There are many great poker variants that you can enjoy at a casino or online. However, you won’t find Spit in the Ocean poker at a casino or when you choose to play poker online. It is a fast-paced poker game that offers players a unique twist to the traditional rules they are used to. If you’re looking for something different from Omaha and Texas hold’em, Spit in the Ocean Poker might just be the game for you. As the world of online casino games continues to evolve, casino players can adapt these card games and play them with friends.
Spit in the Ocean Basics
What is Spit in the Ocean? Well, the rules of Spit in the Ocean are quite easy to grasp. For starters, it is a variant of a draw poker game, which is a classic game where each player is dealt five cards. Players can exchange some or all of their cards for new ones. You will need to use one full deck of cards, and you can leave the jokers out. The notable difference is that Spit in the Ocean has a wild card, also known as the “spit” card, which changes with each hand. During the game, the dealer reveals the spit card after the first betting round, and any card of the same rank as the spit card becomes wild for that hand.
How To Play Spit in the Ocean
The Spit in the Ocean card game can be played with two to 10 players. At the beginning of the game, players must make an ante bet to the pot. This is necessary to ensure that there is always money in the pot. Each player is dealt four cards face down. Once each player is dealt their cards, the dealer flips over the next card on the deck and puts it in the middle. This card acts as the spit card and determines the wild card for the hand. As mentioned before, cards of the same rank as the spit card will be wild for that round. For example, if the spit card is a 4, all the 4s in the deck are wild during that hand. Players can adjust their strategy according to the wild card.
Now, the first betting round can begin, and it starts with the player to the left of the dealer who will cast their card. In Spit in the Ocean, all the same poker rules, such as check, call, raise, and fold, are allowed. However, players are only required to bet on a limited basis. This makes it important to ensure that you set your stakes well as you are playing a game with limited betting chances. Players can choose to discard and replace some or all of their cards. In this poker variation, the number of cards exchanged is up to the player.
After the draw, players will have four cards again, and another round of betting follows. During this betting round, players will be betting with a bigger amount. The showdown begins with players revealing their hands, and the player with the best five-card hand, taking into account the wild card, takes the pot. In order to determine who has the best hand, you must refer to the poker hand rankings chart.
In Spit in the Ocean, you can lose a big hand when someone has a pair of wilds in their hand because it means that they have a minimum of four-of-a-kind.
The Best Strategy for Spit in the Ocean
If you’re looking to gain an edge by playing this poker variant, there are a couple of strategies you can apply to your gameplay.
The Wild Card Advantage
Learn to take full advantage of the wild cards created by the spit card. You should identify the cards of the same rank as the spit card in your hand and leverage them to your benefit. At this point, you should be strategic when it comes to discarding and drawing cards to maximize the potency of the wild cards.
Observe the Other Players’ Reactions
It is important to take note of your opponents’ reactions when the spit card is shown. As with other poker variants that don’t get enough love, a player’s expression and betting patterns can give you great insight into their hands. This insight can help you when you need to draw and during the betting rounds.
Bluff With Extreme Caution
Playing popular poker variations can give you the much-needed practice to bluff during poker games. As you may know, bluffing can be a great tool at the poker table. This is true for Spit in the Ocean, especially when the spit card helps your hand. You should be cautious when bluffing, as you never know whether other players are watching your tell signs. Consider varying your betting patterns and only bluff when necessary.
Play the Best Online Casino Games at Borgata Online
Now that you know the rules of this fun and unique spit card game, play poker online and discover the great poker variations on offer. Simply register with Borgata Online, and you’ll get to try out a great variety of online poker and other casino table games, such as blackjack and craps. There is something for everyone at Borgata Online.