2-7 Triple Draw Poker Rules

2-7 Triple Draw Poker Rules - How To Play 2-7 Triple Draw

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For poker players, you'll find a lot of the concepts within 2-7 Triple Draw to be similar to other poker games in some ways. Position, knowing hand strength and being able to read your opponents is vital in all poker games. If you've mastered these concepts, you'll adapt to 2-7 Triple Draw fairly easy. Obviously, the hand strength varies greatly from game to game but position play and reading your opponents are the key concepts here. In 2-7 Triple Draw, the lowest hand using 2-7 is the best hand.

Rules

2-7 Triple Draw is a card game that has blinds and a dealer with the betting rounds functioning very similarly to Texas Holdem. Each player is dealt five hole cards, which are concealed from the other players at the table. Players will then proceed with a round of betting followed by a draw. During the draw you can choose to discard any amount of your five cards and receive the same amount of cards in return.

After the draw, there is a second round of betting followed by the second draw. The same repeats with a third round of betting and a third draw, hence the 2-7 "Triple" Draw. The final or fourth round of betting results in either players folding to the better or a showdown if the action is called.

In 2-7 Triple Draw, Aces are always the highest card, and straights, flushes and pairs count against you. The best hand in 2-7 Triple Draw is 2-3-4-5-7. The only possible lower hand is 2-3-4-5-6, however, this is a straight and makes your hand significantly higher than 2-3-4-5-7.

Position

Position should always be considered whenever playing poker. The person with the better position has a significant advantage because they have the edge of going behind you. If you check, they can bet you off. If you bluff, they can call you and have the positional advantage all the way to the showdown.

Terms that are often used in reference to position are small blind, big blind, the button and under the gun. The person to the immediately left of the dealer is the small blind and the big blind is the next player to the left. The third person to the left of the dealer is referred to as being under the gun.

The person under the gun is first to act once the cards are dealt. The best position on any poker table is the button. The button is the dealer slot and is the last to act in every betting round aside from the first round where the big blind is the last to act. The general position concept is that the later the position, the better it gets.

In draw games, using position to feel out if other player's hit or missed their draws can be extremely advantageous. However, don't play your position as if it's guaranteed. Just because you're on the button, doesn't mean you have to bet the whole way. Sometimes you need to know when to fold 'em regardless of position.

Betting Rounds

In draw games it is generally recommended that you should bet strong when your opponents are drawing more cards than you. In this case, the odds are in your favor that your opponent is drawing to hit the monster with nothing in their hand. Statistically, you probably have the better hand at the moment. You only get five hole cards, so if you're drawing 1 and your opponent is drawing 3, do the math. You probably have the better hand, bet him off the monster draw.

Standing Pat

Standing Pat is referred to as holding onto your cards, meaning you don't want a draw. Standing Pat can be used as a tactic in 2-7 Triple Draw. For example, your opponent draws three cards and the next player draws two. You stand pat and they check the next round. A big bet sends them running if they didn't hit their draws.

Bluffing and position play is used in draw games and standing pat is often another tool that can be used for bluffing. Keep in mind, bluffing can be rather difficult in 2-7 Triple Draw, so you always want to be aware of your position, know how many cards other players have drawn and make effective bets.

In 2-7 Triple Draw, you're trying to have the lowest, worst poker hand possible. Straights and flushes count against you as well as pairs. These hands, although they may be low in numerical value, make your hand better and therefore, are worse. Play position, watch your opponent's draws and know your hand strength. Having a 2 and a 7 in your starting five hole cards is a decent starting hand. Always pay attention to bankroll management and play to your level. If you are a new player, start low and work your way up.