Short Stop Poker

I've been very busy and haven't had a chance to play in a couple of days now. I think I must be experiencing poker withdrawals, because last night I caught myself dreaming that I was playing. Actually, it was kind of an interesting dream. In it, I was playing this hold 'em variation that my mind had invented, called Short Stop Poker.

The game started out like normal. Everyone is dealt two cards, followed by a round of betting where you could either put up the cash or step aside and let others play the hand. After the flop (first three community cards), the variation came into play. There was another round of betting like usual, but the difference was that the screen now had a button to "Stop This Hand For 75%".

Basically, if you had a hand at that point, instead of playing the hand like normal you could hit the button and whoever has the best hand takes it. If you (the stopper) were the winner you would get 75% of the pot, with the remainder rolled over to the next hand. If the stopper (you) lost the hand, then the winner would collect the full pot.

On the Turn, the button changed to 50%, and on the river it changed to "Stop This Hand For 25%". That part was kind of dumb, because by the river you either have something or you don't, and if you have something, why take only 25%. Obviously, there is no bluffing with the stop button. If you push it, you better at least have a pair, although in theory, high card could still win it.

The interesting thing about it is that it gave you more options with your playing strategy. You could very well play through the end of the hand like normal, which would build a larger pot, but would also carry the risk of losing it. Or if you had trips (three of a kind), but were worried about another player making that straight or flush to beat you, it gave you an opportunity to end the hand early, before they have a chance to complete their hand. And with the extra % rolling into the next hand's pot, it made for some interesting play from those we normally see trying to rob the blinds.

I recall in my dream some players at the table were annoyed with me because I got trigger happy with that stop button and clicked it every time I got a pair. I don't know why they were upset; I lost every hand I played. You would think one would dream about winning. lol