Slippery Sam

This game is related to Red Dog.

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

Ideally six to eight, but two or more can play.

As normal (Ace high). Suits are not ranked.

Players aim to hold a card in the same suit, but of a higher rank than the banker's card.

Dealer is by high cut.

Standard.

The banker places in the centre of the table the amount he wishes to put at risk. This is any amount above an agreed minimum.

The banker deals three cards to each player, dealing them one at a time, face down. He then deals one card face up to himself.

Players bet without looking at their hands. Play begins with the player to the banker's left. He may agree or refuse to bet against the exposed banker's card.

1) If he agrees, he bets any amount he chooses, above an agreed minimum, up to the total amount in the bank. He then looks at his cards. If he holds a card in the same suit, but of higher rank than the banker's card, he wins; if not, he loses.

2) Alternatively, he refuses to bet against the exposed banker's card. In this case he says, "Deal me another card." For this privilege he must pay into the bank an amount equal to one fifth of the bank (or, under alternative rules, he pays a previously agreed amount).

The exposed banker's card is then discarded, and another card dealt from the top of the pack face up onto the table. This becomes the new banker's card. The player either bets against this card in the usual way, or pays again for a new banker's card to be dealt.

A player may reject the banker's card up to three times on a single hand, paying the same amount each time. After the third rejection, the player may either bet in the usual way against the banker's card now exposed, or he may pass his turn without betting.

3) If the player has bet and won, he shows his winning card only. His bet is returned, plus an equal amount from the bank. If he has bet and lost, he shows all his hand, and his bet is added to the bank. Whether he has won or lost, his hand is then added face down to a discard pile.

4) Bet and play then pass one player to the left, and continue in the same way. Each player's turn begins with the banker's card on which the last player bet or passed; a new banker's card is dealt only when paid for.

When all players except the banker have had a turn, the banker collects whatever amount is now in the bank. Bank and deal then pass one player to the left.

If the bank is emptied (bust) before each player has had a turn, the bank and deal pass immediately.

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