Official Poker Rules
Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-210 · Updated 28 September 2026

Game rules · Stud

Sökö Rules

Sökö is Five Card Stud with two extra hands: the four-straight and the four-flush. Both rank above one pair and below two pairs, with the four-flush the higher of the two. Everything else, from the one-down, four-up deal to the four betting rounds, is played as in Five Card Stud. It is one of the most popular poker games in Finland.

Also known as California Stud, Canadian Stud, Soko

Players
2 to 10
Cards per player
5 (1 down, 4 up)
Betting rounds
4
Extra hands
Four-straight, four-flush
Pot
High only

Article 1Players, deck and objective

1.1

Sökö is one of the most popular poker games in Finland. Elsewhere it is sometimes called California Stud or Canadian Stud.

1.2

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck with no wild cards. Up to ten players may take part.

1.3

The object is to win the pot, either by holding the best five-card hand at showdown or by making a bet that no other player calls.

1.4

The deal, antes, betting and showdown follow Five Card Stud. Only the hand rankings differ.

Article 2The two extra hands

2.1

A four-straight is four cards of consecutive rank plus one unrelated card, for example 9-8-7-6 with a king.

2.2

A four-flush is four cards of one suit plus one card of a different suit.

2.3

Both hands rank above one pair and below two pairs. A four-flush beats a four-straight.

2.4

Comparing four-straights. Compare the four-card straights first, by their highest card. If they are equal, the higher odd card wins.

2.5

Comparing four-flushes. Compare the four flush cards in order, highest first. If all four are equal, compare the odd cards.

2.6

A hand is always ranked as its best combination. For example, 8-7-6-5 with another eight is a four-straight, not a pair of eights, because the four-straight ranks higher.

2.7

The published rules do not say whether the ace may play low in a four-straight (A-2-3-4), or whether a four-straight or four-flush showing on the board counts when deciding who acts first. The dealer shall announce the house practice before play.

Article 3Full hand rankings

RankHandExample
1Straight flush9♠8♠7♠6♠5♠
2Four of a kindQ♣Q♦Q♥Q♠4♣
3Full house7♥7♦7♠3♣3♥
4FlushK♦10♦8♦5♦2♦
5Straight10♣9♥8♠7♦6♣
6Three of a kind5♠5♥5♣K♦9♠
7Two pairsJ♥J♣4♠4♦A♣
8Four-flushA♥J♥8♥3♥K♠
9Four-straight9♣8♦7♥6♠K♣
10One pairA♠A♦Q♣8♥3♠
11High cardA♣Q♦9♥6♣2♠

Compare the standard order on the hand rankings page.

Article 4The deal and betting

4.1

Every player antes. Each player receives one card face down and one face up, and there is a betting round.

4.2

Three more cards are dealt face up, one at a time, each followed by a betting round. There are four betting rounds in all.

4.3

The first player to act on each round, the bring-in if one is used, and the bet sizes follow Five Card Stud.

Article 5Showdown

5.1

If more than one player remains after the final betting round, each player turns over their hole card and the best hand under the Sökö rankings wins.

5.2

Hands of the same rank are compared as set out in article 2 for the extra hands, and card by card for the others. Identical hands split the pot.

Example

A four-straight beats a pair of aces

Player A: 5♦ down, 6♠7♥8♣K♦ up. A four-straight, 8-7-6-5, with a king.

Player B: A♠ down, A♥Q♦9♣3♠ up. A pair of aces.

In standard poker B would win. In Sökö a four-straight ranks above any pair, so Player A wins.

Example

A four-flush against a four-straight

Player A: 2♥ down, Q♥9♥6♥J♠ up. A four-flush in hearts, Q-9-6-2.

Player B: 10♣ down, J♦Q♠K♥4♣ up. A four-straight, K-Q-J-10.

A four-flush ranks above a four-straight, so Player A wins, even though B's cards are higher.

Article 6Strategy notes

  • Four-card draws that would be worthless in Five Card Stud are made hands in Sökö, so a single pair is much weaker than usual.
  • Four suited or connected upcards are visible to everyone, and a player showing them may already hold a hand that beats any pair.
  • Two pairs remains a strong hand, as it beats both of the extra hands.

Article 7Frequently asked questions

Does a four-flush beat a pair in Sökö?

Yes. Both the four-flush and the four-straight rank above one pair and below two pairs.

Which is higher in Sökö, a four-flush or a four-straight?

The four-flush.

Is Sökö the same as California Stud?

Yes. Sökö is the Finnish name; the game is also known as California Stud or Canadian Stud.

How are two four-straights compared?

Compare the four-card straights first, by their highest card. If they are the same, the higher odd card wins.

§
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.

Sökö Rules · OPR-210 · officialpokerrules.com/soko/

OPR-210Uncontrolled when printed