Faldo Says “Yay” or “Nay” to Common Dealer’s Choice Games – Part II

There are other poker games besides what is dealt in casinos and tournaments. The casino games are there because of their speed and simplicity in dealing. More hands equals more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and exciting poker games you can deal in a home game, which make you have to think outside “the flop” sometimes.

The description of the following games in this series is Faldo’s opinion only. Others may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

ANACONDA or PASS THE TRASH –
Each player is dealt seven cards face down. There is a betting round here. The player then passes three cards to his right, which acts as a ‘draw’ for the player receiving the new cards.

This game is usually played high-low with a Ace thru 5 as the nut low, with straights and flushes able to swing both ways (twss).

You will note that if you were dealt a wheel, straight, flush, full house, straight flush or royal flush, you will have to break it up in order to pass! Ouch!

After receiving the new cards, each player discards the two he does not want, and arranges his five cards in the order he wants to display them one at a time – face up. The player sets his set deck in front of him and everyone simultaneously rolls the first card.

High card bets and it is played as 5-stud from there.

Faldo’s opinion: Yay! – This is an exciting game with bluffing opportunities galore. Being the lone high or low hand is a great feeling too! Remembering what you passed and knowing the player to your right and left - what you should pass and what you will probably receive – adds strategy to the game.

BLIND BASEBALL (with wild cards) – BEAT YOUR NEIGHBOR (without wild cards)
There is an ante. Each player is dealt seven cards face down, but cannot look at them. Starting at the dealer’s left – under the gun – the player turns one card over and can bet or check that card. After the bet round, the 2nd player must turn over his cards one at a time until he can beat the card shown by player #1. Another bet round. Player #3 turns over his cards one at a time until his hand beats player #2’s hand, etc.

The baseball name comes in as 3’s (outs) and 9’s (innings) are wild and 4’s get you an extra card for your hand. There is an extra ante for the 4, and usually one also for the wild cards.

Once a player cannot beat the previous best hand, his hand is folded and he is out. Best hand wins – usually four of a kind or higher.

Faldo’s opinion: Nay! – Another lottery card game, but can be exciting as the cards are slowly turned over. The first player and last player pay a lot of money into the pot without knowing what their hand is. Any time I have to pay the pot blind, I am not a happy poker player.

More games next time.