How to Play Tahoe Hold Em

Tahoe Hold Em is a game that combines Texas Holdem Poker, Omaha Hi Poker and Super Eight Hold Em Poker. It combines the ability to have an extra card in your hand like Super Eight Poker, but limits you to only using two of your three hole cards in a manner similar to Omaha Hi Poker. The combination of these three different versions of Poker--into one game--makes Tahoe Hold Em a great game to play at your home poker game. This way you can choose a game that includes aspects to make everyone at your poker table happy. There is more freedom than traditional Texas Holdem Poker, not quite as restrictive as Omaha Hi Poker, and has a little more betting action than Super Eight Hold Em Poker.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Playing cards
• Poker table
• Chairs
• Opponents
• Poker chips

1. Deal three face-down cards to each player. After each player has received their three face-down cards, they can look at their own cards. The players will keep these three cards the entire game. Instruct them that they must use exactly two of them in their final poker hand though, along with three community cards in Tahoe Hold Em.

2. Conduct the first betting round. This round begins with the player sitting to the left of the dealer.

3. Deal three face-up cards in the center of the table. These are known as “the flop” and can be used by any player at the table to form their poker hand.

4. Conduct a second betting round, with the player sitting two seats to the left of the dealer beginning the wagering.

5. Deal a fourth community card to the center of the table, this card is known as “the turn” or “fourth street.” This card, just like “the flop,” can be used by all players.

6. Conduct a third betting round, with the player sitting three seats to the left of the dealer beginning the wagering.

7. Deal the final community card, known as “the river,” to the center of the table. All five community cards may be used by any player to form their poker hand. Each player must use three--and only three of them--in their final poker hand, along with two of their three hole cards in Tahoe Hold Em.

8. Conduct a final betting round, this round begins with the player sitting four seats to the left of the dealer.

9. Reveal your cards and declare your hand. Everyone--that has not folded--reveals their hole cards, and declares their poker hand, indicating which two hole cards and three community cards they are using. A player can not change the hand they declare. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Tahoe Hold Em tends to have a little more wagering than Super Eight Hold Em Poker. This is because you do not have to discard any hole cards after the flop. It allows you more potential for different hands all the way through the dealing of the “river card.”
• If there are three community cards with the same suit on the table, do not stay in the hand with a straight or below. Chances of a flush at the table are high. This is the same if there is a pair on the table with the community cards. Full houses are likely to win, but a flush still has a chance in that situation.