The history of the game of poker has continually evolved since it was originally created (“modern” poker allegedly was invented in 1829 here in the United States, although there is argument that the game goes back much farther than that). There are a host of variations that can be played and each of those choices has its particular set of pros and cons. A new variation of the game is now being tried out in the bastion of casino gaming, Las Vegas, and – if it catches on – would provide yet another way to play the world’s favorite pastime.
According to Dave Ferrara at Pokerati.com, the Palms Casino Resort is trying out a new variation of poker that, from Ferrara’s impression, may bring another style of poker to the forefront of the community. Created by Californian Bruce Paul, it is called “2-11 Poker” and, while it presents some of the nuances of several current disciplines of the game, it also seems to provide something for everyone: a fast-paced, action oriented variation with the potential for several players to take part in each hand.
Paul created the game (it has a patent-pending, according to Ferrara) in 2005 and has also devised variations on the format. In 2-11, players are dealt four cards and a round of betting is held. On the flop in this game, there are only two cards that hit the felt and another round of betting occurs. The turn is one card (followed by betting) and the river is one card (with a final round of action) before a winner is determined.
Here’s where things gets a bit exciting for the players on the felt. Using the four hole cards, a player can either use two or three of those cards to create the best five card hand in coordination with the board. From a precursory look at the rules, this basically means that a player could conceivably flop a monster hand (such as a straight or royal flush) or hit a big hand at virtually any point in the proceedings due to being able to use three hole cards.
Paul points out to Ferrara that the game is more about reading the opponents than working the mathematics of the hands and that does seem to be the case. While the math is almost ingrained into the DNA of players in many variations of the game (Texas and Omaha Hold’em come to mind in particular), in 2-11 a player is left to reading the opposition and judging their demeanor in determining the correct approach to the hand in front of them. Putting a player on a particular hand is almost impossible, Ferrara writes on Pokerati, because of all the possible permutations.
2-11 also has several different methods in which it can be played. Ferrara sat in on the game earlier this month when it was a $2/$4 fixed limit game, but he also believes that it can be played in a pot limit or no limit format. Ferrara has also devised variations that include High, Hi/Lo and a “Pineapple” version of 2-11, where players get five cards pre-flop and dispose of one of those cards once the two-card flop is dealt.
The Palms is also not the only card room dealing the game (the Nevada Gaming Control Board has approved the test of 2-11 for a 120-day period). According to Ferrara, 2-11 is also being spread at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. In an article from Poker Pro Magazine, the Bike reports that they has been an increase in the number of new players coming to the tables for the 2-11 variation but there are no reports as of yet from the Palms as to the success of the game.
Time will be the true test of whether 2-11 poker catches on with the populace. If other casinos pick up the game – or, better yet, the format catches on as a tournament variation – then Paul may possibly see his game enter into the numerous disciplines of the game. With that in mind, could we see a 2-11 World Series of Poker event down the road? It is a possibility…