Draw Poker - The Rules

Principal Forms.
There are several methods of playing Draw Poker, and they differ mostly in the rules governing betting. The essential features of the game, common to all varieties, are as follows:

Each player is dealt five cards face down, one at a time in rotation, beginning on the dealer's left. After the deal, there is a betting interval. The player on the dealer's left has the first right or obligation to bet.

When the first betting interval has ended, each active player in turn, beginning with the player on the dealer's left, may discard one or more cards, and the dealer then gives him, from the top of the undealt portion of the pack, face down, as many cards as he discarded. This is the draw. A player may, if desired, "stand pat" (draw no cards). Unless otherwise stated, the maximum number of cards a player may draw is three or, if the player shows an ace to all the other players, he may draw four. (In some games, especially in casinos, a player may draw four cards without exposing an ace, or may draw five cards - a fresh hand.) Note that, unlike some other card games, the player must always discard before taking any new cards for his draw.








After the draw, there is another betting interval, followed by a showdown.

All games of Draw Poker fall into one of two classes, depending on the betting rules:

Pass and Out.
Also called Pass Out or Bet or Drop. In this method, whenever it is a player's turn, and if there has been no bet before him, he must bet the minimum allowed or drop out. In most games, this rule applies only before the draw. After the draw, a player may check. In some games, however, each player must bet or drop out before and after the draw. This procedure is followed in casinos where the House runs the game.

Pass and Back In.
At his first turn, a player may pass (check) rather than bet, provided no previous player has made a bet. The first player to make a bet is said to open. Once the pot is opened, each player in turn has another chance to stay in or drop out. After the draw, a player may check. This procedure is common in home games and other social games.

Source: US Playingcard.com