Rules of Shanghai Poker

Shanghai Poker is another Hold'em variant and the game play is fairly similar to Tahoe Poker. The key difference from Hold'em is that each player is dealt extra hole cards - the initial deal is 3 cards down and one up card. Once the hole cards are dealt, there's a round of betting.

2 community cards are then dealt to the board (not 3 as in a most community card games) - this is the flop. There is now a second betting round. Another 2 community cards (the turn) are then dealt, followed by a third round of betting. Once this betting round is complete, a fifth and final community card is dealt to the board followed by a final round of betting. Players left in the hand once this betting round is complete then turn their cards and the player with the best hand wins the pot. Players must use two of their hole cards along with 3 on the board, much like in Omaha.

Key points of note

You will note that the concept is no different to that of Texas Holdem. You still have a round of betting after each deal and you still have five community cards to choose from. The only difference is that the community cards are dealt 2-2-1 and you need to use exactly two in hand with three on the board to make your hand.

The best exposed hand in each betting round will start the betting.

One of the attractions with the game is that not as many cards are shown on the flop which adds to the excitement. As only 2 cards are dealt with the flop, the true potential of your hand is not always revealed as quickly as in Holdem. This tends to keep people in the hand past the flop, which makes for juicer pots.

Whilst you won't find this particular game played online, you can play Texas Holdem, a few of it's variations as well as over 20 other games! See which games are available and how rooms stack up against each game.