Big2 Poker Rules

The player holding the lowest ranked card starts by playing any card set of their choice. Each player, in turn, plays a higher card set consisting of the same number of cards or passes. This continues until all players have passed. The player that played last then starts a new round by playing any card set they want. The game ends when any player has played all of their cards.

Passing doesn't prevent you from playing subsequent rounds in the same game.

Possible card sets

# of cards	Name	Example
5	Straight Flush
5	4 of a Kind + Kicker
5	Full House
5	Flush
5	Straight
3	3 of a Kind
2	Pair
1	Single

The ranks and suits are also ordered. In descending order, the cards are ranked 2 A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 (hence the name, 'Big2'.) Again in descending order, suits go ♠♥♣♦, making 3♦ the lowest card. Card rank supersedes suit.

When comparing flushes, the ranks of the 5 cards are compared one by one. If all 5 ranks are identical, the stronger suit wins.

Let's say Player A begins by playing a single 3♦, every subsequent hand in that round must play single cards. Had Player A played a pair (2 cards), then all players must play pairs or pass in that round.

Player B can only follow with another single card higher than the 3♦, say a 9♥ was played.

Player C is now restricted to singles higher than 9♥, that is, 9♠ or any 10, J, Q, K, A, or 2. If C holds no singles higher than 9♥, (or, more likely, wishes to hold onto multiple higher cards for later rounds), Player C will pass.

The play continues around the table until no player can beat the last card played. The player who played the last card then starts a new round with any card set they want.

When 2♠ is played alone, or as part of a pair or 3 of a Kind, all opponents automatically pass. A player also passes if he/she holds fewer cards than the number of cards played in the preceding hand.

Using twos and aces in straights

2's and Aces may be used in High or Low straights

• 2 3 4 5 6
• A 2 3 4 5
• 10 J Q K A
• J Q K A 2

When determining how much each player wins or loses each player's remaining cards are counted and multiplied by the limit of the game. For example if you are playing in a 25¢ game and are left with 4 cards after another player goes out you lose $1 (4 cards X 25¢=$1.00)

Players hands are compared to each player separately, For example, if you are left with 5 cards when a player goes out, you owe that player 5 units. If another player is left with 2 cards, you owe that player 3 units. If another player is left with 8 cards, that player owes you 3 units.

1 card left rule

When a player has 1 card left, the previous player (the assistant) must play their best possible card set to prevent the next player from winning. The assistant can play a multiple-card set or the highest possible single card.

If the assistant fails to play their highest card set, and the player with only 1 card left goes out, the assistant must cover all other player's losses and cannot take money from the other players.

This rule does not apply to 2 player Big2 poker games.