The mystic art of Lenormand meets the expressive genius of Vincent van Gogh in a Petit Lenormand Mint Tin Deck. “Le Lenormand à la Vincent” is a narrative woven through the expressive language of van Gogh’s art style, adopting his iconic thick, impasto brushwork and his penchant for bold, dramatic colors.
Vincent van Gogh has always been my favorite Post-Impressionist artist, so when it came time to design a new Lenormand deck, I thought it would be lovely to have cards designed in a simulacrum of his style, merging the essence of Lenormand readings with the passionate strokes and vibrant hues that defined van Gogh.
That being said, I hope, with “Le Lenormand à la Vincent“, you enjoy fortune-telling through the simulated lens of one of the most celebrated Post-Impressionist artists.
This deck is accompanied by a set of instructions based on the mid-1800s “Philippe Le Normand” guide, which is among the oldest known instructions for interpreting the Lenormand cards
Poker, a game synonymous with strategy, skill, and luck, has evolved into a multitude of variants, each offering unique rules and playing styles. This post delves into the fascinating world of poker, exploring the most popular and intriguing variants.
1. Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular variant, prominently featured in tournaments worldwide. Each player is dealt two private cards, and five community cards are dealt face-up on the board. The objective is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of the seven available cards. Its simple rules and deep strategy make it a favorite among beginners and pros alike (Wikipedia).
2. Omaha
Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a key difference: players are dealt four hole cards and must use exactly two of them in combination with three of the five community cards. Popular variants include Omaha Hi (where the highest hand wins) and Omaha Hi-Lo (where the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands) (Wikipedia).
3. Seven-Card Stud
Before Texas Hold’em’s rise, Seven-Card Stud was the game of choice. Each player is dealt seven cards throughout the hand, three down and four up, with the objective of making the best five-card hand. There are no community cards, and it is typically played with fixed betting limits, adding a layer of strategic complexity (Wikipedia).
4. Razz
Razz is a lowball game where the objective is to make the lowest possible five-card hand from seven dealt cards. Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand, and aces are always low, making the best possible hand A-2-3-4-5 (Wikipedia).
5. Five-Card Draw
Five-Card Draw is one of the simplest poker variants and a favorite in home games. Each player is dealt five cards, with the opportunity to exchange some or all of them after the first round of betting. The aim is to make the best five-card hand (Wikipedia).
6. Badugi
Badugi is a unique draw poker game where the goal is to make the lowest hand with four cards of different suits and ranks. Players are dealt four cards and have three drawing rounds to improve their hands. The best hand is A-2-3-4 of different suits (Wikipedia).
7. Chinese Poker
In Chinese Poker, each player is dealt 13 cards to arrange into three hands: two five-card hands (middle and back) and one three-card hand (front). The back hand must be the strongest, followed by the middle, and then the front hand. Points are awarded based on the strength of each hand compared to the other players’ hands (Wikipedia).
8. HORSE
HORSE is a mixed game that includes rounds of Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo. Each variant is played for a set number of hands or time, providing a comprehensive test of a player’s versatility and skill across different poker formats (Wikipedia).
9. Pineapple Poker
Pineapple Poker is a twist on Texas Hold’em where players start with three hole cards and discard one after the flop. Variants include Crazy Pineapple (discard after the turn) and Lazy Pineapple (discard after the river) (mpl.live).
10. 2-7 Triple Draw
In 2-7 Triple Draw, the goal is to make the worst possible poker hand, with straights and flushes counting against the player and aces always high. Players draw three times, with betting rounds in between, to achieve the lowest hand (Wikipedia).
11. Short Deck Hold’em
Short Deck Hold’em is a variant of Texas Hold’em played with a 36-card deck, omitting the 2s through 5s. This changes the hand rankings slightly, with flushes beating full houses. The reduced deck increases the frequency of strong hands and creates more action (Wikipedia).
12. Follow the Queen
A variation of Seven-Card Stud, Follow the Queen designates the card dealt immediately after a queen as wild. If no queen appears, there are no wild cards for that hand. This variant adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game (onlinepoker.net).
13. High-Low Chicago
In High-Low Chicago, half of the pot is awarded to the best high hand and the other half to the best low hand. This variant can be played as a part of any stud game, adding an extra layer of strategy as players aim for both high and low hands (Wikipedia).
14. Casino Hold’em
Similar to Texas Hold’em but played against the house, Casino Hold’em involves the dealer needing to qualify with a pair or better. This game is popular in casinos due to its simplicity and potential for high payouts with rare hands like a royal flush (Wikipedia).
15. Guts
Guts is a fast-paced game where players declare “in” or “out” after seeing their hands. If two or more players stay in, they reveal their cards, and the best hand wins. The losers must match the pot, which can grow rapidly, adding excitement and high stakes (pagat.com).
16. Countdown
Countdown is a variant of Five-Card Draw with four rounds of betting and card replacement. After the first round of betting, each player can replace up to three cards. A second round of betting follows, then players can replace up to two cards. This process continues until the final round, where players can replace one card. The player with the highest five-card hand at the end wins (pokerrules.net).
17. Five-O Poker
Five-O Poker is a heads-up poker variant where each player plays five hands of five cards simultaneously. Four of the five cards in each hand are face-up. Players bet on each hand, and the winner is determined by comparing each hand to the opponent’s corresponding hand. Winning three out of the five hands typically secures the victory (Wikipedia).
18. Kuhn Poker
Kuhn Poker is a simple, theoretical game used in game theory and artificial intelligence research. It involves only three cards (King, Queen, and Jack) and two players. Each player antes one chip and is dealt one card. Players can either bet or check, and the winner is the player with the higher card unless both players check, in which case the pot is split. This game helps illustrate fundamental concepts in poker strategy (Wikipedia).
19. Non-Standard Poker Hands
Non-standard poker hands are variations of the traditional hand rankings used in some home games and specific poker variants. Examples include hands like “Big Bobtail” (a hand consisting of five consecutive cards of mixed suits starting with a seven) and “Little Bobtail” (five consecutive cards ending with a seven). These hands add a creative twist to standard poker games (Wikipedia).
20. Blind Man’s Bluff
Blind Man’s Bluff is a fun and social poker variant where each player receives one card, which they hold on their forehead facing outwards. Players can see everyone else’s cards but not their own. The betting proceeds with each player trying to guess the strength of their own card based on the others’ reactions and bets. This game emphasizes bluffing and reading opponents (Wikipedia).
21. Duplicate Poker
Duplicate Poker is designed to reduce the element of luck by having multiple tables play the same set of hands. Each player at a table plays the same hands as their counterparts at other tables, and the winner is determined by who makes the best decisions given the same cards. This format is more common in bridge but offers a unique challenge in poker (Wikipedia).
22. Pokeno
Pokeno combines elements of poker and bingo. Players receive a board with a grid of playing cards. As cards are drawn from a deck, players mark their boards. The goal is to complete a poker hand or a line of marked cards, similar to bingo. This game is popular in social settings and adds a twist to traditional poker (Wikipedia).
23. Strip Poker
Strip Poker is a party game variation where players remove clothing when they lose bets instead of (or in addition to) betting chips. The rules can vary, but the core idea is to play standard poker hands with the added risk of having to strip. It is often played for fun in informal settings and adds a playful element to the game (Wikipedia).
24. Wall Street Poker
Wall Street Poker is a lesser-known variant where players are given “stocks” in place of chips, and the value of these stocks can fluctuate based on the results of the game. This variant adds an economic twist to traditional poker, making it more complex and strategic. The specifics of the game can vary widely, and it is often tailored to the preferences of the players involved (Wikipedia).
Conclusion
Poker offers a rich tapestry of game variants, each with unique rules and strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, exploring different poker variants can enhance your skills and provide endless entertainment. From the widely popular Texas Hold’em to the strategic depths of HORSE, there’s a poker game for everyone.
