• Home page
• Guides
• Triple Draw Lowball

This is how to play Triple Draw Lowball.

Over the past few years, the poker variant known as Triple Draw Lowball has gained increasing popularity due to the surge in mixed games. It remains one of the few draw poker variations that still has a dedicated fanbase in both live casinos and online platforms. In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the rules and strategies of Triple Draw Poker, ensuring that you are well-equipped to tackle this exciting game.

The various versions of Triple Draw Lowball

Triple Draw Lowball is a variation of Five Card Stud where the winning hand is the lowest. Two well-known variants of this game exist. One is called 2-7 Triple Draw, and the other is known as A-5 Triple Draw.

All streets and flushes count as usual in 2-7 Triple Draw. Furthermore, the ace is always high. The weakest hand in 2-7 Lowball is 2-3-4-5-7, also referred to as Number 1. This variation is the most well-known and widely played in casinos.

In A-5 Lowball, the lowest hand possible is the Wheel, which consists of A-2-3-4-5. Straights and flushes do not count in this variant, and the Ace is always considered low.

A comprehensive overview of the rules for 2-7 Triple Draw and A-5 Lowball.

Betting structure

Triple Draw Lowball is predominantly played in the Fixed Limit format. The initial and post-first draw bets are placed in the Small Bet amount. Following the second and third draw, bets are made in the Big Bet amount. In a $2/$4 Triple Draw game, the Small Bet is $2, and the Big Bet is $4.

Gameplay

Prior to the distribution of cards, players, like in Texas Hold'em, place blinds to the left of the button. Subsequently, all players receive five cards dealt face down. The betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind and goes around the table. Players can fold, call the big blind, or raise. In the opening round, bets are always made in the small bet, and a maximum of three raises are allowed per round. If the action proceeds without any raises to the big blind, they have the option to check.

Once the betting is finished, each player has the option to draw cards, which means discarding cards and exchanging them for new ones. The maximum number of cards a player can exchange is five. There is also the possibility to forgo a card exchange, usually indicating that the player has a pat hand or a made hand.

In certain live casinos, the regulations for Triple Draw Poker state that when a player desires to exchange five cards, they are initially granted four cards, followed by the opportunity for all other players to exchange, and only then does the player receive the fifth card.

Once the initial draw is completed, the action moves to the small blind, and betting resumes at the small bet limit. After the betting is done, another draw takes place. The second draw is followed by a betting round at the big bet limit. Once this betting round is finished, a final draw and betting round occur. In the subsequent showdown, all hands are compared, and the lowest hand wins the pot. If two or more players hold the same winning hand, the pot is split among them.

Basic strategy

2-7 is an action-packed game that showcases a great deal of bets and numerous showdowns. This particular variation is renowned for its elevated factor of chance, adding an exhilarating element to the gameplay experience.

When learning Triple Draw Poker, hand selection becomes incredibly crucial. It is crucial to keep an eye out for cards that require no more than two replacements. Besides pat hands, the best hands are those with one or two draws, encompassing both a seven and a two, along with a card in between. It is advisable to refrain from playing a hand where more than three cards need to be exchanged.

With an eight, the chances of winning the pot are already quite high. With a seven, you only have to split the pot very rarely. Having such a strong hand, it's important to bet with all your might. Those who play conservatively until they get a monster hand should be able to play profitably. On the other hand, if you have a hand that you want to exchange four or even five cards for, it's better to fold.

Eight-high or three-card starting hands like 8-3-2, 8-5-2, 8-4-3, and 8-5-3 are also quite formidable, as they often result in winning scenarios. Playing a made hand of nine-high should not be feared, especially if it is a strong high hand like 9-5-4-3-2. In the event that you find yourself in the final draw and your opponent is exchanging cards, a nine-high hand usually performs well.

Caution should be exercised when playing four-card open-ended hands in Triple Draw Lowball (such as 2-3-4-5, 8-7-6-5, or 7-6-5-4). In accordance with the 2-7 Triple Draw rules, having a straight is not allowed, resulting in an automatic loss of eight outs (cards that complete the hand). Care should also be taken with four suited cards like 7-5-3-2. A flush can be achieved, which automatically becomes a losing hand.

To effectively gauge your opponents' strategies at the poker table, it is vital to meticulously observe their actions. By closely monitoring their draws and betting patterns, one can reasonably deduce their range of hands. If an opponent raises, swaps a card, and continues to aggressively bet, it would be prudent to fold if you are still in need of two specific cards.

Ultimately, there should be no fear in calling the Final Draw with weaker hands such as Nine-High or even Ten-High. It is common to witness players bluffing after the Final Draw, particularly when they only draw one card. Frequently, one will receive favorable pot odds to make the call, and often, the Nine-High or Ten-High will also claim the pot.

Once you have perused this information, you will possess a comprehensive understanding of Triple Draw Lowball Poker. This magnificent game bestows a significant advantage upon skilled players over novices. Moreover, it serves as a refreshing departure from the customary Texas Hold'em matches.