I am in. I have not played holdem in a while thanks to the USA becoming a socialist country that has to protect idiots from themselves. It became to much trouble to get money to and from the poker sites. I used to play a fair amount online, but have never played a live game more than casual play with no money or less than $20 a person on the line.

It looks to me more like a single malt Scotch, but that's not too bad. I can live with that. Though, you'd get extra tips for the real Penguin. :P

Theoretically, no. You don't have to wait until the 5th card. You can know if you won even right after the flop. If you got the royal flush. :P

Not in, but here's a big bowl of buttered popcorn for the players. :D

Have fun!

Not in but if something like this pops up in maybe 1-2 months from now, I will definitely consider it because I do like to play card games like Texas hold'em. At the moment, I literally can't afford to lose! lol I spent my planned gaming budget and am being extra picky now on when I double dip for gaming related expenses. I am definitely following this as a spectator though so hand over some popcorn please! :) Thanks for the cool giveaway and +1 for card related fun!

Exactly... It's just a creative way to win two games, with the risk of having to gift one to the winner if you're extremely unlucky...

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I'm trying to think of another scenario where you could be certain you'd won before the river card was laid down.

What if you have two aces on hand with one in the flop? If, after the turn card is laid down, the three other public cards are all below 10 with one each of the three other suits than the ace on the table? Wouldn't that be an absolutely certain win?

Edit:
D'oh! No, it wouldn't. If the river is the same value as one of the other cards, someone else could have four of a kind. Never mind.

Edit2:
Okay, new scenario. The turn card is on the table and you have a low-value straight flush with your two hand cards at either end. That should be unbeatable. In fact, even without the turn card, it should still be unbeatable, because nobody else should possibly be able to get anything above four of a kind.

There is a possibility with a lower hand:

Say 2 aces in hand, 2 aces + low card in flop. another low card of a different suit in turn. Your 4 of a kind should win, right?

EDIT:
And an even lower: 4, 4 in hand, 4, 4, 3 in flop, 2 in turn. If 2 and 3 are different suits than 4 and 4 then there is no chance of a straight flush, and your four of a kind of 4s should win, correct?

I think I'll keep the popcorn for myself! :-p

Ok, I decided to finally be in. It seems to be so original and fun that I can't remain just a spectator.

*Wearing suit & tie, a cigar in the hand and a bi... babe with me to entertain me and disturb my opponents*

Come get some !

Bah. Only the most known combos? You should really widen your selection. ;) :P

I didn't know that I'll unleash the scenarios flood. :P

The winner could be determined by the first 3 cards. For example, you hold Ace and King of Hearts in hand, the first three cards are Queen, Jack, and 10 of Hearts. You would have the best hand possible, and with only 2 cards remaining (+2 in one's hand) no one else could match it with another Royal Flush.

There are also scenarios where you will know you have the best possible hand at the turn card, as at that point, all straight flushes may be ruled out and you could have 4 of a kind. Beyond that, I don't think there are any scenarios less than 4 of a kind or a straight flush where you can be certain until the last card.

For worst hand, it cannot be determined until the last flip, as you can always end up pairing up.

Yes, I agree. And I don't think you can be sure until the river with anything less than four of a kind. Look at this great and interesting discussion your wonderful giveaway has sparked :-)

This is awesome! I always wanted to see, how it would be possible to create a forum poker game. Good work! I'm in.
No dark rum? o__O What am I going to do now? We need not a new, but an extra bartender, preferably a drunk pirate who would be willing to share his stash :P

Well, to be honest this is really far from a real poker game. Or any game. It's just a raffle.

A real one is doable with a trusted dealer, but might take some time, especially with different time zones. A much quicker way would be if the people involved just agree on a time and play it out on a poker website.

EDIT: not saying this is bad. Far from it. This is a pretty fun way of doing a giveaway.

4 places remaining... The tournament is about to start...


In the meantime, here's a great poker song:

▪ <span class="bold">Phil Bellante</span> - All In


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Yes! That's why I have a huge bowl of popcorn in front of me! :-)

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OK, we hired this lovely <span class="bold">barmaid</span>? She has absolutely no clue what she's doing, but who cares! :-p

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Sit back and enjoy the game! Our new barmaid is already entertaining "your" opponents! :-p

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That sounds like playing a chess game by email, one move at a time! :-)