2-7 Triple Draw Poker

One interesting variant of poker, whether played on or offline, is 2-7 Triple Draw Poker. What makes this game attractive is that it comes with a ‘twist’ – while most games of poker such as Texas Hold ‘em, require that you make the best high hand in order to win the pot, in 2-7 Triple Poker, the opposite is true. In this game, you are required to make the best low hand in order to take home the pot.

The Essence of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

The main objective of 2-7 Triple Draw poker is to make the best possible low hand and win the pot. Players are dealt five cards and are then allowed to discard any one of them on the draw. Replacement cards are dealt, and this drawing pattern continues up to three times, hence the name (triple draw). 2-7 Triple Draw Poker is played with a standard 52 card pack, with no Jokers. A maximum of six players can take part in every round due to the number of cards that can be dealt out in each round.

The Best Hands in 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

While you may be used the rankings in poker variants such as Texas Hold ‘em, the hand rankings used in 2-7 Triple Draw Poker may take some getting used to in the beginning. What may seem to be a good hand in traditional poker could actually count against you in this variant, and it may take some time getting used to the fact that landing pairs, straights and flushes are actually a bad thing! Another thing to note is that the Ace is always considered a high card.

As such the least powerful hand in 2-7 Triple Draw Poker is Jack, Seven, Four, Three, Two.

The following are a list of hands that follow, from the least powerful to the most powerful.

Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four
Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three
Five, Five, Five, Six, Three
Two, Two, Seven, Six, Five
Ace, Nine, Six, Four, Two
Ace, Eight, Seven, Four Two,
Ace, Five, Four, Three, Two,
King, Jack, Eight, Seven, Four
Ten, Seven, Five, Four, Three
Ten, Six, Five, Four, Three
Ten, Six, Five, Four, Two
Nine, Seven, Six, Four, Three
Eight, Six, Four, Three, Two
Seven, Six, Four, Three Two

The highest hand, ie. the most powerful in 2-7 Triple Draw Poker is thus Seven, Five, Four, Three, Two with cards that are not of the same suit. This hand is known in poker circles as the ‘wheel’ or ‘the nuts’.

Recap: In 2-7 Triple Draw Poker, the cards are always counted from lowest to highest. Therefore, the card of the highest value in your hand will count the most. If the high cards are of equal value, the cards that are of next highest value determine the value of the hand.

The Blinds

There are two blinds in 2-7 Triple Poker Draw - the small blind and the big blind. Both of these blinds are assigned to the player seated to the left of the dealer around the poker table. This will also help determine how the cards are dealt to other players around the table and in which order.

Players buy into a game and they are then able to post a blind that is equal to the big blind that is being dealt in, or they can wait for the big blind to reach their position at the table.

Playing 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

The following is how a typical game of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker is played out:

The game begins with the player who is seated to the left of the dealer at the table.
The dealer deals five cards to each player at the poker table, face down.
The first round of wagering begins in the game.
Players essentially have three choices at this stage: They can fold, they can call the current bet or they can raise. Each player, in turn, does one of these.
If none of the player raises, the player in the big blind is allowed to hold that hand.
Betting differs, depending on what type of Triple Draw is being played – fixed limit or no limit. In the case of Fixed Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Poker, players can bet in amounts of pre-determined limits, as long as they match the size of the blind. In No Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Poker, players can wager all their chips, and at any time during the course of the game.
When the first round of betting is completed, all players who are still remaining in the game are given the opportunity to discard all or any of their cards. They are not obliged to discard any cards, and can also discard a few.
Those players who discarded cards are dealt new ones in their place.
After new cards are drawn, a new round of betting begins around the table, starting with the player seated to the left of the dealer.
Players can check the hand or make a bet if no player makes a bet.
Players are able to fold, call or raise.
When the second round of betting comes to an end, a new draw begins.
Cards can again be discarded by any of the players, although those who are satisfied with their cards can ‘stand pat’, meaning that they opt to keep the cards they have and not discard them.
Once new cards are drawn by those who have discarded any of their cards, the final round of betting begins.
When this is completed, the showdown stage begins, where all players who are left remaining in the game of 2-7 Triple Draw Poker reveal their hands.
The player who has the best low hand is the one who wins the game and takes home the pot
Players who share the best low hand will tie in the game and split the pot equally.

2-7 Triple Draw Poker Tips and Strategy

A lot of focus is put on reading the opponents around the 2-7 Triple Draw Poker table, as this is one game where players don’t see their opponents’ cards. Players only have the number of cards being drawn and their body language and expressions to go on. As such, becoming skilled in bluffing is also an important tool in this game, although experts agree that it should be used sparingly before the final draw.
Select your hands carefully. Remember that you can’t play every hand and you should know when to fold if your hand isn’t good enough to win. Avoid playing every hand, thinking that over the long run you’ll be a winner. Even the best pros understand that knowing when the fold is considered a strategy.

Conclusion

2-7 Triple Draw Poker is a variant that is becoming more and more popular in the world of poker, thanks to the introduction of the game to the world of internet. Today, top online poker rooms offer 2-7 Triple Draw Poker in fixed limit or no limit versions, making for some exciting and rewarding play.