FIVE-CARD DRAW
The Classic
PAYERS : 3 TO 6 is ideal
BETTING : two rounds plus ante; betting strategy tens to be relatively now.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR : keep a close eye on how many cars each player draws from the check.
WHAT WINS : Usually a high pair or better.
Five-card draw, or draw poker, is one of the oldest poker games, and it is unique in that players have the opportunity to exchange their cards or “draw” from the deck to try and improve their hands. So, if you don’t like what you see, you can always try your luck with some new cards. Unlike stud games, players only see the cards in their own hands. (But smart poker players will pay close attention to how many cards other players draw after the first round of betting, as well as their opponents’ betting patterns.)
Before opening the game, the dealer must decide how many cards each player can draw from the deck after the first round of betting. The standard limit is three. In some games, a player may draw four cards if he is holding in Ace, which must be shown to the table.
After everyone has put in his or her ante, the dealer deals five cards facedown to each player.
Betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. He may bet, check, or fold. Betting continues clockwise around the table, and each player has the opportunity to call, raise, or fold. Some people play that it is necessary to have at least a pair of Jacks to open the betting in five-card draw. If the player closest to the dealer’s left does not have a pair of Jacks or better, the betting moves clockwise around the table until a player with a pair of Jacks or better can open the betting.
After the first round of betting, all remaining players (those who did not fold) can draw up to three new cards from the deck (sometimes four cards are allowed see front of card). The player discards the cards he does not want and is then dealt new cards from the top of the deck. Of course, if a player does not want any cards, he can “stand pat” and keep the hand he is holding.
Once all the players have received their new cards, the second round of betting begins. As in the texas betting round, the player closest to the dealer’s left opens, and the betting moves clockwise around the table. After all the bets have been placed, the players show their hands the player with the best hand takes the pot. (For more on hands, see pages 10-12.)