Liars Poker is a game that uses the serial numbers that appear on US currency. The idea is to get the best poker like hand using not only your numbers but also the numbers of your opponents. Of course, you don't actually know their numbers, but you can take a reasonable guess based on statistics to formulate your best hand.

Numbers are ranked in the following order 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 (ten), 1 (ace). Each player takes his turn bidding. Each bid must exceed the bid of the previous player. So if the first player bids two 6's then the next player must, at a minimum, bid two 7's or better. If the bidder feels that he cannot beat, within reason, the current bid, he may challenge the current bid. The round robin continues until all players challenge the highest bid. At that point all serial numbers are exposed and counted to see if the current bid can be supported based on the collective of all players numbers. if the bid was successful then he wins a point from each player, if not, then he owes each participant a point (or whatever the stakes are :-)

It's hard to say exactly the roots of Liars Poker, but it seems to always come back to a simple bar game. A great way to have fun with your friends. Some say the art is in the bluff, which comes down to making someone think you may or may not have particular numbers. And, trust me, that notion can cause bidding to go in any direction.

This game was inspired by some of my friends who are are absolutely avid Liars Poker players. While designing the "play versus computer" feature I used basic statistics, but I also added several bits of randomness that will always keep you guessing on what the computer will do next. I promise you that you will be surprised how many times within a number or two you or the computer player wins or loses. And its all based on random number generation and what I call 'the damned if I do damned if I don't' algorithm. Hey, give it a try…my friends don't want to hear it but I feel it will make you a better player.