CINCINNATI

I've been surprised again - just when you think you've seen it all . . .  I never knew there was a card game named 'Cincinnati Poker'. 

While half-watching an old episode of 'Friends' last week, this startled me.  The guys were trying to teach the girls how to play poker.  They were playing dealer's choice and Monica dealt a game she called 'Cincinnati'.  What?  My ears perked up.  I jumped on the Internet and "voila" there it is - a real form of poker. 

Here's the way it goes.  The object of the game is to get the best possible five-card poker hand.   After the ante, the dealer deals four cards to each player face down.  Each player has a chance now to place a bet.  All others drop, see or raise the bet.  Now the dealer places one card in the center of the table which every player can use to make his hand.  There is another round of betting.  Again, the dealer lays another card face up in the center of the table.  The players can use either of these cards to make their five card hand.  Another round of betting.  The dealer lays a third and a fourth card on the table and there is betting after each. Now, all players have their four cards and any one of the four on the table to use - to make their hand. That's the game they call 'Cincinnati Poker'.  Who knew? 
🃏