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Break Poker
Introduction
Break Poker is a unique card game inspired by rummy and shares some features with other classic card games. Pai Gow Poker In this game, both players and the dealer receive a total of seven cards each. From these seven, players must choose five cards to create one two-card low hand and one three-card high hand. It's important to note that the low hand cannot be stronger than the high hand, similar to the rules seen in Pai Gow Poker. The main goal is to beat the dealer by forming a superior combination of hands.
As of now, this exciting game can be enjoyed at The Orleans, located in Las Vegas.
Rules
It employs a conventional 52-card deck alongside a joker, which acts as a semi-wild card capable of representing either an ace or helping to complete a three-of-a-kind or a straight.
The rankings for three-card hands in this game are structured as follows, listed from highest to lowest:
- Three of a Kind. The strongest possible three of a kind is A-A-A, while the weakest is 2-2-2.
- Straight. The highest straight is Q-K-A, and the lowest one is A-2-3.
- Pair. The strongest pair is A-A-K, and the least powerful is 2-2-3.
- High Card Hand. The highest configuration in this category is A-K-J, while the lowest is 5-3-2.
The rankings for two-card hands are defined as follows, starting from the strongest:
- Pair. The top pair is A-A and the lowest is 2-2.
- High Card Hand. A-K is the strongest in this type, while 3-2 is the weakest.
In this game, standard poker rules apply when evaluating hands against each other. For instance, A-A-2 defeats K-K-Q, and 3-A beats K-Q.
A 'Lucky Break' is defined as having a combination of a pair together with either a three of a kind or a straight. Such a hand triump over a regular hand, no matter the rank of the individual two-card and three-card hands.
To initiate the game, players must place a Main Bet, with two optional side bets available.
Every player is dealt seven cards facedown, while the dealer also receives seven facedown cards.
Players will look at their cards and then pick two to form their low hand and three for their high hand, discarding the leftover cards.
The dealer reveals his hole cards.
For the dealer to qualify, they must have at least a K-3-2 as their high hand. If they do not qualify, all Main Bets result in a push.1If the dealer qualifies, they will organize their hand according to predetermined house rules, after which they will compare their hand against those of the players.
- If the dealer holds a Lucky Break and the player does not, the player will forfeit their Main Bet.
- Conversely, if the player secures a Lucky Break while the dealer does not, the player wins and receives even money on their Main Bet.
- In all other scenarios, if the player's two-card hand beats the dealer's two-card hand and their three-card hand also triumphs, the player takes the win and receives an even payout on the Main Bet.
- Similarly, if the dealer's two-card hand matches or surpasses the player's two-card hand and their three-card hand outmatches the player's three-card hand, the dealer claims victory and the player loses their Main Bet.
- In the remaining cases, the player's Main Bet results in a push.
Notes
- The concept of removing the standard 5% commission through a dealer qualification rule is touted by the creators of both Break Poker and simplified versions. EZ Pai Gow Poker Without weighing in on the legal standing of these claims, it's important to note that this is a patented concept to prevent unauthorized replication by other game developers.
House Way
The dealer is required to set their hand following these established House Way instructions:
- If the dealer can form a pair and a three of a kind, they will do so, prioritizing the highest pair for the two-card hand.
- If that’s not possible but a pair and a straight can be made, the dealer will opt for the highest pair for the two-card hand.
- In cases where the dealer can achieve a hand of no pair with a three of a kind, they will set the highest two cards for the two-card hand.
- If the dealer can establish an unpaired straight, they will utilize the highest cards possible for the two-card hand.
- In situations where the dealer can generate a pair and another pair, they will allocate the second highest pair for the two-card hand.
- If all else fails and only a pair can be made, the dealer will use the two highest cards available for their two-card hand.
- In the absence of pairs, the dealer will select the second and third highest cards for their two-card hand.
Main Bet Analysis
Optimal Strategy
The table below illustrates the probabilities and expected returns from different outcomes, driven by the assumption of optimal strategy. The bottom right section indicates a house edge fixed at 2.09%.
Main Bet Evaluation — Optimal Strategy — Comprehensive Overview
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the player has a Lucky Break but the dealer qualifies without having one. | 1 | 0.216450 | 0.216450 |
| Player wins both hands | 1 | 0.111850 | 0.111850 |
| Dealer doesn't qualify | 0 | 0.013385 | 0.000000 |
| The player emerges victorious with their two-card hand but loses with their three-card hand. | 0 | 0.004644 | 0.000000 |
| The player wins with their three-card hand while matching the dealer's two-card hand. | 0 | 0.154003 | 0.000000 |
| The player loses the two-card hand, but their three-card hand outperforms the dealer's. | 0 | 0.006911 | 0.000000 |
| In a contrasting situation, if the dealer has a Lucky Break that the player lacks. | 0 | 0.143590 | 0.000000 |
| In this case, the player matches the dealer's two-card hand but loses with their three-card hand. | -1 | 0.220735 | -0.220735 |
| Player copies both hands | -1 | 0.000380 | -0.000380 |
| The player will lose their two-card hand while managing to match the dealer's three-card hand. | -1 | 0.007393 | -0.007393 |
| Next, here's a condensed summary of the previous table. | -1 | 0.004688 | -0.004688 |
| Player loses both hands | -1 | 0.115971 | -0.115971 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.020900 |
Main Bet Evaluation — Optimal Strategy — Condensed Summary
This table lays out the likelihood and returns based on player adherence to the house way strategy. The lower right cell denotes a house edge of 2.48%.
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.328300 | 0.328300 |
| Push | 0 | 0.322533 | 0.000000 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.349167 | -0.349167 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.020868 |
House Way Strategy
Main Bet Evaluation — House Way Strategy — Detailed Overview
The dealer has a Lucky Break while the player does not.
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the player has a Lucky Break but the dealer qualifies without having one. | 1 | 0.216354 | 0.216354 |
| Player wins top, wins bottom | 1 | 0.110671 | 0.110671 |
| Dealer not qualified | 0 | 0.013408 | 0.000000 |
| Player wins top, copies bottom | 0 | 0.004763 | 0.000000 |
| Player wins top, loses bottom | 0 | 0.148323 | 0.000000 |
| Player copies top, wins bottom | 0 | 0.007390 | 0.000000 |
| Player loses top, wins bottom | 0 | 0.147264 | 0.000000 |
| Main Bet Evaluation — House Way Strategy — Summarized Overview | -1 | 0.220729 | -0.220729 |
| Player copies top, copies bottom | -1 | 0.000399 | -0.000399 |
| Player copies top, loses bottom | -1 | 0.007559 | -0.007559 |
| Player loses top, copies bottom | -1 | 0.004752 | -0.004752 |
| Player loses top, loses bottom | -1 | 0.118389 | -0.118389 |
| Totals | 1.000000 | -0.024802 |
Main Bet Evaluation — Optimal Strategy — Condensed Summary
The Dealer Break Bonus is an optional side wager that provides a 1 to 1 payout if the dealer achieves a Lucky Break, and 4 to 1 when the player also manages to secure a Lucky Break.
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.327025 | 0.327025 |
| Push | 0 | 0.321148 | 0.000000 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.351827 | -0.351827 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.024802 |
Dealer Break Bonus
The analysis results are displayed in the following table, showcasing a house edge of 5.735%.
The Break Bonus is an optional side bet that rewards based on the player's hand outcome. This table illustrates the payout structure, probabilities of different outcomes, along with the overall analysis, revealing a house edge of 7.238%.
Dealer Break Bonus Analysis
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer BREAK vs. Player BREAK | 4 | 0.100212 | 0.400848 |
| Dealer BREAK vs. Player non-BREAK | 1 | 0.220795 | 0.220795 |
| Dealer no BREAK | -1 | 0.678993 | -0.678993 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.057350 |
Break Bonus
Special thanks to my assistant, Cindy Liu, for her support in drafting this content.
Break Bonus Analysis
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Aces | 200 | 0.000007 | 0.001464 |
| Five of a Kind, 2's to K's | 100 | 0.000088 | 0.008781 |
| Pair with Trips | 6 | 0.041408 | 0.248448 |
| Pair with AKQ | 3 | 0.034206 | 0.102618 |
| Pair with Straight, 32A to KQJ | 1 | 0.245300 | 0.245300 |
| No Lucky Break | -1 | 0.678991 | -0.678991 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.072379 |
Acknowledgements
- eTable Games for supplying the math report, byCharles Mousseau , and photo of the game.
- Accurate mathematical strategies and insights for a variety of casino games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and many others, are available.