2-7 Triple Draw: Rules & Strategies
A very specific poker variant that has seen a massive raise in popularity in recent years has been the 2-7 Triple Draw. Players with classic draw poker rules in place, the game has players competing against each other to make the worst possible poker combination in what is commonly referred to as lowball poker.
Like most draw poker games, 2-7 Triple Draw gives each player five starting hole cards, with three draws allowed to every player. With the draws in place, players get to discard their cards and try to make a better hand by showdown. We take a look at the rules and strategies you can apply in the game to get you started with this interesting poker version.
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How to play 2-7 Triple Draw
If you come from a background of playing Texas Hold’em or stud games, you may not be aware of how to play 2-7 Triple Draw at all. On the other hand, players who have played other draw games such as 5 Card Draw will probably have some idea. Either way, let’s get into things and find out how to play the game of 2-7 Triple Draw.
The setup
Before we can start playing, it is important to understand the basic 2-7 Triple Draw rules. This includes the basic table setup, which in 2-7 Triple Draw usually includes anywhere between 6 and 9 players, along with a dealer.
To get things started, two players post the blinds which entice the action. Depending on the game format, the blinds can be in an actual cash value or in tournament chips. Once these are in place and all the players get their cards, the action starts with the first player to the left of the blinds. 2-7 Triple Draw is usually played as a limit game, with a fixed bet size on every street.
The deal
The dealing in 2-7 Triple Draw is quite simple. To get the action started, all players are dealt five cards each. These five cards need to be used to make the worst possible poker hand, which would be 2-3-4-5-7. Of course, other combinations of low hands can also win the pot, but the weaker your hand by the regular poker hand rankings, the better it is in this lowball game.
Once all the players get their five cards, they can decide which ones they like and which ones they don’t. Following a round of betting, the remaining players can start discarding their cards, getting new ones from the deck to replace them.
This drawing process is repeated three times, with a round of betting between every draw. The nature of the game is such that many big hands can be made since you get multiple opportunities at drawing to the best possible version of your hand.
2-7 Triple Draw betting
As we already mentioned, all betting in 2-7 Triple Draw is done according to limit poker rules. Limit 2-7 Triple Draw allows players to make up to four bets on every street, while the value of the bet is preset. In cash games, this value does not change, while in tournaments it goes up over time.
Unlike games like Omaha or Texas Hold’em which are usually played as pot-limit or no-limit games, the best in 2-7 Triple Draw are limited, which is why the game is often played with higher initial stakes. Some online 2-7 Triple Draw games were known to reach stakes as high as USD 2,000/4,000, while even bigger games are sometimes played in live settings.
Showdown: Making the nut low
The objective of the game of 2-7 Triple Draw is to make the worst hand possible, which means you don’t need a pair of straights and flushes to win. Instead, you will be looking for the worst possible rundown of cards that are not connected in any way. After all three draws are completed, the remaining players will table their cards and compete in whose cards are lower. The player with the lowest combination that does not make up a straight or a flush wins the entire pot.
2-7 Triple Draw hand rankings explained
There are several differences between playing classic poker games and this one, and the 2-7 Triple Draw hand rankings are the biggest ones. While in normal poker games, you are looking for pairs, straights, and flushes, in this one you will want to avoid making them at all costs. Instead, these are the hands you will want to try and make:
- Number One: 2-3-4-5-7 is the absolute best possible hand in 2-7 Triple Draw
- Number Two: 2-3-4-6-7 is known as number two and is the next best thing
- Number Three: 2-3-5-6-7 is another seven low hand that usually does the trick
- Number Four: 2-4-5-6-7 is the four and final seven low poker hand
Of course, many hands in 2-7 Triple Draw are not won by 7 low hands and an eight or a nine often takes the pot down. However, if you are looking to make a strong hand, drawing to a seven or an eight is usually a good idea.
2-7 Triple Draw strategy basics
The 2-7 Triple Draw strategy is not nearly as worked out just yet as it has been for some other poker games. This is one of the many reasons that make the game so appealing, as so many players are looking to learn and beat the opponents before they can get good at it.
With the game being the complete reverse of most poker games and players chasing the worst possible hand, a 2-7 Triple Draw can become very interesting at times. The basic strategy that most people apply is to only start with hands that can make a seven or an eight low and play them aggressively.
Since the game is usually played as the limit, the space for bluffing is limited, but you can certainly still go for it. Playing in position means you will have a chance to represent making strong hands by staying pat even when you miss on earlier draws and simply pumping in the raises.
Draw poker was always a game in which bluffing had to be done based on hunches and guesses and if you get to know the math of the game, you may very well become a master bluffer yourself.
FAQ
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Conclusion
If you like the concepts of draw poker and lowball poker, then 2-7 Triple Draw is the perfect game for you. Thanks to our online poker room partners, you now get to enjoy the game online with hundreds of other poker players. Sign up with one of the top-rated online poker sites in America and start playing 2-7 Triple Draw for the first time or use your extensive experience to crush the tables and win real cash.
Cosmin
Meet Cosmin, a seasoned expert in the gambling industry. With over 4 years of experience in casino operations and a deep understanding of the inner workings of the industry, Cosmin is a leading authority on all things gambling. He specializes in strategy development, risk management, and maximizing profits. He is a regular speaker at industry events and has a reputation for delivering valuable insights and actionable advice to both operators and players. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or new to the game, Cosmin’s knowledge and experience can help you increase your chances of success.