Does anyone play anything other than Texas Holdem any more?

WaterLooser

... derivatives of such as Omaha don't count either. I have been playing poker for years, little home games about once a month, but usually dealers' choice nights where we mix it up and play all kinds of games. Some of my favourites are:
1. 7 card stud
2. Queens, the Four and the Whore next door (seven card stud with Q wild and any upcard that follows a Q wild, until the next Q comes up, then it changes. 4 lets you buy an extra card for 2xAnte).
3. Lou (much like Guts)
4. Liar's dice - no better way to work on your bluffing skills than this game!!!
5. 5 card draw, 1 pull of 3.
6. Kings and the little ones (AKA - whose royal flush is bigger)

Whenever people play holdem in home games, they want it to be a tournament, which always means 5 of 8 walk home with nothing. We play so often (and some just aren't that good or get too drunk) that only 3 of us are always on top. It started making people not want to come because they would always bust out in the first hour. So we are back playing the dealers' choice stuff again and having a whole lot of fun doing it. However, we have exhausted our knowledge of the games available and are looking for some other ones.

So what is your favourite poker game (and if it isn't a common one, how is it dealt)?

Graham

Just hold em and Omaha for me, but I found a site recently that lets me play big deuce for $$. I learned poker out in Whistler, B.C playing games like Lou (one of my favourites), pregnant 3s, and some really sick others. It was dealer's choice, and I almost always called Red Dog I was called "the postman" for most of my time out west because of how many people I made hit the post....hard.

WaterLooser

sloth wrote:

I was called "the postman" for most of my time out west because of how many people I made hit the post....hard.

I forgot about red-dog! Not so good in the casino, but a great home game. Pots can get huge on that one!!! Love it!

Graham

Indeed..I dealt it for  3 hours straight once...so that should give you a clue..that's how many times I made someone pay the pot


Mostly, it's just NLHE and PLO, but big deuce is intriguing me.

Hork42

7 Stud High, and hi/lo are quickly beginning to become favourites of mine.

I think the only reason i don't play more of them is because they aren't trackable in Poker Tracker

WaterLooser

Are low-ball games/hands really that much fun to play? I have tried a couple times playing 5-card-draw low-ball and find that most fold and you don't end up getting very good pots. I suppose the hi/low split pots are one way to get more coin in the middle. I know of Omaha hig/low, you say also 7 stud hgh/low? Does anyone do Holdem hihg/low?

Thanks for the input so far.

Iron

I really like 7 Stud 8 or better. Recently found a dealer's choice home game where they play a bunch of hold'em and non hold'em variations, including the odd 7 Stud Hi/Lo declare hand. I've been trying to convince my normal home game crew to try a game other than NLHE tournament, but so far don't seem able to get any interest.

I've said it before, but I really think that learning and playing some of the other games really helped my HE game.

Flint Bones

I really like 5 card draw and 5 card Stud.

I just can't find anywhere to play it. I find draw games very challenging and reading your opponent becomes key (even more so than Hold 'em IMHO).

I grew up playing these two games and that's how I learned poker. I played 7 Card Stud but not the Hi-lo variety.

ScottyZ

I've recently been playing some low-limit Stud 8, both cash games and tournaments, and I've been enjoying it. It's a complicated game, and any split pot game is excellent for giving players the illusion that they are playing well. :cool:

On the other hand, I've never seen a more bitter group of online opponents than Stud8 players.

There is really no substitute for (Texas) holdem in terms of player base though. I remember a time when it was nearly impossible to introduce holdem into a home game. Last home game I went to was with pretty much complete beginners, and holdem was the only game they wanted to play, even after I had suggested mixing up the games.

One thing I've always been kind of interested in trying is playing the "home games" for stakes that people care about. My feeling is that the strategy is too simple (Hey, I've got no wild cards. I fold.), and so the action that you typically get in such games (which usually arises since people do not care about the stakes) might fade away.

ScottyZ

sweetjimmi

Once in a while I get to play in some dealer's choice games. The games range in everything from Chicago Hi or Lo, Guts, Posts/Inbetween, wild card games, 77, and many other weird games.

I love big pot gambooling games like Guts and Posts...small ante turns into a paycheck...what the???

Anyway, with my friends now the only game people wanna play any more seems to be No-Limit Hold'em...both tourney style and cash games. Like Scotty said Hold'em was barely even a thought a couple years ago in our home games and now it is the game of choice...good thing I'm addicted to it

WaterLooser

ScottyZ wrote:

One thing I've always been kind of interested in trying is playing the "home games" for stakes that people care about. My feeling is that the strategy is too simple (Hey, I've got no wild cards. I fold.), and so the action that you typically get in such games (which usually arises since people do not care about the stakes) might fade away.

We try to avoid the wild cards too much, then you get "Which is higher, 5 of a kind or a Royal Flush?". As far as stakes go, we keep them low, and because they are so low, most hands actually see a lot of action with comments such as "It's only 50 cents to call? I am in." Our reason for playing the monthly games is pretty much just to get away from the wives (they all go to a movie together or something), have a few wobbly pops and forget about all the other things like work. We play so often, it isn't about taking someone's paycheck away (plus the wives come back from the movie and see how many chips you still have in front of you )

Is stud 8 the same game as 7 card stud, just with one more card? How is it dealt? 2 down, 4 up, 2 down?

ScottyZ

Stud8 is a short form for 7-card stud High/Low with 8 or better qualifier.

ScottyZ

tpfelt

We had the "Postmaster General" who was our resident post specialist.

Most of the time these days we play HORSE when it isn't tournaments. Though we've started playing PL HE in the side games, so that often gets the preference.

Back in the day we'd play a few wild card games (Queens & Follows, Chicago Hi or Lo, Anaconda, All About the Twos (5-card draw, 2 draws of 2, deuces wild))

Wolffhound

Anaconda is a good for getting money into the pot, played Hi/Lo (but, no 8 or better, so, your beat high hand can be declared low).
7 cards to each player- then bet
3 cards passed left- then bet
3 cards passed across/or 2 players to the left- then bet
3 and final cards passed to the right/or 3 players to the left- bet

make your best 5 card hand, lay them stacked and do a role out to a declared showdown, betting after each card-
8 rounds of betting...

Its a little strange, but, pots/laughs and the roleout/showdown is generally enteraining etc.

sinc

Wolf you just posted as I was about to type out a game similar to that one. My dad and his buddies get together every now and then and play the dealers choice time thing. The one game I love is a variation on the one Wolf just posted. It's called screw your neighbour, its a high/low with the rollout showdown aswell. But you only pass to your left, then to your right in this version. So essentially the same game as wolf's minus one pass/betting round.

WaterLooser

sinc wrote:

My dad and his buddies get together every now and then and play the dealers choice time thing.

Are you saying that I am an old has-been that isn't in touch with the current scene? So what if I drink Crystal, 50 and OV ....
I like the sounds of Anaconda, it will definitely get a go at our next home game.

Wolffhound

Funny thing is...the 70 year olds i play dealers choice with every other week love anaconda...but, they tend to forget which way they are supposed to pass......(my dad's group of buddies, some having played poker together for 40+yrs), so, ya, bring the OV or 50 for it.

Do a generic search of "dealers+choice+poker+home+games" is how i came up with a few of the ones i call.

If you play anaconda, just make sure that you don't end up passing back the same 3 cards between two players...hence the left, left +2, left +3. Guarentees that you aren't going to get your 3,6,8o back...

WaterLooser

I knew I could search, but then you don't get the great replies as to what games play well and what games are a little confusing, boring.
I did find a site however:
http://www.homepoker.com/games01.asp?group=pokerists_cookbook

This site has a pretty comprehensive listing broken down by type first (draw, stud, etc.) then by subcategories. The following is an interesting description attached as variants to stud games

New York Stud:

This variation, which can be added to any Stud game, adds the stipulation that an outside straight beats a pair. An outside straight being four of a player's cards in numerical sequence, or four cards to a straight, this stipulation adds a new rank to the what-beats-what table. The outside straight beats a Pair, but loses to Two Pair. If, through the course of the game, a player has the outside straight showing face-up, that player bets over one who only has a pair showing.


Canadian Stud:

This variation plays just like New York Stud, on top of which a fourflush beats an outside straight. A fourflush being four of a player's cards of the same suit, or four cards to a flush, this stipulation adds two new ranks to the what-beats-what table. The outside straight beats a Pair, the fourflush beats an outside straight, but Two Pair beats a fourflush. A player with a fourflush showing bets over a player with an outside straight showing, who bets over a player with a Pair showing. Note: four cards to a Straight Flush is no better than a fourflush; in fact, it is nothing more than a fourflush.

Hey - this is now a HOT TOPIC , cool, my very first. Let's try and get it up to a VERY HOT (without post-whoring).

mragmoore

I play snakes and ladders...

Big E

this may help you waterlooser....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0744005086/102-3997421-5963335?v=glance

WaterLooser

You mean pay money?!? :bs:
The whole point of the internet is for copywrite infringement, free stuff, gambling and porn As I mentioned earlier, I know there are resources out there, but I wanted to get a feel for people's favourites, and to find out which games work well as opposed to just going page-by-page through a book. But thanks for the reference, maybe I can find it in my local library (or at the very least go to chapters and copy down the good sounding ones).

AcidJoe

I play a lot of 7 card stud on line. Tho it seems live it's only me and my chiropractor that love it. Party poker 4:30 stud tourney is what I like. I cash at least 35%..... and have had a 2, 4 and 6th. Like any other poker game I play it seems like you have to get lucky once in a while to stay a live online.

Lamb_of_john

I cant believe no one has said anything about razz yet. i find it such a stimulating game. a little tough to get the hang of when you are a NLHE junkie, but once the particulars are sorted through, it's really damn fun. no big paydays, just alot of fun guessing what the others hold.

No comunity cards so it's all about what you hold. If anyone wants to play, you can play some razz for play money over at fullTilt poker. great layout of that site too.

i really wish more homegames i went to strayed into other games.
I just cant be bothered with omaha either.

thanks guys, i really liek this thread.

Johnny

Unknown

I agree Razz is a hoot. Once you master it LOL you can make a few bucks in tournament play on Full Tilt. It can be frustrating when a lot of people are learning and catch miracle cards in this drawing game. But give it a try if you don't pull your hair out you might actually enjoy it.

Big E

You mean pay money?!?
The whole point of the internet is for copywrite infringement, free stuff, gambling and porn

there's porn on the internet??? 

whiterabbit

I play in a regular home game with my gal pals...... they like the mental wild card games, while I really like 5 card draw and 7 stud. Here are some fun ones that aren't too juvenile:

CHINESE POKER - deal 3 cards to each player. No draw. There are no str8's or flushes..... blind declare of 3 chips if you're in. Best hand wins marker ...... you must win 3 markers to win the pot.

JACKS OR BETTER WITH A LEG: 5 card draw ...... open with jacks or better...... need to win 2 hands to win pot.

JACK OR BETTER, TRIPS TO WIN..... 5 card draw...... jacks or better to open, but need at least trips to win. Anyone who folds is out of game completely....... bluffers paradise.

HI or LOW CHICAGO (with a twist)...... variation on game is that you need both high hand and lo or hi spade in hand to win pot....... if no one has won pot by the time it gets back to the dealer, you revert to split pot game.

KINGS AND MATCH YOUR HOLE: 7 card game....... kings are wild..... and so are any up cards you match with hole. You can buy last card up for x chips. No king, no game.

VARIATION ON FOLLOW THE QUEEN: Anyone dealt a queen has to match pot to stay in game.

MOST JUVENILE WILD CARD GAME I'VE EVER HEARD OF....... CALLED CHAOS: 7 card game...... if queen comes up, all the cards 2-10 of that suit are wild. Suit changes if another queen comes. You're looking for 5 of a kind to win this game.

ALMOST AS CRAZY AS GAME ABOVE..... a little game called DEUCES, JACKS, MAN WITH THE AXE: 5 card game, draw of 3....... deuces, jacks and the king of diamonds are wild...... but a pair of natural 7's will beat any hand.

If captured and tortured I'll not admit to having played any of the above.

roketinpoket

Some of the games we play are:

Auction - 3 down card, round of betting, 1 card for each player face up in the middle, blind bidding for the cards in the middle with each player only taking one card, if there are any ties after a bid the player closest to the dealer takes first, round of betting more cards in the middle, repeat until each player has 7 cards. Generally we play with a max of 15 chips to bid for the whole game, and that any ties get settled with a second round of betting. Bets are limit style.

Pass the Trash - Seven cards, round of betting, pass 3 left, round of betting pass 2 left, round of betting, pass one left, round of betting.

Low in the Hole - 2 Hole cards, 1 up card, round of betting, up card, bets, up card, bets, up card, bets, and for the seventh and last card the players chooses whether he wants it up or down. The lowest card in a players hand is wild as well as any matches.

Jeremy

I host a regular game with some friends where we play all sorts of games, including HE and Omaha. I have been hosting this game for several years, and it must be a testament to the games that no-one has left the game, and people are trying to get in. Only one player has decided that he is tired of the variation, and just wants to play HE or omaha(but he is happy with horse). He still plays, but gets easily frustrated(you know who you are if you are reading this). I have developed a set of house rules over time that makes sure nobody gets hurt too bad, and everyone seems happy with the results. As far as games go, if you can explain it in short order, we will at least try it. The favourites by far are 3 card(which is not the same as the ones you see everywhere else, but is a truly excellent game. Very fast action and hi-lo, so the betting gets very good) and Chicago(and Chicago all-the-way).

What's nice, is that everyone playing seems to have a few favourites, so they get tossed in regularly. In the couse of an evening(usu. 4-5 hours) we normally play 20+ different games. And not many of them are wild card games either.

Don't get me wrong, I like HE as much as the next guy, and I play in tournaments and games when I can, but variety is the spice of life, and there is nothing sweeter than going both ways in a hi-lo game against several other players and taking down the whole thing.

4th_street

Hi all,

this is my first Post on this forum. I believe the game is Pinappele hold'em, i haven't played it too much but the essence is you get 3 hole cards. Standard blinds and betting rules apply for those who want to play or fold. After seeing the flop, everyone must discard 1 card, leaving them with 2 and than betting resumes. This variation opens up a lot of options, you could flop a pair or an open ended straight draw or flush draw... how do you proceed? It might be worth giving it a try.