In poker, a drawing hand is a hand that has potential to improve to a stronger hand if certain cards are drawn on the next card or cards.
In other words, a drawing hand is a hand that has a chance to become a winning hand if the right cards come up.
Example of a Drawing Hand
For example, a player with a hand of 4 and 5 of clubs and two clubs on the flop (the first three communal cards) has a “drawing hand” for a flush (five cards of the same suit).
If one of the remaining two clubs comes on the turn or river, the player would have a flush and a strong hand.
Drawing Hands Can Be Speculative
It is important to note that having a drawing hand does not guarantee a win, as the other players may have stronger hands or may improve their hands on the same cards that improve your drawing hand.
You will need the flop and perhaps the turn or river in order to make a pair, straight, 3-of-a-kind, and other combinations that make up a strong poker hand.
It is important to assess the odds of making your hand and make a decision whether to bet, call, raise, or fold based on that information.
Good poker players are able to balance the risk and reward of playing drawing hands and make the best decisions based on the situation at the table.
