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

[I considered making yesterday's article to be the last EVER written on NPP - due to the great beauty, artistry and Pulizer Prize writing and content. But the NPP Tournament Committee threatened me with revoking my VIP parking and pass at our secret meeting location. And Tiffany was going to insist the bounceers put my chair facing the Men's room, rather than the stage. Ok, ok - I'll write another article.]

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 equal more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and challenging 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. Other may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

Spit in the Ocean

The game is played just like 5-card Draw, except instead of getting five cards – you only get four. But one card is thrown in the center of the table. That card is in your hand and is wild – and all like it are wild. Then – you have a drawing round. Four of a kind is a good hand in this game, but not a lock.

This game can also be played Hi-Lo – either wild for hi and normal for low – or just an eighth card used by everyone. You can even use the “exchange” (buy) option where a player plays a fee to replace any one of his cards for a new one.

This game is surprisingly entertaining. Faldo says “Yea.”


Stormy Weather

The dealer gives each player four cards, face down. A window of three cards is placed in the center. Betting round. Players then draw up to three cards to their hands. Betting round. Then one of the window cards is turned over. Betting round, then the next, betting round and then the last card and a final betting round.

The game can be played Hi – Lo. The game can also be shortened by flipping two cards and then one – or flopping all three. Dealer decides prior to dealing. The player then makes his hand out of his four cards and only one in the window.

Dry windows where you get no help at all, is common. The action is ‘stormy’ with many a victory or heartbreak arriving on the river. Faldo says “Yea.”


333

Starts off dealt as a 7-card stud, with two cards dealt down and one card dealt up, with 3’s being WILD. Betting round. Now the dealing is like 6-card stud. A good game if you get a table of 7 or more that still want to play stud with a wild card.

Wild cards are an action starter – or an action killer. It depends on the group. It is up to you as the dealer to figure out which it is and whether or not you want more action or not.

Faldo says “Yea.”