Poker fan? Then you have probably played your fair share in various online poker options. From the world-famous Texas Hold’em to Omaha, 7 Card Stud and 5 Card Draw, there really is a wide variety to choose from! If you’re looking for a new, slightly lesser-known poker variant to explore, we recommend giving Pineapple Poker a try.
While Pineapple Poker is very similar to Texas Hold’em, it promises a fresh take on the gameplay that will help spice up your home games with friends and family. Unfortunately, it’s very rare to see this option in land-based casinos, but as its popularity continues to grow, there’s a good chance this will change sometime in the future. In short, now is the time to start working on improving your skills!
Read on to learn about the rules of Pineapple Poker, its variations, as well as some tips for creating your own Pineapple poker strategy and evaluating your starting hands.
Table of Contents
What is Pineapple Poker?
Think of Texas Hold’em poker with a few key differences, the main one being that players are dealt three cards at the start of the hand instead of two.
Another difference when playing Pineapple Poker is that players need to evaluate their cards and get rid of one of them pre-flop and before the first betting round.
These two unique gameplay elements bring a whole new dimension to the game. After all, the fact that you’ve been dealt three cards and must discard one gives you important information about what cards your opponents might be holding (and the knowledge that there’s a certain card they just can’t hold on hands). as well as information about a specific card that will never appear on the table during the flop, turn and river. This information will play a role (sometimes a small one, and sometimes a very large one) in your decision making throughout each hand.
How to play Pineapple Poker
- The game is arranged in exactly the same way as in Texas Hold’em poker. The two players to the left of the dealer must post their blinds before the cards are dealt.
- Each player is dealt three cards.
- Each player must discard one of their hole cards before betting begins.
- The preflop betting round starts with the player to the left of the dealer.
- The flop is dealt in the form of three community cards laid out on the table.
- Another round of betting is happening.
- The turn is dealt as another community card.
- Players now have another opportunity to bet.
- The fifth and final community card is dealt on the river.
- There is a final round of betting.
- Players reveal their cards (using one or both of their remaining hole cards to complete their hand) and the winner is the player with the best hand.
