Today's Free Strategy Clip: Poker Pro Andrew Brokos runs an "All-In" bluff without looking at his cards, while playing $100 No Limit Hold'em.

myCardPlayer | Sign In | Sign Up

Home : Poker Strategy : How to Play Poker

How to Play Mississippi Stud

+ Texas Hold'em

In hold'em, players receive two down cards as their personal hand (holecards), after which there is a round of betting. Three board cards are turned simultaneously (called the flop) and another round of betting occurs. The next two board cards are turned one at a time, with a round of betting after each card. The board cards are community cards, and a player can use any five-card combination from among the board and personal cards. A player can even use all of the board cards and no personal cards to form a hand ("play the board"). A dealer button is used. The usual structure is to use two blinds, but it is possible to play the game with one blind, multiple blinds, an ante, or combination of blinds plus an ante.

Rounds of Betting

Opening deal - Each player is dealt two cards face down, which are known as hole cards or pocket cards.

Pocket Cards

First round of betting - Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, each player can call the big blind, raise, or fold. The big blind has the option to raise an otherwise unraised pot.
The flop - The dealer burns a card, and then deals three community cards face up. The first three cards are referred to as the flop, while all of the community cards are collectively called the board.

Flop

Second round of betting - Starting with the player to the left of the dealer button, each player can check or bet. Once a bet has been made, each player can raise, call, or fold.
The turn - The dealer burns another card, and then adds a fourth card face-up to the community cards. This fourth card is known as the turn card, or fourth street.

Flop

The Turn

Third round of betting - It follows the same format as the second round, but the size of the bets have usually doubled in limit games.
The river - The dealer burns another card, and then adds a fifth and final card to the community cards. This fifth card is known as the river card, or fifth street.

Flop

The Turn

The River

Final round of betting - It follows the same format as the second and third rounds.
The showdown - Using the best five-card combination of their hole cards and the community cards, the remaining players show their hands, with the bettor or last raiser showing first. The highest five-card hand wins the pot. (In case of a tie, the pot is evenly split among the winning hands.)

Other Texas Hold'em Poker Rules

These rules deal only with irregularities. See Button and Blind use for rules on that subject.

If the first or second hole card dealt is exposed, a misdeal results. The dealer retrieves the card, reshuffles, and recuts the cards. If any other holecard is exposed due to a dealer error, the deal continues. The exposed card can not be kept. After completing the hand, the dealer replaces the card with the top card on the deck, and the exposed card is then used for the burncard. If more than one hole card is exposed, this is a misdeal and there must be a redeal.
If the flop contains too many cards, it must be redealt. (This applies even if it is possible to know which card is the extra one.)
If the flop needs to be redealt because the cards were prematurely flopped before the betting was complete, or the flop contained too many cards, the board cards are mixed with the remainder of the deck. The burn card remains on the table. After shuffling, the dealer cuts the deck and deals a new flop without burning a card.

See Explanations, discussion #2, for more information on this rule.
If the dealer turns the fourth card on the board before the betting round is complete, the card is taken out of play for that round, even if subsequent players elect to fold. The betting is then completed. The dealer burns and turns what would have been the fifth card in the fourth card's place. After this round of betting, the dealer reshuffles the deck, including the card that was taken out of play, but not including the burn cards or discards. The dealer then cuts the deck and turns the final card without burning a card. If the fifth card is turned up prematurely, the deck is reshuffled and dealt in the same manner.

See Explanations, discussion #2, for more information on this rule.
If the dealer mistakenly deals the first player an extra card (after all players have received their starting hands), the card is returned to the deck and used for the burn card. If the dealer mistakenly deals more than one extra card, it is a misdeal.
If you are playing the board, you must so declare before you throw your cards away; otherwise you relinquish all claim to the pot.

+ Omaha

Omaha is similar to hold'em in using a three-card flop on the board, a fourth board card, and then a fifth board card. Each player is dealt four hole cards (instead of two) at the start. To make a hand, a player must use precisely two hole cards with three board cards. The betting is the same as in hold'em. At the showdown, the entire four-card hand should be shown to receive the pot.

The best possible five-card poker hand, using exactly two hole cards and three community cards, wins the pot.

Betting Rounds

The dealer deals each player four cards face down (hole cards or pocket cards)

Pocket Cards

First betting round.
The dealer burns a card, then turns over three community cards face up (the flop)

Flop

Second betting round.
The dealer burns another card, then turns over one more community card (the turn, fourth street)

Flop

The Turn

Third betting round.
The dealer burns another card, then turns over one final community card (the river, fifth street)

Flop

The Turn

The River

Last betting round.
Showdown. (Every remaining player shows hand. with first bettor or last raiser showing first.)
All remaining players must use their two pocket cards and the three board cards.

Rules of Omaha

All the rules of hold'em apply to Omaha except the rule on playing the board, which is not possible in Omaha (because you must use two cards from your hand and three cards from the board).

Omaha High-Low

Omaha is often played high-low split, 8-or-better. The player can use any combination of two hole cards and three board cards for the high hand and another (or the same) combination of two hole cards and three board cards for the low hand.

Rules of Omaha High-Low

All the rules of Omaha apply to Omaha high-low split except as below.
A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games, unless a specific posting to the contrary is displayed. If there is no qualifying hand for low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.

+ Seven-Card Stud

Seven-card stud is played with two downcards and one upcard dealt before the first betting round, followed by three more upcards (with a betting round after each card) and one more downcard. After the last downcard is dealt, there is a final round of betting. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the fifth, sixth, and seventh cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of making the smaller or larger bet. Deliberately changing the order of your upcards in a stud game is improper because it unfairly misleads the other players.

Betting Rounds

OBJECT: The best five-card poker hand, out of seven cards, wins the pot.

Each player must place an ante into the pot.
Each player is dealt two cards face down (hole cards) and one card face up (door card)

Hole CardsDoor Card

First betting round.
Each player is dealt one card face up (fourth street)

Hole CardsDoor Card

4th Street

Second betting round.
Each player is dealt another card face-up (fifth street)

Hole CardsDoor Card

4th Street

5th Street

Third betting round.
Each player is dealt another card face-up (sixth street)

Hole CardsDoor Card

4th Street

5th Street

6th Street

Fourth betting round.
Each player is dealt a final card face down (river)

Hole CardsDoor Card

4th Street

5th Street

6th Street

River

Last betting round.
Showdown (Every remaining player shows hand with first bettor or last raiser showing first).

Players can use any five of their seven cards to make their best hand.

Rules of Seven Card Stud

The first round of betting starts with a forced bet by the lowest upcard by suit. On subsequent betting rounds, the high hand on board initiates the action. (A tie is broken by position, with the player who received cards first acting first.)
The player with the forced bet has the option of opening for a full bet.
Increasing the amount wagered by the opening forced bet up to a full bet does not count as a raise, but merely as a completion of the bet. For example: In $15-$30 stud, the lowcard opens for $5. If the next player increases the bet to $15 (completes the bet), up to three raises are then allowed when using a three-raise limit.
In all fixed-limit games, when an open pair is showing on fourth street (second upcard), any player has the option of betting either the lower or the upper limit. For example: In a $5-$10 game, if you have a pair showing and are the high hand, you can bet either $5 or $10. If you bet $5, any player then has the option to call $5, raise $5, or raise $10. If a $10 raise is made, then all other raises must be in increments of $10. If the player high with the open pair on fourth street checks, then subsequent players have the same options that were given to the player who was high.
If your first or second holecard is accidentally turned up by the dealer, then your third card is dealt down. If both hole cards are dealt up, you have a dead hand and receive your ante back. If the first card dealt faceup would have been the lowcard, action starts with the first hand to that player's left. That player may fold, open for the forced bet, or open for a full bet. (In tournament play, if a downcard is dealt face up, a misdeal is called.)
If you are not present at the table when it is your turn to act on your hand, you forfeit your ante and your forced bet, if any. If you have not returned to the table in time to act, the hand is killed when the betting reaches your seat.
If a hand is folded even though there is no wager, that seat continues to receive cards until the hand is killed as a result of a bet.
If you are all in for the ante and have the lowcard, the player to your left acts first. That player can fold, open for the forced bet, or open for a full bet.
If the wrong person is designated as low and that person bets, the action is corrected to the true low card if the next player has not yet acted. The incorrect low card takes back the wager and the true low card must bet. If the next hand has acted after the incorrect low card wager, the wager stands, action continues from there, and the true low card has no obligations.
If you pick up your upcards without calling when facing a wager, this is a fold and your hand is dead. However, this act has no significance at the showdown because betting is over; the hand is live until discarded.
A card dealt off the table must play and it is treated as an exposed card.
In all games, the dealer announces the lowcard, the high hand, all raises, and all pairs. Dealers do not announce possible straights or flushes (except for specified low-stakes games).
If the dealer burns two cards for one round or fails to burn a card, the cards are corrected, if at all possible, to their proper positions. If this should happen on a final downcard, and either a card intermingles with a player's other holecards or a player looks at the card, the player must accept that card.
If the dealer burns and deals one or more cards before a round of betting has been completed, the cards must be eliminated from play. After the betting for that round is completed, an additional card for each remaining player still active in the hand is also eliminated from play (to later deal the same cards to the players who would have received them without the error). After that round of betting has concluded, the dealer burns a card and play resumes. The removed cards are held off to the side in the event the dealer runs out of cards. If the prematurely dealt card is the final downcard and has been looked at or intermingled with the player's other holecards, the player must keep the card, and on sixth street betting may not bet or raise (because the player now has all seven cards), but can call.
If there are not enough cards left in the deck for all players, all the cards are dealt except the last card, which is mixed with the burn cards (and any cards removed from the deck, as in the previous rule). The dealer then scrambles and cuts these cards, burns again, and delivers the remaining downcards, using the last card if necessary. If there are not as many cards as players remaining without a card, the dealer does not burn, so that each player can receive a fresh card. If the dealer determines that there will not be enough fresh cards for all of the remaining players, then the dealer announces to the table that a common card will be used. The dealer burns a card and turns one card face up in the center of the table as a common card that plays in everyone's hand. The player who is now high using the common card initiates the action for the last round.
An all-in player should receive hole cards dealt facedown, but if the final hole card to such a player is dealt face up, the card must be kept, and the other players receive their normal cards.
If the dealer turns the last card faceup to any player, the hand now high on the board using all the upcards will start the action. The following rules apply to the dealing of cards:

If there are more than two players, all remaining players receive their last card facedown. A player whose last card is face up has the option of declaring all in (before betting action starts). If there are only two players remaining and the first player's final downcard is dealt faceup, the second player's final down card is also dealt face up, and the betting proceeds as normal. In the event the first player's final card is dealt face down and the opponent's final card is dealt face up, the player with the faceup final card has the option of declaring all in (before betting action starts).
A hand with more than seven cards is dead. A hand with fewer than seven cards at the showdown is dead, except any player missing a seventh card may have the hand ruled live.

See Explanations, discussion #3, for more information on this rule.
A player who calls a bet even though beaten by an opponentiss upcards is not entitled to a refund. (The player is receiving information about an opponent's hand that is not available for free.)

+ Mississippi Stud

+ Seven-Card Stud High-Low

Seven-card stud high-low split is a stud game that is played both high and low. A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games, unless a specific posting to the contrary is displayed. The low card initiates the action on the first round, with an ace counting as a high card for this purpose. On subsequent rounds, the high hand initiates the action. If the high hand is tied, the first player clockwise from the dealer acts first. Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth street and the upper limit on subsequent betting rounds, and an open pair does not affect the limit. Aces can be used for high or low. Straights and flushes do not affect the low value of a hand. A player can use any five cards to make the best high hand, and the same or any other grouping of five cards to make the best low hand.

Rules of Seven-Card Stud High-Low

All rules for seven-card stud apply to seven-card stud high-low split, except as otherwise noted.
A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games, unless a specific posting to the contrary is displayed. If there is no qualifying hand for low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.
A player can use any five cards to make the best high hand and any five cards, whether the same as the high hand or not, to make the best low hand.
The low card by suit (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades) initiates the action on the first round, with an ace counting as a high card for this purpose.
An ace can be used for high or low.
Straights and flushes do not affect the value of a low hand.
Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth streets and the upper limit on subsequent rounds. An open pair on fourth street does not affect the limit.
Splitting pots is determined only by the cards and not by agreement among players.
When there is an odd chip in a pot, the chip goes to the high hand. If two players split the pot by tying for both the high and the low, the pot shall be split as evenly as possible, and the player with the highest card by suit receives the odd chip. When making this determination, all cards are used, not just the five cards used for the final hand played.
When there is one odd chip in the high portion of the pot and two or more high hands split all or half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the high card by suit. When two or more low hands split half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the low card by suit.

+ Razz

+ Lowball

Lowball is draw poker with the lowest hand winning the pot. Each player is dealt five cards face down, after which there is a betting round. Players are required to open with a bet or fold. The players who remain in the pot after the first betting round now have an option to improve their hands by replacing cards in their hands with new ones. This is the draw. The game is normally played with one or more blinds, sometimes with an ante added. Some betting structures allow the big blind to be called; other structures require the minimum open to be double the big blind. In limit poker, the usual structure has the limit double after the draw (Northern California is an exception.) The most popular forms of lowball are ace-to-five lowball (also known as California lowball), and deuce-to-seven lowball (also known as Kansas City lowball). Ace-to-five lowball gets its name because the best hand at that form is 5-4-3-2-A. Deuce-to-seven lowball gets its name because the best hand at that form is 7-5-4-3-2 (not of the same suit). For a further description of the forms of lowball, see the individual section for each game. All rules governing kill pots are listed in Kill Pots.

Rules of Lowball

The rules governing misdeals for hold'em and other button games are used for lowball.

See Explanations, discussion #7, for more information on this rule.
These rules governing misdeals are reprinted here for convenience. "The following circumstances cause a misdeal, provided attention is called to the error before two players have acted on their hands:

The first or second card of the hand has been dealt faceup or exposed through dealer error.
Two or more cards have been exposed by the dealer.
Two or more extra cards have been dealt in the starting hands of a game.
An incorrect number of cards has been dealt to a player, except the button can receive one more card to complete a starting hand.
The button was out of position.
The first card was dealt to the wrong position.
Cards have been dealt out of the proper sequence.
Cards have been dealt to an empty seat or a player not entitled to a hand.
A player has been dealt out who is entitled to a hand. This player must be present at the table or have posted a blind or ante."

In limit play, a bet and four raises are allowed in multihanded pots.

See Explanations, discussion #6, for more information on this rule.
A new player, has two options:

Wait for the big blind.
Kill the pot for double the amount of the big blind.

In a single-blind game, a player who has less than half a blind can receive a hand. However, the next player is obligated to take the blind. If the all-in player wins the pot or buys in again, that player is then obligated either to take the blind on the next deal or sit out until due for the big blind.
In single-blind games, half a blind or more constitutes a full blind.
In single-blind games, if a player fails to take the blind, the player can be dealt in only on the blind.
In multiple-blind games, if for any reason the big blind passes a player's seat, the player can either wait for the big blind or kill the pot in order to receive a hand. This does not apply if the player has taken all of his blinds and changed seats. In this situation, the player can be dealt in as soon as his position relative to the blinds entitles him to a hand (the button may go by him once without penalty).
Before the draw, whether an exposed card must be taken depends on the form of lowball being played; see that form. (The player never has an option.)
On the draw, an exposed card cannot be taken. The draw is completed to each player in order, and then the exposed card is replaced.
A player can draw up to four consecutive cards. If a player wishes to draw five new cards, four are dealt right away, and the fifth card after everyone else has drawn cards. If the last player wishes to draw five new cards, four are dealt right away, and a card is burned before the player receives a fifth card.

See Explanations, discussion #9, for more information on this rule.
Five cards constitutes a playing hand; more or fewer than five cards after the draw constitutes a fouled hand. Before the draw, if a player has fewer than five cards in his hand, he can receive additional cards, provided no action has been taken by the first player to act (unless that action occurs before the deal is completed). However, the dealer position can still receive a missing fifth card, even if action has taken place. If action has been taken, a player with fewer than five cards is entitled on the draw to receive the number of cards necessary to complete a five-card hand.
A player can change the number of cards he wishes to draw, provided:

No card has been dealt off the deck in response to his request (including the burncard).
No player has acted, in either the betting or indicating the number of cards to be drawn, based on the number of cards the player has requested.

If a player is asked by another active player how many cards he drew the player is obligated to respond until there has been action after the draw, and the dealer is also obligated to respond. Once there is any action after the draw, the player is no longer obliged to respond and the dealer must not respond.
Rapping the table in turn constitutes either a pass or the declaration of a pat hand that does not want to draw any cards, depending on the situation.
Cards speak (cards read for themselves). However, a player is not allowed to claim a better hand than he holds. (Example: If a player declares "8", that player must produce at least an 8 low or better to win. But if a player erroneously calls the second card incorrectly, such as "8-6" when actually holding an 8-7, no penalty applies.) If a player miscalls his hand and causes another player to foul his hand, the hand of the player who misdeclared is dead. If both hands remain intact, the best hand wins. If a miscalled hand occurs in a multihanded pot, the miscalled hand is dead, and the best remaining hand wins the pot. For your own protection, always hold your hand until you see your opponent's cards.
Any player spreading a hand with a pair in it must announce "pair" or risk losing the pot if it causes any other player to foul a hand. If two or more hands remain intact, the best hand wins the pot.

Ace-to-Five Lowball

In ace-to-five lowball, the best hand is any 5-4-3-2-A. Straights and flushes do not count against a hand.

If a joker is used, it becomes the lowest card not present in the hand. The joker is assumed to be in use unless the contrary is posted.
In limit play, check-raise is not permitted (unless the players are alerted that it is allowed).
In limit ace-to-five lowball, before the draw, an exposed card of 7 or under must be taken, and an exposed card higher than a 7 must be replaced after the deal has been completed. This first exposed card is used as the burn card.

See Explanations, discussion #8, for more information on this rule.
In limit play, the sevens rule is assumed to be in use (the players should be alerted if it is not). If a player checks a 7 or better and it is the best hand, all action after the draw is void, and the player cannot win any money on any subsequent bets. The player is still eligible to win whatever existed in the pot before the draw if he has the best hand. If a player checks a 7 or better and the hand is beaten, he loses the pot and any additional calls he makes. If there is an all-in bet after the draw that is less than half a bet, a 7 or better can just call and win that bet. However, if another player overcalls this short bet and loses, the person who overcalls receives the bet back. If the seven or better completes to a full bet, this fulfills all obligations.

Deuce-to-Seven Lowball

In deuce-to-seven lowball (sometimes known as Kansas City lowball), in most respects, the worst conventional poker hand wins. Straights and flushes count against a player, crippling the value of a hand. The ace is used only as a high card. Therefore, the best hand is 7-5-4-3-2, not all of the same suit. The hand 5-4-3-2-A is not considered to be a straight, but an A-5 high, so it beats other ace-high hands and pairs, but loses to king-high. A pair of aces is the highest pair, so it loses to any other pair. The rules for deuce-to-seven lowball are the same as those for ace-to-five lowball, except for the following differences:

The best hand is 7-5-4-3-2 of at least two different suits. Straights and flushes count against a player, and aces are considered high only.
Before the draw, an exposed card of 7, 5, 4, 3, or, 2 must be taken. Any other exposed card must be replaced (including a 6).
Check-raise is allowed on any hand after the draw, and a 7 or better is not required to bet.

No-Limit and Pot-Limit Lowball

All the rules for no-limit and pot-limit poker apply to no-limit and pot-limit lowball. All other lowball rules apply, except as noted.
A player is not entitled to know that an opponent cannot hold the best possible hand, so these rules for exposed cards before the draw apply:

In ace-to-five lowball, a player must take an exposed card of A, 2, 3, 4, or 5, and any other card must be replaced.
In deuce-to-seven lowball, the player must take an exposed card of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7, and any other card including a 6 must be replaced.

After the draw, any exposed card must be replaced.
After the draw, a player can check any hand without penalty (The sevens rule is not used).
Check-raise is allowed.

+ Draw High

There are two betting rounds, one before the draw and one after the draw. The game is played with a button and an ante. Players in turn can check, open for the minimum, or open with a raise. After the first betting round, players have the opportunity to draw new cards to replace the ones they discard. Action after the draw starts with the opener, or next player proceeding clockwise if the opener has folded. The betting limit after the draw is twice the amount of the betting limit before the draw. Some draw high games allow a player to open with any holding; others require the opener to have a pair of jacks or better.

Rules of Draw High

A maximum of one bet and four raises is permitted in multihanded pots.

See Explanations, discussion #6, for more information on this rule.
Check-raise is permitted both before and after the draw.
Any card that is exposed by the dealer before the draw must be kept.
Five cards constitute a playing hand. Fewer than five cards for a player (other than the button) before action has been taken is a misdeal. If action has been taken, a player with fewer than five cards may draw the number of cards necessary to complete a five-card hand. The button can receive the fifth card even if action has taken place. More or fewer than five cards after the draw constitutes a fouled hand.
A player can draw up to four consecutive cards. If a player wishes to draw five new cards, four are dealt right away, and the fifth card after everyone else has drawn cards. If the last player wishes to draw five new cards, four are dealt right away, and a card is burned before the player receives a fifth card.

See Explanations, discussion #9, for more information on this rule.
You can change the number of cards you wish to draw, provided:

No cards have been dealt off the deck in response to your request (including the burncard).
No player has acted, in either the betting or indicating the number of cards to be drawn, based on the number of cards you have requested.

If you are asked how many cards you drew by another active player, you are obligated to respond until there has been action after the draw, and the dealer is also obligated to respond. Once there is any action after the draw, you are no longer obliged to respond and the dealer cannot respond.
On the draw, an exposed card cannot be taken. The draw is completed to each player in order, and then the exposed card is replaced.
Rapping the table in turn constitutes either a pass or the declaration of a pat hand that does not want to draw any cards, depending on the situation. A player who indicates a pat hand by rapping the table, not knowing the pot has been raised, can still play the hand.
You can not change your seat between hands when there are multiple antes or forfeited money in the pot.
You have the right to pay the ante (whether single or multiple) at any time and receive a hand, unless there is any additional money in the pot that has been forfeited during a hand in which you were not involved.
If the pot has been declared open by an all-in player playing for just the antes, all callers must come in for the full opening bet.
If you have only a full ante and no other chips on the table, you can play for just the antes. If no one opens and there is another ante, you can still play for that part of the antes that you have matched, without putting in any more money.

+ Draw Jacks or Better

There are two betting rounds, one before the draw and one after the draw. The game is played with a button and an ante. Players in turn can check, open for the minimum, or open with a raise. After the first betting round the players have the opportunity to draw new cards to replace the ones they discard. Action after the draw starts with the opener, or next player proceeding clockwise if the opener has folded. The betting limit after the draw is twice the amount of the betting limit before the draw.

Rules of Draw Jacks or Better

A pair of jacks or better is required to open the pot. If no player opens the pot, the button moves forward and each player must ante again, unless the limit of antes has been reached for that particular game. (Most games allow three consecutive deals before anteing stops.)
If the opener should show false openers before the draw, any other active player has the opportunity to declare the pot opened. However, any player who originally passed openers is not eligible to declare the pot open. The false opener has a dead hand and the opening bet stays in the pot. Any other bet placed in the pot by the opener can be withdrawn, provided the action before the draw is not completed. If no other player declares the pot open, all bets are returned except the opener's first bet. The first bet and antes remain in the pot, and all players who were involved in that hand are entitled to play the next hand after anteing again.
Any player who has legally declared the pot opened must prove openers in order to win the pot.
In all cases, the pot plays (even if the opener shows or declares a fouled hand) if there has been a raise, two or more players call the opening bet, or all action is completed before the draw.
Even if you are all in for just the ante (or part of the ante), you can declare the pot open if you have openers. If you are all in and falsely declare the pot open, you lose the ante money and cannot continue to play on any subsequent deals until a winner is determined. Even if you buy in again, you must wait until the pot has been legally opened and someone else has won it before you can resume play.
Once action has been completed before the draw, the opener cannot withdraw any bets, whether or not the hand contains openers.
An opener may be allowed to retrieve a discarded hand to prove openers, at management's discretion.
Any player can request that the opener retain the opening hand and show it after the winner of the pot has been determined.
You can split openers, but you must declare that you are splitting and place all discards under a chip to be exposed by the dealer after the completion of the hand. If you declare that you are splitting openers, but it is determined that you could not possibly have had openers when your final hand is compared with your discards, you lose the pot.
You are not splitting openers if you retain openers. If you begin with the ace, joker, king, queen of spades, and the ten of clubs, you are not splitting if you throw the ten of clubs away. You are breaking a straight to draw to a royal flush, and in doing so, you have retained openers (ace-joker for two aces).
After the draw, if you call the opener's bet and cannot beat openers, you do not get your bet back. (You have received information about opener's hand that is not free.)

+ No Limit Pot Limit

There are two betting rounds, one before the draw and one after the draw. The game is played with a button and an ante. Players in turn can check, open for the minimum, or open with a raise. After the first betting round the players have the opportunity to draw new cards to replace the ones they discard. Action after the draw starts with the opener, or next player proceeding clockwise if the opener has folded. The betting limit after the draw is twice the amount of the betting limit before the draw.

Rules of Draw Jacks or Better

A pair of jacks or better is required to open the pot. If no player opens the pot, the button moves forward and each player must ante again, unless the limit of antes has been reached for that particular game. (Most games allow three consecutive deals before anteing stops.)
If the opener should show false openers before the draw, any other active player has the opportunity to declare the pot opened. However, any player who originally passed openers is not eligible to declare the pot open. The false opener has a dead hand and the opening bet stays in the pot. Any other bet placed in the pot by the opener can be withdrawn, provided the action before the draw is not completed. If no other player declares the pot open, all bets are returned except the opener's first bet. The first bet and antes remain in the pot, and all players who were involved in that hand are entitled to play the next hand after anteing again.
Any player who has legally declared the pot opened must prove openers in order to win the pot.
In all cases, the pot plays (even if the opener shows or declares a fouled hand) if there has been a raise, two or more players call the opening bet, or all action is completed before the draw.
Even if you are all in for just the ante (or part of the ante), you can declare the pot open if you have openers. If you are all in and falsely declare the pot open, you lose the ante money and cannot continue to play on any subsequent deals until a winner is determined. Even if you buy in again, you must wait until the pot has been legally opened and someone else has won it before you can resume play.
Once action has been completed before the draw, the opener cannot withdraw any bets, whether or not the hand contains openers.
An opener may be allowed to retrieve a discarded hand to prove openers, at management's discretion.
Any player can request that the opener retain the opening hand and show it after the winner of the pot has been determined.
You can split openers, but you must declare that you are splitting and place all discards under a chip to be exposed by the dealer after the completion of the hand. If you declare that you are splitting openers, but it is determined that you could not possibly have had openers when your final hand is compared with your discards, you lose the pot.
You are not splitting openers if you retain openers. If you begin with the ace, joker, king, queen of spades, and the ten of clubs, you are not splitting if you throw the ten of clubs away. You are breaking a straight to draw to a royal flush, and in doing so, you have retained openers (ace-joker for two aces).
After the draw, if you call the opener's bet and cannot beat openers, you do not get your bet back. (You have received information about opener's hand that is not free.)

The rules above are from "Robert Rules of Poker" which is authored by Robert Ciaffone, better known in the poker world as Bob Ciaffone, a leading authority on cardroom rules.