Questions of Kenyan Poker: The Most Confusing Rules of Nairobi’s Most Popular Card Game

The most popular card game in Nairobi is by far Kenyan poker; it’s possible to find a table being played anywhere in this town, from dive bars to student dorms, sometimes it is even subject to betting, with money being tossed around more than the cards themselves. Before betting however, beware; Kenyan Poker is an often insane game, subject to change at a moment’s notice. The side effects of these shifts often include the catching of feelings and the extreme loss of money. Here are the most confusing and often changed rules in Kenyan Poker.

The Occasional Joker

This is a random rule, one that manifests itself entirely differently depending on who you play with. Sometimes the elusive jester is chucked out of the game and relegated to the sidelines, at other times it’s a massive five card pick up. Either way the rule always seems to pop up at inconvenient moments, mostly to the detriment of the new guy in the game.

The Same Suit Jump

This rule seems to come about the moment you are in a position to win, just as somebody screws you over and throws down a pick up card, you’ll try to pass it along with a Jack to jump it onto the next unfortunate soul. However, it changes game by game whether your J has to be the same suit or not, causing grief and heartache among players Nairobi wide.

The Fine

Yes, the always infamous penalty or ‘fine’. It comes up whenever a player makes a mistake during the game, such as throwing down a card out of turn. The issues arise however, over the exact quantity the player needs to pick and over what grievance. These amounts seem to slide and shift, even in the context of the same round of poker and no match ever gives a constant amount.

The Pick and Play

This one that divides loyal players of Kenyan Poker in a heated blood feud and the line of divisiveness runs from game to game. When forced to pick, is a player allowed to play the new cards in their hand or shall they be forced to wait another go around? It’s a question that has caused bar fights in the dozens over the years.

The Cumulative Card Pick Up

This is another possible ending to lifelong friendships when forced to pick, do you have to pick up all the vindictive picking cards that have been thrown rudely down in consecutively or just the card that found its way to the top of the heap? The difference can run up a debt of a dozen or more cards and essentially knock a poor sap out of contention.

Have any more confusing rules from the game? Let us know in the comment section.