Short description

Turkish poker is a variant of 5-card draw poker, played with a shortened deck of 36 cards and less. Cards of lower ranks are removed from the classic 52-card deck until there are only 24-36 cards left depending on the number of players. Each player receives 5 cards and can redraw up to 4. Maximal number of players is 5, minimal – 2

The number of cards in a round is defined after ante is paid.

Dependency of cards number on players number:

• 2 players – 24 cards: A-K-Q-J-T-9;
• 3 players – 28 cards: A-K-Q-J-T-9-8;
• 4 players – 32 cards: A-K-Q-J-T-9-8-7;
• 5 players – 36 cards: A-K-Q-J-T-9-8-7-6.

Main differences from the classic draw poker:

• Different number of cards in the deck depending on the number of players.
• The number of cards in the deck changes depending on the number of players.
• There can be different number of cards in different rounds within one hand.
• Aces are used with any lowest ranking card in the deck when making low rank straight.
• Flush ranks higher than full house (it is harder to make flush with a shortened deck).
• Three of a kind ranks higher than straight.
• When hands are equal, the winner is defined based on the suits ranks.

Limits

Three standard poker limits:

• No-limit – poker with no limit;
• Pot-limit – poker with pot limit;
• Fixed-limit – poker with limits.

Betting

A hand in Turkish poker usually consists of:

• one or several rounds of ante gathering, pocket cards dealing and betting;
• betting opening;
• drawing round;
• final round of betting after which the winner is defined.

The winner can be defined after the following:

• all players but one have folded (fold);
• all players in the hand went sit-out (did not pay ante);
• betting was opened (Open).

Only players who have paid ante every time ante was collected during a hand can participate in that hand.

A player can refuse participating in a hand at any moment.

Ante

All players pay ante.

First round of betting

Each player is dealt 5 cards which can’t be seen by other players. The player sitting left from the dealer starts the first round of betting. The number of cards in the deck depends on the number of active players.

A player with combination lower than a pair of kings has following options:

• Fold – lay down the cards. Refuse participating in the hand.
• Pass – pass turn.

A player with combination KK+ can:

• Fold.
• Pass.
• Open – open betting with minimal bet of 1 ante.

If all players pass, cards are gathered, the dealer retains his position, ante is collected again, pocket cards are dealt again and the second round of betting begins. This sequence continues until one of players opens betting.

After betting is opened, all other players are allowed to participate by calling, raising or folding. This game phase is followed by drawing.

Drawing

When drawing, players can redraw 0 – 4 of their cards.

Final round of betting

Betting (as in regular poker) begins from the player who opened betting, or, if he is gone, from the player to the left.

Particularities of winner defining

Generally there are 4 main differences from classic poker:

• Flush ranks higher than full house (as in 32 card draw, Texas 36+)
• Three of a kind ranks higher than straight (as in Texas 36+)
• Aces are used together with any lowest ranking card in the deck when making low rank straight. Examples for different number of players:
  • 2 players – Q-J-10-9-A;
  • 3 players – J-10-9-8-A;
  • 4 players – 10-9-8-7-A;
  • 5 players – 9-8-7-6-A.
• When hands are equal, the winner is defined based on the suits ranks.

Suits ranking (rank ascending order): Hearths (h) > Spades (s) > Diamonds (d) > Clubs (с).

Suits ranking is used to define the better hand in following cases:

• Equal flushes, straight flushes and royal flushes – the higher suit wins.
• Equal straights – suit of the higher card defines the winner.
• Hands with equal two pairs and equal kicker – the hand with heaths in the upper pair wins.
• Same rule is applied to hands with one pair and three equal kickers. The hand with hearths in the pair wins.
• When comparing high cards, granted that all other cards are equal, the hand with the higher rank of the first high card wins.

Combinations

Turkish poker combinations, highest to lowest.

Royal flush	Ace, king, queen, jack and ten of the same suit.
If two or more players have royal flush, player with the higher suit wins.
Straight flush	Five sequential cards of the same suit.
If two or more players have straight flush, the player with the higher card in his straight flush wins. If the cards have equal rank, the winner is defined by suit.
Four of a kind	Four cards of the same rank and an additional card - “kicker”.
If two or more players have four of a kind, the player with the combination of higher cards wins.
Flush	Five cards of the same suit.
If two or more players have flush, the player with the higher card wins. If necessary, the second, third, fourth and fifth highest cards are compared. If all cards have equal rank, the winner is defined by suit.
Full house	Three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank.
If two or more players have full house, the player with the higher three cards wins.
Three of a kind	Three cards of the same rank and two additional cards.
If two or more players have three of a kind, the combination of higher cards wins.
Straight           lower straights 2 players           3 players           4 players           5 players	Five sequential cards of different suits. Ace can be considered either the highest or the lowest card.
If two or more players have straight, the player with the higher card in his straight wins. If the highest cards rank equally, the winner is defined by suit of the highest card in straight.
Two pairs	Two cards of the same rank, two cards of another rank and an additional card.
If two or more players have two pair, the higher pair wins. If two or more players have equal higher pairs, the higher of two other pairs wins. If two or more players have both equal pairs, the winner is defined by the additional card. If two or more players have both equal pairs and equal additional cards, the hand with hearths in the upper pair wins.
Pair	Two cards of the same rank and three additional cards.
If two or more players have pairs, the higher pair wins. If two or more players have equal pairs, the winner is defined by the higher additional card, or by second or third additional cards, when necessary. If two or more cards have equal pairs and equal additional cards, the hand with hearth in the pair wins.
High card	Any combination outside of the listed above.
If two or more players have this combination, the highest ranking cards are compared. Then, if necessary, second highest cards, then third, fourth and fifth. If all cards are equal, the winner is defined by suit of the first highest card.

Rake

Rake is collected as in regular poker.