How to Play Courchevel Poker
Courchevel Poker is a fun, slightly unusual poker variant that mixes Omaha ideas with a twist. If you like learning poker variants, this guide on Playmore will walk you through the basic flow so you can try it with friends.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Game | Courchevel Poker |
| Family | European community-card poker (Omaha-style) |
| Typical players | 2–10 |
| Deck | Full standard 52-card deck |
| Key idea | Each player gets five hole cards; the first flop card is exposed before the first betting round. |
| Showdown rule | Exactly two hole cards must be used with three community cards to make a hand. |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is like other poker games: win chips by making the best five-card hand at showdown or by getting everyone else to fold. In Courchevel you must use exactly two of your hole cards and three community cards. The exposed flop card changes the odds and gives extra information before the first betting round.
What you need and how to set up
You need a normal 52-card deck and a stack of chips. Pick a dealer and agree how blinds or antes will work for your group. Deal five private (face-down) hole cards to each player from the full 52-card deck. After dealing, take the top card from the deck and place it face-up on the table — this is the first flop card shown before any betting.
Groups should check the authoritative or regional rules for the exact version and betting structure you want to use, because local play may vary on blind sizes, antes, limits, or the order of side pot handling.
How to play
- Post blinds or antes as your group agrees.
- Deal five hole cards to each player, face down.
- Turn the top card of the deck face up on the table. This is the first flop card and is visible to all players before the first betting round.
- Run the first betting round. Players can fold, call, or raise according to your agreed betting structure.
- Deal the remaining two flop cards face up. Now three flop cards are on the table.
- Run the second betting round.
- Deal the turn (fourth community card) face up, then run another betting round.
- Deal the river (fifth community card) face up, then run the final betting round.
- If more than one player remains, go to showdown. Each remaining player must use exactly two hole cards plus three community cards to form their five-card hand.
How a round or game ends
A single round ends at showdown when the best legal five-card hand (two hole + three community) wins the pot. A round can also end earlier if all players but one fold; the remaining player takes the pot without showing a hand. A full game ends when players agree to stop or when one player has all the chips, depending on your agreed format.
Beginner tips
- Pay attention to the exposed flop card — it gives everyone information before the first bet.
- With five hole cards, you’ll see more possible combinations. Focus on using two strong hole cards at showdown.
- Position is important. Acts later in the betting rounds give you more info about opponents.
- Be cautious with one-card draws. In Courchevel you still must combine exactly two hole cards, so some draws are weaker than they look.
- Agree on betting limits and side-pot rules before you start to avoid disputes.
FAQ
Do I always have to use exactly two hole cards?
Yes. In Courchevel the showdown rule requires exactly two hole cards and three community cards. Using fewer or more hole cards would be a different variant.
What happens if someone shows a hand that doesn't use two hole cards?
House rules differ. Many groups call that hand invalid at showdown. Agree in advance how to handle misdeclared hands and side pots.
Is the exposed flop card taken from the deck or dealt from the dealer's burn pile?
Commonly it’s the top card of the deck that’s turned face up immediately after dealing. Specific dealing steps can vary, so check your group's agreed rules.