Southern Deuce Hold'em Rules

Southern Deuce Hold'em was contributed by Justin Huneke, as published on pagat.com. It is for two to four players and uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers.

Before the deal, the four twos (deuces) are removed from the deck, shuffled without being looked at, and placed face down to one side.

Each deuce may represent only certain cards:

1.3(a) two of clubs: any club from three to six;

1.3(b) two of diamonds: any diamond from seven to ten;

1.3(c) two of hearts: a jack, queen, king or ace of hearts, diamonds or clubs, but not spades;

1.3(d) two of spades: any card of any suit.

The source does not say whether a deuce may stand for a card that is already visible, or where five of a kind would rank. The dealer shall announce these points before the deal. See hand rankings.

The dealer shuffles the remaining 48 cards and deals two cards face down to each player, starting with the player to the dealer's left, then places four cards face down in the centre.

Each betting round begins with the first active player to the dealer's left.

After the fourth betting round, each player still in the hand, starting with the first active player to the dealer's left, takes one of the face-down deuces and adds it to their hand. Every remaining player must take a deuce.

After the fifth betting round, the remaining players show their cards. Each makes the best five-card hand from their three cards (two hole cards and the deuce) and the four centre cards.

The best hand wins, and equal hands split the pot.

Two jokers are shuffled into the main deck. A joker can represent any card.

A joker dealt as a hole card can be used only by its holder. A joker dealt to the centre can be used by every player, each as whatever card suits them.