PLAYING TIPS for COW PIE STUD with JOKER POKER
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HOW TO PLAY COW PIE STUD with JOKER:
A split pot version of 7 card stud. Use a deck of 53 cards (standard deck plus one joker). The joker is a limited wild card and may be used only as an ace, or to complete a straight, flush or straight flush. Deal, play and bet exactly like 7 card stud. At the completion of 7th street betting, each player re-arranges their cards into 2 separate hands. One is a regulation 5 card poker hand. The other is a 2 card poker hand. Up cards must remain up and down cards must remain down. In arranging the 2 hands, these important requirements must be met: The 5 card hand must out rank the 2 card hand and each hand must include at least one down card. Once so arranged, there is a final round of betting. The hands are revealed and the pot is split between the highest 5 card hand and the highest 2 card hand. The 2 card hands are ranked as high card(s) and pairs only. If a player misplays his hand by creating a 2 card hand that is better than his 5 card hand, both hands are disqualified. |
SUMMARY of ACTION
Deal 2 hole cards and 1 up card to each player. Bet Deal 1 up card to each player ("4th street"). Bet. Deal 1 up card to each player ("5th street"). Bet. Deal 1 up card to each player ("6th street"). Bet. Deal 1 hole card to each player ("7th street"). Bet. Arrange cards into a 5 card poker hand and a 2 card poker hand. Bet Showdown. |
PLAYING TIPS
Strategy for Cow Pie Stud with Joker Poker is similar to classic 7 card stud. The twist is that your 7 cards must be divided into 2 separate hands. For that reason, you are striving to get a hand that can be arranged into a winner in both the 5 card and 2 card hands. Examples of those hands include a full house, a straight or flush plus a separate high pair, 3 pair (preferably with 2 high pairs). But, always keep in mind that both hands must include at least 1 down card and you cannot share cards between hands. Also critically important is that your 5 card hand must rank higher than your 2 card hand. More on this and what to consider when arranging your hands later.
Since the joker may be used as an ace, the best possible hand is 5 aces, but no other 5 of a kind hands are possible.
STARTING HAND SELECTION
You can approach this game using your normal starting hand requirements for high only 7 Card Stud, but perhaps adjusted more toward favoring pairs and high cards. For your first 3 cards you would like to see.
If you have the Joker:
Joker and 2 suited connectors.
Joker and 2 to flush or 2 to straight.
Joker and pair of aces or single ace.
Joker and a high or middle pair with no ace showing in other players' hands.
If you do not have the Joker:
3 high cards (preferably 2 suited).
A pair of aces.
A pair with a an ace kicker. When starting with a pair it is preferable that it be a split or hidden pair as this gives your hand more versatility. An exposed pair can not be used as your 2 card hand.
Straight or flush draw. Preferably these would include at least 2 high cards and should normally be avoided if they do not. When you do start with 3 to a flush or straight realize that you must complete those hands by 6th street. If it takes you until 7th street to complete your flush or straight it will not qualify with the rules as it will require you to use all 3 down cards in your 5 card hand and you will have no down card left to use in your 2 card hand.
Overall, Cow Pie stud with Joker is a game where ending up with 2 big pairs probably gives you a better shot at scooping the entire pot than does a flush or straight.
Strategy for Cow Pie Stud with Joker Poker is similar to classic 7 card stud. The twist is that your 7 cards must be divided into 2 separate hands. For that reason, you are striving to get a hand that can be arranged into a winner in both the 5 card and 2 card hands. Examples of those hands include a full house, a straight or flush plus a separate high pair, 3 pair (preferably with 2 high pairs). But, always keep in mind that both hands must include at least 1 down card and you cannot share cards between hands. Also critically important is that your 5 card hand must rank higher than your 2 card hand. More on this and what to consider when arranging your hands later.
Since the joker may be used as an ace, the best possible hand is 5 aces, but no other 5 of a kind hands are possible.
STARTING HAND SELECTION
You can approach this game using your normal starting hand requirements for high only 7 Card Stud, but perhaps adjusted more toward favoring pairs and high cards. For your first 3 cards you would like to see.
If you have the Joker:
Joker and 2 suited connectors.
Joker and 2 to flush or 2 to straight.
Joker and pair of aces or single ace.
Joker and a high or middle pair with no ace showing in other players' hands.
If you do not have the Joker:
3 high cards (preferably 2 suited).
A pair of aces.
A pair with a an ace kicker. When starting with a pair it is preferable that it be a split or hidden pair as this gives your hand more versatility. An exposed pair can not be used as your 2 card hand.
Straight or flush draw. Preferably these would include at least 2 high cards and should normally be avoided if they do not. When you do start with 3 to a flush or straight realize that you must complete those hands by 6th street. If it takes you until 7th street to complete your flush or straight it will not qualify with the rules as it will require you to use all 3 down cards in your 5 card hand and you will have no down card left to use in your 2 card hand.
Overall, Cow Pie stud with Joker is a game where ending up with 2 big pairs probably gives you a better shot at scooping the entire pot than does a flush or straight.