What is Pineapple?
Pineapple is usually played by 2–3 players. Each player sets 13 cards into three rows, and each row is compared with every opponent's:
The most important rule when setting cards: bottom ≥ middle ≥ top. In the example above, the flush on the bottom beats trips in the middle, which beats a pair on top, so the hand is legal, and QQ on top also qualifies for Fantasyland.
How cards are dealt in Pineapple
- 1
Round one: 5 cards
Each player gets 5 cards and sets all of them into the three rows. Once placed, cards can't be moved.
- 2
Rounds two to five: 3 cards each
Each round you get 3 cards, set 2 and discard 1 face down where your opponents can't see it. This happens 4 times.
- 3
Compare once all 13 are set
Once 5 + 2 × 4 = 13 cards are set, you compare each row with every opponent and score.
Getting 3 cards and keeping 2 is the biggest difference between Pineapple and classic OFC (where you get one card at a time). It makes the game faster and strong hands more common.
How Pineapple is scored
- Row by row: the top, middle and bottom are each compared with your opponent's. Win a row for +1, lose one for −1.
- Scoop: win all three rows for an extra +3, so 6 points in total.
- Royalties: bonus points for making certain strong hands in a row (see the table below).
- Fouling: a fouled hand loses all three rows and pays the opponent's royalties.
Example: you win the bottom and middle but lose the top → +2 −1 = +1 point, plus the difference in royalties between you.
Pineapple royalties table
| Straight | 2 |
| Flush | 4 |
| Full house | 6 |
| Four of a kind | 10 |
| Straight flush | 15 |
| Royal flush | 25 |
| Three of a kind | 2 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Flush | 8 |
| Full house | 12 |
| Four of a kind | 20 |
| Straight flush | 30 |
| Royal flush | 50 |
| 66 | 1 |
| 77 | 2 |
| 88 | 3 |
| 99 | 4 |
| TT | 5 |
| JJ | 6 |
| 7 | |
| KK | 8 |
| AA | 9 |
| Trips 222–AAA | 10–22 |
Trips on top start at 10 points for 222 and go up 1 point per rank, to 22 points for AAA. Royalties can vary slightly between sites, so check the table rules.
What is Fantasyland?
Fantasyland is the bonus round every Pineapple player hopes for:
- How to qualify: make QQ or better on top without fouling your hand.
- The Fantasyland round: on your next hand you get 14 cards at once (discarding 1), so you can set the best possible hand at your leisure while your opponents receive cards round by round as usual.
- Progressive Fantasyland: some sites give more cards for better hands: 15 for KK on top, 16 for AA and 17 for trips.
- Staying in: make trips on top, a full house or better in the middle, or quads or better on the bottom while in Fantasyland to stay for another hand.
Pineapple strategy for beginners
- Don't foul: fouling costs far more than missing out on a few royalty points.
- Build the bottom first: start straight and flush draws on the bottom row and keep the middle and top flexible.
- Track the cards you've seen: your opponents' cards are face up, so count your remaining outs before deciding whether to chase.
- Use your discards: discarding each round hides information and keeps dangerous cards off your board.
- Weigh the risk of Fantasyland: QQ or better on top is valuable, but only if you're confident your middle and bottom will hold up.
Poker rooms where you can play Pineapple OFC
These 1 rooms offer Pineapple OFC. Pick one for its download guide and how to join:
More on Pineapple OFC
FAQ
Pineapple OFC FAQ
How is Pineapple different from OFC?
In classic OFC you get 5 cards to start and then 1 card at a time. In Pineapple you get 5 cards to start and then 3 at a time, setting 2 and discarding 1, so the game is faster and strong hands come up more often.
What is fouling in Pineapple?
Your hand is fouled when your rows are not in the order bottom ≥ middle ≥ top. A fouled hand loses all three rows and pays the opponent’s royalties.
How do you get into Fantasyland in Pineapple?
Make QQ or better on top without fouling, and on your next hand you enter Fantasyland, getting 14 or more cards at once to set.
How many points is a scoop worth in Pineapple?
Winning all three rows earns the basic 3 points plus a 3-point scoop bonus, 6 points in total, plus the difference in royalties.
Which rooms offer Pineapple?
X-Poker offers Pineapple OFC. See the list of rooms further down this page.