5-Card Draw

5 Card Draw is probably the simplest poker to learn to play. However, it’s not really any easier to win at 5 Card Draw poker than any other poker game. Following are the basics of playing 5 card draw.

First, as with other poker games, players must ante up, which means pay a fee to get in the game. The amount is based on the limits of the game.

The dealer deals each player 5 cards, face down, beginning with the player to his left. Players review their cards and a round of betting begins, again with the first player to the dealer’s left. After the first round of betting, the remaining players can trade in their cards for new ones. Players can trade in one, two, or three of their cards. If a player is holding an ace, he can trade in four of his cards for new ones, but he must show his ace to do so.

The dealer gives players their new cards, after which another round of betting ensues. After this round of betting the final players show their hands. Highest hand wins the pot.

Keep in mind that you’re not required to trade in any of your cards. If you’re satisfied with the hand you’re dealt in the first place, you simply “stand pat”.

As with other poker games, you have several ways to bet. The betting basics are as follows:

You “ante up” before you ever see your first card. If you’re the first to act in a game with antes, you have three options when it’s your turn. You can “check”, which means to pass the bet, or you can bet. Checking allows you not to put any money in yet remain in the game. However, when the betting comes back to you, if you call or raise, you’ll have to match up to what other players have put in the pot before you. If you bet, the next player can call your bet, meaning he matches it exactly, raise the bet, or fold, which means he’s out of the round. This is sometimes called “mucking it”. This continues around until everyone has called the last bet and all the players who remain in the round have put the same amount of money in the pot.
This continues from player to player going around to the left. If someone raises a bet you made, when it comes back to you, you have the same options as everyone else: call, raise, or fold. The round of betting is over when everyone simply calls the last bet and all the players (who haven’t folded) have put in the same amount of money. A round of betting can also be “checked around” – meaning everyone checks and there’s no money put in the pot that round.