Game rules for Five Card Draw

Overview

Five Card Draw is known as the original game of poker and was once more popular than Texas Hold ‘em. A game of Five Card Draw is relatively easy to learn how to play, and is still popular with many players who remain loyal to the version that made it all happen!

How to Play Five Card Draw

An initial bet (also know as the ante) is placed in a small pot on the Five Card Draw poker table.

Beginning with the player located on the dealer’s left, each player is dealt five cards. These are dealt face down and are for the players’ eyes only.

All players check their cards and decide how to proceed in the game of Five Card Draw.

The player situated to the dealer’s left will begin the first round of betting.

When the betting round is over, players who are left in the game can request that the dealer trade up to three of their cards for new ones. So, for example, a player can exchange two dealt cards for two new ones. A player who was initially dealt an ace may trade in four of his or her cards on condition that they show the ace to the other players.

‘Standing pat’ means staying with the cards that you are dealt. In other words, there is no Five Card Draw rule saying that you have to exchange any of your cards if you are satisfied with what you were dealt in the first place.

A new round of betting begins after all the players have exchanged their cards. This round begins to the dealer’s left.

When the betting round is over, the players show their cards and the player with the best hand will win the pot.

Hand Rankings in Five Card Draw Poker

A player will win the pot in Five Card Draw if his or her hand is ranked highest among all the other hands. Hand rankings in the game are as follows, from highest to lowest:

Royal Straight Flush – a ten, Jack, Queen, King, ace, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush – five cards in order, all of the same suit.

Four of a Kind – four of the same cards and an odd card

Full House – a set of three cards and a pair

Flush – a hand consisting of cards from the same suit, although not in order

Three of a Kind – three cards of the same rank and two odd cards

Two pairs – two sets of cards each comprising of two cards of the same rank or number, plus an odd card

One Pair – two matching cards, plus three odd cards

High card – In the case where no player around the table has one of these hands, the player with the highest-ranking card wins.

Conclusion

What makes Five Card Draw so appealing is the simplicity of the game and its exceptional, timeless reputation.