Table And Seat Selection In 5-Card Draw Poker

5 Card-Draw, made famous in countless Western movies, is now a popular pastime at many of the leading online poker sites. This form of the game attracts a wide mixture of serious as well as recreational players, and is available in several betting formats such as fixed-limit, no-limit and pot-limit. Taking some time to choose the best tables can result in increased profits and enjoyment. This article gives you some easy to implement tips to help you find the most profitable tables today!

Table Statistics

We start by looking at how to assess the statistics available in the lobby area of almost all online poker sites. Next we look at how the tendencies of players sat next to you can affect your game. Finally we note the importance of tagging those opponents with weak styles, so that you can quickly identify and profit from them in the future.

In the lobby of most online poker sites offering draw poker, you will see two important statistics next to the table listings. These are ‘percentage of players to each draw’ and the ‘average pot size’. Combining these two numbers – and then comparing the result to your own style of play – can give you important clues about what to expect from each table.

Table Statistics Example

A table with a high number of players to the draw and a low average pot size is likely to be loose and passive. No big bets without the nuts and lots of people limping in with medium-strength holdings hoping to improve on the draw. If you are prepared to play tight and aggressive poker then this type of table may be very profitable indeed. Conversely a table may be overly tight to begin with, as shown by a low percentage of players to the draw, this environment could be ideal for a loose and aggressive player who will pick up lots of small pots while opponents are waiting for nut hands.

Statistics give you valuable clues as to what to expect, however ensuring that the seat available is suitable can also make a big difference to your profitability. The key aspect is how aggressively the players to the immediate right and left of the vacant seat are playing. For example if an opponent to your immediate right is raising almost every pot you may be constrained in the number of hands you play. A loose ‘calling’ type player to your left will prevent you having the advantage of position as often as you might wish.

While 5-Card Draw Poker is increasingly popular, you will find many ‘regulars’ who play at the tables. When you identify winning opponents (or at least competent opponents who it is difficult to win much money from) – then note them. When you next sit down you can avoid those tables with too many winners and choose the fishiest tables instead – immediately boosting your profits. Conversely you should also note the weaker players, going as far as to specify their particular weaknesses… you just never know when that old note will win you a huge pot!

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