Poker hand rankings

Strongest to weakest · Three cards only

1. Straight FlushThree in sequence, one suit.
   J♠Q♠K♠
2. Three of a KindThree cards of the same rank.
   K♠K♥K♣
3. StraightThree in sequence, mixed suits.
   J♠Q♥K♣
4. FlushOne suit, outside a sequence.
   9♠J♠A♠
5. PairTwo cards of the same rank.
   Q♠Q♥A♠
6. High CardNone of the combinations above.
   9♠J♥A♣

Ace is high. Suits have equal value. A–9–10 is not a straight. Within the same hand type, compare the highest relevant rank, then the remaining cards (kickers) to break a tie.

How a hand works

You and the boss each have your own independently shuffled 24-card deck: 9, 10, J, Q, K and Ace in all four suits.

1. Hold five. Look for a strong three-card hand, and think about which two cards you want to keep.
2. Discard if you wish. Start with one discard per hand; upgrades can add more. Select cards and press Discard to draw the same number of new cards. Use your allowance together or one card at a time, while your draw pile has enough cards.
3. Play three. Keep two. Tap a card to select it, or tap again to unselect it. Select exactly three and press Play Three against the boss’s three cards. You can play without discarding. After a discard your selection clears.
4. Refill and continue. Your other two cards carry into the next hand; draw three to return to five. Played and discarded cards stay out for the encounter, unless the decks refresh.

First to win two hands takes the encounter. An exact tie awards no point; play another hand.

When the decks run low: if either side cannot refill normally, both decks refresh and both players receive five new cards. The encounter score stays.

The road through five bosses

Each opponent makes more challenging strategic decisions. They cannot see your hidden cards or their future draws.

1. The Drifter
2. The Gambler
3. The Deputy
4. The Sheriff
5. The Undertaker

Lose one boss encounter and your run ends. Defeat all five to complete the initial run, then choose Endless to keep playing against the Undertaker’s difficulty.

Upgrades

After bosses 1 to 4, choose one of three randomly offered upgrades. The fifth boss completes your run; its reward is offered only if you choose Endless. They last for this run. Collect an upgrade again to improve it to Level 2; Last Stand is unique and can only be taken once.

Maxed upgrades and an owned Last Stand are not offered again. If fewer than three eligible upgrades remain, you see fewer choices; when none remain, you continue without a reward. Starting a new run clears your upgrades.

Quick Draw

Two discards per hand at Level 1; three at Level 2.

Lucky Break

Discard one selected card and choose between two drawn cards; the other goes out. Costs one normal discard. One use per boss, or two at Level 2.

Flexible Carry

Between continuing hands, keep two and draw four, then choose one of the six to discard. Costs no normal discard. One use per boss, or two at Level 2; requires enough draw cards.

Read the Table

Once per boss, reveal the rank of one card from the boss’s already committed trio; two distinct cards at Level 2. Suits stay hidden. Costs no discard.

Last Stand

Starting with the next hand after the boss earns one win, gain two extra discards per hand for that encounter. Adds to Quick Draw.

Peek Ahead

Always see your actual next draw’s rank; Level 2 adds its suit. Costs nothing and never changes deck order.

Active ability uses reset for each boss, not each hand or deck refresh. Open Upgrades at the table to review your collection.