Features of Irish-style poker

One of the more exotic forms of poker, Irish-style poker, has been gaining popularity since its inclusion in the Full Tilt Poker room. It’s not much different from classic Texas Hold’em, but the game has seen increasing interest. 

The deck includes 72 cards and the first difference is in the distribution. Instead of two cards, the poker player holds 4 cards. After the flop, the 2 unwanted cards are discarded and the rules don’t differ from the classic game.  But it’s this difference, in the form of four cards at the beginning, that gives the player some freedom and opportunity to create an unorthodox situation. For example, many players look at the flop regardless of the hand, as the odds increase.

The starting hand in the game

The rules of Irish poker resemble the classic version in many respects, but the strategy of play has its own peculiarities.

Among the oldest pairs at the start are:

1. QQTT+ high pairs.
2. Axs+ single-handed aces.
3. Flush and straight draws – KQJT and so on.
4. Senior pairs with unpaired high cards.

The choice of a playable hand should be made as carefully as possible. You must always consider the fact that the probability of the other player having a draw combination is too high.

How the postflop is played

Of course, at this stage, the maximum effect is top sets, straight or flush draws from an ace. In the case of a weaker hand, you need to play more cautiously, especially in a situation where the betting battle is very tight.  It is always wise to evaluate weak sets and pairs, even strong ones. Practice suggests that a player often loses with such a hand.

But on the other hand, a good top-set gives the player a serious advantage.  And even two cards of the same suit on the flop can give great action to a player with a top set.  Especially in a situation where the flop is of interest to more than one poker player at a time. In that case, everyone’s chances of a flush are reduced.

Further draws should focus on flush draws from aces, because with a weaker hand the chances of losing the flush increase. In addition, one should be very careful or even avoid the straight draw on a paired board and a board with the same suit. And always remember to discard two cards out of four.

An additional feature of the game is that you can pick a hand on the postflop more often than not. And if a poker player has a good pair on the re-flop and already knows what he’s going to fold, things can turn around after the flop. All the more reason to analyse the play of your opponents.

And if you approach the game competently, it can be not only an exciting pastime, but also a source of profit.