Psycho Poker

Contributed by James Swerdfeger (les.james.karen@sympatico.ca) and Marc Reside (marcreside@hotmail.com)

Psycho Poker is a 2 player game we invented which is quite similar to Poker. (general knowledge of poker is needed to play)

A regular 52 card deck is needed. Each player will sit either on the north or south side of the table, or playing surface. Where each player sits is important later.

(please note: I refer to each player as being male SIMPLY to make it less confusing. ANYONE can play this game.)

The dealer begins to deal all the cards face down to each player. When finished, each player chooses a random card from his pile and places it to the side. These cards cannot be seen by either player, and must remain face down until the end of the match. Each player should then have 25 cards, plus the extra one on the side. The extra card is not used until the end of the match.

Then, each player takes their 25 cards, and arranges them any way they want into 5 separate poker hands, each consisting of 5 cards. Then, each player will place their hands face down in the centre of the table. The north player arranges his hands from best to worst right to left. (so, the north player's best hand should be the hand to the right, and his worst hand should be the hand furthest to the left). The south player does the same, only arranging his hands from left to right. (so, the south player's best hand is furthest to the left). The order of hands (from best possible) goes in the same order as they do in poker: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, 4 of a kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 3 of a kind, 2 pair, 1 pair, low.

If the player has more then one of the same type of hand (e.g.. the player has 2 full houses), then each hand is arranged in order from Ace (high) to 2 (low). If the hand is identical to another hand in all but suit, then the hand is arranged in order of suits. (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs)

When each player is finished the dealer then shows the opponent his highest hand. The opponent then shows his own highest hand. If the dealer's hand is higher, then he places his hand on top of the opponents hand, signifying that he won that hand. If the opponent's hand is higher, he places his hand on top of the dealer's hand. This process continues through every hand. When all hands are shown, the player who won the most hands (best 3 out of 5) wins the match.

Then, the winner of the match flips over his extra card and shows the opponent (the card removed at the beginning of the match). The opponent does the same with his card. The player with the higher of the two cards (ace of spades is highest, 2 of clubs lowest) will deal the cards for the next match.

The concept is actually very simple. It will take only a couple of hands to master, and then becomes fun and simple.