A royal flush in spades, surrounded by a fiery glow, floating against a dark background.

When you’re short on time but hungry for action, there’s no better fill than 5-Card Poker. Widely considered one of the most popular poker formats in the world, 5-Card Poker is simple, quick, and incredibly exciting.

However, if you’ve never played this version of poker, it’s important to know what to expect, from the format to the best strategic practices.

What is 5-Card Poker? A Brief Breakdown

As the name suggests, 5-Card Poker (also known as 5-Card Draw Poker) is a variant in which each player receives a total of five hole cards. The name is also an allusion to the game’s overall objective: to create the strongest five-card hand possible. In these ways, it’s very similar to Texas Hold’Em; however, its format is slightly different.

How to Play: 5-Card Poker Rules Made Simple

Learning how to play 5-Card Poker is extremely easy, thanks in large part to the game’s simple format and rules.

A standard game begins with every player receiving five hole cards face-down. The players can look at theirs but must conceal what they’re holding from their opponents.

The first betting round takes place, during which players can do the following:

  • Check — Decline to bet, but stay in the game.
  • Raise — Raise the stakes. Other players must call the highest bet to stay in the game.
  • Call — Match the highest bet made so far by another player at the table.
  • Fold — Abandon the game, forfeiting any previous wagers made.

All remaining players will then have the opportunity to discard a certain amount of cards from their hand, swapping them out for new cards from the deck. In general, the maximum amount of cards you can throw away is three. However, in some circles, you’re allowed to discard four if one of them is an ace. Discarding and drawing new cards is entirely optional; if you’re happy with your existing hand, you can simply pass.

Once the drawing round is finished, the second and last betting interval takes place. Finally, all remaining players show their hands. The person with the strongest hand wins the pot.

A hand holding five clubs cards in a poker hand, with a blurred casino setting in the background.

Stacking the Deck: A Guide to 5-Card Poker Hands

How do you know if you’re holding a winning five-card hand? By familiarising yourself with the hand rankings. These are the five-card poker hands you can potentially hold, listed from strongest to weakest:

  • Five of a kind — Only possible if playing with a wild card. Four cards of the sake rank and a wild card.
  • Royal Flush — The cards 10 through ace in the same suit.
  • Straight Flush — Any five consecutive cards in the same suit.
  • Four of a Kind — Four cards of the same rank.
  • Full House — Two cards of one rank and three cards of another rank.
  • Flush — Any five cards of the same suit.
  • Straight — Any five consecutive cards.
  • Three of a Kind — Three cards of the same rank.
  • Two Pair — Two cards of one rank and another two cards of another rank.
  • One Pair — Two cards of the same rank.
  • High Card — No matched cards. The card of the highest rank represents the strength of the hand.

Play Smarter: 3 Must-Know Tips to Win 5-Card Poker

Knowing how to play 5-Card Poker is one thing; mastering it is another thing entirely. By applying these three simple tips, you’ll refine your strategy and increase your winnings.

1. Play to Your Position

In most poker games, position is everything — and 5-Card Draw Poker is no exception.

The earlier your position, the lesser your advantage. You don’t get to see other players’ behaviours before you have to make your bet, meaning you have less information to guide your wager. As a result, it’s usually wise to play tight (i.e. bet conservatively) when you’re in an earlier position.

If you’re in a later position, you can be a bit bolder with your bets. You can gauge the strength of your opponents’ hands based on how they wager. Then, you can use those insights to inform your next move.

2. Switch Things Up

One of the best ways to keep your competitors on the back foot? Keep them guessing.

As you play, experiment with different betting styles and behaviours. Maybe one round, you bluff, going all in when you only have a single pair. In the next round, you bet a little more conservatively despite having a stronger hand, enticing your opponents to stay in the round.

By regularly changing your approach, you’ll ensure your competitors have no idea what to expect next. In turn, they won’t have a clue how to beat you — they’ll simply be guessing their way through each round.

3. Know When to Discard & When to Hold On

Deciding which cards to throw away and which ones to hang onto can be tricky. With that said, there are some general practices you can follow to eliminate the guesswork.

For instance, here’s the best move to make if you hold any of the following hands:

  • One Pair — Discard and draw three cards.
  • Two Pair — Discard and draw one card.
  • Three of a Kind — Discard and draw two cards.

By following these recommendations, you’ll improve your chances of forming an even stronger hand (e.g. One Pair hand could turn into Three of a Kind and Three of a Kind could turn into Four of a Kind). The more strategic your draw, the better your chances of coming out on top.

A video poker screen displaying a Deuces Wild game, showing payout values and a hand in play.

Play 5-Card Draw Poker at Ignition Casino

Now that you know the ins and outs of 5-Card Poker, there’s only one thing left to do: put your skills to the test. The best place to do it? Ignition Casino.

Here at Ignition, you’ll find an incredible selection of video poker games, the most popular being 5-Card Poker. With variations like Bonus Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Joker Poker, there’s endless fun to be had. Learn more about how to play poker in Australia (including 5-Card Poker) here.