Poker is a game that has been developed and regionalized countless times, and as a result, there are numerous variations of the game. Whilst some of the more common ones such as Texas Holdem and 7 Card Stud have been analyzed in depth, there are many less common variants that are equally enjoyed. The following will provide an overview of some of these:

Also called “Pass the Trash” and “3-2-1 Left”, Anaconda is a Poker variant in which each player is dealt 6 initial cards, and must select 3 of them to pass to the player on their left. The cards are placed face down on the table, and picked up only when all players have passed on 3 cards. The process is then repeated, this time with 2 cards, and then another time with only 1. Once completed, players must discard 1 card and make their best 5 card hand. Up to 8 players are allowed, unless Jokers are used as Wild cards, during which 9 players is possible.

Best played with 5-8 players, Medusa is a ‘match-the-pot’ game, meaning that each player must ante a sum of money that is equal to the pot’s value. Game play is as follows:

1. Each player is dealt 4 cards, as well as a 5 card hand called the “Medusa”.
2. The dealer then asks each player if he/she wants a 5th card.
3. If a player accepts the 5th card proposal, that player is “in the game”, meaning that the player has agreed to wager the pot amount.
4. Players must develop a 5 card hand that not only beats all other player’s hands, but also beats the Medusa. The awarded winner rakes the pot, and all loser must match the pot.
5. Game play continues until there is no more pot to win.

Billabong is a variation of Manila Poker, in which each player is dealt an initial 2 down cards and 1 up card The lowest showing up card starts the Bring-in betting round, and if no bring-in is used, them the high up card starts. Two community cards are now dealt and a 2nd round of betting follows. The next 2 betting rounds begin with a 3rd and 4th community being dealt, and are followed by a Showdown. The winning 5 card hand must be made from the 3 initial cards the player was dealt, and the 4 community cards on the board.