Banker and Broker

This simple game has very fast betting action. Also known as Dutch Bank and Blind Hookey, it is played in a number of slightly different ways.

a) One standard pack of 52 cards;
b) Betting chips or cash.

Two or more.

Rank of cards is normal (Ace high). Suits are not ranked.

Players try to bet on a card of higher denomination than that bet on by the banker.

Banker is determined by high cut.

Standard.

These are agreed beforehand.

1) The banker cuts a number of sections from the pack: one for himself and one for each of the other players.
2) The other players lay bets on their sections by placing chips (or cash) beside them.
3) The banker turns all the sections face up to show the bottom cards.
4) The banker collects the bets on sections showing a lower denomination card than his own. He pays 1 to 1 on sections showing a card of higher denomination.

1) Discarding the bottom card: Either the banker removes and discards the bottom card from the pack before cutting, or he leaves an unused bottom section after cutting.
2) Timing of bets: Bets are placed either before or after the sections are cut.
3) Numberof sections cut: Either, the banker cuts one section for each player and one for himself (up to a limit of seven), and each player may bet only on the section cut for him; Or, the banker cuts three sections, two for the players and one for himself, and each player bets at will on either or both of the players' sections; Or, the banker cuts as many sections as he likes, varying the number from deal to deal, if he wishes, and the players bet as they please, but leave one section for the banker.
4) When the banker's denomination is the that bet on by a player: Either the bank wins, or the player's bet is returned.
5) Change of banker: Either the bank passes one player to the left after each deal or set number of deals; Or, players cut for the bank after each deal or set of number of deals; Or, the bank is passed when a player bets on an Ace. If two players (or player and banker) both have an Ace, or if two players have bet on the same Ace, the deck is cut, and the bank goes to the player with the higher card.

From 'The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games'
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd 1979