Abstract: An electronic video gaming machine programmed to play a multi-hand five-card (or seven-card) draw poker (or stud poker) game that includes the use of a three by three matrix of nine cards. This three by three matrix of cards generates eight three-card hands (i.e., three horizontal rows, three vertical columns, and two diagonals). These cards are used in combination with two (or four) communal cards dealt to the player and situated adjacent to the three by three matrix to complete the five (or seven) card poker hand. The player makes a credit wager on each of the eight play hands (pay-lines) the player is interested in wagering on. The player also makes a wager on the anticipated number of winning hands that will be obtained. One standard fifty-two-card deck (with or without jokers) is typically used in a single play round. In the draw poker version, the player may decide to hold any number of cards contained in the three by three matrix or decide to discard any or all nine cards.