Basic Guts Poker

Basic Guts Poker Overview

Guts is a game which some consider to be a poker game. Unlike regular poker games, however, there are only two cards, which eliminates the possibility of flushes, three-of-a-kinds, and straights. Another major difference is that losing players have to match the pot, so that the pot grows very quickly. Guts is generally played by 3-8 players, although it is preferable to play with four or more players.

Basic Guts Poker Rules

To begin the first round, each player places an ante, a small amount of money, in the pot. The dealer gives each player two cards. Each player takes a chip or coin in his hand and puts both hands under the table. All the players pick their hands up and open them at the same time. Any player who wishes to stay in has the coin in their hand and places it on the table. This is how players all declare “in” at the same time.

Once players have declared that they are in, their hands are compared. Pairs are better than unpaired cards, and higher cards are better than lower cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Any players who stayed in and didn’t win the round must place the same amount in the pot that the winner takes. This means that if the pot was $5 and four players stayed in, one will win the $5, and the other three add $5 to the pot, bringing the pot up to $15.

The dealer deals another round, which is played the same way. The game continues this way until only one player stays in. That player wins the pot and another game begins.

Since the pot rises rapidly, there is often a cap placed on the pot in Guts.