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Two plus One is a form of Guts. Each player is dealt two cards and declares in or out, and the players who stay in are then dealt a third card. The best three-card hand wins the pot, and every other player who stayed in pays an amount equal to the pot.
Also known as 2 plus 1, 2+1
Two plus One uses a standard 52-card deck without jokers and the match-pot betting of Guts. There are no wild cards.
The object is to hold the best three-card hand among the players who stay in, or to be the only player who stays in.
Before play, the players shall agree the ante and, as in Guts, it is wise to agree a maximum amount that can be won or lost on a single deal.
If the pot is empty, every player pays the agreed ante into it.
The dealer deals two cards face down to each player, one at a time and clockwise. Each player looks at their own cards.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Deal | Two cards face down to each player |
| Declare | Each player declares in or out |
| Third card | One more card to each player who is in |
| Showdown | Best three-card hand wins; other players who were in match the pot |
Each player declares in or out, in turn or simultaneously, as in Guts.
As in Guts, if only one player is in, that player takes the pot.
If two or more players are in, the dealer deals each of them a third card.
The players who are in show their three cards, and the best hand wins the pot. Hands rank as in three-card Guts, highest first:
4.1(a) Three of a kind.
4.1(b) Straight flush: three cards in sequence in the same suit.
4.1(c) Straight: three cards in sequence.
4.1(d) Flush: three cards of the same suit.
4.1(e) Pair.
4.1(f) High card.
Some groups rank a straight flush above three of a kind, or a flush above a straight. The order shall be agreed before play.
Every other player who was in pays an amount equal to the pot. These payments form the pot for the next deal. Tied winners share the pot.
The third card completes a straight flush
Player A holds 9♥10♥ and Player B holds K♣K♠. Both declare in.
A's third card is J♥, making 9-10-J of hearts, a straight flush. B's third card is 4♦, leaving a pair of kings.
A straight flush beats a pair, so Player A wins the pot and Player B pays an amount equal to it.
Second declaration. Players who stay in for the third card pay an extra ante, then declare in or out again after seeing it. A player who drops out at this point loses only the extra ante, not a payment equal to the pot.
Any of the options used in Guts, such as a ghost hand or a single loser, may be added if the dealer announces them before the deal.
For a game with more stages, see Three Five Seven.
Two to start. Players who declare in receive a third card, and the best three-card hand wins.
Usually three of a kind is highest, then straight flush, straight, flush, pair and high card. Some groups change the order of the top hands, so agree it before play.
In the basic game, yes. In a common variation, players pay an extra ante for the third card and then declare again.
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.
Two plus One Rules · OPR-629 · officialpokerrules.com/two-plus-one/