Turkish poker

Türk pokeri (Turkish poker) is a 5-card draw poker variant played with a short deck of 24 to 36 cards, depending on the number of players. Each player is dealt five cards, and up to four can be exchanged.

Players

• The minimum number of players is 2, and the maximum is 5.

Deck

• Small cards are removed from a standard 52-card deck to form a short deck. The number of cards used depends on the number of players:
  • 2 players: 24 cards (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9)
  • 3 players: 28 cards (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8)
  • 4 players: 32 cards (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7)
  • 5 players: 36 cards (A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6)

Dealing and Betting

• The first dealer is chosen at random, and the turn to deal passes to the left after each hand.
• Before each deal, all players must ante an equal amount into the pot.
• Cards are shuffled, cut, and dealt one at a time in a clockwise direction until each player has five cards.
• The first betting round begins. The minimum requirement to open the betting (oyunu açmak) is a pair of Kings. Players with less than this must pass (pas). However, players can choose to pass even if they have the opening requirement.
• Once a player has opened, other players may call (görmek), raise (arttırmak), or re-raise (tekrar arttırmak), even without holding a pair of Kings. Players who do not wish to match the latest bet may fold (çekilmek).

Card Exchange and Second Betting Round

• If more than one player remains after the first betting round, the players may improve their hands by exchanging cards.
• Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each player may exchange 0 to 4 cards. The discarded cards are placed face down, and the dealer gives the replacement cards from the undealt portion of the deck. If the deck runs out, the discarded cards are reshuffled and reused.
• Players who exchange four cards receive their fourth replacement after all other players have been dealt their cards.

Showdown:

• If the opener folds or wins because all other players fold, they must show their hand upon request to prove that they met the opening requirement.
• In the showdown, all remaining players reveal their hands, and the player with the highest-ranked hand wins the pot.

Card Rankings

• The Ace is usually the highest card but can be used as the lowest to complete a straight (or straight flush). When used as a low card, the Ace ranks immediately below the lowest card in play. For example, in a game with 4 players, 10-9-8-7-A would be a valid straight.
• The ranking of suits from highest to lowest is: Hearts (Kupa) > Spades (Maça) > Diamonds (Karo) > Clubs (Sinek).

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