2 to 6 players are best.

There are 52 cards plus 1 sheriff card and 3 deputy cards. The sheriff can be used to capture any player's card including lockdown and face down cards. The sheriff can be played at any time, even after the last card has been dealt. Once the sheriff has been played it cannot be used again. The sheriff card has no significant value and cannot be used in a poker hand. If a player uses the sheriff card to take another players card, a new card is dealt to the player. The 3 deputies are considered "wild" and can become any card you want it to be.

You will be building your poker hand as you receive 7 cards. Only 5 of these cards can actually be used. A chart is provided to show you how the poker hands rank.

DEALING THE CARDS

Deal one card down and 2 face up. DO NOT LOOK AT THE DOWN CARD THROUGHOUT THE HAND and it cannot be switched.GAMEPLAYThe person with the highest hand showing (as per the poker chart) goes first. He can switch one of his cards with a card facing up from any one of the other players.

If he takes a card from another player, it automatically goes into "lockdown" or he may prefer to LOCKDOWN one of his own. To lock it down, slide it down below your other cards (showing it is no longer available). Once a card is locked down, no other player can take it. However, if a player chooses to give away one of his locked down cards later, he may.

If a player does not wish to switch with any of the other players or lockdown one of his own, he may take one from the remaining deck. This card does NOT go into "lockdown”. Remember, you must give one of your cards away each time you receive a replacement. If a player chooses to receive a card from the deck, he must discard one of his own and that card now becomes dead.

The player to the left goes next. He has the same choices. After every player has his turn to switch, another card is dealt face up. Again, the highest hand goes first. Switch again, just as before. Continue until all players have 6 cards. Card #7 should be dealt facedown. You can look at this card but DO NOT LET THE OTHER PLAYERS SEE IT. The 7th card cannot be switched. Remember, no one (including you) has seen the first down card. After all cards are final, turn up all cards to reveal your best poker hand. 

PLAYING FOR MONEY

Ante the pot before the cards are dealt. Betting should be done after cards are switched and before the next card is dealt. Bets can be placed after the 7th card has been dealt.

PLAYING FOR POINTS

Determine how many points or how many “hands” are the goal for your group. Points are awarded to each player after each hand according to the Points Chart. The person with the most points wins.