2-7 Triple Draw is a draw poker game where the player with the best low hand wins the pot. Each player is dealt five cards to start, and then has the chance to discard any cards in their hand in exchange for new cards during three separate draw rounds.
Read below to learn about the basics of playing 2-7 Triple Draw , or visit the Full Tilt Poker Academy to learn 2-7 Triple Draw strategy from the world's best pros.
Playing for the Low Hand
Before you get started, please note the following about playing 2-7 Triple Draw:
- Flushes, straights and pairs count against your hand
- The Ace is always considered a high card
This means that the hand A-2-3-4-5 is not considered a straight, but T-J-K-Q-A is.
The best possible hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is 7-5-4-3-2 (not of the same suit), also known as "the nuts" or "the wheel". Low hands are always counted from the highest card to the lowest card, so it's usually the highest card in your hand that counts the most. For example, 9-7-6-4-3 is a better hand than T-7-6-4-2.
If the high cards are of equal value, the next highest card (or cards) comes into play. For example, 9-7-6-4-3 beats 9-8-6-4-3. Learn more about Low Hands.
Blinds
Like flop-based games such as Hold 'em, draw games feature blinds to stimulate action at the table. The small blind and big blind are assigned to the players to the left of the dealer button, which determines the order in which cards are dealt.
When you first buy in to a 2-7 Triple Draw game, you'll have the option of waiting for the big blind to reach your position before you begin playing or posting a blind equivalent to the big blind to be dealt in immediately.
The Deal and First Round of Betting
Once the blinds are posted, the hand is underway. With 2-7 Triple Draw, five cards are dealt face down to each player in the hand, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button.
After the cards are dealt, the first round of betting ensues. Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, each player has the option to fold their hand, call the current bet or raise it up! If no one raises, the player in the big blind has the option to check their hand, meaning that player makes no bet but still retains their hand.
The amount you can bet or raise is determined by the betting structure of the game you're playing:
- If the game is No Limit, you can bet all of your chips at any point in the hand
- If the game is Fixed Limit, you can bet in increments of a predetermined betting limit that corresponds to the size of the blinds
Draw #1
When the first round of betting is complete, all players still in the hand have the option to discard any or all of their cards and draw new ones. Click on the cards you want to discard, and then click the Discard button when it's your turn to act.
Alternatively, you can select the cards you want to discard and then check the Discard pre-action option, so your cards will be automatically discarded when it's your turn to act.
If you prefer not to discard any cards, you have the option to "stand pat". To do so, either check the Stand Pat pre-action option, or click the Stand Pat button when it's your turn to act:
Once all players have discarded, new cards will be drawn from the deck and each player will be dealt the same number of cards which they discarded.
Please note: In draw games, it's possible for more cards to be needed than are available in the deck. In this case, a reshuffling of the deck will take place. Learn about reshuffling the deck in draw games.
Betting and Drawing Rounds #2 and #3
After the first draw, another round of betting takes place, beginning with the first player to the left of the button. If no one has bet, you have the option to check your hand or make a bet. If you're facing a bet, you have the option to fold, call or raise.
Once the second round of betting is complete, draw #2 takes place. As with the first draw, any player remaining in the hand has the opportunity to discard any or all of their cards, or stand pat.
After new cards are drawn, a third round of betting takes place, followed by draw #3. Draw #3 is your last chance to make the best hand you can.
The Final Betting Round and Showdown
Following the third draw, one last round of betting takes place. This round of betting follows the same format as the previous rounds.
When the last round of betting is complete, a showdown takes place with any players still remaining in the hand. The player with the best low hand wins the pot! If there is a tie for the best hand, the pot will be split equally amongst the tied players.
If you like 2-7 Triple Draw, be sure to check out our other draw games: 5-Card Draw, 2-7 Single Draw, A-5 Triple Draw and Badugi.