How to Play Sviten Special (Drawmaha): Rules, Draw Phase & Split Pot Structure
Sviten Special, or Drawmaha, is a split-pot poker variant that blends Pot-Limit Omaha with Five-Card Draw. Originating in Sweden and named after the poker room Sviten in Stockholm, this unique game format has grown in popularity across Europe and in mixed-game circles. In Sviten, players aim to win either the best five-card draw hand, the best Omaha hand or ideally, both.
Each player receives five private cards. The game proceeds with community cards dealt like in Omaha. Players participate in both:
A draw hand (traditional 5-card poker hand using only your own cards), and
An Omaha hand (must use exactly 2 of your hole cards + 3 community cards)
At showdown, the pot is split between the best draw hand and the best Omaha hand.
Basic Rules of Sviten Special
Game Format
5 hole cards per player
Pot-limit betting
5 community cards dealt (flop, turn, river)
One draw round per hand, after the flop
Pot is split: 50% to best draw hand, 50% to best Omaha hand
Game Flow
Deal: Each player receives 5 cards
Pre-flop betting
Flop is dealt (3 community cards)
Second betting round
Draw round
Turn dealt (4th community card)
Third betting round
River dealt (5th community card)
Final betting round
Showdown: Pot is split between best draw and best Omaha hand
The Draw Round Explained
Draw Mechanics
After the flop and second betting round, each remaining player may discard 0 to 5 cards
New cards are dealt one-for-one, starting from the first active player left of the dealer
All replacement cards are face down—unless you discard exactly one card
Unique Draw Rule: The Face-Up Option
When you discard exactly one card, Sviten Special allows you to:
Receive one card face up, visible to all players
If you don’t want that card, you can decline it and instead receive a face-down card
This creates an extra layer of information and bluff dynamics, often influencing action on later streets.
Example
You discard one card
Dealer turns over a10♣ as your first draw option
You decline the10♣
You are then dealt one face-down card from the top of the deck
Notes
The face-up card is always the first one offered when discarding one card
This rule does not apply when discarding 2 or more cards
Omaha Half of the Pot
Constructing an Omaha Hand
Use exactly 2 hole cards + 3 board cards
Omaha hand must follow standard high-hand rankings
The draw does not affect your Omaha hand — it's made using the final hand after drawing
Example
Hole cards: A♠A♦K♠9♣2♣
Board:Q♠J♠10♠5♦3♦
Omaha hand: A♠K♠+Q♠J♠10♠ = Royal Flush
Draw Hand (Five-Card Draw Half)
Constructing a Draw Hand
After the draw, your new 5-card hand is evaluated like in standard draw poker
No community cards are used
Strongest 5-card poker hand wins the draw portion of the pot
Example
After drawing, your hand is:4♠4♣4♥7♠7♦
Draw hand = Full House, Fours full of Sevens
Poker Hand Rankings Used in Both Halves
Sviten Special is a high-only split-pot game. The pot is split between the best Omaha hand and the best Five Card Draw hand.
Betting Structure in Sviten
Pot-Limit Betting Format
Bets and raises are capped at the size of the current pot
Four betting rounds:
Pre-flop
Post-flop (before draw)
After draw (before turn)
After river
Key Differences from Omaha and Draw Poker
Compared to Pot-Limit Omaha
Players get 5 hole cards (vs 4 in PLO)
Draw round after flop
Split pot: one half for Omaha hand, one for draw hand
Compared to Five-Card Draw
Includes community cards
Played pot-limit
Includes Omaha-style betting rounds and shared board
Where to Play Sviten Special Online
Real Money Poker Sites
SwC Poker – the only site that offers Sviten Online at the moment
Play Money Options
Offline: Popular in European live mixed games
Final Takeaway
Sviten Special (Drawmaha) blends Omaha and Draw Poker into one of the most creative and skill-testing formats in the poker world. With a post-flop draw, a split-pot structure, and the ability to choose your replacement card when discarding one, it’s as dynamic as it is fun. Once you know how to manage the draw and build both types of hands, you’re ready to jump into this underrated gem.
FAQs: Sviten Special Rules
How many cards do players get?
Each player receives 5 private cards.
When does the draw happen?
After the flop and second betting round.
Can I discard all 5 cards?
Yes. You can draw anywhere from 0 to 5 new cards.
What’s the rule for discarding 1 card?
You’re offered a face-up card first. You can take it or decline and draw one card face down instead.
Do I have to split the pot?
No—if you win both the best draw and Omaha hands, you scoop the full pot.
