over the table, then at the 
same time reveals whether they are in (chip in hand) or pass (hand 
empty). Best poker hand from amongst the "in" players wins the pot. 
Straights and flushes not allowed, so you are going for a pair or high 
card to win. Play continues until only one player decides to be "in". 
The losing "in" players must match the pot. Should decide on a limit for 
matching the pot (e.g. $2). The passing players will play the next round 
with putting anything in the pot.