Poker Variants for the Lazy Afternoon

Like many things, poker has become more of an engine for variants that a game itself. It has spawned a number of paragraphs that are only based on the original game in terms of hands and most terms. Here are a few examples of the most prolific types today.

Anaconda Three-Two-One Hi-Lo that may not be as famous as Hold'em, but it is one that guarantees entertainment for the whole family. Players are dealt seven face down cards and after everyone is given these, they pick three and pass them to their left. It is then repeated with two cards and then one card. What you finally end up getting becomes the basis of your poker hand. You pick five, make the best you can out of it and throw away two. Players then proceed to roll their top card simultaneously, making bets after doing so. They then declare high or low, with the lowest hand becoming the wheel. The complication lies in the win condition, which is achieving both as it's the only path to victory in Anaconda Three-Two-One Hi-Lo.

Five card draw remains the most common and famous form and variant of poker in both homes and casinos worldwide. In what could be considered the most original variant, each player gets five cards for their hand. Betting then ensues, then each gambler or player picks as many cards as the want to replace. They then discard those cards and then get new cards equal to the number of cards they threw away. Betting then repeats then a show down occurs in Five Card Draw. Variants of this poker variant tell players to wait for certain cards before they can change their cards out or limit the number than can be changed. Some even require high cards for the starting hand or they reset the round.

An example of a good clean poker variant is Spit in the Ocean. This variant gives players four face down card, each card dealt singularly. This can suddenly be interrupted by a player to the right of the dealer screaming spit! After that, a community card is then dealt to the center of the table face up. Cards that share ranking with the community card and the card itself become wildcards in this variant.

These poker variants can spice up a slow afternoon with friends with only a deck of cards between you. Try it out - you may happily find a new hobby that anyone could enjoy.