Cincinnati

specialtymedium complexity2-8 players (ideal: 6)

Also known as: Cincinnati Poker, Lamebrains

Each player receives five hole cards and five community cards are dealt face down to the center. Community cards are revealed one at a time with a betting round after each. Players make the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. With 10 total cards to work from, very strong hands are common.

Quick Rules

  1. Each player is dealt 5 cards face down.
  2. 5 community cards are placed face down in the center.
  3. Community cards are revealed one at a time, with a betting round after each (5 rounds).
  4. Players make the best 5-card hand from any combination of their 5 hole cards and 5 community cards.
  5. No requirement to use a specific number of hole cards (unlike Omaha).
  6. Standard hand rankings apply.
Cards Dealt
5
Community
5
Bet Rounds
5
Hand Rankings
standard high

Strategy Notes

With 10 cards available, full houses and flushes are very common. Evaluate the maximum possible hand given the community cards and assume opponents hold strong hands. Pairs in your hand are more valuable since they can easily become trips or full houses.

Home Game Tips

Plays well as a change-of-pace game. Maximum 8 players (40 hole cards + 5 community + burns). Expect bigger pots and stronger winning hands than Hold'em. Can be played hi-lo for an extra layer of strategy.

Home Game
good
Tournament
not applicable
community-cardhome-game-classicbig-handsaction-heavy