PINEAPPLE POKER The Wynn, MGM Grand and Treasure Island are three of the biggest casino hotels on the Las Vegas “Strip” and between them they have powered a variation of Texas Holde’m into the limelight with some real success. Pineapple poker is a tasty blend of Hold’em and Omaha and the key difference in pure poker terms is that the players are dealt three hole cards instead of Hold’em’s standard two and Omaha’s four. Key Hold’em institutions like the “button” and the “blinds” remain familiar terms in Pineapple poker. One of Pineapple poker’s peculiarities is that you must muck one of your three hole cards prior to the flop being set down. The flop, turn and river betting then follows in exactly the same manner as a traditional game of Hold’em.
CRAZY, ME OL’ FRUIT Another variation of this poker game is known as “Crazy Pineapple” which allows players to retain their third hole card until after the flop creating the need for a dramatic strategic adjustment. This adjustment takes the form of players being forced to decide whether to stick with “made” but potentially vulnerable hands or to draw for stronger hands like a flush or a straight. Either variety of Pineapple poker creates a real action game and pots are more often than not contested multi-way.
IT’S GOING ONLINE I’m drawing your attention to the game because you will note a lot of the big online poker sites will be introducing one or both varieties of Pineapple poker into their game selections during 2007. It’s a hoot to play, very easy to get along with and well worth a try if you’re looking for a change of pace occasionally.
WHEN TO PLAY SLOW Slow-playing can result very easily in a free card going to an opponent and strengthening their position against you cheaply which is one reason why it’s not used often by seasoned players. These days to make slow-play really worthwhile you have to have something very powerful like maybe holding two Kings when the other two Kings are showing on the board. Most of your opponents are going to assume from the flop that the best hand out there is probably two pair: The Kings on the board and a pair of hole cards. Four-of-a-kind is unlikely to be on anyone’s mind. If you draw this kind of a game situation out well it’s usually too late by the time your opposition wakes up to the scam and the pot’s already been built up to the right kind of reward for four-of-a-kind.
