DRAW LOWBALL
In standard lowball (also called California lowball) the
best low hand is A,2,3,4,5, followed by A,2,3,4,6; then
A,2,3,5,6; etc. Frequently the joker is used as a wild card.
In deuce-to-seven lowball the best low hand is 2,3,4,5,7.
Each player
receives five cards face down. There is a round of betting,
starting with the player to the dealer's left. Ordinarily
the rules require that the player to the dealer's left bet
blind.
After that betting round, players may draw up to five cards.
Following the draw, there is a final round of betting. Usually
the rules of play require a 7 low or better to bet in order
to win any money put into the pot after the draw.
The lowest ranking
hand in the showdown wins the pot. In standard lowball,
straights and flushes are ignored. However, in deuce-to-seven
lowball they count and therefore are not considered a low
hand. In standard lowball the ace is a low card; in deuce-to-seven
it is a high card. Another lowball variation makes A,2,3,4,6
the best low hand and counts straights and flushes as high
hands.
