Stedman’s Poker

Stedman’s Poker Overview

Stedman’s Poker, also called Woolworth, for the chain of five-and-dime stores, is played exactly like standard Five-Card Draw, except that five and ten are both wild cards. Stedman’s Poker, like Five-Card Draw, is a good game for 3-8 players.

Stedman’s Poker Rules

Stedman’s Poker is generally a friendly game, not a casino game, so it uses antes, meaning that every player contributes the same amount of money to the pot before any dealing. Casino games use what is called a blind, wherein just two players put in cash before the deal. If the game is played with a blind, the player to the left of the dealer places the small blind, and the player to the small blind’s left places the big blind, which is usually twice the value of the small blind. Whether the game uses antes or blinds affects the betting order later.

After the blinds or antes have been placed, each player is dealt five cards, one at a time. After the deal, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind if blinds were placed or to the left of the dealer if antes were placed, each player, in turn, makes bets. A player may call, adding whatever amount is necessary in order to meet the current bet level. If the player wishes to add more, they may raise the bet level, requiring other players who wish to stay in the game to match their wagers. If the player chooses to drop out of the hand, they may fold. If a player folds, they no longer have any chance of winning the pot.

After the betting is completed, each player may choose to return 0-3 cards to the dealer. If the player holds an ace or a wild card, he may return four cards to the dealer, but he will be asked to show his ace or wild card. In some casinos, players may return any number of cards regardless of whether they hold aces or wild cards. The cards are returned to the dealer, and then the dealer gives the player the same number of cards, dealt from the top of the deck.

When all players have exchanged as many cards as they selected, another round of betting occurs. This round begins with the player to the dealer’s left, regardless of whether the game began with blinds or antes. When this round is complete, there is a showdown. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot, bearing in mind that tens and fives are wild cards.