Dealer’s Choice Poker Games: Splits

            Let’s face it. If you enjoy the thrill of poker and playing cards in general, Dealer’s Choice poker is no different. Sitting down with a group of friends for a round of Dealer’s Choice offers a variety of fun and exciting fast-paced games which are usually simple to understand. And with Dealer’s Choice, the number of games to choose from are virtually endless. One such game, which has many advantages over other Dealer’s Choice games, is what I refer to as “Splits,” or “Hit the Number.”

            In Splits, the rules and game play are quite simple. Two random numbers are chosen to begin the game, and the object is to obtain a point total as close to or equal to one of the two chosen numbers. Common number choices for Splits include 5 ½ - 21 ½, 7 – 27, or 13 – 33. Notice that each in each of the examples above, there is at least a 15-point difference, and one of the choices even deals in halves. This is for two reasons. First, Splits is, as it suggests, a split-pot poker game, in which the pot is almost always split between at least two people. So in 13 – 33, for example, the closest player to 13 points and the closest to 33 points split the winnings in half. Second, all face cards are worth only ½ point, while aces are worth either 1 or 11 points, and all numbered cards are face value. Therefore, if playing 5 ½ - 21 ½, it is possible to hit half numbers, as well as whole ones.

            Splits is dealt out similarly to 5-Card Stud, with the exception being that a player can opt to take as many cards as he wants, even if he has already passed during a round. To explain, after the ante has been called, the dealer deals each player one card face down and one card face up. For betting purposes, the person with the highest point total showing bets first or checks. After the first round of betting, the dealer then, in a clockwise rotation, asks everyone else if they would like another card. Remember, if your point total matches the amount of points required for that particular Splits game, then do not draw anymore cards, as you are already guaranteed half of the pot. A player can pass on drawing a card at anytime, then come back and draw on a subsequent turn if desired.

            After each round of drawing a card, a round of betting commences. When no one wants to draw anymore cards, there is a final round of betting, and the hand is over.  The two players closest to the two selected Splits numbers with their own total points are the winners. For example, if you are playing 13 – 33 and you have 13 points on the nose, you split the winnings with the player closest to 33 points. Also, in most cases, a player can overshoot a number and still be closest to it (33 ½ points would be a winner over 32 points if playing 13 – 33). The only times a pot is not split in half is when either one player can total both amounts by using aces (i.e. three aces will give a player both 13 and 33 points) or if two players are equidistant from a number (i.e. if one player has 12 points and one has 14 points, they will each take ¼ of the pot, while the player closest to 33 points takes the other ½).