ThreeFour War

How to Play

ThreeFour War is a split-pot war game with two winners. One half of the pot goes to the best 3-card hand and the other to the best 4-card hand — but each winner must also beat a hidden dummy hand in the middle, and each group plays for high or low. Hands are scored on total points: Ace = 1 (low) or 11 (high), 10 through King = 10, and every other card its face value.

A hand, step by step

1. Ante & deal. Everyone antes. Each player gets one card face-down, and two dummy piles go to the middle — one of 4 cards (it will make the best 3-card hand) and one of 6 cards (the best 4-card hand).
2. Bet, then build to three. A betting round follows the down card. Then players are dealt up-cards one at a time, each followed by a betting round, until everyone has three cards (one down, two up). From the third card on, the dealer deals to the high hand showing first.
3. Buy a peek (optional). At the end of a round a player may pay to flip one dummy card from either pile — $2 for the first bought all game, $3 after (one per round; up to three of the 3-card pile (of four) and four of the 4-card pile (of six) — at least one card in each pile always stays hidden). Early on the offer starts left of the dealer (where the deal began); once cards are showing it starts with the high hand. A 3-card player can buy a peek to help decide whether to fold.
4. The fourth card. With everyone on three cards, the dealer asks the high hand showing — then clockwise — whether each player wants a fourth. Taking one commits you to the 4-card half (and you're done drawing). If anyone takes a fourth, the offer goes around again for the players still on three (high hand first), repeating until a full pass with no takers. If nobody ever takes one, everyone plays three. Players on three are not committed — and may still fold — until the offers stop.
5. Declare. Players call high or low out loud. One high call in a group sends that whole group high.
6. Showdown. The 3-card players settle against each other and the 3-card dummy for half the pot; the 4-card players do the same against the 4-card dummy for the other half. Best (or lowest) total in the declared direction wins — and must beat its dummy.
7. Match & carry. A won half pays out immediately. Every player who didn't win a half matches half the pot into the middle, any unwon half stays in the pot, and everyone re-antes for another deal. Lose all your money and you're out — the last player standing wins.

Watch a Full Hand — step by step

Step through a complete hand. Watch the two halves take shape — a 3-card hand and a 4-card hand — each racing the dummy pile in the middle. Player 1 (Dana) is “you”; only you can see your own down card until showdown.

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