The Banker Golf Game: Rules of the Betting Game
The Banker turns your round into a non-stop tug of war: each player starts with an allowance of points — the number of holes multiplied by 10, so 180 points over 18 holes — and on every hole, all the players stake points against a single opponent, the Banker. Each duel is played 1 against 1: the attacker who beats the Banker takes their stake from the Banker, the beaten attacker pays it to the Banker, and a tie costs nobody anything. After a good tee shot, a player can even “press”: double their stake during the hole. The role then passes to the attacker who beat the Banker with the best gross score on the hole. The Banker therefore takes on everyone at once: their wins and losses are multiplied, and the allowances go up and down like a lift. At the end of the round, the leaderboard can be read at a glance: the highest total wins. With 3 or 4 players, thrills guaranteed — without a penny at stake.
How to play The Banker, hole by hole
- Set the starting allowance: number of holes × 10 points (18 holes → 180 points each). Choose the first Banker — in the app, they are drawn at random at the start.
- Before each hole, every non-Banker picks their stake: at least 0, pre-filled at 10 points, capped at their remaining allowance.
- Press (optional): during the hole, after the tee shot, an attacker can double their stake.
- Compare in a 1v1 duel: the Banker against each attacker separately. Attacker wins → they get their stake, deducted from the Banker's allowance. Banker wins → they get the stake, deducted from the attacker's allowance. Tie → no exchange.
- Pass on the role: new Banker = the attacker who beats the Banker with the best gross score on the hole (nobody beats them → they keep the role; several tied → whoever took the most from the bank, then a random draw). Allowance floor: 0 points. Final ranking from highest total to lowest.
What each duel does to the allowances
| Outcome of the 1v1 duel | Effect on the allowances |
|---|---|
| The attacker beats the Banker | The attacker gets their stake, deducted from the Banker's allowance |
| The Banker beats the attacker | The Banker gets the stake, deducted from the attacker's allowance |
| Tie | No exchange |
18 holes, an allowance of 180 points each. Hole 5: Inès is the Banker. Hugo stakes 10 points, hits a good tee shot and presses: his stake goes up to 20. Léa stakes 20 points from the start. Scores on the hole: Inès 5, Hugo 4, Léa 5. Inès–Hugo duel: Hugo wins and takes 20 points from Inès's allowance. Inès–Léa duel: tie, no exchange. Allowances: Hugo 200, Léa 180, Inès 160 — and Hugo, the attacker who beat the Banker with the best gross score on the hole, becomes Banker on hole 6.
Why the Banker role changes everything
The Banker takes on everyone at the same time: their wins and losses are multiplied. A solid hole against three greedy attackers can pay off handsomely; a bad hole against the same stakes can cost a fortune. Staking big against a struggling Banker — or pressing at the right moment — brings a real taste of risk-taking to the course.
On strategy: stake according to the hole, not your mood. Small on the tricky holes, big where your game is solid. The Press is the comeback weapon: after a good tee shot against a Banker in the rough, double without a second thought.
Relaunch, an option in the app
The allowance never drops below 0 — and a player on 0 can no longer stake anything. So they don't end up as a spectator, the app offers the “Relaunch allowed” option, which can be switched on in the game set-up: a player who has dropped to 0 can restart once only, with 10 points. Enough for another shot at it, without turning the round into a bottomless pit.
Frequently asked questions
How is the starting allowance worked out in The Banker?
Each player's allowance equals the number of holes multiplied by 10 points: 180 points over 18 holes, 90 points over 9 holes. This allowance is used to place stakes throughout the round and can never drop below 0.
What is the Press in The Banker?
It is the option that lets an attacker double their stake during the hole, after the tee shot. It is the comeback weapon: after a good tee shot against a Banker in trouble, pressing raises the stakes of the duel.
How does the Banker role change hands?
The new Banker is the attacker who beat them with the best gross score on the hole. If nobody beats the Banker, they keep the role. If several attackers beat the Banker on a tie, the bank goes to whoever took the most from it on the hole; if it is still tied, there is a random draw. The app also offers three other tie-breaks: a straight random draw, lowest allowance or highest allowance.
What happens when a player drops to 0 points?
The allowance never drops below 0: the player can no longer stake anything. With the “Relaunch allowed” option, which can be switched on in the app's set-up, a player who has dropped to 0 can restart once, with 10 points.
Every format on a single page: step-by-step rules, a worked example, the points scale and a strategy tip — to read the night before a round or to print. The free sample covers 10 formats, including the 5 you can play for free in the app; The Banker is in the complete guide.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Play your next round of The Banker without keeping the books
The Game of Swing app handles the allowance, the stakes, the Press and the handover of the Banker role automatically — all you have to do is play. The Banker is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
Try the app for free → 5 free games, no account required — on your phone and computerGot a game in mind? A house variant to share? The app grows with every update — send us your idea, the best ones join the catalogue.