How to play BS Poker

Rules, hand rankings and tips

BS Poker is a bluffing card game for 2 to 7 players. It's also known as Bullshit Poker, and some groups call it Liar's Poker. You name a poker hand that you say can be made from everyone's cards combined, even though you can only see your own. The next player either names a better hand or calls BS.

Play BS Poker free online with friends, strangers or bots. There's nothing to download.

The rules

1. Everyone starts with 2 cards, hidden from the other players.
2. On your turn, name a poker hand that you claim can be made from all the cards in play. It has to beat the last hand named. You don't need to hold any of it.
3. Instead of raising, you can call BS on the last hand. Only the player whose turn it is can call.
4. Everyone shows their cards. If the hand can be made, the player who called BS takes a card. If it can't, the player who named it takes a card.
5. The player who took a card names the first hand of the next round.
6. The first player to reach 8 cards loses the game.

Hand rankings

Bids follow standard poker order, from lowest to highest. Within a type, higher cards win.

1. High card: for example, King high.
2. Pair: two cards of one rank.
3. Two pair: two different pairs.
4. Three of a kind: three cards of one rank.
5. Straight: five cards in a row. An Ace can be low, as in Ace to Five.
6. Flush: five cards of one suit. You name the high card and the suit.
7. Full house: three of one rank and two of another.
8. Four of a kind: all four cards of one rank.
9. Straight flush: five cards in a row in one suit. You name the high card and the suit. The highest is a Royal flush.

Suits aren't ranked, so a King-high flush in hearts doesn't beat one in spades. To raise a flush, you need a higher card or a better hand.

Tips

• Count the cards in play. With 8 cards on the table, a pair is likely and a flush is not. With 30 cards, even a full house can be a safe bet.
• Use your own hand. If you hold two Kings, a pair of Kings is guaranteed, and three Kings may be worth a try.
• Bluff with a purpose. A bid you can't support pushes the next player toward a hand they can't support either.
• Remember the trade-off. Taking a card hurts your position, but it also tells you more about what's on the table.

Common questions

Is BS Poker free?

Yes. BS Poker is free to play in your browser, and it involves no real money.

Do I need an account?

No. You can play right away as a guest and create an account later if you want one.

How many people can play?

Private rooms hold 2 to 7 players. Quick match seats up to 4, and Play bots puts you against 1 to 6 computer players.

Can I play with friends online?

Yes. Create a private room, then share the code or invite link with your friends.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in your phone's browser, with no app to install.

Is this the same as the card game BS or Cheat?

No. In BS, also called Cheat, you play cards face down and lie about what they are. In BS Poker, you bid poker hands across everyone's cards.

Is it the same as Liar's Poker with dollar bills?

No. The dollar-bill game uses serial numbers. This version uses playing cards and poker hands.