THERMONUCLEAR ARMAGEDDON PINEAPPLE

Overview

Thermonuclear Armageddon Pineapple (TAP) takes Pineapple to its extreme conclusion: each player receives five hole cards, then must discard one card before every street — before the flop, before the turn, and before the river. You end with just two hole cards like regular Hold'em, but you've had far more information (and decision-making) along the way. Best 5-card hand from 2 hole cards + 5 community cards wins.

Betting Sequence

1. Deal: Five hole cards each, round-robin, face-down
2. Pre-Flop Betting (SB acts first)
3. Discard: Each player discards one hole card
4. Flop: Three community cards revealed
5. Flop Betting (SB acts first)
6. Discard: Each player discards one hole card (3 remain)
7. Turn: One community card revealed
8. Turn Betting (BB acts first)
9. Discard: Each player discards one hole card (2 remain)
10. River: One community card revealed
11. River Betting (BB acts first)
12. Showdown: Best 5-card high hand wins

Strategy Tips

• With 5 starting cards you see far more combinations — identify your best 2-card core early
• The pre-flop discard is crucial: eliminate the card that clashes most with your top 4
• Each discard is a commitment — pay attention to the board texture before discarding
• Connected and suited cards compound in value; five cards give you many more drawing combinations
• Up to 8 players can be accommodated — good pot odds, expect big fields and large pots