Banker¶
What it is¶
Banker (also called umbrella or hammer) is a money game for a group of three or four. On each hole one player is the banker and takes on everyone else at once, playing for an agreed stake. Players can double after their drive, the banker can double back, and the bank moves on to whoever plays the hole best. It's lively, a bit cheeky, and the pressure keeps shifting.
How scoring works¶
- Before you start, agree a stake per hole. Spin a tee on the 1st to pick the first banker.
- The banker tees off last. Each of the other players plays the banker one-on-one, on net score.
- After hitting their drive, any player can double their own stake with the banker. The banker can choose to double them back, but doesn't have to. On a par 3, the stake can go to a triple.
- For each opponent the banker beats, the banker wins that opponent's stake and the opponent pays it. For each opponent who beats the banker, the banker pays that opponent's stake. A tie is a push.
- The player with the lowest net on the hole banks the next one. If the banker is low, or level with the low score, the banker keeps the bank. If two or more players tie for low net ahead of the banker, the app asks who holed the longest putt. Skip the question and the bank goes to whoever banked most recently, then to the lower handicap, then to the player listed first in the group.
- Add up the money across the round. The biggest balance wins.
Worked example¶
\(2 a hole, three players. Ryan is the banker and hits last. Ali doubles after his drive (\)4) and Ryan doubles him back ($8). Jo stays at $2.
| Player | Net | Against Ryan | Stake | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan (banker) | 4 | +$6 | ||
| Ali | 5 | Ryan wins | $8 | Ali pays $8 |
| Jo | 3 | Jo wins | $2 | Jo wins $2 |
Ryan beats Ali and collects $8, then loses to Jo and pays $2, so he is up $6 on the hole. Jo had the low net, so Jo banks the next hole.
When to use it¶
Best for a group of three or four who want a money game with a twist. The risk concentrates on whoever holds the bank, and because the bank moves with the low net, nobody is exposed for long. Sociable and fast-moving, and a natural fit for a casual round.
Variations¶
- How the bank passes. By default the bank moves on automatically to the low net, as in step 5. Turn automatic rotation off if your group would rather nominate the banker for each hole.
- Stake. Set the amount per hole when you set up the round.
Last updated: 2026-10-13