Reshuffling the Deck

Reshuffling the Deck

In draw poker games, there may be times when there aren’t enough cards left in the deck to complete a draw. This is more likely in games with multiple draws, such as 2-7 Triple Draw and Badugi.

If there aren’t enough cards remaining in the deck (known as the stub) to deal all the cards requested by active players, the dealer reshuffles the remaining undealt cards together with cards previously discarded by players. This includes discards from the current drawing round. The newly shuffled cards form a new stub, and play continues. Depending on the action, more than one reshuffle may be needed during a hand.

Single Draw Games

In games with a single draw, cards discarded by the active player aren’t included in the reshuffle. This means you won’t receive a card you’ve just discarded.

Games with Multiple Draws

In games with multiple draws, a reshuffle may bring previously discarded cards back into circulation. However, the game prevents you from receiving any specific card you’ve discarded earlier in the hand.

For example, if you discard the Two of Spades, you won’t receive the Two of Spades on a later draw, even if discarded cards have been shuffled back into the deck.

Reshuffling is specific to draw poker and doesn’t happen in Stud games. If there aren’t enough cards left to deal a final card to every remaining player in Seven Card Stud, a community card is dealt face up. All remaining players share that card.