Irish poker: rules and tips for this home-game favourite
Irish poker is a fun home-game mix of Omaha and Texas Hold’em. You start with four hole cards, but after the flop you discard two and finish the hand like Hold’em, using any combination of your two remaining cards and the board.
How a hand runs
Section titled “How a hand runs”- Blinds are posted; each player gets four cards.
- Preflop betting.
- The flop is dealt; flop betting.
- Each player discards two cards, keeping two.
- Turn and river with betting, as in Hold’em. Best five-card hand wins.
Common variations
Section titled “Common variations”- Some games discard after the flop betting, others before it — agree before you play.
- Pot-limit or no-limit betting; pot-limit is common because it plays like Omaha preflop.
- Related games: Pineapple (three cards, discard one).
Strategy tips
Section titled “Strategy tips”- Preflop, value hands whose cards work together: pairs, suited and connected cards, like Omaha. See PLO starting hands.
- After the flop, keep the two cards that make the best hand or the best draw to the nuts. See the nuts.
- Hands are stronger on average than in Hold’em because everyone chose their best two cards. Respect big bets.
- Position matters a lot: you see others’ actions before the discard decisions play out.
See also home poker game and dealer’s choice games.
What is Irish poker?
Section titled “What is Irish poker?”A home-game variant where you get four hole cards, discard two after the flop and finish like Texas Hold’em.
When do you discard in Irish poker?
Section titled “When do you discard in Irish poker?”After the flop; some games discard before the flop betting, others after it.
Is Irish poker played no-limit or pot-limit?
Section titled “Is Irish poker played no-limit or pot-limit?”Either; pot-limit is common.
Are hands stronger in Irish poker than Hold’em?
Section titled “Are hands stronger in Irish poker than Hold’em?”Yes, on average, because players keep their best two cards after seeing the flop.