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Soko Poker Rules

The game is also known as Sökö or Canadian Stud is a 5 Card variant that allows up to 8 players in any one game. Like in any game of poker the same the blinds must be met (clockwise starting with the first active player after the dealer).

The Initial Deal

All players in the game receive 2 cards, one face down and one up. There will be 3 more cards dealt face up to each remaining player.

The Bring in Bet

The player showing the highest up card after the deal makes a forced bet, known as the "Bring in" that usually amounts to twice the ante or above. Should there be a tie (2 or more players having the same card but different suit), the cards are also ranked by order of suit. These are:

Betting will continue round the table clockwise until the first round of betting is complete.

Betting Rounds

The betting structure is identical to 5 Card Stud. Once the initial bet (bring in) is made, all players are dealt another 3 cards (face up) followed by another round of betting.

The Showdown

The best 5 card poker hand wins the pot (kickers count). This variant differs from 5 Card Stud as a 4 flush and a 4 straight counts as a hand. For example 2-3-4-5-10 will count as a four straight and not a 10 high with a 5 kicker. The same goes for 4-Flushes (using four of the 5 cards to make it. Taking into account these differences, the new hand ranking structure for Soko poker game is:

Straight flush
Four of a kind
Full house
Flush
Straight
Three of a kind
Two pair
Four flush
Four Straight
Pair
High card

Note: At showdown, the player who bet last on 5th street (last round of betting) must show his/her hand first. If there was no betting the first remaining player to the left of the dealer shows his hand first.

If two or more players show the same hand, taking into account kickers, they split the pot. The ranking of suits is only used for the bring in bet.