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The Rules for California Lowball Draw Poker.

Standard Five-Card Draw Poker

Other Draw Poker Games

California Lowball Draw Poker

California Lowball draw poker was the primary poker game played in California during the heyday of Gardena in the 1970s. It is still played today, though its popularity has somewhat lessened since the introduction of stud poker and community card poker to the state.

It is played as a standard draw poker game, using ace-to-five low hand values with a single joker in the deck. It is always played with blinds rather than antes, so poker players may not check on the first betting round (but may on the second round). A player with a 7-high hand or better who checks after the draw forfeits his right to win any money placed in the pot after the draw. (In other words, you may not check a "seven" unless you intend to fold when someone else bets). Another common rule in low-limit poker games is that a player who checks on the second betting round may not subsequently raise on that round. This latter rule is never used in poker games with pot limit or no limit betting structure.

Other Forms of Lowball Poker

Five-card draw poker, with no joker, and deuce-to-seven low hand values is called Kansas City Poker or Low Poker or even Billy Baxter Draw Poker in honor of the player who dominated the poker world championship in the event for many years. The 7-high rule and the no check-and-raise rule do not apply. In the eastern United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere, ace-to-six low hand values are common.

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