How to Play Lunar Poker
Lunar Poker is a game variant that is often out of the spotlight, yet captivates players when they eventually come across it. In some parts of the world, this table game is known as Russian Poker. Its design is based on Caribbean Stud Poker, but with a twist: players can buy a sixth card or exchange cards to improve their hand. However, these decisions must be made strategically, with an understanding of the rules of the game. Otherwise, you can lose your bets. So, if you are going to play, you have to do it right.
To contribute to your gaming success, this article explains how to play Lunar Poker, aka Russian Poker.
What is Lunar Poker?
Lunar Poker is a table game variation of Caribbean Stud Poker that allows players to buy and exchange cards. It is played using a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to beat the dealer you are playing against by having the best hand combination at showdown.
Wagering and Gameplay Rules
To begin playing Lunar Poker, players must first place an Ante and a Super wager. Afterwards, card distribution will commence. Players and the dealer each receive 5 cards, dealt face down except for the dealer's bottom card, which is face up. Since five cards can form winning hands, players can access their cards to see whether they form a royal flush or a straight flush. If anyone does, the player will receive a payout for the Ante bet according to a specific pay table. The Super wager also has a separate paytable for any Super hand combination formed.
To continue gameplay, players have to take actions:
- Muck/Fold: Forfeit all wagers.
- Play: Place a wager 2x the Ante.
- Buy: Place 1x the Ante to buy a 6th Card.
- Exchange/draw: Place 1x the Ante to exchange 2 to 5 cards.
The buy and exchange are the main features of Lunar Poker.
Remember that the dealer has only one card face up out of five. After players have ended their actions, the dealer will reveal the four face-down cards. The minimum hand value the dealer must have to qualify is Ace-King or greater. If the dealer does not have an Ace-King, players win the ante and the play wager will push regardless of their hand value.
However, if the dealer has Ace-King or higher, the player wins only if they have a better hand. Otherwise, the Ante and Play wagers are lost. A tie can also occur if the player and dealer have matching hands. In this case, the Ante and Play will push.
An additional rule you must know about Lunar poker is the Double Payout rule. When you buy a 6th card and have two different hand combinations, you can receive separate payouts for each if the second hand contains at least one card not in the first.
For example, you have been dealt an initial five cards: J, J, J, 8, 8. If you decide to buy and then get another J as the sixth card, you now have J, J, J, J, 8, 8. With these cards, you can form two hand combinations: Four of a Kind (J, J, J, J, 8) and Full House (J, J, J, 8, 8).
In this case, there are two 8s. Because you use one for the Four of a Kind combination and the second for Full House, both hands qualify for a payout.
The Best Guide on How to Play Lunar Poker
Now that we know the rules, follow these steps to play Lunar Poker without mistakes:
Place Ante and Super Bet
You must place these two wagers before you can be dealt any cards.
Collect and evaluate your cards
The dealer will give you five face-down cards. You can pick it up to look at what you have. If you have a straight flush or a royal flush, you will receive an instant payout according to the Ante paytable in the following section. Also, if you get a super hand combination, you will receive a super wager payout.
Take action
If you don't have a super hand, a royal flush, or a straight flush, you can still form a winning combination. You can:
- Play: Place a wager 2x your Ante.
- Buy: Buy a 6th Card by wagering 1x your Ante.
- Exchange/draw: Exchange 2 to 5 cards for 1x your Ante.
You can exchange two of your five cards to combine with the other three if there is a chance to form a winning hand, like a straight flush. You can also exchange all five cards. However, note that when you exchange cards, you have to take action either to fold or place a Play bet to continue since you have a new hand.
Wait for the dealer's hand to be revealed
The dealer's five-card hand will be announced when all actions have ended.
Showdown
The dealer's hand does not qualify if the revealed hand is lower than Ace-King. The dealer will evaluate your hand according to the standard poker hand rankings.
If the dealer does not have Ace-King or higher, you win even money for your Ante bet while the Play bet becomes a push. If you have a hand greater in value than the dealer's, you win both the Ante and Play wager.
Suppose there is a tie, the Ante and Play bets will push. If you muck or lose, the dealer takes your Ante and Raise wagers.
Lunar Poker Paytables
Ante Bet Instant Payout Pay Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000:1 |
| Straight Flush | 200:1 |
Super Wager Paytable
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Four of a Kind | 250:1 |
| Five Picture Cards | 120:1 |
| Full House | 100:1 |
| Flush | 60:1 |
| Straight | 30:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 8:1 |
| Ace-king-queen | 5:1 |
| Five Color Cards | 2:1 |
Play Bet Pay Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20:1 |
| Full House | 7:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |
| Two Pair | 2:1 |
| Pair | 1:1 |
| Ace-King | 1:1 |
Lunar poker has a house advantage of 4.90% based on the Ante and Super Bets.
Variations
It is not uncommon to find casinos that do not offer instant Ante payouts for their Lunar poker game. Some replace the Super Wager bet with a Jackpot Bonus. In other places, when you have three of a kind or better as your initial hand, you can take insurance.
Lunar Poker Strategy: When to Play, Exchange, and Buy
The best strategy for playing lunar poker is to know when to buy a sixth card, exchange your cards, and when to place a Play wager.
- If you have a winning 5-card starting hand (royal flush or straight flush), buy a 6th card.
- If you have four of a kind, place a play bet.
- If you have trips, exchange 2 cards that did not help form the hand if the dealer's face-up card is not identical to what you have. Otherwise, place a Play bet.
- If you have two pairs, place a Play wager.
- If you have one pair, buy a 6th card if your hand matches the dealer's up card. If your pair is less than the dealer's up card, exchange three of your cards.
- If you have Ace-King, draw three cards. But if you have straight-flush, straight, or flush, buy a sixth card.
- When you have no relevant hand combinations, exchange up to four cards if you have an 8 or higher as your best card, or if your highest card is better than the dealer's up card.
- In all other cases, Fold.
- When you buy a card or exchange, you have to place a play bet on your new hand. If your new cards include A-K-Q or better, place a play wager. Otherwise, fold.
Conclusion
Lunar Poker, aka Russian Poker, is a fun and flexible table game variant thanks to its buy and exchange action rules. If you love staying in control of your game until the showdown, this poker game is for you. It is available online and at some land-based casinos.
FAQs
Is Lunar Poker a 5-card stud game?
Yes, since it is a variation of Caribbean Stud Poker.
Is Lunar Poker the Russian Poker?
Yes, Lunar Poker is also called Russian or Royal Poker.
Can I exchange 5 cards?
Yes, Lunar Poker permits players to exchange up to five cards.