One of the most popular poker games these days at the online poker rooms is the five card draw game, it is quickly raising up the popularity charts.

If you’re new to this game, then it’s advisable that you learn all about it before you take the plunge. There are a few tips listed that you will definitely benefit from, and this way you will be on your way to win some money, instead of losing. The five card draw has only one draw and with two rounds of betting with every hand that you have; the game is a quick paced one, filled with action, and you will have to be quick yourself.

Here are some tips that you can use right from the time you begin to even play this game of five card draw:

•  Keep a close watch on your opponents: If you ever want to judge your opponents game skills, it is best to check the number of cards he draws. This is something this game allows you to do pretty easily. The other advantage of keeping a watch is that you will know the kind of hands your opponent has. If your opponent happens to draw just one card then they probably have a straight draw or a flush or even possess two pairs.

•  Do not chase Straights or Flushes: When you are playing a five card game you should never make the mistake of chasing either an inside straight or a three card flush. This ensures that you do not end up chasing many straights that are open ended or four card flushes. These will not help you win a lot of money; instead it will cost you dear, unless you are lucky enough and are hitting draws.

•  Slow strong hands: When you see that your hand is strong, you should play it slow, pre-draw and when the draw happen you can place strong bets for the last rounds. Your opponents will find the opportunity to outdraw your hand, so you need to be careful that your hand is good enough for you to play slow.

•  Mediocre hands should never be raised: An important advice is that you should never raise if you have less than a pair in your hands unless you are looking at bluffing to win the pot. You can win a five card draw if you have a medium-high pair, and you will hardly see it getting better than two pairs or trips. Once in a while you will find a straight or a flush, but since they seldom appear you don’t need to worry much about it.

•  Learn how your opponents play: It is vital that you know your opponents, learn to distinguish between the tight and loose players; this will help you when you make a decision. A good e.g. is that if you find a tight player betting huge after any draw, the chances are that the player hits a draw and this should make you fold. If this same strategy is followed by a loose player then you would probably want to raise to feel them. Once you know how your opponents play and act, half your battle is won.

•  Keep the third card: In case you your hand is a pair and you are drawing, it is then advisable that you create a mix in game strategy to keep the third card. Ideally your third card should be the highest among the rest in your hand that you use for a kicker. If you happen to hit two pairs on a draw you can consider yourself lucky, if not you should be happy enough that you have two good knickers in the pair you hold. Your chances of winning the pot are high, if you opponent puts a pair and they end up putting you with a bigger hand.

These strategies and tips will help improve your skills in a five card draw game.

Also recommended:

1. Choosing Starting Hands in Seven-Card Stud
2. Choosing Starting Hands in Seven-Card Stud Hi/lo
3. Omaha High Low Poker Tips
4. Tips for Omaha Holdem
5. Scoring Practice for Omaha High Poker Hands