Introduction
3-5-7 is an interesting variant of traditional Guts Poker that incorporates additional rounds of play and fluctuating wild cards.
The changing wild cards from round to round adds an extra element of complexity and chance. Excelling at this game requires bold decision-making, close observation of opponents, and clever use of the wilds.
Note that there is a table game with the same name, however, that’s different.
Goal
The goal of 3-5-7 poker is to win the accumulated pot by being the last player remaining in play over multiple rounds. This is achieved by avoiding having the lowest hand when calling to stay in the action.
Setup and Ante
To begin, the game is played with a standard 52-card deck and poker chips. Each participating player must ante into the pot before the first round starts.
The ante amount is variable but should be sufficiently meaningful. Once anted, each player is dealt three hole cards to start the game.
Wild Cards
A key aspect of 3-5-7 is the fluctuating wild cards each round.
- For the first round, all 3s are wild.
- In the second round, 5s become wild.
- Finally, in the third round, 7s are wild.
The changing wilds add complexity in hand assessment.
Gameplay
The first round of gameplay begins with the players inspecting their 3-card hands, including any wild 3s.
A decision must be made whether to stay in the round by matching the ante, or fold. Players indicate their choice by hiding a chip to secretly stay in, or an empty hand to fold.
Once all choices are made, hands are revealed only between the remaining players. The player holding the lowest hand must match the pot amount and pay the player with the highest hand.
Important: the pot stays in place for future rounds.
Second Round
The second round starts with an additional two cards dealt to each remaining player, now making five cards in hand. 5s are now wild.
The ante process repeats, players must decide again to fold or stay in the round.
Following reveals between active players, the lowest 5-card hand pays out the pot amount to the highest hand. Again, the pot remains for the next round.
Final Round
In the third and final round, two more cards are dealt to bring each player’s total to seven. 7s are now wild. One last ante decision is made to fold or continue.
The remaining players then compare the best 5-card hands made from their 7 cards. As before, the lowest hand must match and pay the pot amount to the player with the strongest poker hand.
At the conclusion of the third round, the game ends, and the pot is finally awarded to the last remaining player. The game also concludes early if a player is able to win five consecutive rounds.
Strategy Tips
- Leverage All 7 Cards – Carefully consider how new cards may improve or alter hand potential across all 7 cards when deciding to stay in later rounds.
- Watch for Tells – Keep a close eye on opponent mannerisms for potential tells that may betray hand strength or intent.
- Consider Bluffing – Bluffing by staying in with weaker hands can be effective in forcing opponents out of later rounds. Just be prepared to pay if caught!
