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5 Card Draw Rules
Learn one of the most popular poker game, the 5 Card Draw and also learn important tips that will help you become the best. To start with 5 Card Draw is played all over the world and is usually present in almost all the casinos that offer poker.
The game is also called as the 5 Card Poker at some parts of the world. it is one of the oldest forms of poker and is one of the easiest to learn and understand. All you need to know is the Poker Hands Ranking to get started with it.
Game Setup
To begin playing 5 card draw, you need to have a single deck of cards with no joker. To begin with, you need to have at least 2 players and you can have a maximum of 4 players to play this game.
The cards are shuffled and each of the players gets 5 cards face-down. There is a dealer button just like Texas Hold’em. The player next to dealer button has to pay the small blind and the player left of the small blind (Half of Big Blind) has to pay the big blind.
Also, before the cards are dealt with the players, an Ante ( 1/10th of Big Blind) must be paid by all the players in order to receive the cards.
Similar: Learn Chinese Poker under 5 Minutes
Rounds In 5 Card Draw
There are two rounds of betting in 5 card draw and one round of drawing cards.
Round One
Once all the players have received the cards, the betting starts. The player that is to the left of the big blind starts the game. He has to pay the amount equal to the big blind if he wishes to continue. He also has the option to either raise or fold. Similarly, each of the other players plays in the clockwise direction.
Once each of the players plays, the first round of betting commences.
Round Two
If more than one player remains after that round one of betting, the first round of drawing follows. Here each active player specifies how many cards he or she wishes to discard and replace with new cards from the deck. A maximum of 5 cards can be exchanged and form a new hand. Even though this is not ideal in any way you still have the option to play with two completely new sets of hands.
Also, if you’re happy with your holding hand and do not want to draw any cards, you “stand pat”. This means you don’t exchange any of your cards and stay with your starting 5 cards.
Once all the remaining players finish their draws, the second round of betting starts. Again the player to the left of Big Blind starts the betting. He has the option to either check or bet. The game continues in the clockwise direction and the remaining players play. All the remaining players have the option to check, bet or fold.
Once each of the players finishes their turn, the second round of betting commences.
Deciding the Winner
Once the second round of betting gets over, the winner is decided. The players that are remaining after the second round have to show their cards. The player with the best 5 cards ( Best Hand according to the Standard Poker Hand Rankings) wins the round and gets all the money that is kept on the table.
If two of the remaining players have the same hand, then the amount gets split between the two. The next hand begins as soon as the winner is decided.
This has been the general rules on how to play 5 card draw. As you can see, this is a very easy game to learn and understand. Also, this is a very fast-paced game and everyone can enjoy this without a doubt.
Okay, Since you guys have now learned the rules, let’s get on to the tips and tricks to play 5 card draw.
Tips to play 5 Card Draw
There are certain tips that you need to follow in order to win more hands. Also, by following these tips you will ensure to win more in the long run.
Tip #1
As always you need to decide whether you’re going to play starting hand or not. This is important since you can exchange your cards after the first round of betting.
You play with the following hands in 5 card draw
Must-Play Hands
- Big Pair – Play if you have a pair greater than 10 i.e, J-J, Q-Q, K-K, A-A. Replace those other 3 cards and hope you make a three of a kind or a Two Pair.
- Two Pairs – Play those hands which have two pairs. Replace the 5th card and hope to make it a full house.
- Three of a kind – Play those hands which has a three of a kind. Replace the other 2 cards hoping to make a four of a kind or a Full House.
- Straight – Play those hands which gives you a straight. Don’t replace any card during the card draw round.
- Flush – You have to play if you make a flush with your starting hand. Again don’t replace any cards during the card draw round.
- Straight Flush and Royal Flush – This is pretty rare that you will make these hands, but when you make one you have to play and don’t replace any cards.
These are some of the must-play hands in 5 card draw. You usually end up winning in most of these hands. Make sure to make the most out of it since you don’t get the above-mentioned hands too often.
Hands that are worth mentioning
- Low Pair – When you make a small pair, there is a small chance of winning and you hope that when you replace the other 3 cards you either make a three of a kind or get another pair.
- Straight Draw – When you end up with a 4 card straight and you have a chance of making a straight by replacing your 5th card, you have to take that chance. The chances might be pretty low, but it is worth taking a risk. But if you have less than 4 cards straight, then it is better not to play those hands.
- Flush Draw – Similar to a straight when you end up with a 4 card flush draw, you have to take that chance. Again the chance of making this is 1/8 and is pretty rare.
These are some of the hands that you can play and hope you end up winning. The chances are low but you still have a chance.
Other than these hands it is not recommended to play any other hands. You might end up losing a lot rather than winning.
Tip #2
Ok, now that you know how many cards to draw and also when to draw the cards make sure to keep an eye on the opponents on how many cards they draw. By observing the cards you will get an idea of the opponent’s cards on what they might have.
For example, if the opponent draws 3 cards, then there is a high chance of him having a pair and keeps only those 2 cards. This way you can take a guess of the opponent’s cards and have a fair idea of the hands the opponents have.
This way you can plan accordingly and bet according to the situation.
Tip #3
Tip #2 applies to the opponents as well. Even they’ll keep an eye on how much cards you draw. There is a large psychological element to 5-card draw and plays a large part in the drawing element of the game.
For example, It is the best play to draw three cards when you hold a pair. But if you always make this play your opponents will be able to read your hand easily and alter their strategy to defeat you. Therefore, you need sometimes only to draw to one or two cards with a pair in your hand — or even to stand pat — in order to represent a holding stronger than what you actually have.
This might make the opponents think you have a strong hand and make them fold their hand. This is very important in 5 card draw and plays an important role in winning the hands and make more money in the long run.
These were some of the important strategies that you must follow in 5 card draw and win a lot of hands in the process.
Online Sites to play 5 Card Draw
I’ll be mentioning some of the few trusted sites where you can play 5 card draw online.
Popular FAQ’s
What is 5 Card Draw?
5 Card Draw is a card game and is a variation of poker. It is played between 2-4 players. Each player gets 5 cards and after the cards are distributed, a round of betting happens. After the betting, the players are allowed to exchange a maximum of 5 cards. After the exchange, another round of betting happens. The winner is decided by the best poker hand according to the poker hand rankings.
What does Stand Pat mean in 5 card draw?
Stand pat is used when the player doesn't want to exchange any cards after the first round of betting. That means, if you're happy with your holding hand and do not want to draw any cards, you stand pat.
How many times do you draw in 5 Card Draw?
It all depends on the cards you receive at the start. If you have a pair, then you exchange the other 3 cards hoping to turn the pair to a three of a kind or a better hand in general. But again, if you keep exchanging the cards according to the cards you get, then the opponents will read your hands more often then not. So make sure to play according to what the situation demands.
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I am the owner of the site rohithebbar.com. I love playing poker and other card games.
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