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5 Card Draw (a.k.a. "regular" poker) is the easiest poker game for beginners to learn.


THE GOAL OF THE GAME
The objective of the game is to end up with the highest-valued hand. From best to worst, hands are ranked in the following order:

SEE HAND RANKINGS


PLAYING THE GAME
The game is played by a maximum of eight players. There are two possible betting rounds in a complete game of 5 Card Draw. Each bet and raise during the first round of betting is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $4/$8 game, all bets and raises are $4 for the first round. Each bet and raise during the second round of betting is set at the higher limit of the stakes structure($8). The maximum allowable number of bets per player during any particular betting round is four. This would consist of (1) a bet, (2) a raise, (3) a re-raise, and (4) a cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can not be raised anymore. Once the pot is capped, players will have only the option of calling or folding. Game proceeds as follows:

1. Each player is dealt five cards down.
   
   
2. 1st betting round - The players use the lower limit of the stakes structure. Round ends when all bets are equalized.
   
   
3. Those players who stay in on the first round have a chance to improve their hands. Each player may discard and draw from 0 to 5 cards.
   
   
4. 2nd betting round - The players use the higher limit of the stakes structure. Round ends when all bets are equalized.
   
   
5. Showdown - The highest hand among active players (those remaining in contention for the pot) wins the pot. see hand rankings