Although the basic principles of Draw Poker are standard, the number of variants can be limitless. In Poker games where the dealer names the game, he can decide on his own rules, within reason; even make them up as he goes along. It is, therefore, impossible to cover all variants of the game. Nevertheless, this page contains examples of games that are not covered elswhere on this web-site.

If no one opens on a 'Jacks or better' play, two Queens or better are required to open on the next play. If again no one opens, two Kings or better are required to open on the next play; then two Aces or better, then back down to two Kings or better, two Queens or better, and two Jacks or better.

Each time, players must ante again; and sometimes the limits are doubled. Once a player opens, the next play reverts to Jacks or better (and limits go back to normal).

This is like 'Jacks or better', but a player may also open on a bobtail (fours cards of the same suit plus one other card) or a bobtail straight (four cards in sequence plus one other card — but the sequence may not be A, K, Q, J or 4, 3, 2, A). These hands have no showdown value.

In this variation, players bet blind, i.e., before receiving their hands.

Before the deal:
1) The dealer antes only one chip;
2) The player to his left bets one chip blind (edge);
3) The next player raises him, betting two chips blind (straddle).

After the deal, the next player after the blind raiser has the first voluntary bet. He may call (two chips), drop out, or raise (three chips). The betting interval then proceeds as normal. The maximum raise before the draw is one chip. (Note that the dealer's ante does not count towards staying in, but the two players' blind bets do.)

In the second betting interval, the bet and raise limit is two chips. Betting begins with the first blind bettor or the (still active) player nearest his left. Players may check until a bet is made.

Sometimes, in the pre-deal betting, up to three voluntary blind bets — each doubling the last bet — are allowed after the blind raise. These bets count towards staying in the game in the first interval.

Play is as in the standard game, except for an additional (first) betting interval during the deal, after each player has received three cards.

Any hand can open. There is no checking.

Lowball is often played during 'Jacks or better' sessions. When no one has openers for 'Jacks or better', Lowball is played for that play only.

In Lowball the lowest hand wins. Rules are as for the standard game, with the following exceptions:
1) Ante: The dealer and the player to his left (sometimes also the second player to his left) ante.
2) First betting interval: The player to the left of the last player to ante must open or drop out. No checking is allowed. The limit is the ante amount. Antes count towards staying in.
3) Draw: Before the draw the dealer burns (exposes and then discards) the top card of the pack.
4) Second betting interval: This begins with the active player nearest the dealer's left. Checking is allowed, but a player who checks cannot raise on that play later. Limits are agreed beforehand.
5) Showdown: The lowest hand is the winning hand. Ace always counts low, and straights and flushes do not count. Therefore A, 2, 3, 4, 5 (known as a bicycle) counts as five low cards, and is the lowest hand, regardless of suits.

The Joker can be used for any card not in the player's hand.

From 'The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games'
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd 1979

After the draw (of not more than two cards), players simultaneously reveal one of their cards. There is a betting interval, after which another card is turned, or rolled; and so on. After the fourth interval players declare whether they are playing for — high or low or both (see High-Low), and the fifth card is then revealed.

Each player receives five cards face up. There is a betting interval, and the player with the best hand after the draw wins the pot.

From 'The Penguin Book of Card Games'
© David Parlett 1979