Single Draw Poker Rules
Table Of Contents
Randy Ohel: In single draw, all your sizings are going to be bigger. Whether its pre-draw, whether it’s the opening raise, whether it’s three-betting, whether it’s betting or raising after the. Each player takes a single turn and may roll the five dice up to three times, trying to roll the best poker hand they can. On any of the three rolls the player may set aside one or more of the dice, though they are never required to. The current player may choose to end his turn after the first or second roll.
One of the simplest variants of poker, and one that is many poker player's first introduction to the game of poker, is 5-Card Draw.
More common in home games than it is in casinos, 5-card draw has been overtaken in the popularity by games such as Texas hold'em and Omaha poker.
But there are still plenty of 5-card draw fans around the world — particularly in the online world where several online poker sites offer cash games and tournaments.
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How to Play 5-Card Draw Poker
If you have played any other form of poker, 5-card draw rules are similar in that the aim of the game is to make the best five-card poker hand.
Like Texas hold'em, the poker hand rankings, from weakest to strongest, are as follows:
- High card
- One pair
- Two pair
- Three-of-a-kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Full house
- Four-of-a-kind
- Straight flush
- Royal Flush
When it comes to preflop betting, there are two different methods used in 5-card draw.
Either all players pay an ante before receiving their cards (this is more common in home games), or there is a small blind and big blind similar to hold'em and Omaha games (this is the most common on online poker sites and in casinos).
Three different betting structures exist for 5-card draw, too.
You can play 5-card draw poker as:
- Fixed-limit
- Pot-limit
- No-limit
While all three formats play to the same poker rules, the different betting structures mean your strategy needs to be adapted.
For example, some hands that you wouldn't play in fixed-limit 5-card draw become playable in no-limit 5-card draw because in the latter you can bet enough to force your opponent to fold.
Regardless of the betting structure, this is how to play 5-card draw.
Five-Card Draw Basics
Once everyone has paid the ante or the blinds, each player receives five cards face down.
A round of betting then occurs.
If more than one player remains after that first round of betting, there follows a first round of drawing.
Each active player specifies how many cards he or she wishes to discard and replace with new cards from the deck.
If you are happy with your holding and do not want to draw any cards, you 'stand pat.'
Once the drawing round is completed, there is another round of betting.
After that if there is more than one player remaining, a showdown occurs in which the player with the best five-card poker hand wins.
As you can see, the rules for 5-card draw are simple and make for a fast-paced game, which is why the game is popular with new, less experienced players.
Basic 5-Card Draw Strategy
The fact you can learn how to play five-card draw poker in a few minutes doesn't mean that you will not need to practice to go from beginner to pro.
The best way to do that, is to practice online — possibly with some free games. If you have a few minutes to try a game or two, have a look at 888poker.
You can play with a no deposit bonus on signup that you can use to discover 5-card draw poker and master all the basic and advanced strategy tips that follow.
One trap lesser-skilled 5-card draw players often fall into is playing far too many hands, particularly hands drawing to a straight or flush.
In many cases, the saying 'tight is right' applies when it comes to starting hand selection in 5-card draw.
As in games with community cards, your position in relation to the button is also important in 5-card draw poker.
The closer to the button you are, the wider the range of hands you can play profitably.
Regardless of your position, you should almost always enter the pot with a raise because limping in usually results in several other players limping behind, which in turn means you need a much stronger hand to win the pot.
Play tight from early positions and raise with hands such as aces or kings.
As your position improves, you can add other high pairs such as queens, jacks, tens, and nines, so long as the latter has a good kicker to back it up.
Those of you fortunate enough to have been dealt two pair or three-of-a-kind should always come out raising whether you're under the gun or on the button.
Meanwhile be wary of holdings such as four to a straight or flush, because these are hands with which some players bleed away their bankroll.
With one card to come, you're around a 4-to-1 underdog to hit your hand, and often you won't have the correct pot odds to attempt filling your straight or flush, particularly in a short-handed game.
What Should I Discard in 5-Card Draw?
Knowing what cards to discard during the drawing round is what makes and breaks a 5-card poker player.
On a basic level you should consider the following:
| What you hold | What you should do |
|---|---|
| One pair | Draw three cards |
| Two pair | Draw one card |
| Three-of-a-kind | Draw two cards |
The above list is only scratching the surface of what you should draw in 5-card draw. Adhering to it, particularly in low-stakes games, should yield positive results.
Advanced 5-Card Draw Strategy
Once you have a grasp of the basics and are feeling more confident with how to play 5-card draw, you can start applying some more advanced strategies to your game.
There is a large psychological element to 5-card draw thanks in large part to the drawing element of the game.
For example, while it is statistically the best play to draw three cards when you hold a pair, if you always make this play your opponents will be able to read your hand easily and alter their strategy to defeat you.
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.
What Is 2-7 Single Draw Poker Rules
Unlike in games such as hold'em, there is rarely any stone cold bluffing in 5-card draw.
Players usually have at least a playable hand when betting even if they are indeed bluffing. This is why it is vitally important to take detailed notes when playing 5-card draw because they are extremely helpful.
Should you make a note that a player only opens with a pair of jacks or stronger on the button, you can easily fold a pair of nines in the blinds instead of calling.
Where Can I Play 5-Card Draw Online
As mentioned at the start of the article, 5-card draw is not a game that enjoys as much popularity as the likes of hold'em, but there are quite a few websites where you can play 5-card draw online.
The safest option is to try one of three sites below and play some games there.
These poker sites are your best bet for finding both 5-card draw cash games and tournaments at a variety of limits.
It is also possible to hone your skills at the play money tables there and play 5-card draw online poker free of charge with no risk to your bankroll.
The Best Five-Card Draw Sites OnlineFind the best games and play 5-card draw online for free or real money. The first bonus is on us!
'>Photo: Flush Poker Hand - Hearts, Guts Gaming. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.
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Gameplay of 2-7 No Limit Single Draw
Setting Up
- You'll need: a button, small & big blinds (similar to Texas Hold'em).
- Deal each player 5 cards, face down.
- Use a no limit betting structure.
The Action
- Action starts to the left of the big blind. You may fold, call or raise.
- After the 1st betting round, draw 0-5 cards. Then betting resumes to the left of the button.
Determining a Winner
- Worst possible hand wins, so the best hand is the wheel (2-3-4-5-7 offsuit).
- Note: Straights and flushes DO count against you in this game, and aces play as high only.
- The player with the worst hand scoops the pot. In the event of a tie, the pot is split.
2-7 Single Draw Poker Rules
Basic Strategies of 2-7 No Limit Single Draw
Pre-Draw
Like most poker games with a button, position is a big factor in 2-7 No Limit Single Draw. Position is more important in this game than in any other form of poker.
Knowing how many cards your opponent draws before you is key to formulating your strategy.
Drawing
As a general rule, you should fold if you must draw more than 1 card.
Never draw 2 cards unless you get a free draw or you start with 3 cards 8 or lower and the bet is small relative to your opponent's stack size.
Adjust the number of cards you draw based on your opponent's play.
Betting
Betting takes place before and after the first draw. If you draw fewer cards than your opponent, you should generally bet.
There is no such thing as slow-playing a big hand since your opponent will see how many cards you draw.
What You Need to Know About 2-7 No Limit Single Draw Starting Hands
Good Starting Hands
Play these hands in all positions (and for a raise):
- All pat hands of 9 or better.
- All 4-card hands 9 or better.
Poor Starting Hands
Never play these hands:
- Hands where you have to draw 3 cards or more.
- Hands with two paired wheel cards.
Marginal Starting Hands
Play these hands cheaply:
- All hands containing 3 cards of 9 or lower.
- All hands containing 2 wheel cards when you only have to complete from the small blind.
Positional Hands
Play in late position when folded to you:
- On the button and hand contains 2 wheel cards and an 8 (occasionally a 9 depending on the blinds).
- In the small blind play any 3-card hands containing 2 wheel cards and an 8 or 9.
Do's and Don'ts for Better 2-7 No Limit Single Draw Play
Never Limp Early
Because position is so important, you should never limp into a pot in early position.
Try Getting Heads-up
Playing heads-up pots in position is important. Try to reduce the number of players to 2 by raising every time you enter a pot.
Don't Bluff
Bluffing (also called snowing) should be reserved for advanced players, and even then, rarely used.
Famous 2-7 No Limit Single Draw Hands
2-7 No Limit Single Draw: Action from the 2004 WSOP
Players including Howard Lederer, and Chris Ferguson play the WSOP Kansas City Lowball event.
This Video Contains:
- Ferguson doubles up an amateur, 'Jesus heals another cripple'.
- Standard banter among the big names.
2-7 No Limit Single Draw: Barry Greenstein Wins First WSOP Bracelet
Barry Greenstein finishes off Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson for his first ever WSOP bracelet.
This Video Contains:
- Barry Greenstein
- Chris Ferguson
Where Can I Play 2-7 No Limit Single Draw Online?
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