2-7 Triple Draw Lowball Rules

Before the internet came around and changed everything, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Lowball used to be a high-rollers only game. The only limits offered for it were incredibly expensive so it was hard for new players to get started. But thanks to online poker, you can now get in on this unique and fast-paced game without busting the old bankroll.

Triple Draw Lowball is definitely not a game for the timid of heart. The hands move quickly, lots of bets are placed and the tide can turn on any player without a moment’s notice. It’s an action-junkie’s paradise but if you learn the proper strategy for 2-7 Triple Draw, you’ll be able to make a lot of money.

Triple Draw Lowball Hand Rankings

2-7 Triple Draw poker hands are ranked exactly opposite to those of normal poker hands. The object of 2-7 Triple Draw is to get the worst possible traditional poker hand. Straights, flushes and pairs all count against you so what you want is a collection of low cards that aren’t sequential, aren’t paired and aren’t all of the same suit.

Aces always count as high in 2-7 so the best possible hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is 2-3-4-5-7. The worst possible hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is the Royal Flush. Here are the five best hands in Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Lowball:

1.    2-3-4-5-7
2.    2-3-4-6-7
3.    2-3-5-6-7
4.    2-4-5-6-7
5.    2-3-4-5-8

You can see that the hand 2-3-4-5-6 is skipped even though it has all low cards. The problem with that hand is that it contains a straight. Remember also that hands with pairs and flushes are extremely weak. There’s no minimum qualifying hand so it is possible that any of those hands but it’s not very likely.

Hands are ranked starting from the highest card and working down. So if two players are vying for the pot and they both have hands in which the highest card is an 8, the next highest card is looked at to determine the winner.

Example: In the case of 2-3-4-6-8 vs. 2-3-5-6-8, the first hand would win. Both hands have the same highest card and the same second-highest card so the next card down is used to determine the winner.

Play of the Game

Deuce to Seven Triple Draw uses the same blinds and dealer setup as Texas Holdem. A small round disc known as the “dealer’s button” is used to represent the dealer. The dealer’s button moves on seat to the left at the beginning of each hand.

Blinds

The blinds are small antes that two players are forced to pay at the beginning of each hand. The two players to the left of the dealer are responsible for paying the blinds each hand so as the dealer’s button moves around the table, every person at the table will have to pay the blinds.

The person to the immediate left of the dealer posts the small blind, which is equal to half of the minimum bet. The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind, which is equal to one full minimum bet. In a $10/$20 fixed limit game, the blinds would be $5 and $10.

First Deal and Betting Round

Each player is dealt five cards face down. The cards are dealt one at a time beginning with the player to the left of the dealer and moving clockwise around the table.

After all the cards have been dealt, the betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind. This player may call the minimum bet to stay in the hand, fold his hand or put in a raise. The betting then continues clockwise around the table. If any players make a raise, all the other players must at least match that raise or fold their hands.

First Draw and Second Betting Round

Each player may discard as many cards from his hand as he wishes and receive new cards in place of the discarded cards. If a player chooses to discard all five cards, he will immediately be dealt 4 new cards and then the final card will be dealt after all the other players have made received their new cards.

If a player decides not to discard any cards, this is called “standing pat.”

After the players have received their new cards, there is a second round of betting. This time the betting begins with the first player to the left of the dealer. This player may check, bet or fold. The betting then continues clockwise around the table.

Second Draw and Third Betting Round

This round is played identically to the previous round. The players may receive as many cards as they wish and then a third round of betting begins with the first player to the left of the dealer.

Third Draw and Fourth Betting Round

This is the final drawing and betting round and it is played in the exact same manner as the previous round.

Showdown

After all the betting from the previous round has been concluded, the players still remaining in the pot reveal their cards. The player with the best 2-7 Triple Draw hand wins the pot.

Best Poker Site for 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball

PokerStars - Once again I have to recommend PokerStars for all your 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball action. PokerStars has so many players that you can find good 2-7 Triple Draw action at all stakes. Ultimate Bet used to have a lot of action too but the Triple Draw tables there have really died down in recent years.

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