Lowball Basics – Rules & Info You Can Use

In all actuality, lowball isn’t a game that beginners should gravitate towards. Regardless, there are two basic versions of lowball – they are Ace-to-Five lowball and Deuce-to-Seven lowball. In Ace-to-Five lowball, the basic rules are as follows:

1) The best hand is 5,4,3,2,A, which is otherwise known as the wheel.

2) The Ace is low.

3) Straights and flushes do NOT count for or against the strength of a hand.

4) If a Joker is used, it is the lowest card that you aren’t holding. For example, if you have a 3,7,6,2,Joker the Joker will be an ACE.

5) Before the draw, an exposed card doesn’t need to be taken. It depends on the rules of the house.

6) A seven or better is usually required to bet. If you don’t bet it, you will forfeit your winnings on any subsequent rounds of betting.

In Deuce-to-Seven, or Kansas-City Lowball, the rules are roughly the same. There are a few exceptions, or difference:

• Straights and flushes will count against you – so watch out for them. A wheel isn’t considered to be a straight. For example, an A,2,3,4,5 will lose to a K,2,3,4,5.

• The best possible hand you can get is 2-3-4-5-7.

• The Ace is used as a high card, not the low.

• Before the draw, an exposed card that is less than 7 (other than “6”) must be taken by a player. A “6” or anything “8” or better, must be burned by the dealer.

• A check-raise is allowed on any hand after the draw

• And, a seven-or-better is NOT required to make a bet.

So, there you have it – some basic lowball rules and a brief introduction to two variations of the game Ace-to-Five and Deuce-to-Seven Lowball. Lowball can be a lot of fun if you like draw games and have an understanding of the basic rules of poker. Betting plays heavily into the strategy as does decorum; so – it’s a game best played for the more advanced students of the game.

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