Crazy Pineapple is a game that requires a full 52 card deck. The game is started when the Dealer shuffles and distributes the cards in a clockwise direction. In a large amount of home games the Dealer plays in the game, whilst in casinos and card rooms the dealer isn’t involved in the game itself. The Dealer position is moved around the table in a clockwise direction and a round disc called the “Dealer Button” signifies which player is the Dealer.

The Blinds

In most Crazy Pineapple games play commences with two players putting a forced bet into the pot. These players are located in the two positions left of the Dealer Button. The player on the left of the Dealer Button posts the Small Blind and the player on his immediate left posts the Big Blind. The amount posted is pre-determined. If you are playing a tournament the amount of these bets increases as the tournament progresses, whilst the amount generally stays the same in cash games.

Once the blinds are posted all players at the table are dealt three cards face down. These are known as the “hole cards.” There will eventually be five community cards in front of Dealer. These are community cards and the principle of the game is to combine two of your “hole cards” with the five community cards and make the best possible hand.

Betting – Pre-Flop

The action pre-flop is the same as in Texas Holdem. Once all the players have been dealt their three cards a round of betting takes place. The first player to act is the player seated to the left of the Big Blind. This position is referred to as Under-The-Gun. Players can fold, call or raise the current bets and the Big Blind might be given the option to “Check” his bet. The size of the raise is determined by what structure game you are playing. In Fixed Limit Crazy Pineapple the player is only allowed to raise a fixed amount and in Pot Limit the player can only raise the amount that is in the Pot. In No Limit Poker players can raise as many chips as they have, or move “All-In”.

If a bet is called in this first round of betting and play is still active after the first betting round, the Dealer burns a card (discards the top card) and then turns over three community cards. This is known as “The Flop”.

The Flop

There is a major difference between the play in Crazy Pineapple and Holdem after the flop. When it’s the players turn to act they must decide to check, call or raise or fold. In addition they must discard one of the cards in their hand. Betting begins with the first player located to the left of the Dealer Button. With three community cards currently available, all the remaining players have five cards to make the best hand available.

After this round of betting the Dealer will burn another card and turn over a fourth community card. This is known as “The Turn” or “Fourth Street”.

The Turn

The betting is the same as on the flop, however no more cards are discarded. The first player located on the left of the dealer begins the betting.

After this round of betting the Dealer will burn another card and turn over a fifth and final community card. This is known as “The River” or “Fifth Street”.

The River

After “The River” is dealt the final round of betting takes place. The players use their own two remaining cards and the five community cards to make the best five-card hand. After the betting is completed the remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner of the pot.