If you’ve tried hold’em, Omaha and seven card stud and are looking for a new poker variation to try with your friends, you might want to consider Soko. Soko is probably unlike any poker game you have ever played before.

Structure of Soko

Soko is a variation of five card stud, and play opens as follows. Each player antes a pre-determined amount and receives one hole card and one card face up. The player with the lowest up card must bet another pre-determined amount called a bring-in. The bring-in is less than the standard bet, but equal to or greater than the ante. Working clockwise, opponents may call the bring-in, complete to a full bet or fold. If the bet has already been completed, by the bring-in or another player, subsequent players may raise.

Play of a Soko Hand

A third card is then dealt to all remaining players, also face up. If a pair is exposed, players can make the standard bet or a double bet here. The highest hand showing checks or bets and play proceeds clockwise from there. A fourth card is now dealt face up and now all bets must be double the standard bet. Finally, a fifth card is dealt face up. There is another round of betting and players who have not folded turn over their down card to see who takes the pot.

Soko Hand Rankings

Unlike traditional five card stud, four card straights and four card flushes play. This means the order of hands from strongest to weakest are: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, four flush, four straight, pair, high card.