Heinz 57 Rules

Heinz 57 is played with the same rules as normal Five Card Draw poker except that fives and sevens are treated as wild cards. Traditional Five Card Draw poker has often been criticized as being too slow and boring because strong hands are so rare. With the addition of eight wild cards, Heinz 57 makes every hand an adventure.

Antes and Deal
Each hand in Heinz 57 begins with each player paying the ante, which is a forced bet that is roughly equal to 10% the size of the lower betting limit. The ante in a game with $10/$20 betting limits would be $1.00.

Some games may use a Hold'em-style blinds system instead of antes. In the blinds system, only two players must pay the antes each hand, but the cost is greater. The small blind sits to the left of the dealer and pays an amount equal to half the lower betting limit. The big blind sits to the left of the small blind and pays an amount equal to one small bet. Each hand, the responsibility to pay the big blind and small blind moves one seat to the left.

Each player is then dealt five cards face down, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer and moving clockwise around the table. Each player receives one card at a time until everyone at the table has five cards.

First Betting Round
The first betting round begins with the player immediately to the left of the dealer. This player has the option of making a bet, checking, or folding. The betting then continues clockwise around the table.

If any player makes a bet or a raise, the other players at the table must either meet that raise or fold their hands. All bets and raises in this round are made in increments of the lower betting level.

Draw
After the first betting round is completed, the players may now have a chance to discard cards from their hands and draw new cards from the deck. The maximum number of discards is three, unless a player has an Ace or Wild Card. In that case, the player may draw up to four new cards.

The draw portion of the hand is completely optional. If a player likes the hand they were dealt, they may elect to draw zero cards. This is commonly referred to as “standing pat” and is a good indication that the player in question has a strong hand.

Second Betting Round
The second betting round begins with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer. This time the bets are all sized in increments of the larger betting limit. In a $10/$20 game, all bets and raises would be placed in increments of $20. Other than that, the second betting round is played just like the first round.

Showdown
Any players remaining after the previous betting round now have a showdown by revealing their cards. The player with the best five card poker hand wins the pot. If there is only one player left at this point, that player automatically wins the pot without revealing his hand.

Five Card Draw Rules

Five Card Draw is the simplest form of poker and is a favorite at home games around the world. It’s an easy game to pick up and play because it requires little preparation. All you need is a deck of cards and at least two players.

Antes and Blinds
Some Five Card Draw games use antes and others use blinds. If an ante is used, each player is required to place a small bet at the beginning of each hand. Antes can range in size from 10% to 20% of the small betting limit. In a $5/$10 game, the antes would be about $0.50.

Due to the explosion of Texas Hold'em, some players are more comfortable using blinds rather than antes. If blinds are used, the two players to the left of the dealer must place bets at the beginning of each hand. As the dealer’s position moves around the table, each player must pay the blinds once per orbit.

The player to the immediate left of the dealer is the small blind and must place a bet equal to half the size of the big blind. The big blind is one seat to the left of the small blind. The big blind is equal in size to the small betting limit. In a $5/$10 game, the small blind would be $2.50 and the big blind would be $5.

Dealer
In games that use a full time dealer, a small disc known as the “dealer’s button” is passed around the table to represent the dealer’s position. Even though the players never actually deal the cards, one of them is always known as the dealer. The dealer’s button moves one seat to the left at the beginning of each hand.

When performing the initial deal, the player to the left of the dealer receives one card face down first and then each other player receives one card, going clockwise around the table. After all the players have one card, the dealer hands out one more card to each player in the same fashion as before. This is repeated until each player has five cards.

First Betting Round
The first betting round begins after all the players receive their cards and have a chance to look them over. The player to the immediate left of the dealer (the small blind) starts the betting. This player may call, raise, or fold.

The betting then continues clockwise around the table. Each player will have a chance to call, raise, or fold. If there are no raises, the big blind can check because he already paid a full bet at the beginning of the hand. The small blind would have to complete the half-bet to stay in.

Draw
After all the bets have been matched, players may now discard as many cards as they wish and draw new ones. In some games, the rule is that you may only discard up to three cards unless you have an Ace. In that case, you can discard every card except the Ace. In most games, however, you may discard as many cards as you wish.

Second Betting Round
Now that the players have their new cards, a second round of betting may begin. This round begins with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer. This player may check, bet, or fold. The betting then continues clockwise around the table until all the players have had a chance to act.

Showdown
If there are two or more players remaining after the last betting round, these players have a showdown. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot. If only one player remains after the last betting round, that player may collect the pot without showing his cards.

Dr. Pepper Rules

Dr. Pepper is a version of Five Card Draw poker that uses several wild cards to make the game more interesting and exciting. While you won’t find this game at any casino, it’s still a fun game to play at home with your friends. The use of so many wild cards results in bigger hands and lots of betting action.

Dr. Pepper Basics
Dr. Pepper is played with a normal deck of fifty-two cards, in which the Twos, Fours, and Tens are wild cards. This game is best played with three to six players because a lot of cards can be used in a typical hand of Dr. Pepper.

Antes
At the beginning of each hand, each player must pay a forced bet known as an “ante.” The ante is usually equal in size to 10% of the minimum bet size. In a $5/$10 game of Dr. Pepper, the antes would be $0.50.

Deal
Each player is dealt five cards face down, one at a time, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer and going clockwise around the table. In games that use a constant dealer, the dealer’s position is represented by a small disc known as the “dealer’s button.” The dealer’s button moves one seat to the left at the beginning of each hand.

First Betting Round
After all the players have had a chance to examine their cards, a round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer. This player may call, raise, or fold. The action then continues clockwise around the table until each player has had a chance to act. If any player makes a raise, the other players at the table must either match that amount or fold.

This betting round is played using the small betting amount. In a $5/$10 game, all bets during this round would be placed in increments of $5.

Draw
After the first betting round has been completed, the players may now discard up to three cards from their hands and draw new cards from the deck. Unlike Five Card Draw, three discards is the absolute maximum in this game. There are too many wild cards in the deck to allow players to draw more than three cards.

Second Betting Round
The second betting round is played beginning with the player sitting across from the dealer. If there is no player directly across from the dealer, the betting begins with whoever is closest to being across from the dealer.

This betting round is played using the larger betting amount. In the same $5/$10 game, all bets would now be placed in increments of $10. The betting continues clockwise around the table until all the players have either matched the other players’ bets or folded.

Showdown
Any players remaining after the previous betting round now reveal their cards. The player with the best five card poker hand wins the pot. Remember; Twos, Fours and Tens are all wild cards in this game.

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Rules

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Lowball is a popular poker variation that you’ll often find in home games and in live and online poker room. It was once popularonly among high rollers, but the advent of the Internet has made it possible for players of all backgrounds to give it a shot.

2-7 Triple Draw is a lowball form of poker, which means the worst traditional poker hand is the best hand in this game. The rules are pretty simple but understanding the hand rankings can be confusing for beginners. Once you get the hang of what beats what, however, you’ll have an easy time with the rest of the game.

Hand Values
You want to get the worst poker hand in Triple Draw. Straights, flushes, and pairs count against you, and Aces are always considered high. The best hand is 2-3-4-5-7 unsuited.

After that, the next best hand would be 2-3-4-6-7 unsuited. The hand 2-3-4-5-6 wouldn’t be considered a good one because it contains a straight and is therefore not likely to win.

Triple Draw hands are ranked starting with the highest card in the hand and then working down. If two hands have the same high card, then the next highest card is used to determine the winner. For example:

The hand 2-3-4-5-K would lose against 6-8-T-J-Q even though it appears to have more lower cards. All we need to know is that the King is higher than the Queen so the hand with the Queen is the winner.

Here are a couple of example hands, listed from best to worst:

1. 2-3-4-5-7
2. 2-3-4-6-7
3. 2-3-4-6-8
4. 3-4-5-6-T
5. 2-2-4-6-7 (the pair weakens this hand)
6. 2-3-4-5-5 (the pair weakens this hand even more)

*Assume all hands in the list above are unsuited.

Blinds and Deal
Triple Draw is played with blinds just like Texas Hold'em. At the beginning of each hand, the player to the left of the dealer pays the small blind (half a bet) and the player to the left of the small blind pays the big blind (a full bet).

The dealer’s position is marked by a button that moves clockwise around the table. Individual players don’t have to deal if there is a full-time dealer, but the dealer’s button keeps the game moving so that each player has to pay the blinds at some point.

After the blinds have been paid, the dealer gives each player five cards face down. The cards are dealt one at a time, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer.

First Betting Round
The first betting round begins immediately after the cards have been dealt. The betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind and moves clockwise around the table. The first player may call the blinds to stay in, fold, or raise. If any player raises, all the other players at the table must at least match that raise or fold.

If the game is played with a fixed limit structure, the first betting round uses small bets.

First Draw
The players now discard as many cards as they wish and receive new cards from the deck. This begins with the player to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise around the table.
Second Betting Round

There is a second round of betting that begins with the first player to the left of the dealer. The action then continues clockwise around the table. This round also uses small bets.

Second Draw
This draw is identical to the previous draw. The players may discard as many cards as they wish and receive new ones from the deck.

Third Betting Round
This betting round is played in the same manner as the previous betting round, except now you use big bets. If you were at a $10/$20 table, $20 would be the betting increment.

Third Draw
There is one last draw identical to the previous draw.

Fourth Betting Round
The fourth and final betting round is played identically to the previous round.

Showdown
The remaining players now have a showdown to determine the winner. Each player reveals his hole cards and the player with the lowest hand wins the pot. If only one player remains after the last betting round, that player may collect the pot without showing his cards.

Anaconda Rules

Anaconda Poker, also sometimes known as Pass the Trash, is a variation of Seven Card Stud Poker. The biggest difference between Anaconda Poker and every other form of poker is that after the players get their cards, they get to pick which cards they keep and then pass their trashy cards to the players to their left.

This game is quite popular in home games but it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see it spread in a real casino. Players with strong memory skills can do quite well at this game, but it’s best played as a casual game because it’s a lot of fun and generates interesting conversation.

Antes and Deal
At the beginning of each hand, each player must pay an ante to receive cards. This is just a small bet that’s usually equal in size to 10% of the lower betting limit. So if you’re playing in a $10/$20 Anaconda game, the antes would be $1.00.

Each player is then dealt seven cards face down. The player to the left of the dealer receives the first card, and then each player to the left receives one card in turn. This process continues until every player has seven cards.

First Betting Round
The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the dealer. This player may bet, check or fold. The betting action continues to the left around the table until all the players have had a chance to bet and all bets have been matched. The bets in this round should be placed in increments of the lower betting limit.

First Pass
Now each player chooses three cards from his hand and passes those cards to the player to the left. Each player will simultaneously lose and gain three cards in this fashion.

Second Betting Round
Another betting round begins with the player to the left of the dealer. This round of betting is played in the same manner as the previous round.

Second Pass
In this round, each player chooses two cards to pass to the left.

Third Betting Round
After the players get their new cards, there is another betting round. This round also begins with the first player to the left of the dealer. From here on out, the bets should be made in increments of the upper betting limit.

Third Pass
Each player chooses one more card to pass to the left. This is the final pass.

Fourth Betting Round
There is one more round of betting identical to the previous betting round.

Pick Five
Now each player chooses five of the seven cards to make up his final five card poker hand. The remaining two cards can be discarded. The players then put their cards face down in a stack in front of them.

At the signal of the dealer, each player then reveals one card of his choice.

Fifth Betting Round
There is one more round of betting.

Showdown
Any players remaining after the last betting round now reveal the rest of their cards. The player with the best five card poker hand wins the pot.

Optional Showdown Rules
In some versions of Anaconda, the game may be played with alternate rules for revealing the cards. After the fifth betting round is completed, the dealer will then tell the players to reveal one more card, followed by another betting round. This continues until each card is shown.

In this version, there are more betting rounds and hands take longer to play. I don't recommend playing this way, but if you are looking for a long game this is perfect.

Draw Poker Rules

Draw poker is one of the more traditional variations of poker. Although draw games are not as flashy as community games like Texas Hold'em or Omaha, there is still a loyal following of players who prefer playing five card draw, or the other variations listed here. Each of the pages below explains the rules of the particular draw poker game:

Anaconda
Anaconda is a seven card game where you pass cards to other players in exchange for new ones. Whoever makes the best five card poker hand at the end of the game wins.

» Full Anaconda Poker Rules

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw is a lowball game where players have three draws to make the lowest hand possible. Flushes and straights hurt your hand.

» Full 2-7 Triple Draw Rules

Dr. Pepper

Plays just like five card draw, except twos, fours, and tens are wild cards. Can use antes or blinds depending on player preferences.

» Full Dr. Pepper Rules

Five Card Draw

The most traditional poker game out there. You get five cards, have a draw, then see who has the best five card poker hand.

» Full Five Card Draw Rules

Heinz 57

Plays just like normal five card draw, except fives and sevens are wild. Can be played with antes or blinds depending on player preferences.

» Full Heinz 57 Rules

Honky Tonk

Honky Tonk is a split pot game with a high and a low pot. Also, there are different wild cards for each half of the pot.

» Full Honky Tonk Rules

Jacks or Better Draw

Not to be confused with Jacks or Better video poker, Jacks or Better draw is very similar to five card draw. The opening bet must be made by a player with a pair of Jacks or better.

» Full Jacks or Better Draw Rules

Seven Card Draw

Plays the same as five card draw, but you use seven cards instead. Makes for a more exciting game, as there are better hands more often.

» Full Seven Card Draw Rules

Six Back

Similar to five card draw, except each player starts with six cards instead of five. At the draw, each player receives one less card than they give, so they end up with five.

» Full Six Back Poker Rules

Trees

Plays similar to five card draw, except instead of drawing cards from the deck, you trade cards with the other players at the table.

» Full Trees Poker Rules

Five Card Draw Rules

Five Card Draw is the simplest form of poker and is a favorite at home games around the world. It’s an easy game to pick up and play because it requires little preparation. All you need is a deck of cards and at least two players.

Antes and Blinds

Some Five Card Draw games use antes and others use blinds. If an ante is used, each player is required to place a small bet at the beginning of each hand. Antes can range in size from 10% to 20% of the small betting limit. In a $5/$10 game, the antes would be about $0.50.

Due to the explosion of Texas Hold'em, some players are more comfortable using blinds rather than antes. If blinds are used, the two players to the left of the dealer must place bets at the beginning of each hand. As the dealer’s position moves around the table, each player must pay the blinds once per orbit.

The player to the immediate left of the dealer is the small blind and must place a bet equal to half the size of the big blind. The big blind is one seat to the left of the small blind. The big blind is equal in size to the small betting limit. In a $5/$10 game, the small blind would be $2.50 and the big blind would be $5.

Dealer

In games that use a full time dealer, a small disc known as the “dealer’s button” is passed around the table to represent the dealer’s position. Even though the players never actually deal the cards, one of them is always known as the dealer. The dealer’s button moves one seat to the left at the beginning of each hand.

When performing the initial deal, the player to the left of the dealer receives one card face down first and then each other player receives one card, going clockwise around the table. After all the players have one card, the dealer hands out one more card to each player in the same fashion as before. This is repeated until each player has five cards.

First Betting Round

The first betting round begins after all the players receive their cards and have a chance to look them over. The player to the immediate left of the dealer (the small blind) starts the betting. This player may call, raise, or fold.

The betting then continues clockwise around the table. Each player will have a chance to call, raise, or fold. If there are no raises, the big blind can check because he already paid a full bet at the beginning of the hand. The small blind would have to complete the half-bet to stay in.

Draw

After all the bets have been matched, players may now discard as many cards as they wish and draw new ones. In some games, the rule is that you may only discard up to three cards unless you have an Ace. In that case, you can discard every card except the Ace. In most games, however, you may discard as many cards as you wish.

Second Betting Round

Now that the players have their new cards, a second round of betting may begin. This round begins with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer. This player may check, bet, or fold. The betting then continues clockwise around the table until all the players have had a chance to act.

Showdown

If there are two or more players remaining after the last betting round, these players have a showdown. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot. If only one player remains after the last betting round, that player may collect the pot without showing his cards.

Seven Card Stud Rules

Seven Card Stud is one of the most popular non-Hold'em poker games and can be found in most casinos, live or online. Before Texas Hold'em came around, Seven Card Stud was the king of poker. It was the game you had to know if you considered yourself a poker player.

Today, Seven Card Stud is still played at every casino and in many major tournament series, including the World Series of Poker. Many of the high stakes mixed format games such as H.O.R.S.E. include Seven Card Stud in their lineups.

If you’d really like to expand your poker skills into a useful area, Seven Card Stud is a great game to learn. A lot of high stakes Hold'em players are also proficient at Seven Card Stud. Even if you don’t play it very often, it makes for a great thinking exercise that will help you excel in all forms of poker.

Seven Card Stud requires the use of several critical skills at the same time. Not only do you need to know the odds of various draws and be able to read your opponents, but you also need to have a strong memory to recognize which cards have already been revealed.

It might sound difficult, but if you can become a strong Seven Card Stud player, there is a lot of money to be made. Seven Card Stud strategy isn’t discussed or written about nearly as extensively as Texas Hold'em strategy. If you become decent at the game, you’ll find that there are a lot of fish who have no idea what they are doing.

Antes

Seven Card Stud is played with an ante, which is a small bet that every player contributes to the pot at the beginning of each hand. A typical ante size is about 10% of the lower betting limit. In a $10/$20 game, the antes would be $1.00.

Third Street

After all the antes have been paid, the dealer gives each player three cards. Two are dealt face down and one is dealt face up.

The player with the lowest card showing must “bring-in” the betting by placing a bet equal to half of the small bet. In a $10/$20 game, the bring-in would be $5. The player paying the bring-in may leave it at that amount or raise it up to the full minimum bet (in this case, $10).

After the bring in has been posted, the betting continues clockwise around the table. Each player may call, raise, or fold. If any player raises, all the other players at the table must either call, raise, or fold.

Fourth Street

Each player is now dealt one card face up. A round of betting follows but this time the betting begins with the player who has the best hand showing. This player may either check or bet.

Fifth Street

Each player is dealt another card face up. Another round of betting begins, but from here on out, the bets must all be in increments of the upper betting limit.

Sixth Street

One card is dealt to each player face up. This is followed by another round of betting.

Seventh Street

Each player is dealt a final card face down. This is followed by a final round of betting.

Note – If there are not enough cards to give to each player, a single community card can instead be dealt in the middle of the table. The players all share this card and can use it to complete their own hands.

Showdown

Any players remaining after the last betting round now show their cards. Out of the seven cards, the player with the best five card poker hand wins the pot. If there is only one player left at this point, that player may take the pot without showing his hand.