What about extra cards?
I was thinking of only dealing out same number of cards to each player and if anyone rolls a scratch they are offered an extra card for paying an extra $1
That would be easy enough to add.
I deal cards based on the number of players:
4 Players: 2 Suits of cards +1 Joker (6 cards per player, 3 cards set aside).
5 Players: 2 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 3 cards set aside).
6 Players: 3 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 5 cards set aside).
7 Players: 3 Suits of cards +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 6 cards set aside).
8 Players: Full deck of cards + 2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 6 cards set aside).
9 Players: Full deck + 2 Jokers (6 cards per player, 0 cards set aside).
10 Players: Full deck +2 Jokers (5 cards per player, 4 cards set aside).
11 Players: Full deck +1 additional Suit +2 Jokers (6 cards per player,1 card set aside).
12 Players: Full deck +1 additional Suit +2 Jokers (5 cards per player,7 cards set aside).
The 9 player variant is the only one that doesn't have some cards left over. Selling left over cards during the game could be interesting. After the scratch round, players can often surmise at least some of the cards in the set aside pile. Depending on what horse is close to winning, some players might want to snap up those cards.