It frequently does No-Trumps pay to draw trumps, a tactic that is frequently used in other trick-taking games, including Bridge. Had East, with his strong trumps, attempted to do so in the example hand, the play might have proceeded as follows:

Each side took seven points, meaning East/West failed to make their contract, and North/South therefore scored their points, seven, plus the value of the contract, eight, making 15.

It is as well to note that a side failing to make a contract must lose at least 15 points, while if it makes the contract it cannot score more than 14. This suggests bids should be made with caution. On the other hand, naming the trump suit is a big advantage.

CINCH WITH A WIDOW

In this variation of the poker game, after the first three cards to each player, the dealer deals each player a widow of four cards, which remains on the table before them. Players bid as before, whereupon each player picks up his widow.

The maker then names the trump suit, and each player discards seven cards to brig his hand to six. Any player who discards a trump or trumps must show them to the other players. Play then proceeds as before.

CUT-THROAT CINCH

Cinch can be played by two, three, five or six players, each playing for himself. With two or three players, the dealer does No-Trumps rob the pack, but discards and draws like the other players.

Obviously not all the trumps will be in play, which makes the bidding and play more of a gamble. With five or six players, each player is dealt six cards only, so draws the same number of cards as he discards.

In Cut throat cinch, the maker plays against the other online poker players. With two players, scoring is as in the parent game, which has two sides.

With three to six players, if the contract is made, the side with the most tricks (either the maker or the combined opponents) scores the difference if his side wins). If the contract is not made, each opponent scores the amount of the bid plus the number of points scored by himself personally.

AUCTION CINCH

Auction Cinch, also called Razzle Dazzle, is for five or six players, each playing for himself. Six cards are dealt to each player in bundles of three. Bidding is as in the parent game described, and when the highest bidder has named trumps, each player in turn discards all his non-trumps, and takes cards sufficient to bring his hand back to six cards.

The maker then specifies a card No-Trumps in his hand (usually the highest trump he is missing). The holder of the card acknowledge that he has it, and the two play in opposition against the others. The partner does not change seats, even if sitting next to maker. The scoring of the points in play is as in the parent game.

If the maker and his partner make their contract, the side with most points scores the difference between the two totals. Each player on the winning side scores the difference. If the contract fails, each poker player on the non-contracting side scores the points specified in the contract plus the points he himself took in tricks.

Some schools prefer that the partner of the maker does No-Trumps acknowledge that he holds the specified card. This brings surprise and uncertainty to the play while detracting from the skill factor.