In draw poker a full hand is dealt face down. A small amount of chips (or money – the bet) is placed on the table before the players proceed to look at their cards. This is known as an Ante. Cards that are not useful or needed, are discarded, and replaced by drawing or re-dealing. The replacement of cards is followed by what is traditionally called a betting-round. Then a showdown occurs- players expose and compare their cards to determine the winner of the hand. This briefly summarizes draw poker.

There are different types of draws.

A flush draw or a four flush is when a player has four cards in his possession (of the same suit) and needs a fifth card to make a flush.

A straight draw poker refers to a straight sequence in the numbers of the cards requiring a draw that is favorable to complete the “straight.” An inside straight is when you have a hand with four of the five cards and you need one more to complete the straight – the one missing in the middle, for example: 9-8-x-6-5. This is also called gut-shot or belly-buster draw. An outside straight is four of the five needed cards and you can complete the hand at either end. This is also known as open-ended draw or up and down draw.

A back door draw is when a card needs two more cards of the suit to win (or two outs). It is very difficult to get a back door draw, and it is pure luck. This draw is also known as runner-runner draw. It is a matter of chance.

The most popular kind of draw poker is the one called five stud draw poker or five card draw. The first deal usually tells you the chance that you have to win. Hence, if you see your chances of winning diminished by the first deal, it is best to fold, as winning is almost impossible with a bad first deal.