2-7 Draw Poker Guide – Rules & Strategy

Introduction

2-7 Draw (Deuce to Seven) is a pure lowball draw game where the worst high hand wins. Straights and flushes count against you, and aces are always high.

Variants
  • 2-7 Triple draw – Most common; draw three times.
  • 2-7 Single draw – Draw only once.
Game Flow
  1. Each player is dealt 5 cards face down.
  2. First Betting Round (typically fixed-limit or pot-limit).
  3. First Draw: Players discard any number of cards and receive replacements.
  4. Second Betting Round.
  5. Second Draw → replacements dealt.
  6. Third Betting Round.
  7. Third (Final) Draw.
  8. Final Betting Round.
  9. Showdown: Lowest hand wins (see rankings below).
Hand Rankings (Low Wins)

Best Hand: 7♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♠ (7-5-4-3-2, unsuited, unpaired).

#1 Hand 7♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♠
#2 Hand 7♥ 6♠ 4♣ 3♦ 2♥

Worst Hands: Straights (e.g., 5-4-3-2-A), flushes, pairs, or any hand with an 8+.

Example: 8♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♠ loses to any 7-low.

Starting Strategy
  • Ideal Start: 3-4 low cards ≤7 with no pair or straight/flush draw.
  • Playable: One high card (e.g., K♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♠) — discard the king.
  • Avoid: Any pair, ace, or 4-card straight/flush draw.
Strategy Guide
  • Draw Aggressively Early: Aim for 7-5-4-3-2; don’t settle for 8-low.
  • Bluff Smartly: Triple draw is highly bluffable, represent strong lows.
  • Position is Key: Acting last lets you see opponents’ draw counts before betting.
  • Track Discards: Remember what opponents discard to estimate their hand strength.
  • Pat Hands Rare: Most hands improve across draws, don’t overvalue early pat hands.