My-Local-Poker Quick Draw Mini-League - FINAL STANDINGS

[harry_lime]

The My-Local-Poker Quick Draw Mini-League
	A series of 4 league freerolls at Doyles Room featuring 5 Card Draw The winner will have this award permanently in his/her sig line

[harry_lime]

5 Card Draw
I've arranged this mini-league because i saw the chance for our members to not only experience microgamings excellent new software but also to try out and learn, what is probably the oldest poker game of all - 5 Card Draw. If you've ever seen one those old black and white westerns where they are playing poker in a dusty bar, that was almost certainly 5 Card Draw. It made a certain kind of sense that we should try this at the site of the legendary Doyle Brunson and fortunately they have agreed to sponsor this short series of games.

Running up to the start on May 21st, i will be covering the rules of 5 Card Draw, how to play it at Doyles Room (with pics of course) and some tips and tricks on how to be successful in this particular format.

I'm sure there will be some that take to this game and some that most likely will not, but this should be a great way to try something new and discover online the "grandaddy of poker formats".


Playing 5 Card Draw at Doyles Room
Before any cards are dealt, each player at the table automatically pays an "ante" as seen in Picture 1. Once these "antes" have been paid, each player recieves 5 cards (as seen in Picture 2) and then the first round of betting commences with the player to the left of the dealer (in this case, me) going first with the option to bet or check. The betting follows standard proceedure around the table until all bets are complete.

Picture 1

Picture 2

After the pre-draw betting, each player still in will be allowed to exchange 1 to 5 cards once only. To select a card to exchange, left click with your mouse on the card you wish to exchange and it will rise above your other cards as seen in Picture 3. Do not try to drag the cards with the mouse, just one left click should do the job. Click on each card you wish to exchange and when it is your turn, hit the "Discard" button also shown in Picture 3. Players exchange their cards in the same order as the betting for that hand. It is possible to select your cards for exchange whilst the pre-draw betting is going on. This is a good idea as it is easy to run out of time if you leave your selection too late.

Once the cards have been exchanged, the last round of betting commences (Picture 4), with the player to the left of the dealer button commencing. The best standard poker hand wins and there are no low hands for split.

Picture 3

Picture 4

5 Card Draw - The Game

Pre-Draw Playable Hands - Basic Rule Of Thumb
Firstly, it’s very important to remember that the Big Blind (BB) in 5 Card Draw will always be the last 2 act in both betting rounds. With this in mind :

When first to act, you should be looking at minimum for premium pairs (Queens upward) or better as playable hands. 10’s and Jacks are also acceptable from a middle to late position. In terms of single pairs, flat calling with anything but Aces or Kings is the smart move but a more aggressive approach can be taken from the button (last to act) as you will often have a great possibility to take down the pot there and then with a raise (not just 2 times the BB of course).

As for small to medium pairs, only play these from the SB or BB (typically a call or check). Many players will often play these out of position looking for trips but with players to come behind you and facing potential raises, these hands are better discarded. Again these hands don’t really give you the odds to make them playable.

Flush and Straight draws are rarely worth chasing from an early or middle position (except perhaps in the early rounds where limping would be acceptable). You simply won’t have the odds to justify  these hands; eg. 4.2 to 1 for your flush. In a late position and if first to act, these can be good raising hands as a semi-bluff or a limp is acceptable when having one or more aggressive players still to come behind you. It is usually sensible to fold these kind of hands to a raise unless you have both the flush and straight draw. Steer well clear of inside straight draws as these will rarely pay.


The Draw
Usually, what you should discard will be a simple enough decision. Some players will often keep a big kicker  with a pair, but as it’s rare in 5 Card Draw for the kicker to be relevant (for a split pot), it is far better to discard 3 and give yourself a better chance to hit trips.


Pay Attention To How Many Cards Other Players Take
This is your best chance to assess the strength or weakness of your opponents hands :
Player takes no cards = They have a made hand or will sometimes be preparing to bluff (feels great when this comes off) if isolated with one other player.
Player takes one card = If they have not raised pre-draw, they will usually be looking for a straight or flush. If they have raised pre-draw, most likely they already have at least 2 pair.
Player takes two cards = Could well be trips or the BB (no raises pre-draw) looking to get lucky.
Player takes three cards = They have at least a pair or again the BB (no raises pre-draw) looking to get lucky.
Player takes four cards = This should only be the BB when allowed in cheap.


Post Draw Play
You should have a decent idea of what your opponents are holding by this stage. Check, bet, raise or call depending on a combination of your made hand, position and the size of the pot.  5 Card Draw is almost the ultimate bluff game so be sure that you only make worthwhile value calls when you feel you are probably behind.

Summary
There is of course, loads more that could be said about the strategy and hands in 5 Card Draw, but I think most of you are good enough players to work your way around these basic ideas. If you have it, there is a great section about 5 Card Draw in Doyle Brunson’s Super System by Mike Caro, one of the true experts of this format. Hopefully I haven’t contradicted too much that he has written there and naturally it should be remembered, that his piece was written primarily for the live game and no doubt the online approach will reflect the typical differences that we see in the game today.

This little piece is very much a beginners guide and is based upon some solid research and my own experience playing this format. I hope it will help some of you a little prior to our first game at Doyles Room and whilst I would never claim to be an expert in this format (7 Card Stud was more my game), i’ll be happy to try and answer any questions should you have them.

If there are any 5 Card Draw aficionados that would like to expand on this thread, i’m sure we would all appreciate even more insight into this classic game !
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 "I guess nobody really knew Harry like he did ...like I did !"  
    ....harry "the negotiator" lime

[PoolDemon]

well, "expletive deleted", another one i can't play, & 5 card draw baby, I'd be in like flynn to play...
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never do card tricks for the group you play poker with...
.  : .  :

[harry_lime]

[HOUSECATS]

Been long time since i played 5 card draw. But should be fun. now don't forget to bring your six shooters you never know who might show up.   
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GOOD LUCK ALL

[addam00]

Um this will  be so  fast that i have to be out of this ones too
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Can you spare a medal? I need another medal

[Know-nuffin]

Wow, I like 5 card draw.

The time looks to be cool for T and I, we both look forward to playing it.



We played some live HU 5CD last night, every hand... EVERY hand, Tracey dealt... she gave herself a winning hand.


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Know-nuffin.... "nurse, he's out of bed again"

[DangerMouse]

I`ve played a fair bit of 5 card draw. Great game, much underated, count me in if I`m eligible.
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“It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious.”

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.”

[harry_lime]

[muratore]

downloaded from the banner

muratore = muratore

this should be fun
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[Know-nuffin]

[muratore]

i am sooooooooo glad i discovered my bad and posted in the correct thread before you did this post  

appreciate the thought tho


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[Know-nuffin]

Dooooooh! If only I could think of a smart comeback



Pssst "I won't say who told me about this...   what!... you think I pay enough attention to notice this sort of thing."  
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Know-nuffin.... "nurse, he's out of bed again"

[Mad4Cards]

I'd love to play this ( and no not cos it's a freeroll lol) any idea how long it takes to become active again?
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'Waddya mean I shouldn't have called... I won didn't I?'

[vegasjj]

I like that new software - it really is soooo much better then the old one. I have the room for a very long time - started playing there again after the software change.

They have lots of fun games - like the sharp shooter...

as far as 5 card draw.... well... I have tried it before ... I will try it again.

I hope you will have more games at Doyle - good site.

Cheers
Judith
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I like to be right, but what I really WANT is to WIN

[BlackTyson]

[Mad4Cards]

[harry_lime]

Update :

In the second post from the top, i have explained how the game works at Doyles Room (with the aid of diagrams) to help anyone who has not tried this online before. I would suggest going there and trying a game in FreePlay before our first game, just to get the hang of things.

I will post a little about tactics and strategy's over the weekend.
_________________
 "I guess nobody really knew Harry like he did ...like I did !"  
    ....harry "the negotiator" lime

[Miklosik]

wow, I have alot of catching up to do.  Not sure how I missed this one.  Would love to play the games I can.

Miklosik = 92Cadillac @ Doyle's
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  Newest and oldest member of the Mura-harem.
 

[tukie]

I play at Doyle's regularly and I play the five card stud games. I just thought I'd let everyone know the software is awesome and the game is great to play. I may not be able to play in the first one but I'm hoping  to become active by the time the second one comes up. I'd be looking forward to seeing everyone there.

[Know-nuffin]

Must agree tukie, their latest software is really good.

Stick around the forum and we'll soon be seeing you not only in Doyles games, but others that being an 'Active' member encourages you to.
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Know-nuffin.... "nurse, he's out of bed again"

[harry_lime]

[tukie]

I watched a bit of the game yesterday even though I couldn't play. Looks like everyone was enjoying it. Didn't have many players, hopefully it will catch on and more will join in the future games. Congrats to the winner MrsNoNuffin.

[harry_lime]

[tukie]

thanks for the heads up

[MRNASTY1]

If it`s not to late I would love to join you in this tourney, my DBPN user name is MRNASTY1. If I miss this one I will hopefully see you in the next.

GL  

[harry_lime]

[MRNASTY1]

NP, this seems like an awesome group of people here! I will soon have some items next to my name  

[tukie]

good luck today for those playing the second round. I'll be hopefully joining you all come June. I'll drop in and say hello while your playing. Gives me an advantage to see how you guys play (lol). Watch out next month

[SoSoft]

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........... I missed today's tourney.   And I was so looking forward to it.   Had a workman here who distracted me during the time I should have been signing up.

[Miklosik]

Now what kind of distraction could/would a workman provide?  Was it perhaps the cabana boy?  Certainly not the plumber I hope.
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  Newest and oldest member of the Mura-harem.
 

[SoSoft]

Nothing that exciting, I'm afraid. I had it opened and would have registered, but the pw wasn't given out yet.  It seems, being a buy in, that maybe we could get the passwords a little earlier? --- Either way, I'm sorry I missed it.

[muratore]

[SoSoft]

[schellbell21]

Hello and thank you for inviting me into the Active Members Club. I do have an account on Doyles and I've found your 5 card draw tourny on there; however, it says I need a password Can I join halfway through the league? If not I am ok with that. I just wanted to check.
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got my first medal! woohoooo
got my second medal!!

[muratore]

[HOUSECATS]

Looks like a 2 way race for 1st place. Of coarse kn can win if the top 2 go out early and he can win
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GOOD LUCK ALL

[Mrs know-nuffin]

Good luck to everyone in our final game of this mini league.

It has been great fun learning a new game  
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  I started off with absolutely nothing..........and I still have most of it left.

[harry_lime]

....And The Winner Is

Congratulations to DangerMouse on winning our first 5 Card Draw Mini-League. Thoroughly deserved for a solid display with top 4 finishes in each game, which i think proves he is a worthy champion.

Well done mate !  


I hope everyone that played enjoyed these games, i'm sure we will do something similar again soon.
_________________
 "I guess nobody really knew Harry like he did ...like I did !"  
    ....harry "the negotiator" lime

[HOUSECATS]

Congralation on winning the series DM finishing in the top 4 in every game is amazing
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GOOD LUCK ALL