In Merry Christmas Poker you pass cards to another player like you do with “Trash Poker” or “Anaconda.” The big difference being that you split the pot in Christmas Poker, which usually results in players staying in the game longer, therefore building up the pots. The pot in Merry Christmas Poker is split between the winner with the highest hand and the player who has been passing cards to him. In other words, if the cards you have been passing to another other player gives him the win, then you win too. That softens the blow of having to give away your good cards.

Start out by dealing seven cards face down to each player. Once everyone has received their face-down cards, then players may view their cards.

Start the first betting round, with the player to the left of the dealer being the first player to bet.

Each player then must pass three cards to the player to their left.

Start the second betting round. The player two seats to the left of the dealer bets first.

Each player then must pass two cards to the player to their left.

Start the third betting round. This time, the player three seats to the left of the dealer is the player who makes the first bet.

Each player must then pass one card to the player to their left.

Start the final betting round. This time, it starts with the player four seats to the left of the dealer.

Now each player reveals their hand and declares what he has. The pot is split between the player with the best poker hand and the player who is seated immediately to that player’s right .

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