Draw poker is any poker variant in which each player is dealt a complete hand before the first betting round, and then develops the hand for later rounds by replacing, or "drawing", cards.
[1] The descriptions below assume the reader is familiar with the general game play of poker, and with hand values (both high and low variations).
In home games, it is typical to use an ante, and betting always begins with the player to the dealer's left.
In casino play, it is more common to use blinds; the first betting round thus begins with the player to the left of the big blind, and subsequent rounds begin with the player to the dealer's left, thus draw games are very positional.
This is often the first poker variant learned by most players, and is very common in home games although it is now quite rare in casino and tournament play.
[2] Played as above, with standard hand values, and with a single joker in the deck acting as a bug.
Other players who checked on the first round may subsequently call or raise if someone else opens.
In addition to the opening requirement, no one is allowed to win a pot with less than three of a kind.
In the event no one makes the winning requirement, the pot is moved on to the next hand.
At that time, there were more public poker tables in that small city than in all the rest of the United States.
Played as above, using ace-to-five low hand values, with a single joker in the deck.
Five-card draw, with no joker, and deuce-to-seven low hand values is called "Kansas City" or "Low Poker" or even "Billy Baxter" draw in honor of the player who dominated the world championship in the event for many years.
Triple draw lowball, either ace-to-five or deuce-to-seven, has gained some popularity among serious players.
The Poker Player's Championship, which was introduced in 2010 as the replacement for the $50,000 buy-in HORSE tournament that had been in every WSOP since 2006, includes 2–7 triple-draw lowball as one of its rotating games.
Sometimes spelled as Padooki or Badougi, Badugi is a four-card ace-to-five low lowball variant where traditional poker hand rankings are changed.
Played as are other versions of five-card draw, but after the second betting round and before the showdown, there is a simultaneous declaration phase.
When everyone has brought up the closed fist, the players all open their hands simultaneously to reveal their choices.
For example, if a player declares scoop, has the lowest hand clearly but ties for high, they win nothing.
The first betting round begins with the player to the dealer's left, who may check or open with anything.
If any player opens, the game continues as traditional five-card draw poker.
[citation needed] This is a lowball game designed by Michael Wiesenberg that combines some of the variations mentioned above.
Each player is dealt three cards, followed by a round of betting beginning with the player immediately after the big blind who may call the big blind, raise, or fold (there is no checking on the first round).
Each player is then dealt a fifth card, followed by a third betting round beginning on the dealer's left.
To help grow the betting pot in a home game, one can add a variant known as the "kill card" to the rules.
(An alternative is to deal similar to a regular draw poker hand, during which any player can shout "Spit!
With the shared wild card, this gives her a flush, which loses to Carol's four queens.
Before the first betting round, each player examines their hand, removes exactly three cards from it, then places them on the table to their left.
Any of the above games can be modified in many ways upon player whim, by designating additional wild cards, betting rounds, more or fewer cards, altered hand values, and any other change agreed upon by all players prior to each deal.