Deuce-to-seven triple draw is a lowball game in which the lowest hand wins, but with two rules that separate it from razz and the low half of Omaha hi-lo: the ace counts as a high card, and straights and flushes count against the hand.
The result is that the best possible holding is seven-five-four-three-two in at least two suits — low cards that stop short of making a straight.
The Ranking
Hands are compared from the highest card downwards, and the hand with the lower top card wins. Pairs, straights and flushes all count against a hand, so the holdings that win are low, unpaired and disconnected.
| Hand | Read as | Note |
|---|---|---|
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="7d 5c 4h 3s 2c"] | Seven-five | The best hand in the game |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="7h 6d 4s 3c 2h"] | Seven-six | Second best |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="8s 6h 5d 4c 2s"] | Eight-six | A strong holding |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="6c 5h 4d 3s 2c"] | A straight | Counts as a straight, not a six-low |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="8h 6h 4h 3h 2h"] | A flush | Counts as a flush, so it loses to most hands |
Order of Play
- Blinds postedSmall and big blind as in hold'em.
- Five cards dealtAll face down.
- First betting roundStarting left of the big blind.
- First drawDiscard and replace any number of cards, in turn.
- Second betting round and second drawThe bet size usually doubles at this point in limit games.
- Third betting round and third drawThe final chance to exchange cards.
- Final betting round and showdownThe lowest hand under the ranking above takes the pot.
Starting Hands and Draws
- Four cards to a seven or an eight is a standard hand to take to the first draw.
- Drawing two cards is playable early in position, but it is a long way behind a one-card draw.
- A pat nine is often strong enough to bet in the early rounds, and weak enough to be re-drawn later.
- Keeping an ace is rarely right; it is the highest card in the deck for scoring purposes.
- Breaking a made hand to draw at a better one is a real decision here, and it depends on the number of opponents still drawing.
As in all draw games, how many cards each player takes is the main public information, and it is read the same way as in five-card draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ace low in 2-7?
No. The ace is always high, which is the main difference from razz and from ace-to-five lowball. An ace in a 2-7 hand is a liability.
Do straights and flushes count against me?
Yes. Both make a hand worse, which is why the best holding stops at a seven and avoids a single suit.
What is 2-7 single draw?
The same ranking with one draw instead of three, usually played no-limit. The ranking rules are identical; only the number of draws and the betting structure change.