The poker game called Chicago is one of the most popular card games in Sweden today. Relying on the keeping of score instead of the placing of bets, it is suitable even for environments such as schools, where gambling is often prohibited. The game exists in countless versions, so here a (somewhat arbitrarily chosen) basic game will be followed by a number of possible variations.
Hand scores
The backbone of the game is that each poker hand has its own point value, as given in this table:
One pair – 1 point.
Two pair – 2 points.
Three of a kind – 3 points.
Straight – 4 points.
Flush – 5 points.
Full House – 6 points.
Four of a kind – 7 points (but see Variations below).
Straight flush – 8 points (but see Variations below).
Basic rules
Chicago is played with a standard 52-card deck. Each player is dealt five cards. The objective is to reach 52 points.
Exchanges and hand scoring
The players are allowed to exchange any number of their cards. If a player chooses to exchange one card only, he may choose “one up”, meaning that he is dealt one card faced up, which he can either accept, or instead take the next card unseen. After the exchanges, the player with the best hand (and only one player) gets points for his hand. Then follows another round of exchanges, but no hand scoring.
The game
Now, the first player begins by playing one card. Ordinary whist rules apply, but the players keep their cards collected by themselves. The player who wins the last trick gets 5 points. Also, the player with the best hand (whether it is the same player or not) gets points for his hand.
Chicago
After the second exchange, any player can choose to play Chicago. In this case, he pledges himself to win all the tricks of the game. If he does, he is awarded 15 points, but if he fails, the penalty is just as harsh: -15 points.
Variations
Sometimes, a player given five cards below ten (either inclusive or exclusive) is allowed to replace them before the exchanges begin.
Some play with 3 exchanges instead of 2. Then of course, scoring for hands will be made after both the first and the second exchange.
Some do not use the “one up” rule.
Often, one wants to give higher rewards than 7 or 8 points for Four of a kind and Straight flush respectively. There are several ways to achieve this, most notably by elevating the player immediately to 52 points, or lowering either all players or one player of the holder’s choice to 0 points, or a combination of these. Holding a Royal flush usually means immediate victory.
The confusion is great as to what scores are appointed in the case of Chicago. Some will argue that no player will get any points at all besides the +15 or -15, whilst others will allow almost any points. The +5 for the game, however, can never be stacked with the +15 for Chicago.
Some prescribe that any player with 45 points or more is not allowed to replace any cards.
Some require that after (and not in the same hand as) a player reaches 52 points, he must win the game once more before he actually wins. This handles the possibility that more than one player reach 52 points in the same hand.
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When offered the dice to shoot, a player may pass the dice to the next player without fear of offending anyone; however, keep in mind that at least one player must always be a “shooter” betting on either the pass line or don’t pass line for the game to continue.
Players are encouraged to tip the dealers, especially if they are winning. The most common way to tip is simply to toss chips onto the table and say “for the boys.” (This is considered acceptable even though dealers often are women). Another method is to place a bet next to your bet and call out “dealers.” A “two-way” bet is one that is part for the player and part for the dealers. Usually, the dealers’ bet is smaller than the player’s bet, but it is appreciated. The part of the bet for the dealer is called a “toke” bet; this is from the $1 slot machine coins or tokens that are sometimes used to place bets for the dealers in a casino. Most casinos require the dealers to pick up their winning bets, including the original tip, rather than “let it ride” as the player may choose to do.
After the come-out roll, it is considered bad luck to say the word “seven.” This may offend other players. A common “nickname” for this number is “Big Red”.
It is considered bad luck to change dice in the middle of a roll.
Center bets are made by tossing chips to the center of the table and calling out the intended bet; the stickman will then place the chips correctly for you.
It is not considered rude to correct a dealer that you feel has made an error. Mistakes happen and disputes are often resolved to the player’s benefit, mainly in the interest of keeping their business.
It is considered rude to “late bet,” or make wagers while the dice are no longer in the middle of the table. While entirely permissible, excessive late betting will generally garner a warning.
Food, drinks, and other items should remain off the chip rail.
Players feel it is bad luck for the shooter to leave the table after a successful come-out roll.
It is considered very bad etiquette to allow the dice to hit your hands. More often than you would imagine, this seems to result in the shooter “sevening out” and the offender noticing glaring looks and mumbling curses from the other players. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to when the stickman will say “hands high, let ‘em fly”.
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Today, OpenFeint X, opens in private beta and offers developers the ability to create free-to-play games including microtransactions and virtual goods. The free-to-play model, which has become a runaway success on the web via Facebook, has the potential to change the iPhone games market forever from the perspective of viral growth and pricing. (PRWeb Feb 17, 2010)
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Casino general managers, operations managers, investigators and other individuals involved with the casino industry can learn the latest technologies and best practices for surveillance and game protection at the 5th annual World Game Protection Conference, taking place February 21-23 in Las Vegas. Among other topics, the event will feature a keynote presentation from author and IT security consultant Kevin Mitnick, the world’s most famous former hacker. (PRWeb Feb 16, 2010)
Lake of the Torches Resort Casino, the leading gaming and hospitality resort for northern Wisconsin, in conjunction with King of the Cage, announced today a multi-year deal to continue to bring world-class, MMA, cage-fighting action to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. (PRWeb Feb 16, 2010)
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