Draw Poker

Draw poker is the most basic of poker hands. Many other poker variations have been built upon this basic game. Draw poker is mostly played at friendly poker games at home now instead of in the casinos. Considered boring by some, it's still a favorite pastime by many. The rules are very simple. Two to eight players may play draw poker although 3 to 6 players are more common.

Five cards are dealt face down to each player after the ante, which everyone in the game must pay. The ante is a small, pre-arranged amount. Everyone looks at their cards and the first betting round begins. Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer. The players then in turn match the bet (call), raise the bet or fold. Folding happens when the player doesn't believe he has a hand that will win, even after the draw and he lays his cards on the table and is out for the rest of that hand. The first player does have the right to "pass," that is, he doesn't fold and he doesn't bet. The next player also has that option. Once a player has bet though, no succeeding players can pass.

Then the "draw" begins. Players may discard up to 3 cards to be replaced with 3 cards from the deck. Some variations will allow the player to discard 4 cards if they show the remaining 5 th card to be an Ace. Again the betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.

At the end of this round, which ends with the dealer, the "showdown" begins. This is when everyone who is still in the game shows their cards and the one with the best hand wins the pot.

The winning hand is the best of the following with high hand listed first:

Royal Flush - A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit

Straight Flush - Any consecutive five cards of the same suit

Four-of-a-Kind - Four cards of the same number

Full House - Three-of-a-Kind and a pair

Flush - All five cards of the same suit, regardless of number

Straight - Any consecutive five cards regardless of suit

Three-of-a-Kind - Three cards of the same number

Two Pair - Two separate sets of two of the same number

Pair - Two cards of the same number

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