Draw Poker
Draw Poker is different than most poker games we see on television or play on the internet. While playing Draw Poker there is no betting during the dealing of the cards. What actually occurs is the entire hand is dealt out to each player and only then does the actual betting process begin, with the exception of the ante.
To begin the Draw Poker hand first usually all players ante to the pot. Next, the dealer will deal out the entire hand, which is usually five cards, to each player at the table. Then and only then does the betting process begin. An initial bet is made and all the ensuing raises are completed before the next step. Players will either drop out, match the bet, or raise and that is when the still remaining player will discard their unwanted cards.
At this time the dealer will replace the discarded cards to each player and the betting process will occur again much in the same manner. It is at the end of this betting cycle that the winner will be declared and then a new hand is started again with another ante.
Unlike stud poker games there is normally only two sets of betting rounds not including the ante. The first after the initial set of cards have been completely dealt out to each player. The second and final set of betting is after each player that remains in the game has discarded their allowed amount of cards and received their replacement cards. This final betting round is concluded and the winner declared. Now a new hand is started.
This can often have quicker results than a stud game depending on the actual draw game being played. Some of the more popular draw games played in casinos are quite easy to learn and some have so many different variations a new player should take their time to learn all the intricacies involved in each particular game.
The most common Draw Poker game is called five card draw. This is normally the first draw game learned and is often played at homes. It is not as popular in casinos anymore in fact many casinos don't play this draw game anymore.
Another popular draw game is Jacks to Open; this is where the betting can not start after the first round of cards are dealt unless a player has a pair of jacks or better. The betting will start by the first person that has a pair of jacks or better in their hand. If no one has jacks or better a new hand is dealt and the ante is done again. Often this can occur several times before the actual hand is played all the way through.
Other popular draw games are Lowball, Hi Lo Split, High Low with declare, Double Draw, Triple Draw, Four Below, Johnson and Jacks Back, and Spit in the Ocean. These are all variations of the common five card draw and enjoyable games normally played at home and in some casinos today.