GCA "Triple Draw Lowball"
Newgca
Though unknown by most players today, triple draw low-ball has been around for
ages. Variations of the game includes games of 3 cards where the best hand is a
1,2,3, to 4 cards where the best hand is a 1,2,3,4 to five card where the best
hand is a 1,2,3,4,5 to numerous other forms of triple draw low-ball. Games such
as 11 card and 12 cards triple draw low-ball are quite popular short handed
games. In these games a J or a Q can be considered a wheel.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J=wheel in 11 card low-ball.
We'll deal with a game that's spreading rapidly across the poker universe
today, "triple draw 5 card low-ball". Different approaches are used to play
full handed games as opposed to short handed games. I will discuss full table
triple draw low-ball today.
The rules to the game are the following; lowest hand is a wheel or a 1,2,3,4,5.
Lowest cards are all that matter, no flushes or straights. Game is played the
same way single draw low-ball is, except with 3 draws. Two blinds are posted
and it is a dealer advantage game. Two small betting rounds and two large
betting rounds. Opening in the first several positions should be done with 1
card wheel draws. Don't open pots drawing to a six as this is a bad way to
approach this game. In back positions or on the button this may be acceptable
when passed around, but from front positions better forget this approach.
The latter the position in the hand, the easier to attack or open with a 2 card
draw. The two card opening hands are 123,124,134. We will add 1,2,5 and 1,3,5
also, but prefer the others by far. This game is not as complicated as it may
seem and has a huge dealer advantage. As you near position in the rear [close
to the button] you can raise with 2 card draws, such as I have told you. The
reason for starting with these combination of cards is many decisions come down
to the wire and the smoothest 6,7 or 8 wins. This helps in these situation's
for if you start with 3,4,5 or combinations like this your 6's or 7's will be
rough. The game comes down to this quite a lot.
Betting from the front is a must in this game, when opening with a one card
wheel draw and your opposition draws 2 cards. It is easy to miss both cards
and be left with your same draw. People playing this game will take two draws
at the hand as a usual approach, hoping to have a wheel draw for the final.
The better players get position and try to be pat on a hand before the final
draw. Luck in this game is incredible and swings unbelievable. Position and
being pat with position are key fundamentals.
Starting and playing a pat 7 is not a advisable. 7's are to be broken down and
drawn to or not played if containing a 6. Throw 7,6's away when playing from
opening positions. 7,5's should be broken and 1 card drawn. It is easier to
catch one good card when drawing two. When out of position with one card draws,
expect the opposition to catch up and be drawing smoother very often by the
second draw.
Position comes predominant after the second draw. Betting is important and it
is often wiser to hold your opponent on a hand, to stop him from drawing again
[hold him to a drawing dead situation]. An example would be if you are in last
position and make a smooth 7. Call don't raise, try holding him on a worse
hand. If he stands pat, stand pat behind him. Obviously if he draws, betting on
the river is a mute point. This is best for situations where you have drawn 2
cards and he has drawn one. The following can be disputed and probably will. It
is a situation that calls for judgment from the player against his adversaries.
For these situations the reality is nothing is correct or incorrect, even close
to 100%.
Many think 7's are good hands, many will find out differently. Value betting
comes when all players draw on the river. Here you attempt bluffing or value
betting as all players have drawn cards. Value betting a 7, after standing pat
after two draws is financial suicide. Same goes for rough 6's. Players like to
check and raise.
Wheel's are easy to come by and 6's very easy to come by. Trick is to stay in
the lead and have position in the hands you play. Most people draw two cards in
this game and it is an acceptable start from the beginning. The tricky part is
where you are beginning from. Draw your 2 cards with position, not out of
position.
Opening and drawing two cards from the front will guarantee you a disadvantage.
Everyone who comes into the pot after you open will be in as good or better
shape if you are drawing two cards. Use patience and wait for position to draw
2 cards. Better to have position and draw than to open out of the shoot as many
players do.
Players with position will make moves on 1 card draws on the second draw by
raising with weaker hands, in order to force them to hit the deck to enable
them to play a weaker pat hand and gain control of the betting. Be ready to 3
bet and stand pat and check the river. Make them pay for bad plays. Players
with position hold a great edge as they know in advance getting you to draw
gives them a better edge.
Many will tell you how much play their is to this game. Many will be wrong.
This is another game of declining edges to better players. Before long parity
will be all of poker. People crave action and these games accommodate them. I
have played as much of this game as most people could think. It plays a lot
better in No Limit format.
Understandably this is just a rough draft on playing of this game. I will
answer questions that are legitimate.
Russ Georgiev