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

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:

Bull

A seven-card stud game where players receive three cards down to start. Then the standard stud dealing and betting round. After all remaining players have their seven cards, one of the down cards is turned over and another round of betting starts. Then the next is turned over, for another betting round, for a total of seven rounds of betting.

Obviously, the fifth street turn over usually won’t help you define the exposer’s hand that well, but seeing what card they show will probably help you define other player’s cards. Deception and hurting other player’s hands (or not) you want out could come into play with what looks like a useless card flip.

Sixth street is a lot more important, and maybe you throw in a double bet option on this round. Like 1 until a pair shows, then 2 and then 3or 4 on the sixth street card bet round. Something like that.

Faldo has never dealt this but gives it a hesitant Yay. It is a little like Anaconda, which I like.

Cincinnati

This game is played like Omaha Hi-Lo, except the cards are turned over one at a time, instead of a first window of three. This game is also called Utah, Lamebrains and California.

Faldo says Nay. We already have Omaha Hi-Lo.

Cincinnati Liz

Dealt the same as Cincinnati, except the lowest card in the window is wild and all like it.

Faldo says Nay. I don’t mind wild cards but I do mind them in a window.

Chicago

Seven card stud, but the high spade in the hole gets half the pot.

Faldo says Yay, but I don’t deal it. People think it builds a pot, but I think it does just the opposite. How can you chase for half the pot when the lock guy keeps raising and someone with a pair or two pair is capping?

But a fun game none the less.