The ABC's of Five-Card Draw Poker

Five-Card draw is a common poker variation that's typically played in many homes. And most poker players have started playing this game before getting involved with its many other variations. So when one wants to practice the fundamentals of poker, there's no better place to start with than playing five-card draw.

The ABC's of five-card draw are really simple to understand. The game's generally played with two to five participants and a single deck of 52 cards is used. While players may use blinds to start off the game, more informal settings just require an equal ante from each player before the cards are dealt.

After each player has posted an ante, every one of them is dealt five cards facing down. The players would take a look at their cards privately and decide what actions they'd opt for in the betting round that will follow.

The first player to act after the cards are dealt is the one to the dealer's left, followed by the next player and so on. Now, players have the option to fold, call, or raise the stakes.

If there's no raise initiated, the remaining players will proceed to trade one to three of their original cards for new ones from the deck. But if a raise is posted, the trade of cards will ensue only after the remaining players have folded or called the raise and placed equal amounts on the pot.

Also, a player may discard and draw four cards when that player has an ace. More importantly, a player has no obligation to trade cards in five-card draw. Players may opt to 'stand pat' or keep with their original five-card hand.

After discarding and drawing new cards or standing pat, the last betting round starts. And after that betting round is completed, the remaining players will show their hands. The highest ranking hand in the game will win the pot.

The ABC's of five-card draw poker sufficiently applies one's knowledge of poker hand ranks and betting rounds. And the sequence of play is easy to understand. A player initially gets five cards then a betting round starts. Players may then opt to call, raise, or fold. Afterwards, the remaining players may discard old and draw new cards or may 'stand pat' with their original hands. After another betting round, the players who are still in the game will show their cards and whoever has the highest ranking poker hand will win the pot.