Poker is a broad church that doesn’t just involve games where the highest hand is rewarded. Big pairs, strong hands, and dramatic showdowns at the river aren’t always important. Lowball poker turns traditional poker thinking on its head by making the lowest hand the winner. Find out more about how it works, the main variants, and more in this lowball poker guide.
What Is Lowball Poker?
Lowball poker is a type of poker where the objective is to make the lowest possible hand rather than the highest. The ranking of hands in lowball poker depends on the specific lowball variant you are playing.
In most lowball games, straights and flushes either count against you or are ignored altogether. Aces can be treated as either high or low, depending on the format. Players who are used to the traditional hand rankings may need some getting used to the format reversal.
Lowball poker variants are typically played as draw poker rather than stud or community poker. In draw poker, players are usually dealt five cards and have one or more opportunities to discard and draw new cards.
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Lowball Poker Rounds
The rundown of draw poker rounds typically goes as follows:
- The Deal - Players each receive five cards facing down.
- First Betting Round - After the blinds are put into the pot, the first player to the left of the big blind can choose to call, raise, or fold.
- First Draw - This is the first opportunity players have to discard and replace their cards. Rules usually allow players to discard and replace up to five cards. It is also possible to keep your hand as it is.
- Second Betting Round - Another round where players can call, raise, or fold occurs.
- Second Draw - Players have another chance to make a good lowball hand by discarding and replacing cards.
- Third Betting Round - Followed by another round of betting.
- Third Draw - This is the third and final chance to change your hand by discarding and replacing cards.
- Final Betting Round - The final round of betting takes place.
- Showdown - In the showdown, any players who haven’t folded reveal their hands, and the one with the lowest value, according to the rules of the poker variant they are playing, wins the pot.
Popular Lowball Poker Variants
Popular Lowball Poker Variants
While there are many versions of lowball poker, there are two main lowball variants you’re likely to encounter. They are Ace-to-Five Lowball and Deuce-to-Seven Lowball. In both variants, pairs are always bad. A hand with no pairs and low cards is what you’re aiming for.
Ace-to-Five Lowball
Also known as California lowball, this variant always has low aces and ignores straights and flushes. This means the best possible, lowest-ranking hand is A-2-3-4-5. The cards can be in any suit or matching suits. In this version, a hand like 7-5-4-3-2 would beat 8-4-3-2-A, because only the highest card matters..
Deuce-to-Seven Lowball
Also known as 2-7 Triple Draw, this lowball poker variant is more complex. In this game, aces are high, and straights and flushes count against you. That means the best possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2 with differing suits and colours. A-2-3-4-5 is actually a poor hand in this game because it counts as a straight.
Lowball Poker Strategy Tips
Instincts you’ve developed from playing traditional versions of poker may not be so helpful in lowball. If you’re new to lowball poker, these strategy tips may help you:
- Your Dealt Hand Is Important - You want to start with low unpaired cards in most variants. In the 2-7 version, you also want cards that don’t connect neatly. If you receive too many high cards, then the first draw round is crucial.
- Pay attention to the draw - How many cards your opponent draws can tell you a lot about the strength of their hand. A player who discards zero cards clearly thinks they have a powerfully low hand.
- Position Is Still Important - Where you lie in the order of the betting can be crucial. Acting later gives you more information, whereas going first allows you to exert more control over the pot size.
- Bluffing Still Goes On - Bluffing about hands still occurs in lowball poker. A well-timed bluff can be very effective. If you’re a beginner, you should probably concentrate on building a solid hand. You can try to bluff more when you have more experience, but be aware that other players may be bluffing too.
Conclusion
Lowball poker can be a refreshing alternative to traditional high-hand games. It encourages players to take a fresh approach to hand selection, betting patterns, and reading opponents. Whether you’re playing Ace-to-Five lowball or Deuce-to-Seven, the fundamentals remain the same and sound strategy can help. With practice and patience, lowball poker can add variety to your game and sharpen your poker skills.
