Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-668 · Updated 28 September 2026

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Deuces & Jacks & the Man with the Axe Rules

Deuces & Jacks & the Man with the Axe is seven-card stud in which all twos, all jacks and the king of diamonds are wild. The twist is that a natural pair of sevens beats every other hand, and players must pay into the pot whenever they are dealt a wild card or a seven face up. The game appears in Arthur Buderick's Dealer's Choice Game collection, as published on pagat.com.

Also known as Deuces and Jacks and the Man with the Axe

Players: 2 to 8
Type: Stud
Wild cards: All twos, all jacks, king of diamonds
Top hand: A natural pair of sevens
Pot: High only

Article 1Players, deck and wild cards

1.1

The game is included in Arthur Buderick's Dealer's Choice Game collection, as published on pagat.com. It is played with a standard 52-card deck with no jokers.

1.2

Nine cards are wild: the four twos, the four jacks and the king of diamonds. The king of diamonds is the man with the axe, since in standard American decks he is drawn holding an axe.

1.3

A wild card may stand for any card its holder chooses. Five of a kind is possible. The source does not rank it; by the usual convention it ranks above a straight flush. See hand rankings.

1.4

The natural pair of sevens. A pair of sevens made from two real sevens, with no wild card, is the highest hand in the game and beats five of a kind. A pair of sevens that uses a wild card is an ordinary pair.

1.5

All other hands rank in the normal order for high poker.

Article 2Antes and the deal

2.1

Each player antes, and the cards are dealt as in seven-card stud: two down and one up, then three more up, then a last card down, with a betting round after each stage.

Street	Cards held after the deal	Betting
Third street	2 down, 1 up	First round
Fourth street	2 down, 2 up	Second round
Fifth street	2 down, 3 up	Third round
Sixth street	2 down, 4 up	Fourth round
Seventh street	3 down, 4 up	Final round

2.2

Each betting round is begun by the player with the highest hand showing. There is no bring-in by the lowest card.

Article 3Payments for exposed cards

3.1

A player who is dealt a wild card face up shall pay into the pot. The suggested amount is one ante for each such card.

3.2

A player who is dealt a seven face up shall pay into the pot. The suggested amount is five antes for each such seven.

3.3

Payments are made when the card is dealt. Cards dealt face down carry no payment. The amounts shall be announced before the deal if they differ from those suggested.

Example

Paying for exposed cards

The ante is 10. On fourth street a player is dealt K♦ face up. It is the man with the axe, a wild card, so the player pays 10 into the pot.

On fifth street the same player is dealt 7♣ face up and pays 50, five antes.

Article 4Showdown

4.1

After the final betting round, the remaining players show their hands. Each player's hand is the best five cards of their seven, using wild cards as they choose.

4.2

A natural pair of sevens wins. Otherwise the best high hand wins. Identical hands split the pot equally.

4.3

The source does not say how two natural pairs of sevens compare. The dealer shall announce the tie rule before the deal.

Example

A pair of sevens beats five aces

Player A holds 7♣7♦3♠5♥9♣Q♦4♠. This is only a pair of sevens, but both are natural.

Player B holds A♠J♠J♥2♣K♦8♥6♦. With four wild cards and the ace, B has five aces.

The natural pair of sevens is the highest hand, so Player A wins.

Article 5Strategy notes

With nine wild cards, strong hands such as four of a kind are common, and five of a kind is realistic.
A seven showing is a threat, since its owner may have a natural pair. Every exposed seven also leaves one fewer seven for everyone else.
Exposed wild cards and sevens cost money as well as giving information, so the pot grows quickly.

Article 6Frequently asked questions

What are the wild cards in Deuces & Jacks & the Man with the Axe?

All four twos, all four jacks and the king of diamonds, the man with the axe. That makes nine wild cards.

What beats five of a kind in this game?

A natural pair of sevens: two real sevens, with no wild card. It is the highest hand in the game.

Do you have to pay for wild cards?

Only for wild cards dealt face up. The suggested payment is one ante per exposed wild card and five antes per exposed seven.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Deuces & Jacks & the Man with the Axe Rules · OPR-668 · officialpokerrules.com/deuces-and-jacks-and-the-man-with-the-axe/

OPR-668Uncontrolled when printed