Five-card draw, also called Cantredraw, is one of the simplest poker games and is the foundation for video poker. Because of this, beginners often learn it first. People usually play it in home games, but it’s not common in casinos or tournaments. Some online sites offer it, though it isn’t as popular as seven-card stud or Texas hold ‘em.
5-Card Draw remains one of the most popular poker games and is extremely easy for a player who is just getting started since it is not really complex. Though its popularity in casinos and tournaments is lower, many games are played at home. Simple poker rules of the game make it so ideal for newbies. After practicing this game, you will master simple and more complex strategies, and the opponents will never even think about what you are planning to do. Whether played with buddies or online, 5-Card Draw is a game of skill and psychology and so much fun and rewarding to play.
In this guide, we will cover the basics, advanced strategies, and proper etiquette for the game.
Things to Know Before Playing 5-Card Draw
Play 5-card draw with up to 6 people and decide on your game rules. Set your blinds or antes, deal 5 cards to each player, and start betting. Swap cards you don’t want and then either bet again or fold. You win the pot if everyone else folds or if you have the best hand.
Gameplay
In casinos, the first betting round starts with the player to the left of the big blind, while later rounds begin with the player next to the dealer. In home games, an ante is common; the first round begins with the player to the left of the dealer, and the second round starts with the player who opened the first round.
Each player gets five cards, dealt face down one at a time. The remaining deck is set aside with a chip or marker on it. Players pick up their cards, keeping them hidden from others, then a betting round follows.
If more than one player remains after the first round, the “draw” phase begins. Players choose how many cards they want to replace and discard them. The dealer gives them the same number of cards they discarded, and each player has five cards again.
A second betting round happens after the draw, starting with the player to the left of the dealer or the one who opened the first round. If more than one player remains, a showdown follows, and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
House Rules
Some house rules say you can’t replace more than three cards unless you keep an ace (or wild card) and draw four. This helps avoid running out of cards in casual games, but serious games, like those in casinos, don’t usually need this rule. However, casinos often have a rule where a player can’t draw all five cards at once. In that case, the player receives four cards first, and after others get their draws, the dealer gives the fifth card. If no one else draws, a burn card is dealt first.
Another common rule is to never deal the bottom card of the deck to avoid giving anyone an unfair advantage if they saw it earlier. If the deck runs out during the draw, the dealer reshuffles discarded cards (except the player’s own) to deal the remaining cards to the last player.
How to Play 5-Card Draw Poker
1. Rules
Learn hand ranks
If you’re new to poker, knowing the hand rankings is important. Without it, you could have a winning hand and not realize it.
Here’s the order of hands, starting with the lowest:
- High card (nothing special)
- One pair
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Full house
- Four of a kind
- Straight flush
- Royal flush
- Five of a kind (if using a wild card)
Understand the basics
Your goal is to make the highest-ranking hand. Here’s how the game works:
- The dealer gives each player 5 cards.
- Players place their initial bets.
- You can ask for new cards, discarding some old ones to form your best hand.
- Another round of betting happens.
- Players who haven’t folded reveal their cards.
- The player with the best hand wins the pot.
Know the difference between blind and ante games
5-card draw has two common ways to start a round: with a blind or an ante.
- In a blind game, the player to the dealer’s left is the “small blind,” betting a small amount before any cards are dealt. The next player, the “big blind,” places a larger bet. Other players match the big blind to play.
- In an ante game, everyone puts in a small amount before getting cards, which keeps more players in the game.
Learn to check, call, raise, and fold
When it’s your turn to bet, you can:
- Check: Bet nothing if no one has placed a bet.
- Call: Match the current bet.
- Raise: Increase the bet, and others must match your raise to stay in.
- Fold: Quit the round by discarding your cards.
Consider wild cards
Adding a wild card to the game adds excitement and strategy. A wild card can represent any card, including the chance to have a “five of a kind,” the best hand possible.
Agree on what the wild card will be before starting the game. Options include deuces (2s), jokers, or one-eyed Jacks.
Try lowball
Sometimes, everyone has terrible hands. In this case, you can switch to lowball, where players aim for the lowest hand. In this version, Aces become low, and straights or flushes don’t count. The worst hand possible would be A-2-3-4-5.
2. Setup
Gather your friends
This game of chance is best enjoyed by 4 to 8 players. If you can’t teach everyone to learn the 5-card draw rules ahead of time, you can introduce them to this guide or let them figure it out along the way.
Find something to bet with
Use poker chips, or if you don’t have any, find something small to use as bets—paperclips, peanuts, or coins. Assign them values, like 1 for $1 or 1 cent.
Choose between blind or ante
Decide whether you want to start the game with a blind or ante, and rotate the dealer and blinds after each round. The dealer shuffles and deals cards to the left.
Start the first round of betting
Once the cards are dealt, players bet. The player to the left of the blinds or dealer starts. Players must bet, call, or fold until everyone has taken a turn.
Begin the draw round
After the first round of betting, players discard and replace some of their cards in an attempt to improve the hand. The dealer starts with the player on the left.
Second round of betting
After the new cards are dealt out to the players, there is another round of betting. Chances must be more likely to increase as players become anxious to announce their cards.
3. Strategy and Table Manners
Do not expose cards after folding
You should avoid exposing your cards to other participants in the game, not even when folding. This exposes their cards where other players may read your strategy and spoil the game.
Poker face
Keep a poker face; do not allow your face to indicate any emotions. Ensure that they cannot read a reaction from your face.
Diversify bets and draws
Sometimes bet heavily with a bad hand. Other times, bet lightly with the best hand. Vary the number of cards you draw to keep your opponents guessing too.
Don’t think too long
Okay take time to reflect, but don’t let the game stall too much. If unsure, make a choice and then learn from that result.
Be respectful
Do not engage in small talk once you have been knocked out of the hand. Avoid making a lot of noise
Avoid “splashing” into the pot
Bet in an orderly fashion before you and then place them in front of you instead of just throwing them into the pot. That way everyone can see and count your bets.
Win and lose graciously
Do not boast if you win, and do not get sad if you lose. You keep the friendly atmosphere and ask for a rematch if you feel up for it.
What Cards Should I Throw Away in 5-Card Draw?
Knowing which cards to throw away in the drawing round can make or break your game in 5-card draw poker. Here are the basics to consider:
- If you have one pair: Draw three cards.
- If you have two pairs: Draw one card.
- If you have three-of-a-kind: Draw two cards.
These tips are just the beginning. Following them, especially in low-stakes games, can give you better results.
Advanced 5-Card Draw Strategy
After learning the basics and feeling more confident with 5-card draw, you can start using advanced strategies. The drawing aspect of the game adds a big psychological element.
For example, while drawing three cards with a pair is usually the best statistical move, doing it every time will make your hand predictable. Your opponents can adjust their strategy to beat you. To keep them guessing, sometimes draw just one or two cards with a pair or don’t draw at all. This will make it seem like you have a stronger hand than you actually do.
Unlike games like hold’em, 5-card draw rarely involves pure bluffing. Most players have at least a decent hand when they bet, even if they’re bluffing a bit. That’s why taking notes during 5-card draw games is crucial. If you notice that a player only raises with a pair of jacks or better when on the button, you can fold your pair of nines in the blinds instead of calling.
Types of Five-Card Draw Poker
Jackpots
This is like a regular five-card draw, but players need at least a pair of jacks to start betting. If no one has that, the cards are dealt again.
California Lowball
In this version, the lowest hand wins instead of the highest. The best hand is A-2-3-4-5, and straights and flushes don’t hurt your chances.
Kansas City Lowball
Also known as Deuce to Seven Lowball, the best hand is 2-3-4-5-7. Straights and flushes are bad here, and aces are the highest card. A hand like A-2-3-4-5 is considered straight, which isn’t good.
Badugi
In Badugi, players aim to have the lowest hand with different suits and no matching pairs. Each player gets four cards and can swap up to three to improve their hand. The best hand is A-2-3-4, all in different suits.
Triple Draw Lowball
This is like California or Kansas City Lowball, but players get three rounds to swap cards and improve their low hands.
High-Low Split
The pot is split between the highest and lowest hands. For the low hand, you usually need cards ranked eight or lower to qualify for the win.
Five-Card Stud
Though it’s not a draw game, it’s worth noting. Players get one card face down and four face up, with a betting round after each card. There’s no card exchange.
Double Draw
After the first draw and betting round, players get another chance to replace cards with a second draw. Another round of betting follows before the showdown.
Triple Draw
This is like Double Draw but with three rounds of card exchanges and betting in between, giving more chances to improve your hand.
FAQs
How do you play 5-card draw poker?
5-card draw is a simple form of poker, where each player is dealt five cards, and they have the opportunity to exchange some or all of their cards for new ones in an attempt to improve their hand. There are betting rounds both before and after the card exchange, and the player with the best five-card hand at the end of the final betting round wins the pot.
What are the poker hand rankings in 5-card draw?
In 5-card draw, the standard hand rankings are (from highest to lowest): Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
How many cards can you exchange in 5-card draw?
In most variations of 5-card draw, you can exchange up to three cards from your original five-card hand. Some versions of the game may have different rules, allowing you to exchange a different number of cards.
What is the order of betting in 5-card draw poker?
The typical order of betting in 5-card draw involves several rounds: 1. Ante: Each player puts a small forced bet into the pot before the cards are dealt. 2. Deal: Each player is dealt five cards face down. 3. First Betting Round: Players can check, bet, fold, or raise. 4. Exchange: Players who choose to exchange cards can discard and receive new ones. 5. Second Betting Round: Another round of betting. 6. Showdown: Players reveal their hands, and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
Is 5-card draw poker still popular today?
5-card draw poker has become less popular in recent years, especially in comparison to Texas Hold’em and Omaha, which are more widely played in casinos and online, but it’s still enjoyed in many home games and among poker enthusiasts.
