Poker 2-7 Rules

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2-7 Triple Draw is a draw variant of poker and uses a lowball hand ranking system. In draw variants, players may discard cards from their hand and replace them with cards from the deck. The draw typically occurs before each betting round and occurs three times in 2-7 Triple Draw hence the name “Triple Draw”. 2-7 Poker Rules - Betting 2-7 Lowball is a 'blind game,' meaning the player to the left of the dealer puts in the small blind and the player to the left of the small blind puts in the big blind. Starting with the player on the left of the dealer and moving clockwise around the table, every player is dealt five cards facedown, one card at a time. 2-7 Triple Draw. This exciting form of poker has all players dealt their own individual 5-card hand (which no other players will be able to see in any capacity – i.e. There will be no face-up or exposed cards). In this low ball form of poker, players have not one, but three draw attempts to try and make the best “low” hand.

2-7 Triple Draw is an older poker game that has rebounded quite well since 2009. I expect the future to bring record levels of players to the Triple Draw tables. The recent success of 2-7 Triple Draw is largely due to the success of another poker game, 8-Game Mix. This is a mixed poker variant available exclusively at PokerStars that includes Triple Draw. Since it was launched it has become the most played mixed poker variant online, a position H.O.R.S.E poker has held without rival before 2009. With so many people learning how to play Triple Draw because they want to play 8-Game there has been a huge increase in the ring game traffic at PokerStars. Most 2-7 Triple Draw players can easily be considered novices, so if you have the ability and desire to master this game you can do quite well for yourself. You have already taken the first step by reading this 2-7 Triple Draw guide on the rules and basic strategy of the game.

How to Play 2-7 Triple Draw?

Most players tend to misinterpret the rules of 2-7 Triple Draw poker. Even experienced players have been known to make novice mistakes because the rules are very alien when compared to the other major poker games. Below are some of the basic rules of 2-7 Triple Draw:

Format – 2-7 Triple Draw is like 5 Card Draw only there are three draw phases instead of one.
Other Rules – Aces are always high in 2-7 Triple Draw and flushes and straights always count against you.
Objective – The objective in 2-7 Triple Draw is to make the lowest hand. Since aces are high and straights count the best hand in Triple Draw is 23457. This game uses blinds just like Texas Hold’em and Omaha and you can draw up to 5 cards.

2-7 Triple Draw Strategy

The most important thing to remember strategy wise is hand selection. To call the blind you want to at least have three cards 8 or less. Depending on how many cards your opponents are drawing you will need at least 4 cards that are 8 or less by after the 2nd draw. The average winning hand for a full ring (6 players) is around 9 high. An 8 high hand might be worth a raise in some positions and a 7 high hand is always worth a raise.

Players tend to bluff a lot in 2-7 Triple Draw so you should always keep the odds in mind. After the last draw, especially when your opponent(s) drew at least one card, you should also take pot odds into consideration; even with poor hands like Queen high. If you are facing one other player, who has been betting and drawing one each time, and you end up with a hand like 2-3-4-8-Q you may want to call his last $4 bet to win a $40 pot. This is only true if the other player drew on the last card. Calculating the odds of him catching a higher hand than you is really pretty easy once you get the hang of it, you won’t even need a calculator.

Play 2-7 Triple Draw Online

PokerStars is the one and only choice when it comes to playing 2-7 Triple Draw online. They are the world's largest poker room with more players than the next twenty largest poker rooms combined. Because 2-7 Triple Draw is not a very popular game on the internet, you can not find any running games at smaller poker rooms. Depending on the day and time you want play, PokerStars will have anywhere from 5-15 active tables and 50-80 players at the 2-7 Triple Draw limit tables. This means you can find a game or two running at most limits you could be interested in playing. The no limit tables are less popular and there are normally only 2-3 tables running when the limit games become active. You can support PokerTrikz and receive a $600 deposit bonus if you sign up for PokerStars with the links on this page. Good luck at the tables.

This article was submitted by my friend Josh. I may have done some quick edits, but the main content is his.

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Gameplay of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

  • Setting Up

    • You'll need: a button, small & big blinds (similar to Texas Hold'em).
    • Deal each player 5 cards, face down.
    • Use a limit betting structure (such as $3/$6)
  • The Action

    • Action starts to the left of the big blind. You may fold, call or raise.
    • After the 1st betting round, draw 0-5 cards. Then betting resumes to the left of the button.
    • A total of three draws occur.
  • Determining a Winner

    • Worst possible hand wins, so the best hand is the wheel: 2-3-4-5-7, offsuit.
    • Note: straights and flushes DO count against you in this game, and aces play as high only.
    • The player with the worst hand scoops the pot. In the event of a tie, the pot is split.

Basic Strategies of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

  • Pre-Draw

    Like most poker games with a button, position is a big factor in 2-7 Triple Draw.

    Knowing how many cards your opponent draws before you is key to formulating your strategy.

    Consider adjusting the number of cards you draw based on your opponent's play.

  • Drawing

    As a general rule, you should fold if you must draw more than 2 cards in the early drawing rounds.

    Never draw 3 cards on the first draw, unless you get a free draw or you start with exactly 2 and 7 in your hand

    Think about folding if you must draw more than 1 card in the later drawing rounds.

  • Betting

    Betting takes place before the first draw and after each draw. If you draw fewer cards than your opponent, you can generally bet out before the next draw.

    There is no such thing as slow-playing a big hand since your opponent will see how many cards you take before the next betting round.

What You Need to Know About 2-7 Triple Draw Starting Hands

  • Good Starting Hands

    Play these hands in all positions (and for a raise):

    • All pat hands of 9 or better
    • All 4-card hands of 8 or better.
    • All 3-card hands containing wheel cards.
  • Poor Starting Hands

    Never play these hands:

    • All hands with three cards valued 8 or above (except for hands containing exactly a 2 and a 7).
    • All hands with 0 or 1 wheel cards (2-3-4-5-7).
  • Marginal Starting Hands

    Play these hands cheaply:

    • All two card hands containing exactly a 2 and a 7.
  • Positional Hands

    Play in late position when folded to you:

    • On the button and hand contains two wheel cards and an 8 (occasionally a 9 depending on the blinds)
    • In the small blind play any three card hands containing two wheel cards and an 8 or 9

Do's and Don'ts for Better 2-7 Triple Draw Play

  • Never Limp Early

    Because position is so important, you should never limp into a pot in early position.

  • Try Getting Heads-up

    Playing heads-up pots in position is important. Try to reduce the number of players to two by 3-betting hands early.

  • Don't Bluff

    Bluffing (also called snowing) should be reserved for advanced players, and even then, rarely used. This is good advice for all limit-type-games.

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Poker 2-7 Rules Rule

Famous 2-7 Poker Hands

  • 2-7 Single Draw Poker : Action from the 2004 WSOP

    Big name players including Barry Greenstein, Howard Lederer, and Chris Ferguson play at the 2004 final table of the WSOP Kansas City Lowball event.

    This Video Contains:

    1. Ferguson doubles up an amateur, 'Jesus heals another cripple'.
    2. Standard banter among the big names.
    3. A brief history of 2-7 Triple Draw.
  • 2-7 Triple Draw Poker : Action from a High Stakes Cash Game

    Big name players including Gus Hansen, and Tom Dwan play a $1500/$3000 limit 2-7 cash game on the old Full Tilt.

    This Video Contains:

    1. Pots in excess of $30,000 USD.
    2. Multiple hands which contain all 3 draws.
    3. Note: This video has no sound.

Where Can I Play 2-7 Triple Draw Online?

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