How to Play Tonk Poker

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By Kevin D. Boehler
eHow Contributing Writer

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Tonk Poker or Honky Tonk Poker is a version of the regular 5-card draw poker game, except that it incorporates both high and low hands with a different wild card for the high and low hand. It is played with between 3 and 8 players. Each player receives 5 cards in which up to 3 of those cards may be traded for new cards. If a player has an ace in his hand, he may trade up to 4 cards as long as he keeps the ace in his hand. The same card sequences apply: High Card, Pair, 2 Pair, 3 of a Kind, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush and Royal Flush.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

3 to 8 Players
Poker Chips
Cards

Step 1

Have players ante up. Each player places a pre-determined amount of chips into the pot. Deal 5 cards to each player.
Step 2

Place bets, starting with the person on the left of the dealer. Bets are placed with regard to the strength of the poker hand being played or to bluff the other players into folding their hand.
Step 3

Discard up to 3 or 4 cards, depending on whether the ace is in your hand. The dealer should replace the amount of cards discarded by each player with new cards from the top of the deck.
Step 4

Place bets, starting with the person to the left of the dealer again. Once the betting is done, split the pot into 2 equal sums. One pot goes to the player with the highest hand and the other pot goes to the player with the lowest hand. Remember that 3s are wild for the highest hand and Kings are wild for the lowest hand.

Tips & Warnings

Using different wild cards for the high and low hands can result in 1 player winning both the high and low pots. The dealer can change what cards are wild before the hand is dealt.