What Is In Between?
In Between is a dealer-led betting game. Each turn, the dealer deals two face-up cards (“the spread”). Players then bet whether a third card will be ranked strictly between those two cards. If it is, the player wins. If it isn’t (or hits the endpoints, depending on your rules), the player loses.
Setup: Players, Dealer, Chips
What you need
- 1 standard 52-card deck (or 2 decks for bigger groups)
- Poker chips (or coins)
- A clear dealer position (dealer rotates each round/hand)
Choose a dealer
One player is the dealer for a round. After a set time (or after the deck ends), rotate the dealer clockwise. Some groups make the dealer a “house” who pays winners; others do a central pot (see Variations).
Bankroll & limits
Set a minimum/maximum bet so the game stays fun. Example: $1–$5 per bet, or 1–5 chips.
Card Ranking & “In Between” Basics
Card ranks
Use standard poker ranks: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A (Ace high).
Suits do not matter for “in between” unless your house adds suit bonuses.
What counts as “in between”?
The most common rule is strictly between the two cards (not equal to either end).
Example: between 4 and 9 = 5,6,7,8.
How to Play (Step-by-Step)
- Dealer shuffles and offers a cut (optional).
- Dealer flips two face-up cards to create the spread.
- Players choose to bet or pass. (Some versions force a bet; most allow passing.)
- Dealer flips a third card face up.
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Resolve bets:
- If the third card rank is strictly between the spread ranks → player wins (payout depends on your rules).
- If it is outside the spread → player loses their bet.
- If it matches an endpoint (tie) → usually a bigger loss (see Payouts).
- Repeat for the next betting opportunity until you rotate the dealer or the deck ends.
Example turn
Dealer flips 6 and Q. Players can bet. Dealer flips the third card:
9 → that’s between 6 and Q, so bets win.
If the third card was 4 → outside, bets lose.
If it was 6 or Q → endpoint tie (special rule).
Payouts & Common Rules
There are a few standard payout systems. Pick one and stick with it for the night. Here are the most common:
System A (simple even money)
- In between: pays 1:1
- Outside: lose the bet
- Endpoint tie: lose 2× the bet (or lose the bet + pay an extra equal amount)
- Pair on first two cards: automatic loss (commonly 3×), or redeal
System B (gap-based payouts — most “casino-like”)
The smaller the gap between the two spread cards, the harder it is to win—so the payout increases. The “gap” is the number of ranks strictly between the two cards.
| Gap (cards in between) | Example Spread | Common Payout if Win | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7–9 (only 8 wins) | 5:1 or 10:1 | Very hard to hit |
| 2 | 7–10 (8,9 win) | 4:1 | Hard |
| 3 | 7–J (8,9,10 win) | 3:1 | Medium |
| 4 | 7–Q (8–J win) | 2:1 | Decent |
| 5+ | 4–Q (5–J win) | 1:1 | Good odds |
Handling endpoints and pairs (recommended defaults)
- Endpoint tie: player loses 2× the bet.
- Pair spread (same rank): player loses 3× the bet (or dealer redeals if you want a gentler game).
Odds: How Often You Win
In Between is all about the spread. The wider the spread, the more “winning ranks” exist. If the two cards are close together (like 7–9), you only have one winning rank (8), so your chances are low. If the two cards are far apart (like 3–K), many ranks win.
Quick intuition (no math required)
- Gap 1–2: low chance → only bet if payout is big.
- Gap 3–4: medium chance → fair action.
- Gap 5+: high chance → good spot to bet.
Strategy Tips
1) Don’t bet small gaps unless the payout is worth it
A gap of 1–2 loses a lot. If your game pays only 1:1 on every win, you should mostly skip tiny spreads. If you use gap-based payouts (like 5:1 or 10:1 for gap 1), then small gaps can be profitable—or at least exciting.
2) Treat endpoint ties as “extra risk”
Even on wide gaps, there’s always a chance the third card matches one endpoint. If endpoint ties are punished (2× loss), that effectively lowers your expected return.
3) Bankroll management matters more than “skill”
This game is mostly variance. Set betting limits, avoid chasing losses, and keep it fun.
4) If you’re the dealer, run clean and consistent rules
In Between is best when it’s fast. Use a clear betting call (“bets are in / bets are closed”) and flip the third card cleanly.
Popular Variations
- Forced bet: Everyone must bet 1 chip each round (speeds up, increases action).
- Central pot version: Losers pay into a pot; winners are paid from the pot (dealer isn’t the bank).
- Red Dog bonus: If the third card lands “in between” on a small gap, payout is boosted.
- Ace low/high: Decide whether Ace can be low (below 2) or only high (above King). Most groups use Ace high only.
- Jokers: Add jokers as wild “auto win” or “auto loss” cards—very chaotic.
- Pot Limit Betting: A player may bet the amount of the Pot (normally with very favorable cards).
In Between FAQ
What is In Between?
In Between is a dealer-led betting game where the dealer flips two cards and players bet that the next card will rank strictly between them. It’s also known as Acey-Deucey or Red Dog.
Do suits matter in In Between?
Usually no—only rank matters. Some house versions add suit-based bonuses, but the standard game ignores suits.
What happens if the third card matches one of the spread cards?
That’s an endpoint tie. Most home games treat it as an extra penalty, commonly losing 2× the bet. Decide this rule before playing.
What happens if the first two cards are a pair?
Many versions treat a pair spread as a penalty (often losing 3× the bet) or as a redeal. Choose the rule your group prefers.
What’s the best way to set payouts?
The simplest system pays 1:1 on wins and loses the bet on losses, with an endpoint tie penalty. A more advanced system uses gap-based payouts, where smaller gaps pay more when you win.
Is In Between a poker game?
It uses poker chips and card ranks, but it’s more of a fast betting game than traditional poker (no hand building, no community cards, no showdown).
