How to Play Jacks or Better, Trips to Win Poker
Before learning this game, you will first want to learn how to play Jacks of Better poker. Please see my article with instructions on how to play that basic game. This is a variation of Jacks of Better, with the added challenge that a player must have three of a kind to win. This can go on seemingly forever and rack up a large pot.
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Instructions
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Trips to Win
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1
Ante up. Begin with a medium ante, equal to a typical bet. For instance, if a regular bet in your home game is 25 cents, that is a good ante for this game. Do not set a high ante or increase the ante during the game, as this game can repeat itself many times and players will soon be out of money if they must pay a high ante each hand.
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2
Shuffle up and deal. The basic structure of this game matches Five-Card Draw. Each player receives five cards face down.
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3
Play begins to the left of the dealer. Each player must declare if he can “open.” He can open if he has a pair of jacks or better in his hand, although he does not need to show the cards (just keep them handy). You do not need to have three of a kind, or "trips," to open.
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4
If no one can open, repeat the game from Step 1, including another ante. Be sure to shuffle in the cards you used for this game.
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When a player declares she can open, that player decides on the amount of the bet. Typically, this is equal to the ante, but it may be higher. It should not be lower.
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6
Call, raise or fold. Play circulates clockwise from the opener. If a player folds, he is out of the entire game if there are more hands to come. You may choose to stay in the game even if you don't have good cards in order to stick around for a chance at another hand.
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Choose up to three cards to discard. You may choose to discard none. Some people choose to allow players to draw four cards if they show that they are holding an ace. Decide before your game whether to allow this rule or not.
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Deal new cards to each player, equal to the number he discarded. Make your best poker hand using five cards.
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9
Commence the final round of betting, beginning with the opener and continuing clockwise. You do not need to have three of a kind to bet. You may choose to act like you have three of a kind if you think others don't have it. Anyone who folds forfeits any future hands in the game; that means that if the bettor is bluffing and no players have at least three of a kind, repeat the game from step 1: There is a whole new shuffle and a new hand. But anyone who has folded does not receive a new hand.
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If there is at least one player during the betting round with three of a kind or better, the best hand wins. Hand hierarchy matches regular poker rules. From best to worst hands: Royal straight flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair, high card. If players tie, split the pot evenly among the winners. If you feel it is necessary, you may ask the opener to reveal the cards he used to open.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember: If you fold, you're out of the game and you will not be dealt a new hand.
Know when to quit. Gambling can be very addictive, even when you’re not playing for money.
Don’t borrow money or chips to continue playing.
Don't gamble if you are depressed. Don't gamble if you are under the influence of alcohol.
- Photo Credit istockphoto.com
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Comments
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If a person does not have trip.
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Why are you guys arguing! Just play webcam poker and settle it! Pokerview is a webcam poker site so you see each other. I can only imagine the bets lol.
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James-Murdoch
Sep 23, 2008
Do you know how to play "Liar's Poker"? All I can recall is that each person must challenge the person making a claim that a hand has some level or accept that hand, then draw (optional), then pass on a better hand. If you get challeged (and caught), you lose and it you challenge and the hand was at that level, you lose. But, I can't recall the penalties for each losing case. Also, there is an ante at the beginning, and at each round. -
James-Murdoch
Sep 23, 2008
Do you know how to play "Liar's Poker"? All I can recall is that each person must challenge the person making a claim that a hand has some level or accept that hand, then draw (optional), then pass on a better hand. If you get challeged (and caught), you lose and it you challenge and the hand was at that level, you lose. But, I can't recall the penalties for each losing case. Also, there is an ante at the beginning, and at each round.
