Baseball Poker

Baseball Poker Overview

Baseball is a variant of Seven Card Stud which uses some ideas from the game of baseball to make new rules. Threes and nines are wild, and players who get a four as an up-card can buy an extra card. While some people play Baseball with nine cards representing nine innings, it limits the game to five players, which is an inconvenience. As a result, it is usually played with just seven cards, and is suitable for 3-7 players.

Baseball Poker Rules

As in all stud poker games, the game of Baseball begins when players ante up, placing a small sum in the pot. The dealer then deals each player three cards. The first two are dealt facedown, and the third is dealt face-up. Any player who receives a four may pay a small sum into the pot in order to get an extra card facedown. Then there is a round of betting.

The betting round begins with the player to the dealer’s left and moves clockwise around the table. Players can choose to call, raise, or fold. If a player wishes to call, they match the amount of money currently being bet. Raising means that the player adds more to that bet, forcing all other players to match the higher bet in order to stay in. If the player doesn’t wish to pay the amount necessary to stay in, they may fold, quitting the game.

When the betting round is over, the fourth card is dealt face-up. Again, if any player holds a four, they may opt to purchase an extra card facedown. This is followed by a round of betting. Likewise, the fifth and sixth cards are dealt face-up, each followed by a round of betting. Again, a four allows the player to purchase an extra card.

The seventh card is dealt facedown, followed by a final round of betting. Then there is a showdown. Players show their cards. Threes and nines are wild. Players use five cards to form the best possible hand. The best hand wins the pot.