Choose Your Own

  Here is a poker variation called "Choose Your Own" that would make an interesting addition to any regular games you enjoy. Much about this variation is reminiscent of 7-Card Stud so it might be an easy transition and an appropriate change of pace if you play 7-Card Stud on a regular basis.  This game accommodates anywhere from three to seven players. Play begins with every player contributing to the ante. The first deal follows the ante and each player gets two face-down cards and one face-up card. A round of betting ensues followed by another face-up card dealt to the middle of the table for each player at the table. In other words - seven players produce seven cards.  Now - whoever holds the lowest hand is free to pick any card from the middle cards. Any ties in the low hand are always in favor of the player sitting closest to the dealer's immediate left. So the pattern continues - the next lowest hand selects a card from the up cards in the middle until the highest hand snags the last card. As you play consider that the low card you pick might be chosen in an effort to keep other players from getting the cards they need.  It's time now for another betting round, another round of dealing out the same number of cards as there are participants to the center of the table, and lastly of course, the sequence of lowest hand takes the first card from the middle, etc.  Players then place their bets, a final face-up "cards in the middle" round occurs, until betting is complete and now each player is dealt another face-down card. It's finally time for the final round of betting and the highlight - the showdown. The best five-card hand will win the pot.