If you’ve ever thought about trying poker but weren’t sure where to start, Five Card Poker is a great place to begin. This traditional card game blends a mix of strategy and chance, making it appealing whether you're a complete beginner or someone with a bit more experience.
The rules are simple, which makes it a fantastic option if you're new to card games. Once you understand the basics, you'll find plenty of opportunities to improve your skills and develop your own strategies.
In this blog post, we'll explain what 5 card poker is and how to play it while highlighting some of the best hands you can achieve during the game.
What Is 5 Card Poker?
Five Card Poker is a popular version of poker, often referred to as Five Card Draw. It’s one of the simplest forms of poker, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.
In Five Card Poker, each player is dealt five cards from a standard 52-card deck, aiming to make the best five-card poker hand. You'll have one chance to improve your hand by discarding some cards and drawing new ones.
The game typically involves betting rounds, where you can decide to bet, raise, or fold based on the strength of your hand. The player with the highest-ranking hand at the end wins the pot, which is the total amount of bets placed in that round.
How Do You Play 5 Card Poker?
Playing Five Card Poker is both simple and entertaining, perfect for those beginning to play poker. The game begins with each player contributing an initial bet into the central pot, ensuring everyone has a reason to play and creating the potential winnings for that round.
The dealer will distribute five cards to each player, all face down. Your cards are private, so only you can see them. Take a look at your hand to assess its strength, which will guide your strategy in the following rounds.
With your cards in hand, you enter the first betting round. You have a few choices in the betting round: you can place a bet if you're confident about your hand, match another player’s bet with a call, or fold if you believe your hand isn’t strong enough to compete.
The draw phase offers you a chance to improve your hand, allowing you to exchange up to three of your cards for new ones from the deck if you wish; however, this may vary between different house rules, so always check the rules before playing.
After the draw, there’s a final round of betting. Again, you can choose to bet, raise, call, or fold based on the new strength of your hand. This is your last chance to influence the size of the pot before revealing cards.
Once the betting concludes, it's time for the showdown. All remaining players reveal their hands, and the player with the highest-ranking hand claims the pot.
Best Hand In 5 Card Poker
In Five Card Poker, the aim is to make the best hand possible using five cards. Knowing how the hands are ranked is essential for ensuring you make informed decisions during the game. Below, you'll find an easy-to-follow list of all the hand rankings, from strongest to weakest.
Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the best hand in Five Card Poker. It’s made up of the ace, king, queen, jack, and 10, all from the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades).
Straight Flush
A straight flush is any five cards in a row, all from the same suit. For example, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of spades. It’s a very strong hand but ranks below a royal flush.
Four of a Kind
This hand includes four cards of the same rank, such as four aces or four 7s. The fifth card, called the "kicker," can be any other card.
Full House
A full house combines three cards of one rank and two cards of another. For example, three 10s and two queens make a full house.
Flush
A flush is any five cards of the same suit, but they don’t need to be in sequence. For instance, 2, 5, 8, 10, and king of hearts form a flush.
Straight
A straight is five cards in a row, but they can be from any suit. For example, 4 of clubs, 5 of hearts, 6 of spades, 7 of diamonds, and 8 of hearts make a straight.
Three of a Kind
This hand includes three cards of the same rank, such as three jacks, along with two other unrelated cards.
Two Pair
With two pair, you have two cards of one rank and two cards of another. For example, two 9s and two 5s make two pair. The fifth card is any other card.
One Pair
One pair is two cards of the same rank, like two kings, along with three other unrelated cards.
High Card
If you don’t have any of the hands above, your highest card determines your hand. For example, if your cards are 2, 5, 8, jack, and ace, your hand is called "ace-high."
What Is 5 Card Poker Called?
Five Card Poker, often known as Five Card Draw, takes its name from the drawing phase, where you have the chance to swap cards to improve your hand.
In more casual games, you may hear it simply be called Draw Poker. This is because the main action involves drawing new cards after the initial round of betting. This phase is key to the game, as it allows you to discard up to three unwanted cards in exchange for new ones, aiming to create a stronger hand.
These names reflect the straightforward and accessible nature of the game. Unlike more complex poker variants, Five Card Draw places the focus on basic poker skills such as assessing hand strength and making strategic decisions.
If you are looking to start playing poker, ensure that all games you play, are on platforms or at venues licenced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a safe and fair experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly for an enjoyable gaming experience. Ensure your poker experience remains safe and entertaining by setting limits to your playing time, sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.