Poker rules question. A little help?

[Jman8]

Was playing Anaconda with friends, which had high-low split, and 2 wild cards (all 2's and 3's were wild). A dispute came up and as the resolution didn't go my way, I was wondering what other players outside of this group thought about the rule.

If not familiar with Anaconda, essentially it plays as 5 card stud, where you turn over one card at a time. There is no declaring of hands as far as what someone is going for (i.e. don't have to say I'm going for a low).

So 3 hands/people were left at the end, and here were those hands:

Player 1 = 7-7-7-wild-wild

Player 2 = A-A-wild-wild-Q

Player 3 = K-Q-wild-10-9 (all spades, except for wild)

My question is, who has the low hand, and what is your reasoning?

 

[Iffy]

There is no declaring of hands as far as what someone is going for (i.e. don't have to say I'm going for a low).

Player 3, no pairs & no flush.

 

[lvm111]

Depends on the agreed upon rules beforehand. We always play 5 of a kind is highest (when using wild cards of course), unless dealers choice say's otherwise when he/she picks the game and announces different. but we always declare at the beginning of the night 5 of a kind is high. In that case, player 2 has the lowest hand. Player 1 is highest obviously with 5 of a kind. Player 3 has a straight flush, which beats 4 of a kind.

Now, if you play strict poker rules: no dealers choice making up games/rules, etc.:

Player 3 is high. Straight Flush.
Player 2 is next. Four Aces.
Player 1 is lowest Four 7's.

best regards, larry mac

 

[lvm111]

Player 3, no pairs & no flush.

Player 3's wild card is a jack of spades. Straight Flush.

 

[spartanstew]

But since it's a wild card it could be anything, no? They could say the wild card is a 2 of hearts and then the hand would be the low hand.

 

[lvm111]

In strict poker rules (which is an oxymoron since your using wild cards), the only hand that could beat player #3 would be an ace high straight flush. AKA a Royal Flush. Without wild cards there are 4 possible royal flushes. One for each suit. Nothing beats a royal flush in real poker.

 

[lvm111]

But since it's a wild card it could be anything, no? They could say the wild card is a 2 of hearts and then the hand would be the low hand.

No, the cards are always what they are! Rather, the hands are always what they should/could be.

 

[lvm111]

Unless you agree to that exception beforehand.

 

[lvm111]

Hey, I'm no poker expert, so if someone is, please feel free to chime in, or disagree with my interpretation.

We play quite a lot, but just a very friendly, friends and family game. Dealers choice, quarter limit bets, limit of two raises at a time. We play all kinds of crazy poker games. So I'm not claiming to know everything about straight poker rules.

But they're easy to google!

best regards, larry mac

 

[Susan W.]

I don't know the particulars of Anaconda but if Player 1 deemed the wilds as some other card other than 7, then that would be a full house. If Player 2 deemed his wilds as something other than aces, then that would be the lowest hand, just two aces.

 

[Iffy]

A wide card is a wild card is a wild card; especially in a hi/lo game. You name it as YOU want.

 

[Susan W.]

That's what I thought. Then Player 2 wins the low card hand with only two aces.

A wide card is a wild card is a wild card; especially in a hi/lo game. You name it as YOU want.

 

[Jman8]

A wide card is a wild card is a wild card; especially in a hi/lo game. You name it as YOU want.

Exactly my thinking, and I was the person holding hand #3.

The only thing you are missing which I didn't mention before is we play that you can't designate a wild as just any card, but must have it at least make a pair. Even with this said, I still see hand #3 as pair of 9's at it's lowest.

Everyone else at the table said it must be played as a jack of spades and that I had no say in the matter as "cards speak for themselves." Even with that in play, I said there's no way to claim a wild must be one card and only that one card.

I was kinda steaming on this hand, but not shouting, nor all that tempted to walk out. Though because we did bicker about it, someone who was planning to leave early, left after this hand.

Thanks Iffy for seeing it how I did. Hoping my updated info doesn't change your opinions. I will revisit other comments and possibly comment further.

 

[Jman8]

Depends on the agreed upon rules beforehand. We always play 5 of a kind is highest (when using wild cards of course), unless dealers choice say's otherwise when he/she picks the game and announces different. but we always declare at the beginning of the night 5 of a kind is high. In that case, player 2 has the lowest hand. Player 1 is highest obviously with 5 of a kind. Player 3 has a straight flush, which beats 4 of a kind.

Now, if you play strict poker rules: no dealers choice making up games/rules, etc.:

Player 3 is high. Straight Flush.
Player 2 is next. Four Aces.
Player 1 is lowest Four 7's.

best regards, larry mac

The way I understand the lowest possible hands and with rules we have previously agreed upon (though now I'm not sure anymore) is:

Player 1 = 5 of a kind, as they have to pair the wilds with something in the hand, and their only option is a 7
Player 2 = Full house, Q's over A's
Player 3 = Pair of 9's

Why others don't see this as clear, is actually kinda bizarre to me. But I guess it does make for interesting discussion.

 

[Iffy]

That's what I thought. Then Player 2 wins the low card hand with only two aces.

Player 3, no pairs & no flush...

... and no straight if wild card is declared anything but a Jack; ergo, a King high hand.

 

[Jman8]

No, the cards are always what they are! Rather, the hands are always what they should/could be.

Disagree with this when wilds are in play. Especially when a low hand is an option.
Though kind of agree if by "could be" you mean that it could be a pair of 9's as it theoretically could be.
"Should be" doesn't quite make sense when there is a wild designation in the mix.

 

[Susan W.]

You're right Iffy.

 

[Iffy]

The only thing you are missing which I didn't mention before is we play that you can't designate a wild as just any card, but must have it at least make a pair.

In retrospect, I do believe your are correct there. Regardless, ya had da low hand.

You're right Iffy.

Ummm, not quite...

 

[Jman8]

As OP, I'll bring this thread to a close by saying that my decision going forward on this highly unusual poker scenario is:

A - the following applies only to group I play with, otherwise, I'd try to suggest wild is up to person holding that card to declare it as they see fit, but must pair with at least one other card in their hand

1 - if I deal the game, I'd say if you have a wild, you are locked out of getting a low hand, thus can only win the pot if your wild card is part of a high hand that wins the pot

2 - if I don't deal the game and rule above isn't in place, I just assume sit out of the game on principle.

That is all. Thanks to those who participated in this discussion. I still see it as unresolved issue that for life of me I can't find any rule or scenario online that speaks to this, and thus is a quirk in the game.

 

[AttyPops]

Was playing Anaconda with friends, which had high-low split, and 2 wild cards (all 2's and 3's were wild). A dispute came up and as the resolution didn't go my way, I was wondering what other players outside of this group thought about the rule.

If not familiar with Anaconda, essentially it plays as 5 card stud, where you turn over one card at a time. There is no declaring of hands as far as what someone is going for (i.e. don't have to say I'm going for a low).

So 3 hands/people were left at the end, and here were those hands:

Player 1 = 7-7-7-wild-wild

Player 2 = A-A-wild-wild-Q

Player 3 = K-Q-wild-10-9 (all spades, except for wild)

My question is, who has the low hand, and what is your reasoning?

I know this is a bit old...but I'm curious.

Why wouldn't the rule be "Wilds make the highest possible hand"?
So player 3 gets a King high straight flush. IDK if you play "5 of a kind" and how that beats what.

Player 2 has the next highest hand unless you play 5 of a kind.

Player 1 has the lowest (4 7's is lower than 4 A's)

Now, if 5 of a kind with 2 wilds is higher than the others, you'd have to state the ranks/orders ahead of time so it's known. If, furthermore, the suite of the wild card follows through, then it depends on the suit of the wild card if that is a flush or not for player 3.
So then, IDK. But if it's wild=any suit....player 3 has highest, 1 is lowest. The only standard hand that could beat player 3 would be a royal flush (Ace high straight flush)

I guess it depends on if the wilds are limited or not (house rules). Also, see the wiki entry on "bug" in poker...jokers have limits imposed as an example. And 5 of a kind beats other hands I guess. So

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_card_(poker)
http://www.curiouser.co.uk/paradoxes/wildcard.htm