Re: Poker Game Rules -- LOWBALL
LOWBALL
Lowball is a form of draw poker with the lowest hand winning the pot. Each player is dealt five cards face down, after which there is a betting round. Players are required to bet or fold. The players who remain in the pot now have an option to improve their hand by replacing cards in their hands with new ones. This is known as the draw. In limit poker, the bet doubles after the draw (unless otherwise posted). The most popular forms of Lowball are Ace-to-five Lowball (also known as California Lowball), and Deuce-to-seven Lowball
(also known as Kansas City Lowball). In Ace-to-five Lowball, the best hand is 5-4-3-2-A and in Deuce-to-seven Lowball, the best hand is 7-5-4-3-2, not of the same suit.
Rules of Ace-to-Five (California) Lowball
Ace-to-Five Lowball is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus a joker, which is considered to be the lowest card not already present in a player's hand. The best possible hand is 5-4-3-2-A, known as a "wheel" or a "bicycle," and straights and flushes have no effect on the value of a hand.
Cards Speak: Cards read for themselves. However, a verbal declaration in regards to a player's hand is binding. Example: If a player calls an "8,
that player must produce at least an "8" low or better to win. If you miscall your hand and cause another player to foul his or her hand, your hand is dead. If both hands remain intact, the best hand wins. If a miscalled hand occurs in a multi-handed pot, the miscalled hand is dead, and the best remaining hand wins the pot. For your own protection, always hold your hand until you see your opponent's cards.
Any player spreading a hand with a pair in it must announce "pair" or risk losing the pot if it causes any other player to foul a hand. If two or more hands remain intact, the best hand wins the pot.
In Ace-to-Five Lowball, the best hand is any 5-4-3-2-A. Straights and flushes do not count against your hand.
The joker is considered to be the lowest card not present in your hand.
As a new player, you have two options:
a. To wait for the big blind,
b. To kill the pot (double the limit for that hand by posting double the amount of the blind). A player who has less than half a blind may receive a hand. However, the next player is obligated to take the blind. In the event that the all-in player wins the pot or buys in again, the player will then be obligated to take the blind. Half a blind or more constitutes a full blind. In multiple-blind games, if for any reason the big blind passes your seat, you may
either wait for the big blind or kill the pot (provided no active player objects) in order to receive a hand. This does not apply if you have taken all of your blinds and changed seats. In this situation, you will be dealt in when your position, in relationship to the blinds, entitles you to a hand.
In limit Ace-to-Five Lowball, before the draw, an exposed card of seven or under must be taken, and an exposed card higher than a seven must be replaced after the deal has been completed. The exposed card is used as the burn card. If two cards are exposed on the deal that require replacement, it will result in a misdeal. After the draw, an exposed card cannot be taken. The draw is completed to each player in order, and then the exposed card is replaced.
Any player may draw up to five consecutive cards. Five cards constitute a playing hand; more or fewer than five cards after the draw constitutes a fouled hand. Before the draw, if you have fewer than five cards in your hand, you may receive additional cards, provided no action has been taken by the first
player to act, unless that action occurs before the deal is completed. However, the dealer position may still receive a missing fifth card, even if action has taken place. If action has been taken, you are entitled on the draw to receive the number of cards necessary to complete a five-card hand.
You may change the number of cards you wish to draw, provided:
a. No cards have been dealt off the deck in response to your request (including the burn card).
b. No player has acted on his or her hand based on the number of cards you have
requested.
If you are asked how many cards you drew by another active player, you are obligated to respond until there has been action after the draw, and the dealer is also obligated to respond. Once there is any action after the draw, you are no longer obliged to respond and the dealer cannot respond.
In limit play, a bet and six raises is allowed in all multi-handed pots.
In limit play, check-and-raise is not permitted.
The minimum opening bet is the size of the large blind (unless otherwise posted).
Rapping the table in turn constitutes either a pass or the declaration of a pat hand, depending on the situation.
In limit play, if you check a seven or better and it is the best hand, all action after the draw is void, and you cannot win any money on any subsequent bets. You are still eligible to win whatever existed in the pot before the draw if you have the best hand. If you check a seven or better and the hand is beaten by a better hand, you lose the pot and any additional calls you make.
In Ace-to-Five Lowball, in the event of an all-in bet that is less than half a bet, a seven or better may call this short bet after the draw and win. However, if another player overcalls this short bet and loses, the person who overcalls receives the bet back. If the seven or better fulfills his or her obligation by completing to a full bet, all subsequent betting action will stand. |
Artist/Author: LOWBALL
Date: Thursday March 22, 2007 5:56:21 pm |
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