PLAYING TIPS for TURNPIKE POKER
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HOW TO PLAY TURNPIKE POKER:
Each player is dealt 5 hole cards. Four sets of 3 cards per set are placed face down on the table. One entire set is revealed after each round of betting. Use exactly 2 hole cards plus one entire 3 card set to make the best hand. May be played high-low split. Other variations of Turnpike poker: 1. Reveal 4 cards (1 from each of the four 3 card sets) at a time. This reduces the number of betting rounds, but tends to keep more players in the hand. 2. Deal each player 4 hole cards instead of 5. |
SUMMARY of ACTION
Deal 5 hole cards to each player. Arrange board cards. Bet Reveal all 3 cards of 1st set. Bet Reveal all 3 cards of 2nd set. Bet Reveal all 3 cards of 3rd set. Bet Reveal all 3 cards of last set. Bet High only or Hi-Lo Cards Speak: Showdown High-Low Declaration: Declare Showdown |
PLAYING TIPS
Turnpike poker can be thought of as a variation of Omaha since players must use exactly 2 of their hole cards plus one of the 3 card sets of board cards. Often it will take the nuts or second best possible hand to win. This is especially the case for the low hand if played as high-low split. A very important thing to keep in mind is that in an 8 handed game with players dealt 5 hole cards (plus 12 common cards on the board) all 52 will be in play. If a card is not on the board or in your hand somebody else has it.
STARTING HAND SELECTION
As with most games you want to have been dealt a hand that gives many possibilities for winning. Having one or two high pair is a good start for high. Several connected cards will be helpful for straights. Suited cards provide only a small additional value since a set of board cards will all be suited infrequently. Trips in your hand are nearly worthless since you can use only 2 cards.
Obviously, for low 2A is the best start. A protected low like 32A is significantly better. 3A or 32 gives you a one card draw to the nuts. Usually, anything less than these three 2-card low hands needs a lot of help from the board and stands little chance of winning without it.
Turnpike poker can be thought of as a variation of Omaha since players must use exactly 2 of their hole cards plus one of the 3 card sets of board cards. Often it will take the nuts or second best possible hand to win. This is especially the case for the low hand if played as high-low split. A very important thing to keep in mind is that in an 8 handed game with players dealt 5 hole cards (plus 12 common cards on the board) all 52 will be in play. If a card is not on the board or in your hand somebody else has it.
STARTING HAND SELECTION
As with most games you want to have been dealt a hand that gives many possibilities for winning. Having one or two high pair is a good start for high. Several connected cards will be helpful for straights. Suited cards provide only a small additional value since a set of board cards will all be suited infrequently. Trips in your hand are nearly worthless since you can use only 2 cards.
Obviously, for low 2A is the best start. A protected low like 32A is significantly better. 3A or 32 gives you a one card draw to the nuts. Usually, anything less than these three 2-card low hands needs a lot of help from the board and stands little chance of winning without it.