Play Poker Baseball to Tide You Over til the Opener

Pitchers and catchers report in just 12 days. That's a super long time huh. So what are you supposed to do with yourself in the meantime?

Of course, the Super Bowl is coming up this Sunday, which is pretty great for Pittsburgh and Green Bay fans. But what about everyone else? What are we to do to keep from dying of cabin fever?

There is a simple solution to the problem: get some buddies together and play Poker Baseball.

Sure, everyone is crazy about Texas Hold 'Em, but you can't scratch the itch of America's imaginary Pastime with that game. You could play poker online, but playing Poker Baseball with the people you love to rob is probably your best bet.

The rules for this basic 7 card stud game are fairly simple:

1. Collect the ante from each player. This can be in the form of chips, cash, baseball cards or cigarettes if you're hanging out in a Dominican prison with Alfredo Simon.

2. Deal three cards to each player. Begin the game by dealing out three cards to each of your pals. The first two cards should be face down and the third will be dealt face up. However, if the player receives a 4 face up, he or she is dealt another card, face down.

3. Place your bets. This is where things get interesting. Keep in mind that 3's and 9's are wild cards.

4. Deal three more cards to each player. The fourth, fifth and sixth cards are dealt face up to each player, with a round of betting after each card is dealt. Don't forget the rule for 4's that are dealt face up: this player gets another card face down.

5. Deal one more card and place your bets. The seventh and final card will be dealt face down to each player before placing your final bets.

6. Mix it up. To make things even more interesting, you can also play Night Baseball, where all seven cards are dealt face down with each player taking turns turning them over.

It doesn't matter if you're a dude or a female poker player, odds are after your read this post you'll be able to swing with the best of them.