In Between card game is a simple bidding game enjoyed worldwide. These In Between rules explain how to play this game.
In Between, also known as In-Between, Betweenies, Sheets, Acey-Deucey, Reddog, or Yablon, is a popular card game with several variations.
Similar to Po-Ke-No (see Po-Ke-No rules) or Horse Race (see Horse Race game rules), this game involves both poker chips and playing cards.
Key highlights of this In Between card game rules guide:
- What is In Between
- In Between Card Game Rules
- In Between Scoring
- In Between Rules in Pictures
- How to play In Between (Video tutorial)
Read on to learn how to play In Between with your friends or family.
What is In Between?
In Between is a classic casino-style card game centered around betting on randomly drawn cards. It doesn’t involve complex strategies, so it’s suitable even for beginner players.
Number of Players: 2+
Ages: 8+
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Play: 15 – 30 minutes
Type of Game: Casino-style card game
Similar to: High Card Pool, Hi-Lo, Horse Race
Main Objective: Earn as many chips as possible through bets on the value of the cards.
Our Take: In Between is an amusing yet straightforward game that can be played for hours.
What You’ll Need to Play In Between
If you want to play In Between, make sure you have the following:
- Decks: 1
- Number of Cards: 52
- Cards Omitted: Jokers
You will also need a set of casino-style poker chips (or a substitute of your choice).
In Between Card Game Rules
In Between rules are fairly simple. Start the game by arranging your gameplay area.
Starting the Game
Present each player with an equal amount of chips (e.g., five, ten, twenty). Each player donates one of their chips(or some other agreed amount) to create a middle pot.
Before you start playing the game, pick a dealer (who will also play the game along with the remaining players). The dealer shuffles the cards and places them in front of them.
Also, decide on the number of game rounds you want to play in total.
How to Play In Between
The gameplay goes as follows:
- The dealer turns two cards over and places them in the center of the table.
- Now the next player (on the dealer’s left) takes their turn. They bet on whether the next card’s value will range between the previous two cards.
- The minimum bet is one chip, and the maximum bet equals the number of chips in the middle pot.
- If the player wins, they get double the amount of chips back.
Example: The player bets two chips on a card between 2 and 8. If the card is 6, they get back their two chips plus two more chips from the pot.
- If the player loses (for example, the third card is 9), their chips are passed to the pot.
- The cards are discarded face-down in a separate pile.
- Another player (in the clockwise direction) takes turns. The dealer flips over two new cards, and the gameplay continues.
Special Situations
Occasionally, you may come across some specific situations:
- If the two cards in the middle are in sequence (e.g., 6 and 7), the player loses one chip (the minimum bet). There’s no need to turn the third card over in this case.
- If the two cards in the middle are of the same value (e.g., two queens), the player wins two chips from the pot. Again, there’s no need to turn the third card over.
- The player loses if the third card has the same value as any of the cards.
- If a player places a maximum bet and wins (= collects all the chips from the middle pot), all players will donate an equal amount of chips to create a new bank.
When all the players have their turns, the round ends. Play for as many rounds as you have initially agreed on.
In Between Scoring
When you have completed all the agreed rounds, the players count their chips. The player with the most chips becomes the game’s winner.
In Between Rules In Pictures
Step 1
Each player receives an equal amount of chips. To create a middle pot, they all donate one of their chips.
Step 2
The dealer shuffles the deck, turns two cards over, and places them in the center of the table.
Step 3
The players take turns placing bets on whether the next card will range between the previous two cards. The minimum bet is one chip, and the maximum bet equals the pot.
Step 4
If the player wins (i.e., the third card ranks in between the previous two cards), they get double the amount of chips back.
Step 5
If the player loses (i.e., the third card is higher/lower than the previous two cards), their chips are passed to the pot. Play for as many rounds as agreed, then count the players’ chips.
How to Play In Between – Video Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play In Between?
Two or more players can play In Between. The maximum number is not defined, but you should stick to 2 – 8 players to keep the game dynamic.
When do you shuffle cards in In Between?
Players shuffle cards in In Between whenever they need to reuse the pile of disposed cards. Players can also agree to shuffle the cards after every round.
What are the In Between variations?
In the most popular In Between variation, players bet on the third card to be outside the range between the first two cards. Ace can also be interpreted as both the ‘highest’ and the ‘lowest’ card. Players can alternatively place ‘blind bets’ to win more chips.
Other Similar Games to In Between (Our Guides)
If you like In Between, check out our guides to the following similar games:
- Chase the Ace card game
- Tripoley rules
- Faro rules
- Baseball card game rules
- Po-Ke-No rules
- Horse Race game rules
- Blackjack game rules
- Red Dog card game rules
- Indian Poker rules
- High Card Pool rules (coming soon)
- Hi-Lo rules (coming soon)
- Maverick rules (coming soon)
