Beginning
Needed: 52 card deck; two or more players, poker chips
Ante: Each player will put an ante, such as one poker chip, into the pot before the cards are dealt.
Deal: Each player, and a widow hand, are dealt five cards. The widow hand is dealt just before the dealer. Cards are dealt one at a time.
Objective: The object of the game is to win the pot by having the best five card poker hand at the end of the round.
Card Rank: Highest to lowest - Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
Gameplay
Starting with the player left of the dealer, players have the option to switch their hand for the widow hand or pass on switching. If a player passes, the option moves clockwise left. If a switch occurs, the player’s original hand is placed face up in the middle and becomes the widow hand.
If each player has passed, the widow hand is flipped up for every player to see. Now starting with the player left of the dealer, each player has four options. A player can switch all five cards for the five widow cards, a player takes one card from the widow hand and switch it for one card in hand, a player can pass on making a switch, or a player can knock.
A player that knocks means he/she is staying with his/her hand. Each other player gets one more opportunity to make a switch. Then, every player reveals their poker hand, and the highest ranking poker hand wins the pot.
The deal moves left for the next round.
Rules
- If a player switches for the widow hand on his/her first turn, the player’s hand is placed in the middle face up, and play continues with players having the four options.
- If a player knocks on his/her first turn, the widow hand is flipped up, and each other player gets one more turn.
- A knock is a player’s turn. No card switches can occur on the turn for the player that is knocking.
Poker Hands
- Straight Flush (5 cards in sequence in the same suit)
- 4 of a kind
- Full House (3 of a kind with a pair)
- Flush (5 cards in the same suit)
- Straight (5 cards in sequence)
- 3 of a kind
- 2 pair
- Pair
- High Card
Summary
A game of Whiskey Poker typically involves two betting rounds and two phases of play: a first phase where players can exchange their entire hand for the "widow" (spare hand), and a second phase where players can exchange individual cards from the widow.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Initial Deal and First Betting Round: Each player is dealt five cards, and a "widow" (spare hand) is dealt face down. The first betting round occurs after the initial deal.
- First Phase of Play (Exchange): Players have the option to:
- Pass: Keep their cards and enter the next round of betting.
- Knock: End the first phase of play.
- Exchange: Discard their entire hand face-up and take the widow in its entirety.
- Second Betting Round: After the first phase of play ends, a second betting round occurs.
- Second Phase of Play (Individual Card Exchange): The widow is exposed, and players can:
- Exchange One Card: Discard one card from their hand and take one card from the widow.
- Exchange Five Cards: Discard their entire hand and take the widow in its entirety.
- Knock: End the second phase of play.
- Third and Final Betting Round: After the second phase of play ends, a third and final betting round takes place.
- Showdown: The player with the highest-ranked poker hand wins the pot.
