Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Acey Deucey is a casual hole-by-hole betting game. The lowest score is the ace and wins the agreed ace amount from the other players; the highest score is the deuce and pays the agreed deuce amount to the others. Groups decide stakes, ties and handicap treatment before play.
How it matters in match play
Acey Deucey is not a match-play format and has no special match-play scoring under the Rules of Golf. If a group runs it alongside Match Play, record the official match separately and settle this side bet under the group’s agreed ace, deuce, tie and handicap terms.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Acey Deucey |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Side Bet, Pot, Handicap Competition, Hole Score, Net Score |
Worked example
Alex, Ben, Chris and Dana agree on a $2 ace and $1 deuce: on one hole Alex scores 4, Ben and Chris 5, and Dana 6, so Alex receives $2 from each player plus Dana’s $1 deuce payment; ties and carryovers follow the house agreement.
Sources: www.golfcompendium.com , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
How is Acey Deucey scored?
On each hole, the lowest score is the ace and wins the agreed ace amount from every other player. The highest score is the deuce and pays the agreed deuce amount to every other player. The group should define what happens when scores tie.
What is a typical Acey Deucey stake?
There is no official stake. One documented version uses an ace bet worth twice the deuce bet, such as $2 for the ace and $1 for the deuce, but your group can agree different dollar amounts or use points instead.
Does Acey Deucey have an official handicap allowance?
No standard Acey Deucey allowance is established by the World Handicap System tables. If handicaps are used, agree whether the comparison uses gross or net Hole Score and how strokes are applied before starting; do not automatically copy a standard Match Play allowance.
What happens if players tie for the ace or deuce?
This is a house-rule question, not a Rules of Golf procedure. A documented version says groups commonly make no payment for that bet on the hole, while some groups carry the unpaid amount to the next hole. Decide the method before the round.
Can Acey Deucey be played with Match Play?
Yes, as a separate side bet if everyone agrees, but it does not change the official Match Play result. Keep the hole winner and match score under the agreed competition format, then settle the Acey Deucey amounts independently.
Is Acey Deucey governed by the Rules of Golf?
The Rules of Golf define competition formats such as Match Play and Stroke Play, but Acey Deucey is a casual betting arrangement rather than a listed Rules of Golf format. The group’s written house rules control the bet, while golf-playing rules still apply to the round.