Objective of the Game
Kuhn Poker is a simplified version of poker designed to teach strategic betting and bluffing. The objective is to win more chips than your opponent by either having a higher card or successfully bluffing your opponent into folding.
Setup
- Players: Kuhn Poker is played with exactly two players.
- Deck: The game uses a deck of only three cards, valued 1, 2, and 3.
Gameplay
1. Dealing
- At the start of each round, each player is randomly dealt one card from the deck. The third card remains face down and is not used in the round.
2. Initial Bet
- Both players start with a fixed number of chips, for example, 2 chips.
- The player initiates the round by placing a mandatory bet of one chip (also known as the ante).
3. Betting Options
- On their turn, each player can either pass (do not bet) or raise (bet additional chips).
3.1. Passing: - The player stays in the game without placing additional bets.
3.2. Raising: - A player can choose to raise by placing an additional chip into the pot. - The opponent must then either call (match the bet) or fold (give up the round).
4. Showdown
- If both players have passed or the raising actions are complete, both players reveal their cards.
- The player with the higher card wins the pot.
- In case of a tie (if both players chose the same action with different cards), the player who did not fold wins.
Strategic Considerations
- Kuhn Poker is heavily based on bluffing and reading the intentions of your opponent.
- It is essential to sometimes play aggressively, even with a weaker card, to unsettle the opponent.
- Awareness of card distribution probability (since only three cards are used) can assist in making informed bets.
Special Features
- Kuhn Poker is a game with perfect information, except for the hidden card. Both players know each has equal winning odds initially.
- It demands a different strategy than conventional poker due to fewer cards, making it a good exercise in consistent bluffing strategy.
Enjoy playing and good luck with your bluffing!
