3 card poker ( lazy Pineapple)
3 Card poker (holdem)
A popular game in Santo Domingo is 3 card poker. In this version (which is also called Tahoe, or Lazy Pineapple poker) players keep all 3 cards throughout the entire hand, but can only use 0, 1, or 2 cards from their hand to make the best possible 5-card poker hand (i.e. they cannot use 3 cards from their hand).
Everyone seems to think this version of Hold’em was invented in the Dominican Republic, while there is no information to support or refute that claim. Regardless of where it was invented, most Dominicans play the game poorly. if you know how to play Omaha, you will have an advantage in this game as most of the locals play it exactly like they would play Texas Hold’em poker, judging hands based on the best two cards, instead of looking for synergy between all 3.
If you are interested in playing lazy pineapple poker / 3 card poker, there is a game most nights at the Jaragua, and it is sometimes played at El Embajador as well. Both typically play with 100/200 blinds. (2us/4us)