Which hands and variations are best in criss cross poker? Know here
Criss Cross poker is essentially a variation of the mainstream Stud, a popular stud-based table game. Players begin with two hole cards and strive to improve with three community cards in that game; however, in Criss Cross Poker, the community cards are increased to five.
The name criss cross refers to the “cross-like” form created by fitting the five community cards not just left and right, but also up and down.
Rules of the game
Criss Cross Poker game is the one in which players use a conventional 52 deck of card to play. To commence, each person must put two equal-value ante bets, one for the across the hand and the one for a down hand. A five Card Bonus is also a possibility for the player.
The dealer will then deal the five community cards that faces down in a cross formation. After that, every player is dealt two cards that face down. The players are allowed to look at their cards.
Each player has the choice of placing the “Across” bet and forfeiting the ante wagers. These “Across” wager have to be 1 or 3 times their ante wager. Then the dealer will flip over the two outside cards once each player has put the “Across” wager.
The dealer gives each player the option of betting “Down” or forfeiting all previous bets. The “Down” bet must be equal to or more than their ante bet. The dealer will turn over the two outside cards on the vertical line of the cross after each player has put the “Down” wager.
The dealer gives each player the option of placing the “Middle” bet or forfeiting all previous bets. The “Middle” bet must be between 1 and 3 times their ante bet. The dealer will flip over the middle card on the cross after each player has placed the “Middle” stake.
The dealer then reveals the player’s cards. The player forms an Across hand with their two cards plus the three cards on the cross’s horizontal line and a Down hand with their two cards plus the three cards on the cross’s vertical line.
The paytable determines how much winning across and Down hands are worth. The Middle Bet is paid at the odds of the highest-ranked hand if either the across or Down bets are winners. If the across Bet is a push and the Down Bet loses, the Middle Bet is likewise a push, and vice versa if the across Bet loses, and the Down Bet is a push. The Middle Bet is also a push if both the across and Down bets are pushed. Only if both the across and Down bets lose does the Middle Bet lose.
The two ante bets are paid even money on qualifying hands for their respective hands. Any paid bet qualifies as a qualifying hand (pair of Jacks or Better). A push occurs when a pair of 6s through 10s is dealt, and all other outcomes result in the ante bets being forfeited.
It might be difficult to learn this poker game. Use this Criss Cross Poker strategy guide for beginners to help you make better judgments. The following is a summary of the strategy for playing this game:
Strategy Tips
First, the 2x bet amount should never be accessible on the Across, Down, or Middle bets. When continuing, you should always wager 1x or 3x or fold.
You should only fold the Across Bet if your two hole cards are unsuited, unpaired, and the highest card is a 5 or below. When holding a suited Q J or any pair, only make the 3x maximum Across Bet. You should make the 1x minimum Across Bet with all other hole cards.
Follow the same broad criteria as the Across Bet for the Down Bet while accounting for the newly revealed cards. You should increase the maximum if these cards help enhance your hand or offer it the chance to develop.
