5 card Draw Strategy

While luck is an important element in any card game, many feel that there are strategies that can be employed to improve your odds of winning.  Such strategies help players make better use of the cards they were dealt.  This is even truer in Draw Poker games where you are not limited to the cards you receive in the initial deal -- you can discard some of them and get new ones!  Such is the case when playing fixed limit 5 card draw poker. Here are some ideas on how to become a better Fixed Limit 5 Card Draw Poker game. Here are some links to essential articles for 5 Card Draw poker players.

• 5 Card Draw rules
• Best 5 Card Draw Poker Room

Positional Playing

t is generally believed that the later you draw in the round the better off you are.  If you are the last player around the table to draw cards you are in the strongest position possible.  You've already seen how many cards your opponents have drawn.  You've been able to look for "tells" as they react to the cards drawn.  Are they smiling or frowning?  Are they constantly moving the cards in their hand, as though reshuffling them might actually change their face value?  How do they bet following the draw?  But while at first glance, drawing first would appear to be an extremely weak position, there is a situation where it can work to your advantage.  If you have an extremely strong hand you can use the betting process to force your opponents to "pay up or get out".  Some players will fold early rather than risk losing more money.  Others will take the risk and bet up, in the hopes of that magic draw that is always right around the corner.

Bluffing In Five Card Draw Poker

Some players like to stand pat, even with less than stellar hands,  They are, of course,  attempting to force their opponents out of the game so they can take the pot.  Another positive outcome of a successful bluff is to raise the value of the pot when players with average hands stick around in the belief they can turn them into great hands.  To be able to pull off a bluff you need to know several things about what your opponents may be doing.  First, how are they betting?  Heavy betting is usually a sign they are holding strong hands, or perhaps they are trying to bluff you!  Second, how many new cards are they drawing?  Usually, drawing one or two cards is a sign of a good hand.  But once again, your opponent may be bluffing you.  Finally there are times when you have a strong hand but you try to bluff your opponents into sticking around instead of trying to scare them out.  Why would you do this?  Simple, to win a bigger pot!  If you are lucky enough to be holding four of a kind your hand is almost unbeatable.  So you may wish to draw a card instead of standing pat.  If you stand pat you are telling them you have a strong hand.  If you draw a card, they're a little less sure how good your hand is. 

Online Fixed Limit 5 Card Draw

Playing Fixed Limit 5 Card Draw online is the best way to hone your poker playing skills.  Many online poker game networks allow players to register for free and play for free in order to get a feel for their software and the online playing experience.  Be sure to include registering for a free account and practicing your skills at Fixed Limit 5 Card Draw online before heading to the cash tables. 

• 5 Card Draw Rules

• 5 Card Draw Strategy

• 2010 PokerStars Review