New Game: Pin the Tail on the Donkey (2 Viewers)

[Jimulacrum]

One of our players made a joke about us playing all manner of made-up games, and asked "What are we playing next, Pin the Tail on the Donkey?"

Yes, sir, that is what we're playing next. Bomb-pot format, per usual.

The first official hand of Pin the Tail on the Donkey was 5-card Omaha, single board, with the "donkey" stipulation. Half the pot goes to the best Omaha hand, and half is shared among anyone holding a card of the same rank as the river card ("donkey card"), in proportion to the number held. So if the river is a J, and you have JJxxx and an opponent has Jxxxx (agnostic to the Omaha hand), the donkey pot goes in thirds; you get 2/3, and he gets 1/3. If it's just you and the Omaha winner, you get the full half of the pot.

We have also played with the "donkey card" where the base game was 5-card Hold'em, but I prefer the Omaha version.

My purpose in making this game mechanic is that it encourages chasing, basically, while also somewhat punishing it. Remember, you get at most half the pot if you have the donkey card. You may get as little as 1/6 of the pot, and both you and the other donkey who chased his way to that card are going to have to pay the Omaha hand to show it down.

I've found the best strategy for playing this so far is to mostly treat it like normal Omaha for the flop and turn. The donkey card offers you a small extra bit of equity when you're drawing, but don't chase for the donkey card alone unless the bets are so small that you're obligated. But be aware that some players will chase it, and when they hit it, they may overvalue it when they have a loser in Omaha. This provides a value opportunity for the best Omaha hand on the end, where otherwise there wouldn't usually be any action. Take advantage if you see people making crying calls on the end and you have an opportunity to raise.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[JMC9389]

I like it

 

[BarrieJ3]

I don’t mind it to spice up normal mixed games.

That being said, I wouldn’t want to play an entire night with games having this mechanic. I’d prefer to have more split pot games that focus on the mixed/circus aspect of smushing 2 games together.

I think it has a place best at a table of middling mixed/circus players.

If I had new players I wouldn’t like it, as it could easily be viewed as pure luck by new people and turn them off of deeper mixed/circus games because they write off those mechanics as luck as well. E.g., “first we play for a random matching river card, now you’re telling me we have to discard for the bottom board and break my made hand!?”

If I had a full circus crew I wouldn’t like it too much except for a spot here and there when we get tired of 5-10 minute hands but still want some pizazz.

But I do like it as a mechanic to squeeze into games, similar to playing Omaha with a reverse, or adding an additional card/draw/river/board whatever to a game.

 

[Jimulacrum]

I don’t mind it to spice up normal mixed games.

That being said, I wouldn’t want to play an entire night with games having this mechanic. I’d prefer to have more split pot games that focus on the mixed/circus aspect of smushing 2 games together.

I think it has a place best at a table of middling mixed/circus players.

If I had new players I wouldn’t like it, as it could easily be viewed as pure luck by new people and turn them off of deeper mixed/circus games because they write off those mechanics as luck as well. E.g., “first we play for a random matching river card, now you’re telling me we have to discard for the bottom board and break my made hand!?”

If I had a full circus crew I wouldn’t like it too much except for a spot here and there when we get tired of 5-10 minute hands but still want some pizazz.

But I do like it as a mechanic to squeeze into games, similar to playing Omaha with a reverse, or adding an additional card/draw/river/board whatever to a game.

Yeah, that's exactly where this game fits in, as an occasional hand in a wider spread of mostly split-pot games (Double Board Omaha/Hold'em, Scarney variants, Dramaha variants, SOHE variants, a bit of Omaha 8 here and there). It works for that. I don't think I'd want to play it all night either, but it's nice once in a while.

 

[BarrieJ3]

Yeah, that's exactly where this game fits in, as an occasional hand in a wider spread of mostly split-pot games (Double Board Omaha/Hold'em, Scarney variants, Dramaha variants, SOHE variants, a bit of Omaha 8 here and there). It works for that. I don't think I'd want to play it all night either, but it's nice once in a while.

Have you guys utilized reverse mechanic? Omaha variants, have to play 3 instead of 2.

Personally I think it’s a fantastic game element/mechanic as it doesn’t really change any of the main structure, rules, or understanding, but does provide a pretty huge shift in strategy.

It’s a good one imo because non mixed/circus players don’t think it changes that much (rofl) and experienced players have a new wrinkle and some fun, thoughtful hands that can drive them nuts.

 

[Jimulacrum]

Have you guys utilized reverse mechanic? Omaha variants, have to play 3 instead of 2.

Personally I think it’s a fantastic game element/mechanic as it doesn’t really change any of the main structure, rules, or understanding, but does provide a pretty huge shift in strategy.

It’s a good one imo because non mixed/circus players don’t think it changes that much (rofl) and experienced players have a new wrinkle and some fun, thoughtful hands that can drive them nuts.

Closest we've come is playing Scrotum (with two boards, of course). I may give it a try at some point. They're game for just about anything.

 

[BarrieJ3]

Closest we've come is playing Scrotum (with two boards, of course). I may give it a try at some point. They're game for just about anything.

It’s gentle, familiar, and yet completely changes expected outcomes.

Those are the best added game elements/mechanics imho.

Let me know your thoughts in here when you try it!

 

[cpiaaq]

Have you guys utilized reverse mechanic? Omaha variants, have to play 3 instead of 2.

This game is called Cincinnati - dealt the same as Omaha but 3 from your hand and 2 from the board to make your best 5 cards.