Patterns Poker

Rules

We'll start by telling you how to play the game, and then explain how you can have even more fun by betting as you play.

There can be 2 to 14 players. If you are new to patterns or Patterns Poker you may enjoy teaming up with someone while you play. A hand consists of 5 cards. Jokers are wild (the holder of a joker can designate it as any card, except as a card already in his hand).

Procedure

1. Cards are dealt
   The dealer shuffles the deck 3 times. He then deals out the cards one at a time, face down, beginning with the player at his left. Each player is dealt 5 cards.

2. Players study their cards
   The goal is to look for great pattern combinations and stories you can tell about your cards. Perhaps all 5 cards you were dealt form an excellent story, complete with classic combinations of patterns. Or maybe you need to exchange a few cards (see below) to get the perfect hand. Players often find it helpful to consult the patterns literature while they study their cards.

3. Players exchange cards
   Each player has one chance to discard up to 3 cards in exchange for new cards. This is normally done in the same order in which the cards were dealt (though you don't have to be strict about this if you want to save time). Place discarded cards in a separate pile and shuffle them back into the deck after a few hands.

4. Players invent stories about their cards
   Each player must invent a short story about his cards. The story could be about how a system, or part of a system, is implemented using the patterns. The story need not be about all 5 patterns, if 1 or 2 of the cards simply doesn't fit in with the story. In some cases, a player may wish to tell a story about 3 cards, and tell another related story about the other 2 cards. Typically, the best stories show how all 5 cards work together in a system.

5. Players tell their stories
   Storytelling is the most important part of Patterns Poker. If you can tell your story well, you may win that deal. If your story is far-fetched, you probably won't win. When everyone is ready, each player takes a turn to show his cards and tell his story. Storytelling usually takes about 1-4 minutes for each player. If someone doesn't understand part of a story, he may ask for clarification. A player may also fold, meaning he drops out of the round because he doesn't think he has a chance of winning. If he folds, he must use his turn to explain why his patterns wouldn't work well together.

6. The group decides on the best story
   Once all players have told their stories, it's time to decide who wins that deal. This is a judgement call for the group. If you have a designated dealer (who is not playing the game but just dealing cards), he can help make the final decision about the best story. The best stories typically involve a classic combination of patterns implemented in a plausible software system. Plausible stories about dense combinations of patterns usually have more value than stories about systems that implement patterns in diverse places (e.g. the database layer uses this pattern, the gui uses that pattern).

Betting