Iron Cross Rules

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Players form a poker hand from their five pocket cards and either arm of a ‘cross’ of community cards that are revealed one at a time after each betting round.

The Deal After posting an ante, each player is dealt five cards face down.

Five cards are dealt face-down to the table arranged in the shape of a cross (three cards are dealt in a row, then a card is dealt above the middle card and one below the middle card).

The cards of the cross are revealed one-at-a-time after each betting round (clockwise from the top, centre card last). Players must use the cards in one arm of the cross (vertical or horizontal) to form their hand along with their pocket cards.

The Betting Rounds

The first round of betting occurs while the cross cards are face down. Betting always begins with the active player to the dealer’s left.

The five subsequent betting rounds are each preceded by the turning over of a cross card.

The Showdown The player who forms the best hand (using their pocket cards and one arm of the cross) wins the pot.