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Why Phil Hellmuth always wanted to win a WSOP no-limit 2-7 lowball draw bracelet?

2021 WSOP Main Event: Phil Hellmuth = Gandalf the White

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Phil Hellmuth

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews Phil Hellmuth, who recently captured his record-extending 16th WSOP bracelet in $1,500 no-limit 2-7 lowball draw.

At the start of the interview, Phil discusses why he wanted to win WSOP no-limit 2-7 lowball draw bracelet. He also gives some advice and discusses some hands in no-limit 2-7 lowball draw.

During the second part of the interview, Phil talks about his runner-up finish in the $10,000 Dealer’s Choice and his blow-ups at $10,000 Stud Championship. Phil talks about his thoughts about the WSOP POY formula. Phil discusses his 2021 WSOP Main Event entrance as Gandalf the White (from Lord of the Rings). Finally, Phil discusses his thoughts of the 2021 WSOP.

Adam Friedman discusses his record win at the $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship for 3rd consecutive time

Adam Friedman talks about which games are his best & how to choose specific games in Dealer’s Choice

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Adam Friedman

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews Adam Friedman, who recently captured his fourth WSOP bracelet. More impressively, he won his third $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Max Championship in a row. This unprecedented achievement is a WSOP record.

At the start of the interview, Adam talks about his historic achievement of winning the $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Max Championship for the third consecutive time. Next, Adam talks about how he got started in the world of poker, which included the movie, Rounders. Adam discusses his transition from no-limit hold’em to mixed games. He also discusses why he has been so successful at Dealer’s choice tournaments and which games are critical to learn.

During the second part of the interview, Adam talks about which games he feels are his best and how players can improve in new games. Adam also discusses how to choose specific games in specific situations. He then discusses the final table in the 2021 WSOP $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Max Championship, including getting heads-up with Phil Hellmuth. Adam discusses his future poker goals, including future WSOP bracelet events.

“Poker is a confidence driven game,” says 2021 WSOP Flip & Go bracelet winner, DJ Alexander

Chad Holloway has been on DEFCON 5 during Phil Hellmuth’s deep runs at the 2021 WSOP

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DJ Alexander and Chad Holloway

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews 2021 WSOP Bracelet winner, DJ Alexander and PokerNews, Executive Editor, U.S., Chad Holloway.

During the first half of the podcast, DJ Alexander joins the show and discusses how he got started in poker and the success he had during his early years in the game. DJ remembers his incredible run on the felt during 2017 and says “Poker is a confidence driven game.” After talking about his success and confidence level heading into the 2021 WSOP, Bernard and DJ discuss the $1,000 Flip & Go “tournament” and DJ’s multiple attempts to qualify. DJ talks about his incredible run on Day 2 of the Flip N Go bracelet event. Finally, he discusses his plans for the remainder of the 2021 WSOP.

During the second part of the podcast, Chad Holloway joins the show and talks about his initial impressions of the 2021 WSOP. Chad also reviews some of the big storylines during the first half of the 2021 WSOP, including Phil Hellmuth’s starting run and Adam Friedman’s three consecutive wins in the $10,000 6-max Dealer’s Choice Championship. Finally, Chad talks briefly about the 2021 Poker Hall of Fame nominations.

Daniel Negreanu talks about winning the 2021 PokerGo Cup and also the 2021 WSOP.

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 Jack Effel and Daniel Negreanu

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee first interviews WSOP VP, Jack Effel and six-time WSOP bracelet winner, Daniel Negreanu.

During the first half of the podcast, Jack Effel talks about his initial impression of the 2021 WSOP and adding a couple of Day 1 flights to the 2021 WSOP Main Event. Jack talks about the 2021 WSOP including the COVID-19 vaccination policy with no incidents to date and the registration methods including FastTrac system. Also, talks about the events and the names that Ty Stewart came up with including this year’s Reunion event.

During the second part of the podcast, Daniel Negreanu talks about winning his first title at PokerGO Cup since 2013. Daniel also talks about playing in the high roller events and also the events he is looking forward to during the 2021 WSOP. Daniel discusses how he determines his 2021 WSOP event schedule. Daniel talks about the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines for the 2021 WSOP.  Finally, Daniel talks about how he feels entering the 2021 WSOP.

Ari Engel wins his 2nd WSOP bracelet, 2021 WSOP $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

Greg Raymer wins Inaugural Mixed $200 H.O.R.S.E tourney along with $30,000 Pokerstars Platinum Pass

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Ari Engel and Greg Raymer

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee first interviews 2021 WSOP $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or better Championship winner, Ari Engel.  This win was his second WSOP bracelet. Then, Bernard interviews Greg Raymer, the 2004 WSOP Main Event champion, who captured Cardplayer Lifestyle’s Inaugural Mixed Game $200 H.O.R.S.E. buy-in tournament, along with a $30,000 PokerStars Platinum Pass.

READ MORE about Greg’s latest win here

During the first half of the podcast, Ari Engel talks about winning his 2^nd WSOP bracelet in the 2021 WSOP $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. Ari also talks about things that players can improve on in Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or better. He talks about taking advantage of being the chip leader at final table and also all of the focus on Phil Hellmuth. Ari discusses how he determined his 2021 WSOP event schedule and the specific events he is looking forward to playing in 2021. Finally, Ari discusses his time playing online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the second part of the podcast, Greg Raymer talks about winning the Cardplayer Lifestyle Inaugural Mixed Game $200 H.O.R.S.E. tournament. Greg discusses how he determined his 2021 WSOP event schedule and the specific events he is looking forward to playing in 2021. Fainlly, Greg talks about his comfort playing in the WSOP.

Jeremy Ausmus wins his 2nd WSOP bracelet, 2021 Covid-19 Relief No-Limit Hold’em Charity Event

Robbie Strazynski discusses the Inaugural Mixed Game Festival during the 2021 WSOP

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Jeremy Ausmus and Robbie Strazynski

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee first interviews 2021 WSOP Covid-19 Relief No-Limit Hold’em Charity Event champion, Jeremy Ausmus.  This win was his second WSOP bracelet. Then, Bernard interviews Robbie Strazynski who discusses the Inaugural Mixed Game Festival held this week during the 2021 WSOP.

During the first half of the podcast, Jeremy Ausmus talks about winning his 2nd WSOP bracelet in the interviews 2021 WSOP Covid-19 Relief No-Limit Hold’em Charity Event. Jeremy also discusses his time at home with the family and playing online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Playing in high roller events, Jeremy talks about adjusting when playing between the lower buy-in and high roller events. He also talks about how he felt entering the 2021 WSOP and the registration process and COVID-19 protocols. Finally, Jeremy discusses how he determines his 2021 WSOP event schedule and the specific events he is looking forward to playing in 2021.

During the second part of the podcast, Robbie Strazynski gives his initial impression of the 2021 WSOP. Robbie talks about his Inaugural Mixed Game Festival held at the Westgate Casino, formerly the Hilton. Also, he talks about the $200 H.O.R.S.E. buy-in tournament on October 7, with a PokerStars Platinum Pass ($30,000 value) for the winner. Robbie and Bernard discuss the different mixed games including explaining all the games that make up H.O.R.S.E. Also, during the interview, Robbie discusses the new format of CardplayerLifestyle.com.

Norman Chad is playing in the $25,000 HORSE Championship at the 2021 WSOP; Lon McEachern roots him on.

Norman Chad and Lon McEachern talk about the progression of poker on television since 2003.

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Norman Chad and Lon McEachern

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews Norman Chad and Lon McEachern, the voices of the WSOP since 2003.

At the start of the interview, Norman Chad discusses his recovery process from COVID-19. Also, the dynamic duo talk about being nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame. Then, each recalls how they got started with the WSOP on ESPN. Both gentlemen play poker and they talk about their poker successes on the felt. To end Part 1, Norman Chad Talks about getting staked by fans on StakeKings for the $25,000 HORSE WSOP tournament where the markup will be donated to Hope for Depression charity.

During the second part of the interview, Norman Chad and Lon McEachern talk about the progression of poker on television since 2003 when Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event. They talk about the shift from taped post-production to live broadcasting. The dynamic duo then discuss their fellow broadcasters, from David Tuchman to Jamie Kerstetter. Then they reminisce about their top moments in the WSOP Main Event over the past two decades, including the November Nine. Finally, Norman Chad and Lon McEachern talk about the current WSOP transition from ESPN over to the CBS Sports Network.

Ben Mintz receives a a gets call from “El Presidente” Dave Portnoy and gets his dream job at Barstool Sports

a gets the

Ben Mintz heading back to 2021 WSOP to try to better his 75th place finish in the 2011 WSOP Main Event

Ben Mintz

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews Ben Mintz, who works for Barstool Sports and is a former professional poker player.

At the start of the interview, Ben talks about his new life working with Barstool Sports in New York City. Ben recalls his journey, starting as a professional poker player, then going back to Ole Miss to earn his degree, to his radio hosting gigs in Louisiana, and ultimately to his current role at Barstool Sports. The 38-year-old talks about his daily schedule, role, and experiences at Barstool Sports over the past year.

During the second part of the interview, Ben talks about stepping away from college (Ole Miss) to play online poker. Also, Ben recalls making his deep run in the 2011 WSOP Main Event where he finished in 75th place. Ben talks about the difficulty of playing poker, as he focuses on his job at Barstool Sports. Bernard and Ben talk about satellites and Bernard’s latest book, Poker Satellite Success (check out our review here) Ben also recognizes the new “target” on his back when playing poker, since he is now well-known via Barstool Sports. Finally, Ben discusses his possible schedule at the 2021 WSOP and the Barstool SportsBook expansion across the U.S.

With just over a week until the 2021 World Series of Poker returns to Las Vegas after a year’s hiatus, speculation is rife about which poker players will win a fabled WSOP gold bracelet.

The hype is real, but can we pick some winners from the thousands of professionals, recreational players, and celebrities who’ll doubtless be taking part? We’ll do our best. Risking reputation, we’ve picked 10 players who you can cheer on to glory whether you’re watching the live action on PokerGO, waiting for the highlights shows on CBS Sports, or just clicking refresh like you’re operating a computer in 1998.

While the rest of us will have to be content just dreaming of riches, the kind that you could win playing at sites like Hyperino Casino, these pro poker players below will be actively chasing big money at the felt… and it’s going to be riveting to watch them!

1. Landon Tice

It’s impossible to ignore the youth of any sport, but in poker, it is the worst kind of folly. Therefore, how can we reasonably consider any ten players without rolling the Tice… ahem, dice. Landon Tice has the name of a Star Wars character, the hair of a Star Wars character, and the poker skills of… well, a phenomenally good poker player. Already taking on the best of the best in heads-up battles as well as dominating online, Tice plays with absolutely no fear at all. That’s a recipe for success and we see this bracelet coming early when the young man could use his aggression to devastating effect.

Landon Tice Gives Bill Perkins 8:1 on Winning a Bracelet at the WSOP 2021!https://t.co/LmpFMeb4Fc#poker #pokeronline #onlinepoker

— VIP-Grinders (@VIPGrinderscom) July 27, 2021

2. Dan Smith

Giving 20% of his winnings to charity, how can anyone not root for the man who is currently fifth on the all-time money list for live tournament winnings? The Double Up Drive founder is an absolute boss on the felt. He has cashed 44 times in World Series of Poker events, yet has somehow never won a WSOP bracelet. That anomaly is bound to be corrected sooner rather than later if the ‘Cowboy’ plays enough events. Over the past 15 years, Smith has finished third on six occasions in WSOP events and runner-up twice. It’s merely a matter of time before he lands that gold bracelet, and we think it could be this autumn.

3. Niall Farrell*

The Scottish poker legend is traveling to Las Vegas on a World Series mission, via Mexico and border control with a beaming smile and a terrific record in the United States. Known as ‘Firaldo’ online, Farrell already has a bracelet in his pocket after conquering the WSOPE €25,000 NLHE High Roller in Rozvadov in 2017. We’ve spoken to Farrell and know how keen he is to add a bracelet on U.S. soil to his collection. He’s out in Sin City for the whole series and with many British players staying home, we feel that the sheer effort he’s expending to get out there makes Farrell a highly dangerous opponent at the felt.

*pending ability to travel to the United States to play given current US border restrictions.

4. Christine Do

Until this week, poker fans could have been forgiven for not hearing of the prodigious talent that is Christine Do. That was, of course, until she reached the final table of the WSOP Online Series Main Event on GGPoker. Having bagged a $1 million payday for fourth place, she’s shot to fame ‘overnight*’ (*after years of hard work).

Massive congratulations to the fantastic @Chri57ined on her 4th place finish in the WSOP Main Event Online last night for an impressive $1,072,405!! Well done on showing what can be achieved to all of us ♥️ pic.twitter.com/iHA3DT0zCa

— Fantastic Ladies In Poker (@flip_ladies) September 12, 2021

Do’s 18 cashes in WSOP Online events last year, coupled with seven cashes in 2021 events herald a major talent who only needs a bracelet for the world to sit up and take notice. That could easily happen in Las Vegas this autumn.

Also check out: 5 Canadian Players to Watch for the 2021 WSOP

5. Daniel Negreanu

There’s no doubt which player will want to win a WSOP bracelet more than anyone else. For Daniel Negreanu, the last eight years have been phenomenally successful, with Negreanu cashing for over $20m in poker tournaments alone. In that time, he has become perhaps the most recognizable name and face of poker globally, but there’s one thing that hasn’t happened in that period.

He hasn’t won a WSOP bracelet.

Image credit: Cardschat.com

In fact, if you want to be persnickety – and that’s kind of our job – the Canadian poker phenom, known as ‘Kid Poker’ hasn’t won a bracelet in America since the 2008 World Series, with his two bracelets in 2013 coming in Australia and France. Negreanu is bound to be playing as many events as humanly possible. Almost certain to reach five or six final tables with that schedule, we think Negreanu’s earlier success this year in the PokerGO Cup and Poker Masters could lead to more trophy success. He has the hunger to close out events and the momentum to back up his incredible skill at the felt with the most precious commodity in poker — confidence.

6. Phil Ivey

Negreanu’s fellow ‘Mount Rushmore’ friend Phil Ivey has to be in consideration for a bracelet this year, too. Having bagged several titles since his last bracelet, Ivey has become something of a master in the Short Deck game. With more Short Deck events each year, as well as high-ticket tournaments he’ll be a massive threat in, it could be Ivey’s year to break clear of Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson and make it to 11 titles. Just four behind a certain other Phil.

Phil Ivey says he’s looking to play at the 2021 @WSOP: “I’m not sure about full schedule, but I’m planning on playing a few events”https://t.co/Qj33hHvOdp pic.twitter.com/wkobeqUB6a

— UK PokerNews (@UK_PokerNews) June 12, 2021

7. Jordan Cristos

Another player we think will be a real danger at the felt this year is Jordan Cristos. With 62 cashes and over $700,000 in earnings, the Nevada-based pro has already cut his teeth in World Series events. This year he is firing hard, and when we asked him what he’ll be playing his response was short and unequivocal. “Everything,” he told us, “WSOP starting the 29th, alongside Wynn and Venetian. The most important days of my life are here.” No one is more fired up to prove he’s got what it takes to grab gold this summer. Cristos is a terrific player who has the ability to mix it up at all levels, with recent experience at a variety of buy-ins.

8. Sean Winter

A player who could fly slightly under the radar is Sean Winter, who is also yet to win a bracelet and, in our opinion, long overdue. Winter won’t play as many events as some others, but in high rollers especially, he can be a real danger. With a runner-up result in the 2018 $50,000-entry High Roller, Winter has come close to glory before. Although that earned him a $1 million score, losing out to Ben Yu will have hurt. It could be that 2021 is the year that Winter is coming… for that bracelet.

Image Credit: HendonMob.com

9. Daniel Lazrus

Another player aiming to fly high this summer is Daniel Lazrus. Lazrus has been in fine form this summer during the WSOP Online Series, winning the Nevada-based Event #28 for $205,347. That score, coupled with the fact that in his own words, he’s ‘had the pleasure of being coached by probably the best in world right now’ make Lazrus a real danger. Vegas is paid for already with that Online Series result and Lazrus, who has put huge work in on pre-flop, post-flop, and ICM, could see his studies pay off in stunning fashion.

10. Sam Greenwood

It’s easy to forget that the third Canadian on our list, Sam Greenwood, is already a WSOP bracelet winner, having won a $1,000-entry event in 2015 for $318,977. Greenwood, however, is probably most remembered for a horrific bust-out in the 2019 Main Event when Timothy Su got there against his pocket aces when Greenwood was an 82% favorite with one card to come. That pot would have given Greenwood the chip lead in the Main Event with 44 players left. Instead, he crashed out in 45th . Ever since then, this reporter has been willing him on to win something huge in the WSOP for recompense. Sure, my last pick is based on emotion, but it is backed up by the belief in the brilliance of Greenwood. He’s one of the best poker players in the world.

—

All 10 picks could bring a bracelet home, but which is your favorite? Let us know on Twitter and start the argument. It’s very nearly go time!

Ryan Hagerty Captures His First WSOP Bracelet in Event #23, $500 Turbo No-Limit Hold’em

Shannon Shorr Wins Event #1 in 2021 Poker Masters

Ryan Hagerty & Shannon Shorr

In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family, Bernard Lee interviews two recent winners. First, Bernard interviews 2021 WSOP.com bracelet winner, Ryan Hagerty. Then, Bernard interviews 2021 Poker Masters Event #1 champion, Shannon Shorr.

In the first half of the show, Bernard interviews Ryan Hagerty, who recently captured his first WSOP bracelet, winning the Event #23, $500 No-Limit Turbo event. The event had 694 entries and Ryan took home $67,207. He compares winning his first WSOP bracelet with the 2020 WSOP US bracket final table, where he finished in 4th place. Ryan describes the WSOP bracelet event, including the turbo aspect of the tournament and the heads-up battle. Finally, Ryan talks about his future plans in the next few months including GGPoker, the WSOP PA, WPT at Maryland Live, and the 2021 WSOP at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

In the second half of the show, Bernard interviews Shannon Shorr, who captured his first Poker Masters Tournament, Event #1, which had 82 entries, earning him $205,000. Initially, Shannon talks about playing in the Poker Masters High Roller events, including the need to always pay attention while playing. He discusses the opportunity he had to learn while playing the High Rollers events against some of the best players in the world. Shannon reflects on how poker has changed over the last 15 years, and how he has evolved. Shannon discusses the bubble and the final table of Event #1 of the 2021 Poker Masters. Finally, Shannon talks about how he spent time during COVID 19 pandemic, including playing online poker.

As poker players, we were all likely introduced to card games of some form as kids — Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Uno to name a few — and they all had something in common: there were no solvers available for them!

Kidding aside, one trait most kids card games do share is the fact that discarding and drawing play a big role. Several of the best poker games today share these traits as well.

“Got any 4’s?” “Nope, go fish!”

Got 4 cards to a wheel in 2-7 Triple Draw? Go fish!

Draw games are some of the most fun poker variants you’ll find in a mixed game, so let’s go through them and get you ready to relive the excitement of drawing from the ol’ Uno deck.

In this section of our Mixed Games Poker Guide, we’ll be covering the classic variants of 2-7 Triple Draw, A-5 Triple Draw, 5-Card Draw, and Badugi, as well as some variations that have evolved in the wider mixed games collective like Badacey, Badeucey, and Archie.

Also, be sure to check out our other Mixed Games Poker Guide articles on Flop Games and Stud Games.

THE CLASSICS

Limit 2-7 Triple Draw

Let’s start with the most popular and common version of draw, and also one of the most popular games overall in a mix, as it is action packed and can play significantly bigger than other games in the rotation (especially when played as pot limit or in rare appearances no limit, but for our purposes here, we’ll focus on limit).

In 2-7 Triple Draw, the goal is to make the best five-card low hand without making a straight or flush (aces play high), so 23457 (known as a wheel or number 1) is the best possible hand.

Players are dealt five cards face-down with a button and two blinds in play. Pre-draw betting begins to the left of the blinds, as in flop games, where players can fold, call, or raise. At the completion of betting, players must then decide which of their cards to discard and subsequently draw new cards in hopes of improving their hand, beginning with the blinds.

Action continues with two more rounds of betting and drawing, followed by a final round of betting, with the lowest hand following the third draw declared the winner. At any point in the hand, a player can ‘stand pat’ and no longer draw if they feel their hand needs no further improvement (or if they wish to ‘snow’, or bluff).

As mentioned, this version of the game is played with a limit betting structure, so in a $10-20 game, the betting increments pre-draw and after the first draw are $10. After the second and third draw, they increase to $20.

Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Tip: Don’t leave home without a deuce

There is a lot of strategy involved in playing Triple Draw well, and many ways you can get in trouble in a hand. Check out the Learning Resources section of our Mixed Games Poker Guide for a deeper dive into this and all the mixed games we discuss.

As with all poker games, starting hand selection is a large part of playing Triple Draw well, and arguably the most important and powerful starting card to hold in any poker game is the deuce in 2-7 Triple Draw. Without it, you literally can not make one of the strongest possible hands. The best hand you can make is 86543, which is the 9th best possible hand. You can also run into more possibilities of making straights, and if you don’t have a deuce, your opponents likely do, which will make drawing to a deuce more difficult if that’s what you’re hoping to do.

If you are dealt a pat 8 to begin with, you should keep it and play it aggressively as opposed to breaking (discarding) and drawing to a 7, but if you don’t have that deuce when you are drawing, you’ll be making life more difficult than it should be.

Limit A-5 Triple Draw

Though a much rarer variant in the realm of draw games, A-5 triple draw is nearly identical to its 2-7 cousin, with identical deal, betting and drawing structures. However, hand strengths are the key difference, as straights and flushes no longer count against you, so A2345 is now the best possible hand (hence the name).

As such, strategies change significantly with seemingly more possibilities to make hands, and one card (the deuce), not having the power it did when straights counted against you.

Limit A-5 Triple Draw Tip: Pat 8’s ain’t what they used to be

As mentioned earlier, in 2-7 Triple Draw, a pat 8 is a decently strong starting hand, and should be patted and played aggressively. However, in A-5, with a 7 no longer being the lowest possible made hand, the value of a pat 8 diminishes significantly. There are many more opportunities to break your hand and draw to improve.

For example, if you are dealt 8642A to start, you’re better off discarding the 8 and drawing to improve. You have three draws to catch a 3 or 5 to make a very strong 6, or you could catch a 7 to improve to a ‘pattable’ 7642A. Once you’ve made a 7, it’s usually best to pat it and play aggressively against opponents still drawing to force them to pay to outdraw you.

No Limit 2-7 Single Draw

No Limit 2-7 (a.k.a., “Kansas City Lowball”) is seen by many poker players as the most ‘true’ form of poker. A hand is dealt identically to the triple draw games above (straights and flushes count against you, too, as in 2-7 triple draw), but two big changes make the game drastically different, and they’re right there in the name of the game: No limit betting, and one draw.

With only two betting rounds (pre- and post-draw), the amount of information a player can gather from their opponent is very limited. You get information from their pre-draw action, the number of cards they draw, and their post-draw action. That’s it. Oh, and one more thing…

Live. Reads.

Hence why this variant is seen as such a pure form of poker. In the live version of the game, there may be no other variant where knowing your opponent and picking up a live tell is as important. Looking your opponent in the eye and determining whether they’ve got it or not is a big part of No Limit Deuce, and its why you’ll see the best players in the world succeeding at the game.

There are online games available, and they are fun (ultimately NL 2-7 is just a really fun game), but they’re just not the same without the live element of reading your opponent.

Don’t be afraid though if you’re reading skills aren’t among the elite. Bet sizing, timing tells, and pot odds all still huge elements of being a successful NL 2-7 player. And did I mention it’s a lot of fun?

No Limit 2-7 Single Draw Tip: A pat Jack is a favorite over any 1 card draw

When it comes to poker strategy, there is a lot to such a simple game. With only the one draw, hand strengths change drastically from triple draw games. Knowing your opponents and their hand ranges is key, but one rule stands above all others and it’s pretty simple: A pat Jack is a favorite over ANY 1 card draw.

The pat Jack is the line. No matter how strong your opponent is drawing, the fact that they’re drawing makes their hand inferior. If you have the roughest Jack possible (JT986), it’s still a favorite to win against even the strongest of one card draws.

Position is as always a huge positive, but in a situation where you may have played your made Jack aggressively and gone to the draw against an opponent who is out of position, you’ll know exactly what to do against them.

5-Card Draw

Prior to the poker boom, if there was a draw poker game you grew up playing, it was likely 5-Card Draw. Nowadays, the game is virtually impossible to find save for mixed cash games, WSOP Dealers Choice or Big Bet Mix events, and a spattering of online offerings.

Action is dealt identically to the above games, however in this game you want to make the best hand, using the standard rank of hands. 5-Card Draw can be played as a limit triple draw game, but is best and most commonly played as either a pot limit or no limit game with one draw.

5-Card Draw Tip: Know your draws

Deception is not as prominent a part of 5-Card Draw as it can be with other draw games, which is frankly a large part of its lack of popularity. It’s really a pretty simple game. Both your and your opponents pre-draw hand strength will be quite apparent to observant players, and as such, you’ll need to be observant to how both they and you draw.

A player drawing one card obviously has either two pair, four to the straight or flush, or in very rare cases, four-of-a-kind.

If drawing two, an opponent has either three-of-a-kind, a pair with a high card (not recommended – draw three when holding a pair for the best chance at making three-of-a-kind), or in some cases a two-card draw to a straight or flush (just don’t).

Three-card draws are almost always a pair unless a player in the blinds gets the opportunity to draw cheaply with two high cards.

Four- and five-card draws you should only see from the big blind. If you notice a player acting otherwise, don’t let them leave the game!

Badugi

Badugi is one of the most unique draw games and, as you’ll see shortly, the perfect addition to some of the exciting split-pot draw game variations coming up! It is played as a lowball game where the lowest four-card hand wins, but in this game, you also must try to make your hand unsuited (known as a Badugi), so A234 of all four suits is the best possible hand (straights do not count against you but flushes obviously do).

The game is dealt similarly to the above games, with a button and two blinds, but players are dealt only four cards face-down before any of the drawing rounds. Badugi is played as a triple draw game, but can be played limit, pot limit or no limit, with limit and pot limit the most common.

As with the other triple draw games, there is a round of betting before the first draw and after each of the three draws, before a winner is declared at showdown unless all other players fold.

The goal is ultimately to make a Badugi (any Badugi, even KQJT beats an incomplete Badugi), but in many cases that doesn’t happen, in which case the lowest three-card incomplete Badugi hand wins at showdown. For example, Ah2d3s3d would be the nut 3-card Badugi (the 3d does not play), and beats any other incomplete hand, which leads us to our strategy tip…

Badugi Tip: Start from the bottom and work your way up

As it is not a given that you’ll make a Badugi once the three draws have been completed, having the potential of a superior three-card hand as a backup versus an opponent also drawing is key.

For example, if your opponent starts with Td 2s Ah 6h, the lowest possible Badugi they can make on one draw is a 10, if they discard the 6h. Conceivably they could draw a low club, say 4c and have the option to break the 10 and draw to the 4 (if there are more draws to come), but Badugis are hard to make, so it’s better to just make a good one in the first place by starting with multiple low cards, than be starting by trying to make a bad or marginal Badugi.

If you start with say 5c 4h 2d Kd, sure you could draw the Ks giving you a bad Badugi, but you’re also live to multiple low spades that could give you a nearly unbeatable Badugi.

Also, playing in position is huge in Badugi. If you do make an ugly Badugi, at least you have the option in position to pat it if your opponent draws in front of you, knowing that at least it is ahead. If you’re out of position with a marginal Badugi, you’ll be hard pressed to know if it’s good vs. a late position opponent patting.

THE VARIANTS

Badacey / Badeucey

What’s better than playing a draw game? Playing two of them simultaneously in a split-pot game! Badacey and Badeucey are a little tough to find if you’re not near a casino that spreads a regular mixed game, as there are no online offerings of it, but if you can find one, jump in and make sure the Badacey and Baduecey plaques are in the mix because they’re both great games, with a lot of similarities, but enough differences to give each its individual flair.

Both are spread as 5-card triple draw games, usually limit, and usually capped at 6-handed because of the number of cards in play and discarded.

The key differences are that Badacey is played as a Badugi / A-5 split, while Baduecey is a Badugi / 2-7 split. Strategies vary accordingly as, along with the best 4-card Badugi hand, players will be trying to also make the best 5-card A-5 or 2-7 hand to scoop both halves of the pot. In Badacey, since straights do not count against you with A-5 rules, a standard A234 Badugi would be the best possible. However, in Baduecey, aces play high and straights count against you as with 2-7 rules, so 2345 would be the best possible Badugi.

Badacey / Baduecey Tip: How low should you go?

Let’s start with what you should look for in a Badugi hand. As we discussed in our Badugi section above, it’s better to start as low as possible when drawing to a Badugi. This is doubly important in these games as, since you will be dealt five cards instead of four, a quality Badugi will be easier to make. Therefore it is critical if you aim to scoop both sides of the pot that you take advantage of this fact, and start with at least three low cards that can make both a premium Badugi hand AND a A-5 or 2-7 hand. Start with the basis for a good Badugi that can also easily improve to at least a decent lowball hand as well, whether it’s A-5 or 2-7.

As for how low you should go? A decent guideline is to aim for a 7 Badugi and a 7 low A-5 hand in Badacey. In Baduecey, you can try to go a little higher aiming for a 7 or 8 Badugi, with an 8 low 2-7 being strong. That said, depending on how your opponents play, you can loosen these standards if you see them regularly showing down higher hands than these.

Bonus Tip: Hammer your dealt pat hands or keep it super friendly

Sometimes you will be dealt an extremely strong one-way hand that is the virtual nuts for half the pot but needs improvement for the other half (e.g., 7h5h4h3h2c in Baduecey. You have a wheel which can not be beat, but only two usable Badugi cards). In these cases, pat your hand and either: A) Do your best to thin the field to scoop by forcing your opponents all to fold, or B) in a super loose splashy game, build the pot as best you can while freerolling multiple opponents to showdown, and make a decent profit from your half of the pot. On rare occasions you may get quartered if an opponent also makes a wheel, but quarterings are far less frequent in these games than in Omaha 8 or Better.

Archie

Archie is one of the rarest and most complex draw games, though it has grown in popularity on the Las Vegas mixed game scene for just that reason. It’s a lot of fun, but it can be a complex game with a lot of nuance and definitely favors more experienced mixed game players. So, if you’re new to this game, be careful as there can be a lot of seemingly enticing situations that can get you in trouble.

Archie is basically 5-card triple draw high/low split with qualifiers. Half the pot goes to the highest hand, half goes to the lowest A-5 hand. Of note, you must qualify your hand to be eligible for any part of the pot. For a qualifying low hand, you must make an 8 low or better. For a qualifying high hand, you must make either a pair of 6’s or a pair of 9’s (rules vary from room to room).

If there is no qualifying low hand at showdown, the entire pot is awarded to the highest hand. If there is no qualifying high hand, the pot is scooped by the lowest hand.

Quite often the pot will be split, as players will often be dealt strong one-way hands or draws and play solely for that half of the pot in a multiway situation. As with any split pot game though, our goal is to scoop the whole pot yourself! It will be tough to do that, but here’s a tip on how to do just that!

Archie Tip: Low hands with high potential are premiums for a scoop, or at least a strong chance at half

Barring a rare occasion where you are just dealt the nuts both ways, you’ll likely need to improve in some aspect to scoop a pot. Four low straight cards or four low suited cards are the premiums in this aspect.

If you are dealt 2356J, for example, you’ll be discarding the Jack and drawing one with plenty of opportunity to make either a strong low with an ace, 7 or 8 (which will likely win you half the pot), or there are those four 4’s out there that could scoop you the entire pot.

Four low suited cards are a similarly huge starter with possibilities to make a strong high (with a 9 or higher flush) a strong low (with an offsuit non-pairing card that gives you five cards 8 or lower), or a potential scooper (with a fifth flush card 8 or lower).

As mentioned in the Badacey /Baduecey section above, once you’ve made a hand, it’s up to you to determine whether you want to protect your hand and/or fold out opponents by raising aggressively, or building the pot by keeping others in if you’re resigned to playing for half.

Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted to eat was pizza (or burgers, or hot dogs, or candy, or whatever your favorite food was) and your parents said “NO!”?

Pizza’s great and all, as is No Limit Hold ‘em, but remember also how your parents encouraged you to try new foods?

Well, we’re here to be your “poker parent” and encourage you to try something new, like Brussels sprouts (sorry Limit Hold ‘em, that’s you).

Mixed games are the smorgasbord of poker, with a variety of recipes and tastes. Some are sweet, some are salty (or will make you a bit salty), but ultimately, they’re a whole new exciting world of flavors beyond the same old pizza, and it’s a ton of fun to discover them!

Please don’t be the kid who said they didn’t like something without even trying it. Be the kid who tried a spoonful of something and was pleasantly surprised by what they’d just tasted and discovered a new favorite food.

In this overview article, we’re going to give you a few spoonfuls of info and strategy about a wide variety of mixed games. Most importantly though, we’re going to give you a ton of reasons why you should give them a try (with far fewer food references). If you’re looking to dive in even deeper, then we recommend signing up with one of the best poker training sites.

Also, be sure to check out the other three parts of this Mixed Games Poker Guide on Flop Games, Stud Games and Draw Games.

The Recipe (why mixed games are great)

As longtime lovers of mixed games, we can think of a plethora of reasons why they’re great. At the end of the day, you just need to experience a proper one for yourself, like the ones that’ll be running at an upcoming Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival. In the meantime, we’ve thought of eight great reasons why you’ll enjoy mixed games.

Friendly, welcoming players

The main reason we’ve heard players mention as to why they’re hesitant to try mixed games is the fear of looking foolish to other players because they may not know the games as well. From our experience, this is almost universally an unjustified fear. Players in mixed games are among the most welcoming and encouraging players in poker. If you tell them that you’re new to mixed games, they’re far more likely to welcome you and help you learn the game than to take advantage of your inexperience. The more people playing mixed games, the better it is for everyone, so it naturally lends itself to a supremely welcoming atmosphere.

Notably, the friendliness holds true for both low and high stakes games, though we recommend you start our on the lower rungs of the ladder to better get acquainted with all the different poker variants.

It’s a great change of pace

They say variety is the spice of life, and we passionately believe that holds true with poker. If you’re getting fatigued by playing just No Limit Hold ‘em, mixing it up with something new is a great way to recharge the poker batteries. NLHE can still be your bread and butter, but learning a new game (or two, or eight, or 20…) can be just what the doctor ordered to prevent poker burnout.

You may discover a new favorite

If you’ve never played before and get a taste of a variety of new games, you may just discover one or two that you love and want to learn more about and play more often!

Many players who first explore beyond Hold ‘em tend to dabble in Omaha 8 or Better and the stud variants in a HORSE rotation (Hold ‘em, Omaha 8, Razz, Stud, and Stud 8 or Better). Perhaps at that point you’ll be ready to dip your toes into draw games for the first time, such as the very popular 2-7 Triple Draw or more niche Badugi variants. With so many games to choose from, we’re willing to wager that Hold’em won’t be your favorite for too much longer.

It’s tough to really go broke

With most of the games in a dealer’s choice mix being limit structure or capped in big bet games, it’s tough to really get wrecked in a game like you can in a rough session of No Limit Hold em or Pot Limit Omaha (which is played with a cap in a mixed cash game).

If you’re just breaking into mixed games, yes there will be a learning curve. However, if you do a bit of homework beforehand you’ll be more likely to be competitive. Even on days when you “pay for experience” in a session, the hit will be much less painful to your bankroll (provided you learn at stakes you’re comfortable with).

Moreover, on a hand-to-hand basis, without really big bets relative to the pot as an option, the sting of flicking in a tough call is significantly less pressure-filled, which lends itself to less overall stress among the players, in turn leading to a more positive atmosphere at the table.

This relaxed vibe also leads to another great feature of mixed games…

No tanking!

Again, with limit or capped betting, those big decisions that warrant a really deep think are just so few and far between in a mixed game setting. Sure, there will be spots where players have a tough decision to make and put in some thought, but there is virtually never an occasion (especially in the limit games), where a player takes significant time to flick in a call or muck their cards.

Chips fly, decisions get made, and play moves much more quickly in mixed games, which is another major reason why players tend to generally be much happier and easygoing at a mixed game table.

Mixed games will help your No Limit Hold ‘em game

Whether it’s No Limit Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, 2-7 Triple Draw, 7-Card Stud, or even Razzdugi, they all fall under the umbrella of ‘poker’. There are general theories that apply to all, and there are nuances in different games that can help you with your No Limit Hold ‘em game. For instance:

• You’ll think about pot odds in a different way in a bunch of limit games.
• You’ll think more about blockers in PLO.
• You’ll closely contemplate bet sizing in No Limit 2-7 single draw.
• You’ll have a new perspective on how badly you can run when you start with A234 in Razz, then get dealt three face cards the rest of the way!

Seeing poker in a different way, with some familiarities, will refresh your mind when you sit back down in your regular game. On the flip side, playing games that require completely new strategic considerations accomplish the same goal. Getting out of your comfort zone a bit and trying to figure out the best way to scoop an Archie pot will make what you already know about No Limit Hold ‘em seem simpler and more comfortable.

Bottom line, test driving a few new vehicles will increase your confidence with the “Cadillac of poker”.

You can spice up your home game

Introducing mixed games into your home game presents huge benefits.

If you want to try mixed games in the most comfortable environment possible, what better setting than with your group of friends at stakes you set? You can learn the games together or, once you personally become familiar with mixed games, you can spread the good word and introduce your friends to your new favorite poker variants.

Admittedly, it may be a bit of a challenge. My friends in my own home game were a bit tough to crack, as they wanted the familiarity of hanging out and playing NLHE sit and go’s. So, what I did along with that was suggest that for an hour I’d introduce two or three games to them, dealing and teaching, but not actually playing, so they wouldn’t be afraid of losing to me since I knew how to play them.

Within a couple of evenings, dealer’s choice cash games became a prominent part of my home game, as each player could pick their favorite game to put in the mix (which is a regular practice in casino-dealt mixed games as well).

It’s just plain fun

There are many reasons to give mixed games a try, but above all they’re just straight up fun.

The combination of the elements listed above form the recipe for a great time at a poker table. The most fun times I’ve had playing poker can all be pointed toward sessions of mixed games, whether it’s playing with old friends or making new friends.

A legendary night of $4/8 mix at the old Monte Carlo, and a night at the Westgate full of mixed games, massage bomb pots, and other shenanigans in Las Vegas still stand head and shoulders above all others when it comes to the best times I’ve had at a poker table.

And I lost both nights.

So, are you ready? Or at least curious yet? Let’s get you set and take a peek at what you’re in for.

What’s On the Menu (the many different games)

Flop games (Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better, PLO 8, Limit Omaha, Double Board Omaha, Big O, Short Deck, Courchevel, Drawmaha, S.H.O.P.)

These are the games that are dealt similarly to Hold ‘em. Players receive hole cards, there are blinds and/or antes, and a flop of community cards is dealt. These are games that will be most immediately familiar to Hold ‘em players, but there are many distinct differences.

Stud games (7-Card Stud, Razz, 7-Card Stud 8 or Better, Stud high/low No Qualifier, Super Stud 8 or Better, Razzdugi)

Each player in these games receives their own individual hand of (in most cases) seven cards. There is no flop of community cards. Players will play their own boards vs. their opponents, which will have a combination of hole and exposed cards.

Draw games (2-7 Triple Draw, A-5 Triple Draw, No Limit 2-7 Single Draw, 5-Card Draw, Badugi, Badacey, Baduecey, Archie)

Once again, there are no flops or community cards with these games. Rather, the main feature of these games is that on betting rounds, players have the option to discard from their hand and draw fresh cards in their attempt to make the best (or worst) hand.

The Cookbooks (study resources)

So where to start? You can either dive right in and find a live or online game (more on those in a bit), but if you want to get your feet wet with some study before you take the plunge, here are some outstanding resources to learn from.

Books

Mastering Mixed Games – Dylan Linde

If we could only recommend one resource for both beginners to mixed games and existing players looking to improve, it is Dylan Linde’s outstanding book. Linde provides both basic and advanced strategies for all games, including some of the more obscure ones you may only find in a live setting (Badeucey, Badacey). For under $40, The amount of information provided is invaluable. You can read our review of the book here.

A Poker Player’s Guide to Mixed Games – Ken Lo

This 2014 book may have flown under the radar, but it’s still available and an outstanding resource for both beginners and experienced players alike. It is incredibly thorough, going through the basics of each game before diving into deeper strategy. It’s a beefy book at almost 700 pages, but don’t let the size scare you. It’s well worth the read, and a great value also at under $40.

Super System 2 – Doyle Brunson + multiple authors

This book has multiple great chapters on mixed games. The original Super System does as well, but the information is now quite dated, while SS2 was written by more contemporary players (in 2005), such as Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman and Todd Brunson, and still holds up very well. Their sections (Negreanu on 2-7 Triple Draw, Harman on Limit Hold ‘em, and Brunson on Stud 8 or better) we can still highly recommend.

Finding a material copy of SS2 can be a bit difficult, but the Kindle version is available on Amazon for under $10.

Seven Card Stud for Advanced Players – David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth, Ray Zee

High-Low Split Poker for Advanced Players – Ray Zee

These books fall solidly into the ‘classic’ category, as they were written in the 90s when Stud was as prominent if not more so than Hold ‘em.

As “for advanced players” is right in the title, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend these books as the first you read on Stud, Stud 8 and Omaha 8, but if you want to dig deeper and more thoroughly into these games, they’re definitely worth a look, and can by found through Amazon for under $40 each.

Online Training / Videos

Daniel Negreanu’s YouTube Mixed game series

Available at a cost of ZERO to your bankroll is Daniel Negreanu’s YouTube channel!

Specifically, Negreanu put together a series of short videos ideal for beginners to mixed games outlining rules and basic strategies for Limit Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better, Stud, Razz, Stud 8 or Better and 2-7 Triple Draw.

They’re a great starting point that will provide players with some solid fundamentals for the key games in an 8-game mix.

Run It Up WCOOP review with Jason Somerville and Daniel Negreanu

Kid Poker is part of another great free resource we highly recommend. In 2016, JCarver and DNegs sat down for a 4-hour video breakdown of Daniel’s WCOOP HORSE win.

It’s awesome to hear Negreanu go through his thought processes on the final table together with Somerville, and there are really no other places to get such a high level breakdown of mixed game hands in a hand history review format. It’s an entertaining and highly educational resource for those with even a fundamental knowledge of mixed games. 

Twitch streams

Twitch has become a hugely popular source of poker entertainment, and learning. While the biggest streamers are generally No Limit Hold ‘em players, there are some streamers on the platform whose main focus is playing and growing mixed games. At the top of the list is PokerStars Team Pro and founder of the ‘Mixed Game Movement’ Mason Pye (pyefacepoker). Pye recently won his first SCOOP title in 7-Card Stud and can regularly be found crushing the low- to mid-stakes mixed games on PokerStars.

ACR Stormer Scott Kenyon (Pokerbrahs) can also be found crushing the online mixed game streets, especially during the big series like WCOOP and SCOOP. A long-time mixed gamer, his live credentials include an EPT London 8-game title in 2011 for over $50,000.

Upswing Poker’s Mixed Game Mastery course

This option is at the pricier end of the spectrum, at $999, but it’s incredibly comprehensive and features 102 videos from highly successful mixed game player Jake Abdalla. The course focuses primarily on Stud, Stud 8, Razz, Omaha 8, and 2-7 Triple Draw.

That’s not the full gamut of mixed games, of course, but with 102 videos covering just those games, you’ll be provided more than enough information to be able to crush those poker variants and thus be able to treat the high price tag as an investment rather than an expense.

Dig In! (where to play)

So, you’re finally ready to play some poker variants with more than two cards in your hand. Congrats, and welcome to the wonderful world affectionately known as “banana games”!

Here’s a look at where to jump into the mixed game streets.

Live games

Mixed games are more popular in some areas than others, so check the Bravo Poker or Poker Atlas mobile apps, or call your local casino or poker room to see what’s available in your region.

One area that will always have regular mixed games of various stakes running is Las Vegas, especially during the World Series of Poker. Games do run year-round, but during the WSOP the offerings expand vastly!

The WSOP has added a $250 H.O.R.S.E. tournament into their Daily Deepstacks weekly rotation to go along with the various mixed game bracelet events they stage.

The Orleans is a great spot for low-stakes cash and tournament mixed games year round, but during the WSOP they can be counted on for a great low-stakes tournament series with decent sized fields and prize pools for a small buy-in.

The Golden Nugget’s Grand Series is a fantastic spot for mixed game players as well, with a schedule generally echoing that of the WSOP, but for buy-ins roughly a tenth of the size.

Finally, during the WSOP the mixed game cash game streets tend to run wild at all stakes. You know those aforementioned legendary nights? Get ready to experience them firsthand at the next Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival, hosted by this site’s founder Robbie Strazynski. You won’t be sorry!

Online games

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a location with legal online poker, you have an outstanding resource to hone your mixed game chops.

PokerStars runs a full array of regularly scheduled daily mixed game tournaments with buy-ins as low as $1, and cash games with stakes as low as 1 cent / 2 cent, along with a full offering of play money games.

Other sites like GG Poker, partypoker and 888poker have more limited offerings including PLO, PLO8, Short Deck, Stud and Stud 8. PLO and Short Deck games will be largely available, but the others are tougher to find, with your best options being PLO8 tournaments on partypoker.

Rec Poker PokerStars Home Games

The crew at RecPoker are a great bunch of people, dedicated to growing poker for recreational players. They run a monthly mixed game tournament series with a leaderboard and player of the year award. To prepare for the monthly mixed game, each Saturday they’ll run a warmup game of whichever the game of the month is.

It’s a great way to play and learn with a group of friendly folks, and as it’s a free home game, can be played from anywhere in the world.

Final note: Be nice to the dealers!

You should always make the extra effort to be nice to the dealers when playing in mixed games. Dealer knowledge of mixed games can be limited depending on the venue. Please consider that a lot of dealers are unfamiliar with many games. Be patient and considerate with them and provide as much help as they need. You’ll see that with a little help, dealers will pick up the new games quite quickly. Lastly, of course, be sure to tip well and tip often!