Drawing four cards to an ace it is 4 to I against getting the pair; 12 to I against aces up or better. Drawing three cards to an ace and king, it is 3 to I against making a pair of either. The chances for a flush, if they are of the same suit, have been given.
In drawing against openers in jack pots, one pair is as good as another; a pair of tens is no better than deuces, as either must improve enough to beat jacks. No one is obliged to open a jack pot, even with the qualification, and the man under the gun seldom opens on just jacks.
If two or more players have bet equal amounts, each is as sumed to have called the other, and both hands must be shown to the board, it being against the rules for one to throw in and say, "that's good." This is to prevent collusion.
Stud Poker.—This is the standard game to-day. One card is dealt face down to each player and then one to each face up. The one having the highest card showing, next to the left of the dealer, makes the first bet or throws up his cards, all having seen what they have "in the hole." Each player in turn then sees this bet, raises it or passes out. Another card is then dealt to each of the survivors, and the best hand showing bets first. This is con tinued until four cards are face up, and one still face down. The final bets made, the "hole" cards are exposed, the hands in the call are shown and the best hand wins.
High Low Stud.—In order to keep as many in the betting as long as possible, the highest hand shown in the call divides the pool with the lowest hand.
Peek Poker.—This is a variety of stud in which seven cards are dealt to each player, two face down, and two are discarded just before the show-down.
Straights and flushes are seldom played in any form of stud.
Deuces Wild.—This is a variation for any form of poker, in which the four deuces may be called anything, regardless of whether or not the player himself holds the actual duplicate of the card named. Four hearts to the ace and the deuce of any suit may be called an ace-ace high flush. In cases of ties natural cards beat wild ones; thus three kings and a deuce will beat three deuces and a king.
Wild Widow.—One card is dealt face up in the centre of the table, and all cards of that denomination are "wild." Joker Poker.—This is sometimes called Mistigris. The joker is added to the pack and is "wild." When added to deuces wild there is an unbeatable hand, all wild cards. Five of a kind is not uncommon in playing wild, and beats a straight flush.
Table Stakes.—In this game each player puts a certain amount on the table in front of him, which cannot be changed after he has looked at his hand. He can "call a sight" for his pile if any player or players bet more.
Whisky Poker.—An extra hand is dealt face down, and each player in turn may take it in exchange for his own, leaving his cards on the table face up. Any following player may then ex change one card or take them all. If no one takes the widow while face down the dealer turns it face up, and the players draw or exchange. This continues until some player "knocks," without drawing, and after each of the others has had a draw, the hands are shown for the pool, to which each has equally contributed.