Wolfie’s Lou Poker

Wolfie’s Lou Overview

Wolfie’s Lou is a fairly complex game which uses elements of Draw Poker, Liar’s Poker, Hearts, and Guts. It is suitable for 3-8 players.

Wolfie’s Lou Rules

Players ante up, placing a small sum in the pot to begin the game. The dealer gives each player five cards, face down. Players examine their cards, and may give up to two cards back to the dealer in exchange for two new cards from the top of the deck.

At this point, players declare in or out. This is often done by each player taking a token and hiding it under the table. Then all players bring their closed hands up. When they open their hands, if the token is inside, they have chosen to stay in. If the token remains in the other hand or under the table, the player has chosen to stop playing.

The next stage is similar to Liar’s Poker, except that players may not lie. The first player to the dealer’s left declares the value of his hand. If anyone has a better hand, they declare it, until it is determined who has the best hand without anyone looking at each other’s hand.

The player with the best hand selects a trump suit. Beginning with the player to the left of the dealer and moving clockwise, each player places a card on the table. The player with the highest card of the trump suit wins the trick. If there is no card of the trump suit, then the highest card wins the trick.

Since each player holds five cards, there are five tricks. Players who do not win any tricks must double the value of the pot. Players who win only one trick must put in an amount equal to the pot. If a player wins three or more tricks, they win the pot.

The cards are shuffled and the next round begins. The game continues until only one player chooses to stay in at the declaration round. That player wins the game.