Last Updated on February 12, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Lowball Poker flips traditional poker on its head by rewarding the lowest hand rather than the highest. It plays similarly to standard five-card draw but has its own twists depending on the variant. The two most popular versions are Ace-to-Five Lowball (California Lowball) and Deuce-to-Seven Lowball (Kansas Lowball).

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How to Play Lowball Poker

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Objective

In Lowball, your goal is to have the lowest-ranked five-card hand at showdown. Straights and flushes may or may not count against you depending on the variant being played.

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Setup

• A standard 52-card deck is used.
• Games are typically played with 2 to 8 players.
• The game uses either blinds or antes depending on the betting structure.
• The dealer is chosen, and the button rotates clockwise each round.

Blinds and Antes

• Most Lowball games use one or more blinds.
• An ante may also be required, especially in home games or certain casino formats.
• Blinds and antes contribute to the pot and influence betting order.

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Dealing the Cards

• Each player is dealt five face-down cards (hole cards).
• A round of betting follows, starting with the player left of the big blind or dealer.

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Drawing Phase

• After the first betting round, players may discard unwanted cards and draw new ones to improve their hand.
• Players can discard up to four cards.
• If a player wishes to discard all five cards, they are given four immediately and the fifth after all other players receive their draws.

Exposed Cards

• If a replacement card is accidentally exposed, it must be replaced.
• In some games, players may be required to accept the exposed card, depending on the variant.

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Misdeal Rules

Lowball uses the same misdeal rules as Texas Hold’em. A hand is redealt if the following occurs before two players act:

• First or second card is exposed.
• Two or more cards are exposed.
• A player receives an incorrect number of cards.
• Cards are dealt to an empty seat or to an ineligible player.
• Cards are not dealt in proper sequence.
• The dealer button is in the wrong position.

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Variants and Best Hands

Ace-to-Five Lowball (California)

• Aces are low.
• Straights and flushes are ignored.
• Best hand: 5-4-3-2-A (any suits).

Deuce-to-Seven Lowball (Kansas)

• Aces are high.
• Straights and flushes count against your hand.
• Best hand: 7-5-4-3-2 (not all the same suit).

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Final Betting and Showdown

• After the draw phase, another round of betting occurs.
• Remaining players reveal their hands.
• The player with the lowest-ranked hand, according to the variant’s rules, wins the pot.

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Winning the Game

Lowball can be played as a cash game or a tournament. In cash games, the goal is to win as many pots as possible and grow your chip stack. In tournament settings, players are eliminated when they lose all their chips, and the last remaining player wins.

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Tips for Playing Lowball

• Avoid pairs, high cards, and suited connectors (especially in Kansas Lowball).
• In Ace-to-Five, ignore straights and flushes — they don’t hurt you.
• Position matters: players acting later have more information.
• Bluffing is effective but risky, especially in tight tables.

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Lowball Poker is a refreshing change for players who are used to chasing big hands. Mastering the art of building weak hands—and knowing when they’re strong—is what makes this variant both challenging and fun.