PASS THE TRASH

Overview

Pass the Trash, also known as Anaconda, is a seven-card stud variant where players improve their hands by passing unwanted cards to their neighbors. Players strategically discard cards they don't want, receive new cards from other players, and gradually reveal their hands in a structured sequence.

Number of Players

Up to 7 players

Antes

All players post antes to start the hand.

The Deal

Each player receives seven cards face down. Players look at their cards privately.

First Betting Round

After all players have looked at their seven cards, there is a betting round. The player to the dealer's left begins the betting.

First Card Passing Phase

After the first betting round, each active player:

1. Selects three unwanted cards
2. Places them face down in front of them
3. Waits for all players to be ready
4. When everyone is ready, all sets of three cards are passed to the next active player to the left

Second Betting Round

After receiving the three cards from the player to their right, players look at their new cards. There is a second betting round.

Second Discard Phase

Each player now discards two more unwanted cards, leaving them with five cards total.

Card Stacking

Each player arranges their remaining five cards in the order they want to reveal them, stacking them face down in front of them.

Reveal and Betting Rounds

Players reveal their cards one at a time with betting rounds after each reveal:

1. Each player turns over the first card of their stack
2. Betting round begins with the player showing the highest hand
3. Each player turns over the second card
4. Another betting round (highest hand showing starts)
5. This continues until each player has four cards face up and one card face down

Final Betting Round

After the fourth card is revealed and the betting round completes, there is a final betting round with four cards face up and one face down.

The Showdown

After the final betting round, all players reveal their last face-down card. The player with the highest five-card poker hand wins the pot.

Hand Rankings

Standard poker hand rankings apply. Players make the best possible five-card hand from their seven cards.

Variations

High-Low Split

Pass the Trash is often played as a high-low split game:

• Before the showdown, each player declares whether they're going for high, low, or both
• The highest hand and lowest qualifying hand split the pot
• Low hands typically use A-5 lowball rankings

Three-Phase Passing

Some groups play with three phases of passing instead of two:

• Phase 1: Discard three cards and pass them one place to the left
• Phase 2: Discard two cards and pass them two places to the left
• Phase 3: Discard one card and pass it three places to the left
• There is a betting round after each phase

Dealer's Choice Variations

In dealer's choice games, the dealer can specify other patterns of passing as desired.

Split Pot Variation

Some groups play that since cards are normally passed to the left, the pot is split between:

• The player with the highest hand
• The next active player to the right of the high hand winner

The logic is that you should share in the success of the player to whom you passed cards.

Key Strategic Elements

• Carefully choose which cards to pass - you're helping your neighbor
• The order you stack your five cards matters - reveal strongest cards first to control betting
• Pay attention to what cards other players pass and receive
• Consider your reveal sequence strategically
• In high-low versions, plan whether to go for high, low, or both

Strategy Tips

• Pass your weakest cards - don't give opponents good cards if you can help it
• Stack your cards with the strongest on top to maintain betting control
• Watch what cards are passed - this gives you information about opponents' hands
• Consider keeping cards that might become strong with the passed cards you'll receive
• In the reveal phase, use your position advantage when you have the highest showing hand
• Remember that everyone sees the same information as cards are revealed