RED DOG

also called High-card Pool, fast-moving card game, particularly popular in the United States. It involves little skill, for the only decision a player must make is how much to bet on each hand. Two to ten can play, using a standard deck. Ace is high. Each player antes an agreed sum into the pot, and the dealer, chosen by cutting the cards or by others means, gives each player four cards, one at a time. The player to the dealer's left looks at his cards and places a bet, which must be at least the amount of the ante but may rise as high as the total amount in the pot. The dealer then exposes the top card. If the player holds a higher card in the suit of the turned card, he wins the amount of his bet. If not, his losing bet augments the pot. The dealer proceeds clockwise, repeating the procedure for each player in turn and for himself. At the end of the hand, the deal passes clockwise. If the pot grows beyond the ability of any player to bet it or if a maximum size is predetermined, the pot may be split and a new pot established.