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Pineapple Poker Rules

Pineapple Poker is very similar to Texas Hold'em and is otherwise known as Crazy Pineapple. The game is nearly identical to Holdem so it is worthwhile getting to grips with Texas Holdem Rules before you try your hand at this game.

Before the deal, there is still two blinds posted, a big and small blind. Players are then dealt 3 hole cards instead of 2. You will be throwing a card away later in the game so and so have a greater chance of getting bigger hands. Once the first 3 cards are dealt, there is a round of betting. Again, just as in a game of Holdem, players get the chance to opt in or fold, depending on whether they feel their hole cards are strong enough to play.

The flop is dealt which is not altered with 3 cards being dealt in the middle of the table and there is a second round of betting. Players then throw away one of their cards (your choice) so that only 2 cards are left in the hand.

In this variation the game now continues as in a traditional Texas Hold'em game. The turn is dealt, a round of betting, the river card then showdown and the player makes the best hand see the (poker hand rankings) possible. This game sees a lot more straights, flushes and full houses, a reason for its popularity. The illustration below indicates how the game is structured.

All players are dealt 3 Hole cards (pre flop) - First round of betting

The Flop (3rd community Card)- Second round of betting

Drop one card in your hand

The Turn (4th community card)- Another round of betting

The River (5th community card) - Last round of betting

SHOWDOWN (Best Hand Wins)

Remember when playing pre flop, pairs do not hold the same weight as in Texas Holdem as an extra card is used by each player. It is therefore very likely that when playing that by the river, your pair will likely not hold up (unless you hit set of course).

The game isn't that different to Holdem. Just as in regular texas hold'em, there is a betting round after you receive your hole cards, and another betting round post flop. The only difference is that AFTER betting on the flop is completed (second round of betting), you must discard one of your hole cards. The winning hand must use both hole cards in your hand.

It is advisable to alter your thinking around when to fold and when to play in Pineapple. With one more card to choose from, all players will invariably make better hands all the time. It can get pretty wild and you will regularly see flushes and straights overturned by full houses and better.

One tip we can give you is that sometimes you have to look past the cards in your hand. For instance, getting dealt 3 aces is not a great hand for the reason that you only have one ace left to hit. With the extra card being dealt, a paid will seldom hold up in this game which limits the chance of you winning the hand.

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