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Learn Five Card Draw Poker Strategy

In this section we will teach you the best five card draw poker strategies, that can be implemented at any stage in the game. When you play internet poker online, it is important that you do not play automatically or by "hunch", but adhere to the following rules that will guide you to victory. This are rules that are more advanced than the basic rules of five card draw poker, but they can be learned in no time.

Rule #1: After two raises only raise with the best of hands. In a pot limit game, if two raises have already been placed, at least one player will be "all-in" (when a player is out of chips) by this stage. Take into account that the other player will usually not fold after so many raises, so you'd better make sure you have a hand that is good enough by any standard. If you place another raise the other player may even re-raise and make the stakes even larger.

Rule #2: In pot limit or no limit, be careful not to raise a hand you will later draw to. In five card draw poker, Make sure you do not need to replace any cards before going for a raise in a pot limit and no limit game. This is less relevant for limit games where the raises are equal and set.

Rule #3: Try to estimate whether your opponent is a tight or a loose player. Against tight players you need to implement an aggressive five card draw poker strategy, with lots of high raises, as well as a confident, somewhat bragging look, and of course preferably without drawing any cards. For loose players you should only play with strong hands and let go of your attempts to bluff.

Tight five card draw poker strategy describes the behavior of a player who only plays with strong hands, and folds on others. Loose draw poker strategy describes a player who might go on and play with strong as well as with weak hands, and not be afraid to match high raises and bets. If you are up against a good draw poker player, know that he/she may change his/her five card draw poker strategy, switching from loose to tight and vice versa.

Rule #4: If you have a dubious hand in limit - call, and in pot limit - fold. Remember that there are no free rides in pot limit. If you have a hand that is pretty good, but not a sure win, do not leave your opponent a chance to hesitate, and either place a large raise or fold. Do not however place a small raise, because then the other player will have nothing to lose by continuing to play, and you'll make the draw poker odds work against you.

Be sure to also learn about the opening moves strategy, and afterwards you'll be a match for no-one.


Publisher: Simon Jones,