Objective
Hold the best poker hand when the deal is done. Once the cards are out there are no decisions to make, which makes Cold Hands a good way to teach hand rankings to new players, or a quick round to play between hands of something with more strategy.
Setup
Agree on the ante. Every player puts it in the pot before the deal. Shuffle well and have the player on the dealer’s right cut.
Each player needs five cards, so one deck covers up to ten players. Clear enough space in front of each seat for five cards to sit face up in a row.
How to play
The dealer deals five cards to each player, one at a time and face up, going around the table five times. The hands build in front of everyone, card by card. A pair showing after two rounds may still lose to a straight that only appears on the last card, which is where the fun of the game lives.
When every player has five cards, compare the hands. The best hand under standard poker rankings takes the pot. Nobody draws, nobody bets, and nobody folds: the ante is the only money in play.
Then the deal passes to the left and everyone antes for the next hand.
- 1Everyone antes
- 2Deal five cards to each player, one at a time, face up
- 3Compare hands using standard poker rankings
- 4Best hand takes the pot; the deal passes left
Winning
There are no points. The best five-card hand wins the pot.
| Hand | What it is |
|---|---|
| Five of a kind | Only possible with wild cards |
| Straight flush | Five cards in sequence, all one suit; ace-high is a royal flush |
| Four of a kind | Four cards of one rank |
| Full house | Three of a kind plus a pair |
| Flush | Five cards of one suit |
| Straight | Five cards in sequence, mixed suits |
| Three of a kind | Three cards of one rank |
| Two pair | Two different pairs |
| One pair | Two cards of one rank |
| High card | None of the above; the highest card plays |
When two hands are the same type, the higher cards win: a pair of kings beats a pair of nines, and if the pairs match, the highest side card decides. With two pair, compare the higher pair first, then the lower pair, then the fifth card. Hands that are exactly equal split the pot. Suits never break a tie.
Variations
Wild cards: name a rank wild, often the twos, or add a joker. A wild card stands for any card you like, and five of a kind becomes possible as the top hand.
High-low: the best hand and the lowest hand split the pot. Agree beforehand whether straights and flushes count against a low hand.
No stakes: skip the ante and give one point to the winner of each deal. First to five points wins. This is a good way to teach children the hand rankings.
Tips from the table
Since nobody makes a choice, the only thing you control is the ante. Keep it small enough that a cold streak stays fun.
Use the game to learn the rankings. Before anyone claims the pot, have each player name their own hand out loud, and let the table check.
Settle close calls slowly. Two pair against two pair, or a flush against a flush, is where most arguments start. Compare from the top card down until one hand is higher.
Video Guides Are on the Way
We’re filming Game Guides that walk through full hands at the table, from the deal to the score.
Frequently asked
Is there any betting in Cold Hands?
No. The ante is the only money that goes in. If you add betting rounds, you are really playing a form of stud poker.
Can I fold?
No. Your ante is already in and your hand is shown to everyone, so there is nothing to fold.
What if two players have the same hand?
They split the pot. Suits do not rank in standard poker, so two flushes with the same card values are equal.
How many people can play?
Up to ten with one deck, since each player needs five cards. Four to eight is the sweet spot.
New rules every month
Get the next game before it hits the site.
