Kryptonite Poker

Kryptonite Overview

Kryptonite is a variant of Monte Carlo. It uses a kitty, which is a dummy hand that must be beaten in order for players to win. Suitable for 3-8 players, Kryptonite is a guts game in which often no players choose to stay in.

Kryptonite Rules

Before play begins, each player must ante up. This means placing a small sum in the pot. The dealer gives each player three cards, face down. Additionally, the dealer deals one more hand. This is referred to as the kitty. One of the cards from the kitty is flipped up. All cards of that rank are wild.

Players examine their cards and then they choose to stay in or to fold. This is done simultaneously. The most common way to declare in or out is by taking a token in one hand and putting it under the table. Then all players bring up a closed fist, and when they open it, they reveal whether there is a token in it or not. A token signifies that the player is in for the round.

If no player chooses to stay in, then the dealer leaves the kitty, but collects the other cards and re-deals, adding an additional kitty, with no additional wild cards.

If players stay in, then the best hand wins. If a player holds the best hand, then he takes the money in the pot, while every other player must match that amount. If the kitty holds the best hand, then all the players must match the amount of the pot.

The dealer then takes all the cards, re-shuffles, and deals again. Play continues until a single player stays in and beats the kitty, taking the pot and leaving it empty.

It is important to note that the hand rankings are generally as follows: Straight Flush is best, then Three-of-a-Kind, followed by Flush, Straight, and Pair. Since the kitty holds at least a pair, any hand worse than a pair is automatically a losing hand.