Straight Poker, or Bluff, as it is often called, is played according to the same rules as Draw Poker, though there are one or two particulars in which it differs from that game.
Not only the dealer, but also every player, "antes" before the cards are cut for deal. The winner of the pool has the deal. Any player may pass, and come in again if he chooses to do so, provided that in the meantime no other player has raised. No one is allowed to discard or draw any cards.
In case of mis-deal, or when all the players pass, the eldest hand deals, and a fresh ante is added to the pool by each player making what is called a double header.
To prevent confusion, and to save trouble also, it is sometimes arranged that, instead of each player depositing a fresh ante every time before the cards are cut, one of the players shall take it by turns to chip for all.
When this is done, the best way is to pass round the table, by way of memorandum, a buck. This name is given to any small article which may serve as a reminder, and should in the first instance start with the original dealer. As soon as the dealer has chipped, he hands the buck to his left-hand neighbour, who keeps it until he in turn has chipped for all, when he again passes it on. So to the end the game goes on.
WHISKEY POKER.
Plenty of fun may be extracted from this highly amusing game. To make the pool is the matter that requires the first consideration, and to do this each player contributes one counter or chip. After this, the game is regulated very much by the same rules as those laid down for Draw Poker, the only exception being that the strongest hand gets the straight flush.
Five cards, one at a time, are given to each player, besides which an additional hand, called the widow, is dealt, and laid in the middle of the table.
All the players now look at their hands, and if not satisfied with them, they each in succession have an opportunity of making a little change in them, according to the following explanation.
Should it so happen that the eldest hand, after examining his cards, expresses himself satisfied with them, the next player may, if so inclined, put down his own cards on the table, and take up the widow instead. When he has done so, the other players in turn may select any card they please from the discarded hand in exchange for one of their own, until some one declares himself satisfied by knocking on the table. Even after this, however, the rest of the players are allowed one more chance of drawing before showing the hands.