Q-Ball Poker

Q-Ball Poker Overview

Q-Ball Poker is a variant of Five Card Draw that has many more betting rounds than a standard Five Card Draw game. It is played by 3-8 players and uses blinds whereas most Draw Poker games use antes.

Q-Ball Poker Rules

For play to begin, three players place blinds – these are bets that are placed only by some players before the deal. The dealer and the player to his left place small blinds, and the player to the left of the second small blind places the big blind. The big blind is twice the value of the small blind. In limit Q-Ball, the big blind is equal to the lowest level of betting.

Once blinds have been placed, each player gets three cards. There is a round of betting, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind. In order to stay in, this player must match the big blind, referred to as calling. He may also opt to raise that amount. If he chooses not to call or raise, he may fold, quitting the round. Each player, in turn, must choose to call, raise, or fold.

When the betting round is over, each player is dealt a fourth card. This is followed by a betting round, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. After this, players get a fifth card. This is also followed by a round of betting.

When all players have five cards, they may choose to give back up to three cards, or four if they hold an ace. The dealer takes these cards and gives them the same number of fresh cards from the top of the deck.

This is followed by another round of betting and a showdown. Players show their hands, and the best hand wins the pot. It should be noted that Q-Ball is generally played with a single joker in the deck. There are no other wild cards in Q-Ball.