5 Card Draw is one of the earliest forms of poker, and most often the first poker game a player learns. The origins of 5 Card Draw poker date back to the middle ages, but the game is mainly associated with America's ‘Wild West' days. Up until the 20th century, 5 Card Draw poker was THE poker game played. When Texas Hold'em was introduced, 5 Card Draw began to lose its flare.

As far as home poker games go, 5 Card Draw is still a very common game, but it is less common in casinos and poker rooms. The more sizeable online poker rooms often have 5 Card Draw readily available. 5 Card Draw is played with Blinds, the Big Blind and the Small Blind, just like Texas Hold'em. In a home game, however, some players continue to play 5 Card Draw with Ante bets.

Rules

The first step in becoming a skilled 5 Card Draw poker player is fully understanding the rules of the game. Please select the left menu button, "Rules", for a detailed look at the rules of 5 Card Draw poker.

(Please be aware that we have no separate page for hand ranks (what hand wins) since it´s the same for all poker variations. See our Texas Hold'em Poker School Hand Rankings for more information.)

Starting Hands

Having a good Starting Hand in 5 Card Draw is essential for those who are playing to win. Therefore, patience and discipline are a key element required by any skilled poker player - the patience to wait for a good starting hand, and the discipline to remain calm, even if it takes awhile to get one

For a complete walkthrough of good 5 Card Draw Starting Hands, please select the left menu button labeled "Starting Hands".

Strategy

Our 5 Card Draw chapter on Strategy is an overview of what we feel to be the most proven, successful 5 Card Draw strategies, often used by the pros. In order to play a consistently winning 5 Card Draw game, players must practice these strategies and decide which methods best suit their preferred playing style..

Click on the left menu button "Strategy" to read more about 5 Card Draw poker strategies.

Common Mistakes

The last chapter we cover in the 5 Card Draw Poker School is Common Mistakes. These are the errors most often made by beginners, simply because they are not aware of them. Learning to avoid these common mistakes in 5 Card Draw, preferably before they happen, can save a player a lot of money in the long run.

You'll find a list of the most common mistakes made in 5 Card Draw by clicking the left menu button "Common Mistakes".