5 Card Draw Poker
Lately I’ve been playing the Limit Five Card Draw poker tournaments on PokerStars. I’ve been doing quite well in them and a couple of days ago I finished 2nd out of 162 players.
Even though I finished well, the pay was not equal to the feat. 5 Card Draw is relatively new on PokerStars, so the buy-ins for these MTT’s is on the low side, low as in $4.40!
I’m sure PokerStars will have larger 5 Card Draw buy-ins in the near future as more interest in this game rises. Until then, I will keep playing these low buy-in Limit 5 Card Draw tournaments because they are so much fun to play in.
I find Five Card Draw to be a nice change from playing Texas Hold’em of late, mainly because I get to play more hands than I would normally play in Texas Hold’em. Instead of me folding up to 80%+ of my starting hands in Hold’em, I seem to play 30%+ hands in 5 Card Draw. The game is fast and fun.
Finishing well in these tournaments was just a matter of playing solid, fundamental 5 Card Draw.
By solid playing I am referring to choosing to play hands that hold Jacks or better (off the Blinds), paying attention to how the other players play and their starting hand requirements and knowing when to fold.
I will be writing a series of Limit Five Card Draw tournament tips in future posts and hopefully encourage some of you to take a break from Texas Hold’em to try this action packed game.
My first 5 Card Draw tips are about choosing the hands to play.
Like I said above, you should only play Jacks or better, unless you are in the Blinds. You’ll be amazed at how many good hands are in play and usually cards below Jacks are on the losing side.
Play any pair or one card drawing hands if you are in the small Blinds. Big Blind play is pretty straight forward; if it has been raised to you and you hold nothing, fold.
Many 5 Card Draw players will keep an Ace kicker with any pair. You are far better off getting rid of the Ace and draw three cards. You’ll make more Trips by doing this and keeping your Ace kicker is more likely to make two pair. Two Pair in Draw is never a sure winner.
Keeping Ace kicker might be a good play if your pair is below Jacks (when in Blinds), or you want to represent Trips.
Limit 5 Card Draw Tournament Tips - Playable Hands:
(These tips are for when you are not in the Blinds. You can lower your playable hand requirements when in the Blinds; this allows you to be creative)
- Only play Jacks or better.
- Always try to raise if the hand was not raised to you. As in other games of poker, you want to isolate the field.
- Call a raise with one pair and re-raise with a good two pair or better.
- Opt for getting rid of your Ace kicker with your Jacks or better pair for a better chance of being dealt Trips. Keep the Ace kicker if you want to represent Trips.
- Do not draw to one card for open-ended Straights and Flushes when the Blinds are high, unless you have a Straight Flush or Royal Flush draw.
- Keep a made hand as opposed to drawing to one, e.g. Keep your pair of Jacks instead if drawing for a Flush.
- VERY seldom should you do a Stand Pat bluff. Do this too often and players will catch on.
I hope these Limit Five Card Draw tournament tips help in your next game. I’ll be posting more tips in the near future.
You can play Five Card Draw at PokerStars; click here and use bonus code: ‘First2007′ for up to $50.00 free for all new accounts.
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