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Each player receives
five cards face down, and an extra hand of five cards is dealt face
down in the center of the table to serve as the widow. A pool may
be formed by equal antes from all players before the deal, the pool
going to the highest hand in the showdown; or the lowest hand in
the showdown pays for the drinks (which was apparently the original
purpose of this game and the origin of its name).
Eldest hand (to the dealer's left) plays first. He may pass, or
knock, or exchange his hand for the widow. If he knocks, it means
there will be a showdown when his turn comes next. If he exchanges,
he lays his own hand face up on the table. If he passes, the next
player.in turn has the same privileges.
When any player exchanges his hand for the widow, the player in
turn after him may discard one or more of his cards (up to all five)
and select cards from the widow to replace them. The discarded cards
are added to the widow. Once the widow has been taken, each player
must either exchange or knock-he may no longer pass without knocking.
If no one exchanges on the first round, the dealer turns the original
widow face up, and play continues until someone knocks. Whenever
the play comes around to a player who has knocked, there is a showdown.
How to play: Although similar to knock poker, Whiskey Poker involves
more disadvantage for the first knocker because of the increased
likelihood that the other players will improve their hands on that
round. Against this is the fact that a player cannot improve his
hand without committing himself to some definite course of action.
Thus, the standards for knock poker should be applied, except that
moderate hands capable of improvement if another player knocks (such
as a low two pairs) should be passed.
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