Draft:Elico Hold'em

Elico Hold'em is a community card poker game that combines elements of Omaha Hold'em and Texas Hold'em. The game is unique in its requirement for players to discard cards at specific stages, adding a layer of strategy. Elico Hold'em was first played in Israel and has since become popular both in Israel and internationally.

Play

Dealing and Betting Rounds

The play of Elico Hold'em is similar to other forms of community card poker, with some distinctive differences:

• Preflop: Each player is dealt four hole cards, just like in Omaha Hold'em. Players then proceed with an initial betting round based on the strength of their four cards.
• Flop: After the first betting round, three community cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table. Players then enter a second betting round. Before continuing, each player must discreetly discard one of their four hole cards, leaving them with three.
• Turn: A fourth community card is dealt, followed by another betting round. At this stage, each remaining player must discard another card, leaving them with only two hole cards.
• River: A fifth and final community card is dealt, and players enter the final betting round. The game concludes with a showdown where the best five-card hand is made using the two remaining hole cards and the five community cards, similar to Texas Hold'em.

Showdown

At the showdown, each player reveals their two remaining hole cards and combines them with the five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. The player with the highest hand wins the pot.

Strategy

Elico Hold'em requires a combination of skills from both Omaha and Texas Hold'em, with an added emphasis on strategic card discarding. The decisions to discard cards on the flop and turn are critical and can significantly affect the outcome of the hand. Players must carefully consider which cards to retain based on the community cards and their potential to form strong hands.