Rules of Five Card Draw
Due to the fact that all cards are face down, the obligation to open the betting
is rotated clockwise after each hand. This is accomplished with the use of a
dealer button and blinds. A dealer button is a round disk with the word dealer
written on it. Blinds are mandatory bets made by the first two players clockwise
from the dealer button.
The player with the button is theoretically dealing the hand. A casino employee
will deal the first card to the player on the immediate left of the dealer
button. The obligation to open the pot is rotated around the table. As the
button moves, all players receive the same benefits of position. This position
element, the order in which players are required to act, has a strong influence
on proper play in all games where buttons are used. Obviously, the player with
the privilege of betting last has a significant advantage.
The blinds posted in all limit games are in the amounts of 1/2 of the lower
limit for the first player (small blind) and the lower limit for the second
player (big blind). The blinds in a $10-$20 game would, therefore, be $5 and
$10.
Each player receives five cards face-down. The player to the left of the big
blind must now call the size of the big blind, raise an amount equal to the size
of the bet (the big blind at this time) or fold their hand. Betting progresses
clockwise until a round is made where all active players call the last bet.
In blind games, the money posted for the blinds counts toward the player's bet,
and the players posting these blinds have the option to raise even if the big
blind has not been raised. For example: The big blind, $10 in a $10-$20 limit
game, is called by several players but no one raises. After the player with the
button acts, the small blind calls for $5 more; that player already had $5 in
for the small blind. The house dealer would now offer an option to the big blind
who could then raise their own bet even though he had started the action and not
been raised. Alternatively, the big blind can check Go Ahead, and the hand will
proceed.
Each remaining player will then be allowed to discard up to three cards, which
are replaced by the dealer. After every player has had an opportunity to
discard, the second, final round of betting begins with the player to the left
of the dealer button. For this round, the higher limit applies and players who
wish to bet must now bet this amount. For example, in a $10-$20 limit game the
player must now bet $20.
Until a bet is made in the final round, players have the option to check (bet
nothing), but they may raise the bet later if given the opportunity. This bit of
strategy can increase the pot at the risk of a lower pot if everyone checks.
When betting is complete, the hands are shown and the player with the highest
ranking five cards wins the pot.