Banker¶
What it is¶
Banker — also called umbrella or hammer — is a rolling game where, on each hole, one player becomes "the banker" and takes on everyone else at once. The banker stands to win or lose against the whole group on that hole, and the role passes around as the round goes on, so the pressure keeps shifting. It's a lively betting game for a group of three or four.
How scoring works¶
- One player is the banker for the hole. They play a separate one-on-one match, on net score, against every other player in the group.
- For each opponent the banker beats, the banker wins a point and that opponent loses one. For each opponent who beats the banker, the banker loses a point and that opponent wins one. A tie is a push — no points.
- The banker's score for the hole is the sum of all those individual results, so a banker can clean up against the whole group or get buried by it.
- The bank then passes to a player who beat the banker (or the group nominates the next banker). If nobody beat the banker, they keep the bank.
- Add everyone's points across the round. The highest total wins.
Worked example¶
Three players, with Player A starting as banker. Net scores shown; the right column is each hole's points:
| Hole | Banker | Player A | Player B | Player C | Points (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 / −1 / +1 |
| 2 | C | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 / −1 / +1 |
| 3 | C | 4 | 4 | 5 | +1 / +1 / −2 |
| Total | +1 | −1 | 0 |
On the 1st, banker A beat B (+1) but lost to C (−1), netting zero; because C beat the banker, C takes the bank. On the 2nd, banker C beat B and tied A, so C keeps it. On the 3rd, banker C lost to both, dropping two. Player A finishes ahead on +1, and every hole's points add up to zero — it's a closed circle within the group.
When to use it¶
Best for a group of three or four who want a betting game with a twist. The risk concentrates on whoever holds the bank, and since it moves around, no one is exposed for long. Sociable and fast-moving, and a natural fit for a casual round.
Variations¶
- How the bank passes. The bank can move automatically to a player who beat the banker, or the group can nominate the banker for each hole — set whichever suits the game.
Last updated: 2026-05-07