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Baseball Poker Rules

This variant game is almost identical to 7 card stud. The only difference is that threes and nines are wild (can be used as any card in the deck). In addition, if a four is dealt face up, the recipient immediately receives another card down. This enhances the game in as much as it is far more common to hit a big hand with the wild cards and the possibility of additional cards to players.

The order of game play is indicated below.

The Bring in Bet

After the first three cards have been dealt, the player showing the lowest up card must make what is called a "bring-in" bet. As with the ante, the size of the bring-in varies, depending on the size of the stakes. All players then wishing to stay in the hand would then have to match (or call) the highest bet made or fold. Any player that folds the hand plays no further part in the hand.

Fourth Street (The Second Round of Betting)

After the action has been completed on the opening round, the dealer gives a face-up card to each player remaining in the game. Unlike the first round, where the lowest hand was forced to start the action, in this second betting round, the highest hand on board has the option to start the betting. In other words, the player showing the highest hand is called upon first to either bet or check. Moving clockwise round the table, other players must match the bet or raise to stay in the hand.

At this point, if for example a player raises the bet to $6, all further calls or raises are in $6 increments.

Fifth and Six Streets (round of betting)

On fifth street, you receive your third up card, and then there is a round of betting, again started by the highest hand on board. There are no more $3 bets: all bets and raises are at the higher $6 increments (following on from Fourth Street). Sixth street is virtually identical: an up card is dealt, the highest hand acts first, and all bets and raises are at the higher $6 increments.

Seventh Street (round of betting)

The betting on seventh street is identical to sixth, but this card is dealt face down and is the last card that you will receive (you will now have seven cards). After you examine this final card, you assemble your best possible five card poker hand out of the seven in front of you. Don't forget that a poker hand is always five cards so you will use the five cards out of the seven that make you your best hand.

Remember that it is possible to have more than seven cards (if you are dealt any fours face up as you get an extra down card for each four so it is quite possible to end up with additional cards. As such you should not be placing as much value on your hands as you would in a standard game of 7 Card Stud as there is a greater chance that your opponents have a better hand than you.

The standard variations are shown below:

Paying for wild cards

The amount to be paved is often equal to the value of the pot. Other possibilities include:

1) Face-up nines, threes, or both require the player receiving to to pay for the cards to become wild. If the player decides not to pay they retain their face value.

2) Pay for face down wilds as well as face up ones.

3) Paying for the additional card when a four comes face up.

4) Face-up threes, nines, or both require the recipient to pay for them or fold.

5) Allowing someone with a face-down four to flip it face up and receive an additional card.