How to play Banker (golf): rules and examples
In Banker, one player is the banker on each hole and every other player has a separate bet against them. The lower net score wins that bet, so the banker can win from some players and pay others on the same hole.
- Players: 3 to 5 players
- Also called: Bank, Dealer
- Teams: Every player for themselves
- Scores needed: Every player's score on each hole
A bet size for each opponent, then every score.
Finish the round with the most money from your bets and your turns as banker.
How to play Banker
- Pick a banker for each hole. The default is a fixed rotation, so the bank moves to the next player each hole.
- Before teeing off, each opponent chooses a bet within the group minimum and maximum.
- Everyone plays the hole. Each opponent's net score is compared with the banker's.
- If the banker has the lower net score, they win that opponent's bet. If the opponent is lower, the banker pays it. A tie is a push by default.
- Presses can double a bet. A player can double their own bet, and the banker can double all of the opponents' bets after teeing off.
A worked example with numbers
The banker nets 4. Ann bet 2 units and nets 5. Bo bet 1 unit and nets 3. The banker beats Ann and wins 2 units. Bo beats the banker, so the banker pays Bo 1 unit.
If the banker had pressed with a x2 multiplier after teeing off, the bets would be 4 and 2 units, so the banker would win 4 from Ann and pay Bo 2, netting +2 instead of +1. Strokes are pairwise by default, so each bet uses the strokes between that opponent and the banker only.
Options and defaults
These are the rules groups change. The first column is the setting, the second is what Hole19Tally starts with, and the last says what it changes.
| Option | Default | Choices | What it changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is banker | rotation | rotation, lowest score | Rotation: fixed order. Lowest score: the low net on the previous hole takes the bank. |
| Leftover holes in a fixed rotation | continue | continue, furthest behind | Holes left after the last full cycle: keep rotating, or the player furthest behind banks. |
| Tie for low when taking the bank | banker keeps | banker keeps, first holed, scorer picks | Banker keeps it, or a named tied player takes it (key bank_tiebreak on the hole). |
| Bet sizing | pick | pick, banker names, fixed | Pick: each opponent picks an amount up to the banker maximum. Banker names: one amount for all. Fixed: group minimum. |
| Group minimum (units) | 1 | 1, 2, 5 | The smallest bet an opponent may place. |
| Group maximum (units) | 5 | 2, 5, 10, 20 | The biggest bet an opponent may place. |
| Player press | on | on, off | A player may double their own bet; the banker must then tee off last. |
| Banker press | on | on, off | Banker may double every opponent bet after teeing off. |
| Press multiplier | x2 | x2, x3 par3, x3 | What a press multiplies the bet by. |
| Tie with the banker | push | push, banker | Push: no money. Banker: the banker wins ties. |
| Birdie bonus | off | off, on | A gross birdie or better by the winner doubles that bet. |
| Strokes | pairwise | pairwise, off the low | Pairwise: strokes are the difference between banker and that opponent. Off the low: group low plays scratch. |
| Handicap allowance % | 100 | 100, 95, 90, 85 | How much of each Course Handicap is used. |
Common disputes
Who tees off last?
A player who presses their own bet makes the banker tee off last, which is one reason the app tracks press order.
What is the bet limit?
Opponents pick between the group minimum and maximum. The defaults are 1 and 5 units, and you can choose a single fixed amount for all.
Does the banker win ties?
Not by default: a tie is a push. You can give ties to the banker.
What happens on holes left after the last full rotation?
By default the rotation just continues. You can instead give the bank to the player furthest behind.
Frequently asked questions
How many players can play Banker?
Three to five.
Is Banker gross or net?
Net by default, with strokes between the banker and each opponent.
Is there a birdie bonus?
An optional one: a gross birdie or better by the winner doubles that bet.
Is Hole19Tally a betting app?
Hole19Tally is a scorekeeper. It records scores, works out strokes and shows who owes whom, but it never holds, moves or takes a share of money, and it is not a gambling service. Players settle up directly with each other.
Score it in Hole19Tally
Hole19Tally keeps the score for Banker, applies the handicap strokes and shows who owes whom. Hole19Tally is a scorekeeper. It records scores, works out strokes and shows who owes whom, but it never holds, moves or takes a share of money, and it is not a gambling service. Players settle up directly with each other.
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