5-Card Draw

  Draw poker is widely regarded as the most popular among the many types of draw poker. This is a poker game that can be played with as few as 3 players and as many as seven.  The game begins with each player being dealt 5 cards. Unlike some of the more popular games today, all five cards are dealt face down. There are no community cards or cards visible on the board that an opponent can get a read of. For the moment they are completely in the dark.  After the initial deal, there is a round of betting. Players can select up to three cards in their hand that they wish to exchange. Once the cards are selected, they are given to the dealer, and the dealer gives them new cards. Players who are happy with their hands do not need to exchange cards and may stand on the cards they were dealt.  Once everyone has their new cards, a second round of betting ensues. At this point a number of players will probably have folded. If more than one player has stayed in the hand, there will be a showdown. During a showdown each player shows their hand, and the winner of the pot is the player with the highest five-card poker hand.  Some variations of this game include a wild card. In the case of a wild card, a five of a kind hand is possible. Other takes on the game allow players to draw four cards if they have an Ace in their hand. Finally, some people and places prefer to play 5-card draw with two rounds of card exchanges. This happens after the betting round that follows the first card exchange. Players may select up to another 3 cards to exchange for new blood.