Deuce to Seven Triple Draw is a lowball game, meaning that players aim to make the worst poker hand possible. Not only do you want your hand to be low, but you want to avoid pairs, flushes, and straights, as all of the above count against your hand. The best hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is an unsuited 2-3-4-5-7, because you have the lowest cards possible without making a straight, pair, or flush. Even if you know how to play poker, you probably will need a couple hands to get the hang of this game.

Game Rules

To start a hand of 2-7 Triple Draw, the player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind and the player to the left of that player posts the big blind, which is twice the size of the small blind. These are forced bets that are designed to create action before the draw. Once the blinds have been posted, the dealer deals out five face-down cards to each player.

Now, the player to the left of the big blind has to either call the big blind, fold, or raise the big blind. After that player has acted, action continues around the table in a clockwise motion. Each player must either call or raise the bet before them, or fold their hand. It is important to note that after three raises, raising has been capped, and subsequent players can only call or fold.

One unique situation that can occur before the draw is if no player raises the big blind, and it is now the big blind’s turn to act. In this situation, the big blind can either raise or check. If he/she checks, the round is over, and their big blind is pulled into the pot. They do not have to put any more money in the pot to see the first draw.

Once each player has called the highest bet or folded, the game moves to the first draw. Each player (starting with the first player to the left of the dealer and moving clockwise around the table) can return as many cards from their hand as they like in exchange for new cards. After each player has their new cards, there is another betting round starting with the first player to the left of the dealer.

Players can either check or bet if there has been no previous bets, or call, raise, or fold if someone has already bet. Once each player has either called the highest bet or folded, the players have another draw. After this draw, there is another round of betting. Then there is a final draw, a final round of betting, and a showdown if any players are left in the hand.

Showdown

If players reach a showdown, they each turn their cards over to see who won. Remember, the lowest hand will win the pot. To evaluate two hands, start by looking at the highest card in each hand. Whoever’s highest card is the lowest wins. For example, 3-4-5-6-8 beats 2-3-4-5-9 even though the second hand appears to have more low cards.

If the highest card in each hand is the same, you look at the second highest card to see whose is lowest. For example, 2-3-4-5-7 beats 2-3-5-6-7 because the second highest card (a five) in the first hand is lower than the second highest card (a six) in the second hand. If the highest two cards are the same, you look at the third highest card, then the fourth highest card, then the fifth highest card until there is a difference in the hands.