If you are familiar with the poker game of Texas Hold’em then you shouldn’t have any trouble learning how to play Pineapple Poker. The only major difference with Pineapple Poker is that players are dealt three hole cards instead of two. Although at some point in the hand one of the player’s hole cards will be discarded by the player.
During each hand, players are dealt three hole or pocket cards. Then comes a round of betting before the flop (1st three community cards) is dealt. At this point, players will discard one of their hole cards so all players are left with only two cards in their hand. After that, the game continues with betting rounds just like a typical Texas Hold’em game. All players trying to make the best 5 card hand, using either both, one or none of their hole cards and three, four of all five of the community cards.
One variation to the Pineapple Poker game is called ‘Crazy Pineapple’. This variation is different in that players will discard one of their three hole cards after the flop and before the second round of betting has begun.
The other variation of Pineapple Poker that you will se is ‘Super Eight’. In this variation players do not discard any of their hole cards and the game is played just like Texas Hold’em but players may chose to use any or all of their hole cards to make the best five card hand.
There are only a couple online poker rooms that currently offer any variety of Pineapple Poker. Those rooms are Ultimate Bet and Paradise Poker. It is highly unlikely that you will find a Pineapple tournament. Games are usually at cash tables with very low limits.
Once more players start enjoying the game of Pineapple Poker, we may see more online poker rooms offering it to their players.