High-Stakes Poker Mechanic

For use with Cyberpunk Red

This system allows characters to engage in poker games, using a mix of roleplay, skills, and luck to determine the outcome. It gives players the ability to read opponents, bluff, and play strategically.

Step 1: Buy-In and Stakes

• The GM sets the buy-in and the general stakes of the game (low, mid, high, or life-changing).

• Players can choose to bet aggressively, cautiously, or neutrally before cards are even dealt, which influences their rolls later.

Step 2: The Deal – Hand Strength & Player Read

Each participant rolls 1d10 + relevant skills to determine their starting strength and ability to read opponents.

• Hand Strength Roll:

  • 1d10 + INT + Gambling

  • Determines the baseline strength of the player’s hand.

• Read Opponents Roll:

  • 1d10 + EMP + Human Perception or Streetwise

  • Determines how well the player can read the other gamblers.

The GM also rolls for NPCs, adjusting based on their skill levels.

Step 3: Betting & Bluffing

Each betting round, players can choose to:

• Play it Safe: No additional roll, rely on Hand Strength.

• Bluff: Roll 1d10 + COOL + Acting or Persuasion (opposed by opponents’ Human Perception).

• Read & Counter: Roll 1d10 + EMP + Human Perception to pick up on a bluff.

If the bluff succeeds, the player forces an NPC to fold or gets a bonus to the final hand resolution.

Step 4: Showdown – Winning the Pot

At the final showdown, the GM determines:

• The highest Hand Strength roll still in the game wins, modified by any successful bluffs or counters.

• If a player successfully read an opponent earlier, they get a +2 bonus to their Hand Strength.

• If a player’s bluff was exposed, they suffer a -2 penalty to Hand Strength.

Optional: Cyberware Assisted Gambling & Cyberware

• Players with Neuralware Boosters (e.g., Kerenzikov) can reroll once per game.

• If a character has a Smart Glasses HUD or Interface Plugs, they get a +2 to Read Opponents if they access surveillance data.

• Some underground poker tables use anti-cheat software—players with cybernetic enhancements may be detected and disqualified (or worse) if they cheat.

Read below to get a One-Shot campaign using this mechanic!