How to Play 2-7 Triple Draw
A lowball draw game with three opportunities to replace cards; aces, straights, and flushes work against you.
Learn the rules ↓What is 2-7 Triple Draw?
Make the lowest five-card 2-7 hand; 7-5-4-3-2 of mixed suits is best.
2-7 Triple Draw is an established lowball format and a component of 8-Game Mix.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
Five cards are dealt down. Players bet, draw up to three times, and bet after each draw. A player can stand pat rather than exchange cards.
Forced bets: Small blind and big blind. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
Betting rounds & legal actions
Betting schedule: 4 betting rounds, 3 draws. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.
Betting limits: Usually fixed-limit. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Compare five-card 2-7 lows. Aces rank high; pairs, straights, and flushes weaken a hand. The lowest valid hand wins.
See the rule at the table.
7♠ 5♦ 4♣ 3♥ 2♠ is the nut low. Changing the 7 to a 6 creates a straight and therefore a worse 2-7 hand.
The mistake to avoid
Treating A-2-3-4-5 as a wheel. The ace is high and the sequence is a straight in 2-7.
A sound starting approach
Count the number of cards an opponent draws. Standing pat can indicate strength, but a pat hand is not automatically unbeatable.
Venue and format variations
Draw-deck reshuffling and betting caps follow the room's posted rules. Single Draw has only one draw and two betting rounds.
Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.
Follow one hand, step by step.
Post blinds and deal five cards face down.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2Which is the best possible 2-7 low?
Read the correct chart.
Aces are high. Pairs, straights, and flushes hurt your low. Compare from highest card down.
- 7♠5♦4♣3♥2♠Best: number oneThe strongest 2-7 low; avoid making a flush.
- 8♠6♦4♣3♥2♠Eight-lowLoses to any seven-low.
- 6♠5♦4♣3♥2♠Straight penaltyA straight, so much worse than a clean six-low would be.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does 2-7 Triple Draw use?
Standard 52-card deck. Cards received over the hand: 5; community cards: 0.
How is the pot awarded?
Compare five-card 2-7 lows. Aces rank high; pairs, straights, and flushes weaken a hand. The lowest valid hand wins.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
Draw-deck reshuffling and betting caps follow the room's posted rules. Single Draw has only one draw and two betting rounds. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
Source documents
These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.
- PokerStars Hi/Lo and 2-7 rules ↗Published room lowball rules
- PokerStars 8-Game Mix rules ↗Published room mixed-game rotation