California Split Poker is an exciting poker variant that combines elements of traditional poker with unique rules for splitting the pot. This game can be played with a 'bug' or a 'joker' wildcard. Here's how to play:
The objective of California Split Poker is to win the pot by having the best hand or by strategically splitting the pot with another player. The game uses high-low split rules to determine the winners.
Each player is dealt five hole cards face down. A round of betting follows, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
Players can discard any number of their hole cards and draw new ones from the deck to replace them. Another round of betting follows.
The twist in California Split Poker comes after the draw. The pot is split into two: one half for the best high hand and one half for the best low hand. A low hand must be 8-high or lower (Ace counts as low).
After the final round of betting, players reveal their hands. The player with the best high hand wins half the pot, and the player with the best qualifying low hand wins the other half. If no low hand qualifies, the best high hand wins the entire pot.
California Split Poker follows standard poker hand rankings for high hands:
For low hands, the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 (a "wheel").