How to Play Irish Poker: Traditional & Drinking Game Rules

What is Irish Poker?

Irish poker is truly a mix of the rules of Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker. Players start with four hole cards, as if playing Omaha, but must discard two cards after the flop. The remainder of the hand plays like a standard Texas Hold’em hand. Irish poker is popular live card game and online also, which is why there are Irish Poker tournaments almost every day.

Basic Irish Poker Rules

Pre-flop action in this game works just like in regular Omaha Poker. The player to the left of the dealer button places the small blind, and the next player to their left places the big blind. Each player is then dealt four cards, starting with the small blind. The betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind and moves around the table. If no one raises before the action reaches the big blind, the big blind can choose to check.

The flop is dealt just like in Omaha or Hold’em: three community cards are placed face up on the table. A new betting round begins, starting with the first active player to the left of the dealer button. Once all bets are placed, the remaining players must discard two of their four cards. After this, the game continues exactly like Texas Hold’em through the turn and river.

Irish Poker Hand Rankings

Below, we have created a comprehensive table that ranks the possible hands in Irish Poker from strongest to weakest. Familiarising yourself with these rankings will help you make better decisions at the table, whether it’s time to raise your bet or fold your cards.

COMBO NAME:	Description:	EXAMPLE OF HAND:
1 Royal Flush	The highest possible hand, consisting of A, K, Q, J, and 10, all of the same suit.	The highest possible hand, consisting of A, K, Q, J, and 10, all of the same suit.
2 Straight Flush	Five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5, 4, 3, 2, and A of hearts.	Five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5, 4, 3, 2, and A of hearts.
3 Four of a Kind	Four cards of the same rank, for example, four Aces.	Four cards of the same rank, for example, four Aces.
4 Full House	A hand made up of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, like 3 Aces and 2 Kings.	A hand made up of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, like 3 Aces and 2 Kings.
5 Flush	Any five cards of the same suit that aren’t in sequential order, such as A, K, Q, J, and 9 of clubs.	Any five cards of the same suit that aren’t in sequential order, such as A, K, Q, J, and 9 of clubs.
6 Straight	Five cards in sequential order, regardless of suit, such as A of clubs, K of hearts, Q of diamonds, J of spades, and 10 of hearts.	Five cards in sequential order, regardless of suit, such as A of clubs, K of hearts, Q of diamonds, J of spades, and 10 of hearts.
7 Three of a Kind	Three cards of the same rank, for instance, three Aces.	Three cards of the same rank, for instance, three Aces.
8 Two Pair	Two pairs of cards with matching ranks, such as 2 Aces and 2 Kings.	Two pairs of cards with matching ranks, such as 2 Aces and 2 Kings.
9 One Pair	Two cards of the same rank, like two Aces.	Two cards of the same rank, like two Aces.
10 High Card	The weakest hand, determined by the highest single card, with Ace being the strongest.	The weakest hand, determined by the highest single card, with Ace being the strongest.

Example of an Irish Poker Table Game

To provide a clear understanding of how Irish Poker unfolds, we have modelled an example of a typical game table for you. This illustration highlights the dynamics and strategic decisions players face in each phase of the game, from the initial betting round to the final showdown.

At the beginning of the game, Player A receives A Q 10 8 , while Player B is dealt K K J 7 . Both players carefully evaluate their hands, with Player A noting the potential for straights and flushes, and Player B holding a strong pair of Kings. After placing initial bets, the community cards, known as the flop, are revealed as J 9 5 . The flop provides Player A with flush and straight possibilities, while Player B achieves a strong top pair and a possible straight draw.

During the discard phase, Player A decides to hold onto A Q for the flush potential, discarding the remaining cards, while Player B retains K K for the strong pair and the slim chance of a flush. The turn and river cards, 2 and 6 , solidify Player A’s flush, securing them the winning hand against Player B’s Kings. This example demonstrates the importance of evaluating odds and adapting strategies during Irish Poker’s unique discard phase.

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What Should I Discard in Irish Poker?

Board texture and flop action are key when deciding your next move in Irish Poker. If you flop top pair but face strong resistance, it’s likely your opponent has a stronger hand, like a set or a nut draw.

Pay attention to the flop: are there draws on the board? If so, are you chasing the nuts, or do you have a top pair? In Irish Poker, top pair is often a weaker hand, especially when there are draws. It’s usually better to avoid sticking with the top pair if a draw is present.

If no draws connect on the flop, focus on your pairs and hold onto your best kicker. However, if a draw completes on the board, avoid chasing weak draws or low straight draws unless it’s very cheap or free to play. Chances are, someone started with a stronger pre-flop drawing hand.

While there aren’t many dedicated Irish Poker strategy guides, you can improve by learning from similar games. Check out resources like A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Omaha Hi-Lo Poker or PLO Top Strategy and Commandments to sharpen your skills and become a better player.

Playing the Irish Poker Drinking Game

Our reservations about cultural stereotypes aside there is also a popular drinking game called Irish Poker which plays nothing like what you read above. The Irish Poker drinking game has a lot of similarities to Ride the Bus, another popular drinking game, but this online poker game has its own clear rules and variations.

Best Strategies for Irish Poker

In Irish Poker, it’s best to think like an Omaha player before the flop. This means you should focus on starting hands that give you plenty of options to build a strong hand. Based on our experience, here are the types of hands you should aim for:

• Double Big Pairs: Hands like AAKK, KKQQ, or QQJJ give you strong pair combinations.
• Double Suited Cards: Look for hands like AH8H, KD10D, or QH9H to increase your chances of hitting a flush.
• Wraps: Hands like KQJT, QJT9, or J1098 give you multiple ways to make straights.
• High Pairs with Connectors: Hands like KKJT, QQ109, or KKJ9 combine strong pairs with potential straight possibilities.

If your four cards don’t work well together before the flop, it’s better to wait for a stronger hand.

Want to dive deeper into strong Omaha starting hands? Check out our guide: Pot-Limit Omaha: Best Starting Hands.

Tips for Winning at Irish Poker

Through extensive analysis of numerous poker strategies, we’ve compiled a list of invaluable tips to help you excel at Irish Poker. By following these suggestions, you’ll be well on your way to improving your gameplay and increasing your chances of winning:

Things You Should Know About Irish Poker

Irish poker is fun variant of the two most played poker games and there are many other poker variations out there. By learning all the poker rules of different poker forms you become better player, but can also start playing in the multi-game poker tournaments like H.O.R.S.E and 8-game. Winning the multi-game pokers is a true sign of a real poker master and that is why these are also present at the most entertaining live poker extravaganza. So, are you ready to play different poker styles? Check out our complete list of different poker rules.

Best Sites to Try Irish Poker Online

Now that you have familiarised yourself with all the nuances of Irish Poker, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. We encourage you to explore the best sites where you can try your hand at this exciting game and enhance your skills further. Take the next step and experience the thrill of Irish Poker online!