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Lowball – A draw game where the lowest five unpaired cards win. 5-4-3-2-A is the best possible hand.
California Lowball is a Lowball draw game that was common in California before Hold’em was popularized. It is also
commonly called “Ace to Five Lowball.” As is the case in most draw games, California Lowball uses a nominal dealer
button to indicate who has last action after the draw. Depending upon where you play, you may see some slight
variations to the rules. There are generally either two or three blinds used. On rare occasions,
antes may be added in addition to the
blinds. California Lowball may or may not be played as a “raised blind” game. If it is, players are not allowed to limp
in for the amount of the big blind, but are required to raise to double the amount of the
big blind in order to enter the pot.
In Single Draw California Lowball, a Joker, or “bug” is often added to the deck as a wild card, which means it plays as
the lowest (most beneficial) card you do not already hold. A “must bet sevens” rule is often enforced in Single Draw.
This means that if you make a seven low or better, you must bet it. If you check, you will not be allowed to receive
any further action on your hand, and your opponents may be refunded their bets after the point of your illegal check.
Although your opponents are entitled to a refund if you check a seven low or better, you will not be refunded anything
if you check a seven low and lose the hand. This means that it is never a good idea to check a seven low or better if
the “must bet sevens” rule is in effect. Generally,
check-raise is not allowed in
the Single Draw variation.
In the Triple Draw variation of California Lowball, the Joker is generally not used. There are three drawing rounds,
which create an additional two betting rounds. The “must bet sevens” rule is generally not in effect in the Triple Draw
variation, and most commonly, check-raise is allowed. Occasionally, the dealer will run out of cards on the third draw.
When this happens, the discards are shuffled back into the deck to complete the deal. In both games the nut hand is a
wheel.
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