One of our favorite Thanksgiving family games is “Turkey Hold’Em”…a no-stakes variation of the popular “Texas Hold’Em” poker game. It’s a fun, festive, and easy card game that everyone can play around the Thanksgiving table. We started a family tradition of Thanksgiving games and entertainment many years ago. It was a great way to end a wonderful family day. This tradition has become such an ingrained part of our Thanksgiving celebrations that emails start flying weeks before the holiday. Everyone is trying to find out what crazy mom has planned for this year’s reunion.
Turkey Hold’Em is simple and easy. I created a “deck” of cards using 4 different turkey logos and 8 “wild turkey” cards that serve as… you guessed it… jokers! I also came up with a point system that assigns points for different hands. For example, a pair is worth 2 points, 3 of a kind is worth 3 points, and so on. At game time, choose a dealer, who will go around each player individually. The dealer will place 3 cards on the table and 2 cards in front of the player. The player can evaluate all 5 cards to see what points his hand is worth, if any. They can then turn in one or both cards for new ones and end their points for that round. While it may sound elementary…it’s similar in nature to Yahtzee with a bit of luck, a random but fun roll for everyone. Younger cousins can easily play with older ones and adults. We have a rowdy crowd in our family, so people are giving the other players advice on what to do with their cards. Some have even been known to challenge other players to risk a sure thing with a low point hand in order to try and score bigger points. Meanwhile, our official scorer is recording each person’s point on the “Turkey Tracker” scorecard that I prepared. We played 3 rounds…then we added up and determined a winner and runners up. What do we do for prizes… what I decide. It could be cash, gift cards, or that most precious prize… the “Turkey Hold ‘Em TOP TURKEY” T-shirt that I design and make myself! That maybe the favorite of all the awards.
Everything you need to host your own Turkey Hold’Em Thanksgiving Tournament, plus other great family Thanksgiving games and activities, can be found at Celebration Ideas Online. Just print and play and all for free!