Queen's poker

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Queen's Poker (previously Kernick Poker), while mostly unknown to community card poker games and yet to be added to the List of poker variants, it's growing popularity and player base has taken a substantial hold on it's place of origin, Queen's College at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

A variant of Irish Poker and primarily a drinking game, Queen's Poker was founded on April 24, 2006^[1]. In addition to only have been created recently, due to the elite and secretive nature of the game, some of the information below is still subject to debate.

Contents 1 Rules 1.1 Objective 1.2 Game Structure 1.3 Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Rules 1.4 The Constitution 1.5 Winning and Losing 1.6 Creating and Abolishing rules 1.7 The Drink 2 Terminology and Definitions 3 History 3.1 The Founding Fathers 4 Post-Game Activities 5 Notes

[edit] Rules

The descriptions below assume a familiarity with the general game play of poker, and with poker hands. For a general introduction to these topics, see poker, poker hands, poker probability, and poker jargon.

[edit] Objective

Unlike most variants of poker where the objective generally centres around money, the objective of Queen's Poker is to avoid consuming alcohol. In most situations, the loser(s) are forced to consume a predesignated quantity of alcohol (primarily goon, an inexpensive Cask or Box wine) before the end of the next hand.^[2] The game ends when the net intoxication of the group is such that there are not enough players to enjoyably continue, or a majority of the group has retired to a different activity: see Post-Game Activities.

[edit] Game Structure

Queen's Poker can be played with up to 9 players, using a standard 52-card deck, however, the game usually consists of 5-7 players. Each player is dealt 5 cards and 5 cards are placed face up on the Table. Play starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Each turn consists of a player either exchanging one card from his hand with one card on the Table, performing a switch or knocking. A round is complete when each player has completed a turn. By knocking, the player effectively calls, and every player receives one additional turn, revealing his hand before the next player's turn. By switching the player exchanges all his cards with the Table; this automatically incurs a knock, and can only be used either to call or in the final round. Once all players have revealed their cards, the winner and loser(s) are identified, drinks are allocated, non-constitutional or player rules are explained (if appropriate) and any additional events as a result of previous non-constitutional rules occur.^[3]

[edit] Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Rules

Queen's Poker is a fluid game. In addition to a set of constitutional rules defined by the Constitution of Queen's Poker and the rules briefly outlined above, which act as a backbone or skeletal structure for the game, there are a set of non-constitutional rules or player rules which are invented by the players and come into play when appropriate. Constitutional rules take precedence over non-constitutional rules at all times and while non-constitutional rules can be abolished, any new non-constitutional rule may not interfere with any previous rule already instated, nor may it inhibit the creation of new rules. For further restrictions see Creating and Abolishing rules.

[edit] The Constitution

1. The game shall always begin at 5pm on Mondays on Ground Kernick
2. .
3. The winner of a hand with a flush or higher may create or abolish a non-constitutional rule.
4. Scullable offences incurred from losing a hand must be completed by the beginning of the next hand, and an immediate scull must be performed for rule breakage.
5. No rules can be instated prior to dinner
6. One must wear a gown whilst playing Queen's Poker.
7. There is no second rule.
8. Spillage is a scullable offence.
9. Rule creation commences after dinner
10. Non-constitutional rules shall not be repeated until broken.

Though the rules listed here in the Constitution form the foundation upon which Queen's Poker was created, house rules are often adapted in order to fit the situation. For example, though the game was originally intended to start at 5pm and proceed through dinner, the game is often adapted to allow for non-constitutional rule creation and abolishment from the start of the game, or for the game to occur regardless of when the players intend to eat. Also, while playing in Kernick House was a tradition at Queen's College, for players outside of the immediate residential area the game location tends to be irrelevant. ^[4]

[edit] Winning and Losing

While any given hand will always have one winner (one player or the table see below), there can be either one or two (or potentially more) losers depending on the size of the group, the agreement of the players or a non-constitutional rule. As mentioned before, the loser of a hand is required to finish his drink prior to the start of the next hand. The loser, as with most poker games, is defined as the person or persons with the lowest hand once all the players have revealed their cards. In addition to the drinks designated by a losing hand, if the table hand is higher than a players hand, the player must drink. To elaborate, if the player (or players) with the lowest hand has lost to the table the player is required to consume twice the normally designated amount (see The Drink). Winning a hand has no material benefit (at least under non non-constitutional rules); however, if a player wins a hand with a flush or higher, the player has the option to either create or abolish a non-constitutional rule. ^[5]

[edit] Creating and Abolishing rules

As stated above, a player may create any rule that does not inhibit a rule already in existence, be it constitutional or non-constitutional. There are further restrictions on rule creation, however. A non-constitutional rule must affect each player equally. For example, a player could not create a rule that specifically referenced an individual player. While designating additional consequences to winners/losers or other dynamic characters is accepted, any prejudice towards an individual is strictly prohibited. Though not strictly outlined in the rules, any rule that is redundant or frivolous is discouraged from being put forward. Aside from these regulations, however, the nature of non-constitutional rules is left entirely to the players, resulting in a dynamic game that takes on a new form with every pursuit.^[6]

Abolishing a rule requires the majority approval of the players who participated in the previous hand. If the abolishment fails, the winner may choose to create a non-constitutional rule or attempt to abolish a different non-constitutional rule. ^[7]

[edit] The Drink

As a drinking game, a drink at a players side is as crucial as the cards. As previously mentioned, Goon, a white cask or box wine is the Queen's Poker drink of choice. Each player is designated a glass which should always remain filled approximately 4/5ths. The drink size varies depending on house rules; however, the volume was originally based on the glassware found in Eakins Hall, approximately 200 ml. The use of a dilutant is not prohibited, but is frowned upon in some circles. Spillage of the drink is absolutely forbidden, and if spilt will automatically incur a scull for the offender. ^[8]

[edit] Terminology and Definitions

Hand:

1. the 5 cards that are designated to a player or to the table (see table)
2. the period of game play that starts with the dealing of the cards and ends with a designated winner and loser(s).

Round: the period of game play that encompasses a single turn from each player.

• Round, Final: the last round of the hand. Starting with the player who incited the knock after each player takes his turn, he must display his cards. Once all cards are displayed winner and loser(s) are designated.

Turn: the period of game play in which a player either exchanges a card from his hand with the table hand, switches or passes.

Switch: the exchange or to exchange all the cards from one's hand with the table hand. Automatically incurs a knock.

Pass: the forfeit or to forfeit any action during one's turn and to start the turn of the next player.

Knock: the declaration or to declare the start of a final round.

Table:

1. the surface upon which the game is played
2. Table (hand): the 5 cards displayed face-up in the centre.

Dynamic Character: A variable position a player holds in the game. includes: dealer, winner, loser etc.

Constitutional (rules): the guidelines specified in the Constitution.

non-Constitutional (rules): the rules created by the players as the game progresses.

2,3,4... etc Boys: The reference to 2 or more players, generally in association with the required scull of 2 or more players.

No Deal: a declaration of disapproval. Commonly accompanied by crossing the arms in front of the head or chest and facing the recipient of the disapproval. ^[9]

[edit] History

Founded on April 24, 2006 by 9 College students, Queen's Poker was first played in Kernick House, Queen's College. The development of the game took place over those first few Queen's Poker sessions. Legend, however, has it that the game itself was in existence long before modern Poker was played. Though there is no evidence as of yet, some suggest that Queen's Poker is the derivation of an ancient bonding ritual, taking place thousands of years ago in the heart of Tasmania. According to lore, this ancient Tasmanian game, while originally played with scored bark and stained stones, was adapted to the modern playing card during the Black War. ^[10]

[edit] The Founding Fathers

The names of the 9 College Students who introduced the game to Queen's College are unknown; however, the pseudonyms (theorized to have been used during game play) of those legendary 9 still echo in the games that are played today.

• Turboslut

• Polar Bear

• Scodges

• Feelings

• Stiphilis

• Canary

• Scarface

• Kimberly

• Anal Retentive Man

[edit] Post-Game Activities

[edit] Notes