How to Play 2-7 Triple Draw

2-7 Triple Draw is a fun and quirky poker game that has recently gained popularity at a number of online sites. The idea of the game is to make the worst possible hand.

Game Structure

The game is played with cards face-down (seen only by the individual player) and there are 3 rounds of ‘draws’ in which a player may discard any number of cards. Aces count as high cards in this game and straights and flushes also count against you – making the best hand 2-3-4-5-7 off-suit.

This article shows the rules of 2-7 triple draw by taking a hand from before the cards are dealt through to the showdown at the end. The game can be played in No-Limit, Pot-Limit or Fixed Limit betting format – here we use the more common fixed limit betting example, with a note for no-limit and pot-limit included at the end.

The Deal

The order of drawing cards and betting in 2-7 triple draw is determined by the position of the dealer button which moves clockwise around the table after each hand. The player to the immediate left of the dealer button posts a small (half) blind and the next player left the big blind – these bets comprise the initial pot.

Each player is then dealt 5 cards face down and the first betting round begins starting with the player to the left of the big blind. Each player can choose to fold, call (the amount of the big blind or last bet) or to raise. There are a maximum of 4 raises allowed on each round of betting.

The Draws

After betting is completed each player still in the hand can discard any number of their cards which are replaced with new cards from the deck. This is known as the draw and is started by first player still in the hand to the left of the dealer button.

There are a total of 3 draws, with a betting round following each. After the 2nd draw the betting limit is doubled – though the maximum of 4 raises for each round remains.

2-7 triple draw is played with a maximum of 6 players which means that it is possible that the deck of remaining cards runs out before the showdown. In this case the discarded cards are shuffled and used for the final drawing rounds.

Showdown

At showdown the lowest hand takes the pot. This hand is determined using the highest card in each player’s hand. A low containing no straights or flushes that ends with an 8 would beat a hand ending in 9 even if the other cards were lower. For example 3-4-6-7-8 would beat 2-3-4-5-9 at showdown.

Straights and flushes are considered high and invalidate your hand for the low, aces are also counted as high cards. In the event that someone has a pair then any unpaired hand (even 9-J-Q-K-A) will win.

In pot-limit or no-limit betting it is possible that one player can run out of chips before the hand is completed. In these circumstances the pot to which the all-in player contributed is separated. Remaining players wishing to continue betting must then start a new pot in which the all-in player has no interest. 

NEXT: 2-7 Triple Draw Starting Hand Tips