Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/8035
LEARNING THE GAME: MEXICAN 10 By: Daniel Albert Although Cinco De Mayo may be a couple of months away, we here at Live are getting into the celebratory spirit a bit early. No, we aren't talking about downing shot after shot of tequila on spring break, we are talking about one of Southern California's favorite casino staples, Mexican Poker. Mexican Poker is an adaptation of poker that is similar to 5-card stud and is played with an everyday standard deck of cars that has been "stripped" down to 41 cards by removing the 8's, 9's and 10's. The Joker however will remain in the deck. To receive a hand, each player posts a collection when required and the cards are then dealt clockwise, beginning to the left of the dealer button, which will rotate clockwise after each hand is complete. Each player receives a total of 5 cards, one of which must be face down. After the first two cards are dealt, (one card up and one card down), a betting round will begin. The player with the high card clockwise of the dealer button will make a forced opening bet, which will start the action. After the round of betting is complete, the players may expose their down-card if they wish, at their discretion. The exposing of the card must be complete prior to the deal of the third card which may be delivered up or down depending on whether or not previously dealt down cards have been opened. When the third card has been delivered, the next round of betting then occurs. The fourth and fifth cards are then dealt and played according to the same format maintaining that one card must be face down at all times and the player with the highest ranking hand wins the pot. In addition to the standard rules of the game there are several additional rules to follow. The joker plays as a "wild" in all cases when dealt face down; however, when dealt face up, it is "wild" only with Aces, Flushes and Straights. The player with the highest card clockwise of the dealer button will make a mandatory opening bet as we stated before and when the Joker is dealt face up, it will be considered an Ace for purposes of the opening bet.