Poker Bull or Bull Poker is defined as a bluff game that includes 5 to 8 players. The main objective of the game is to become the last player to be playing and finally win. This Poker Bull game is closely related to the Dudo game (also known as Liar’s Dice, of Latin American origin). Both are quite similar as they both are played with poker hands.
In this Poker game, the players bluff their hands. As a result, they are caught too many times, leading to their elimination. Before moving any further, let us look at the players, cards, and other important rules of the game.
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Bull Poker Game Rules
Players and Cards
It is best when played with 5-8 players. You might think fewer players are boring but this is the way the game is played. If you want only 3-4 members can also play the game. In the course of this game, players are eliminated one by one. The game continues until and unless the last player remains. The player who remains is the ultimate winner.
The game has a 52-card deck and no jokers are used in it. The ranking of the cards is from higher to lower, i.e., “A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2”. The game is played clockwise.
Deal
The deal in the game also takes place clockwise. Any poker player can deal with the first hand, thereby dealing cards face down to each and every player. They then take a glance at their own cards and continue playing. In the subsequent hands, the player who lost the last deal receives another extra card as before.
The players of the game receive a card for every hand that they lose. Thus, the player who has lost so many times (N Times), is given N+1 cards. The maximum hand size for any player is 5. This number is for the player who lost the hand 4 times.
It is essential to note that a player who has lost 5 times and loses again for the fifth time, is then eliminated once and for all. On elimination, any player sitting to the left of the loser will deal cards to the other players remaining on the table.
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Calls
In this game, a call is kind of a claim, wherein a specific card combination can be made out of the other combined cards which were dealt to all other players. The dealer commences the poker by a call. This gives the players the opportunity to bid a higher call than the dealer and the other players on the table. The call round continues around the poker table until some other player challenges the call of the previous players.
The combination of the cards is based on hands in poker. This is how the game got its name – Poker Bull. Let us look at the types of calls ranging from higher to lower.
One Card
This rank of the cards is named – One Jack. If one card of the rank is dealt, then this one cardis valid.
One Pair
‘Two Eights’ – This is the rank of this card. The card is validated when two cards of the same rank have been dealt in one pair.
Two Pairs
‘Nines and Fours’ – Two different cards are ranked in this. When two cards of different ranks are dealt, the card is said to be validated.
Three of a Kind
The triplet of cards is known as ‘Three Tens.’ When three cards of the same ranks (same type) have been dealt with, then we can say the cards are valid.
Full House
In this, two different cards are ranked, i.e., ‘Aces full of Fives.’ The players validate the card when the three cards are ranked and dealt with in the first and second name.
Four of a Kind
As the name suggests, the quadruplet is ranked, i.e., ‘Four Aces’ or ‘Four Queens’. If all four cards have been dealt during the game, the card becomes valid.
Straight Flush
A sequence of five cards placed consecutively comes under a straight flush. All five cards must be identified by the player, i.e., ranging from highest card to lowest card. For Example: ‘King of clubs Straight Flush.’ In this, the card is valid if all of the cards are dealt with.
In the game of Poker Bull, there are no extra cards. For instance, ‘Three of a Kind’ is a declaration that there is no call taking place other than ‘three Nines with an ace.’ Now that you know how to play with deals and calls, let us have a look at the elimination criteria of the game.
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Challenges & Elimination
A challenge is made when the previous call cannot be made from the cards which were dealt before. It is a kind of an announcement or declaration for not using the cards to make calls. When a player challenges, all the other players have to show their cards. Upon looking at the cards, if the combination is made, then the player loses there and then. If the combination is not made by the player, the challenger loses instantly.
If the player who loses has four cards or less, then he/ she will shuffle the cards and deal the next hand, thereby giving themselves more cards than before. If the player who has just lost has five cards in hand, then he/ she is eliminated and the next player is left to deal with the remaining players.
Well, there are a few variants as well in the game. Have a look at them!
Variations in the Game
There is a variation in the Bull Poker game, wherein the deuces are wild. The cards can be used as a substitute to make the called combination. In this, straights, flushes, and eight of a kind are allowed. Here are the types of calls:
- One card
- One pair
- Two pairs
- Three of a Kind
- Straight – The rank of cards is ‘9, 8, 7, 6, 5.’ They can be combined and mixed if all the cards are of the same suit.
- Flush: Any five cards of the same suit will go in this.
- Full house
- Four of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Five of a Kind: To validate this, five cards of the same rank must be present.
- Six of a Kind
- Seven of a Kind
- Eight of a Kind: All four cards must be ranked in this.
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Conclusion
Poker Hands is really an amazing game. This article covers all the information about the Poker Bull game. If you wish to play a shorter game, then each player can start with two cards instead of one, but then the game will become quite boring. In order to play, it is suggested to be played with five-card hands, which is similar to the Liars Dice game. To play the game, follow the variations, calls, and deals of higher rank mentioned above. The player who remains, at last, becomes the winner.
So, what are you waiting for? Spice up your game night a bit with this interesting game.
