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California Poker Rules

Objective​

California Poker is a card game where players exchange cards and compete to make the best five-card poker hand. Each player receives 8 cards with all 16 cards visible to both players, selects 4 to swap with the other player, and keeps the other 4. The player who can make the best five-card poker hand from their 8 cards after swapping wins.

Setup​

  • Each player receives 8 cards, all shown face up
  • Cards are displayed sorted in rank order

Gameplay​

Card Selection Phase​

  1. Both players view their 8 cards simultaneously and can see their opponents cards
  2. Each player selects 4 cards to keep
  3. The 4 cards not selected are automatically swapped with the opponent
  4. Players wait for their opponent to complete their selection

Hand Evaluation​

After cards swap:

  • Each player now has 8 cards (4 they kept + 4 received from opponent)
  • Each player constructs the best possible five-card poker hand from their 8 cards
  • Standard poker hand rankings apply (see Hand Rankings below)

Determining the Winner​

The player with the highest-ranking five-card poker hand wins the hand.

Hand Rankings​

From highest to lowest:

  1. Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit
  2. Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit
  3. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
  4. Full House: Three cards of the same rank plus two other cards of the same rank
  5. Flush: Five cards of the same suit (not in sequence)
  6. Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits
  7. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
  8. Two Pair: Two different pairs of same rank cards
  9. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank
  10. High Card: When no other hand is made, the highest card wins

Game Flow​

  1. Cards Shown: Both players view their 8 cards
  2. Card Selection: Each player picks 4 cards to swap
  3. Wait for Opponent: Wait for opponent to complete selection (may be skipped if opponent finishes first)
  4. Results Shown: Winner is determined and results displayed
  5. Next Hand or End: Options to start a new hand or end the session
  6. End Session: Session may end due to:
    • Playing on-chain
    • Insufficient balance (yours or opponent's)
    • You or opponent declined to continue