California Lowball: Good Starting Hands

Video Transcript

"So, we want to talk about good starting hands for California Lowball. The first thing to do is to make sure everyone understands what is the very best hand that can win a California Lowball game. And, this would be that. This is called a five low. You will see that it is a straight, Ace, two, three, four, five. But, in most variations, most variants of Lowball, straights don't matter. So this is called a 5 Low, it's also called a Wheel, or Bicycle. But, it's Ace to five. That's the very best hand for California Lowball. If you can catch that before or after the draw, you know you're going to win, at least, half the pot. You're at least going to shop the pot, you know you're not going to loose. Second best hand is a six low with four, three, deuce, Ace. That's one off the five low. Now, as far as good starting hands go that you can play and stay in for the draw, for example, is this hand. This hand can easily make a 7-Low. The thing to note in most lowball games is, you don't want to leave home without an Ace. Don't leave home without an Ace. If I look at my hand and I think I like it, and let's say its seven, six, four, deuce. If there's no Ace, I shouldn't be playing it. Because it's easier to build up from like Ace, deuce, three, than it is to build down from like seven, six, five. With this hand, I'm going to throw away the king and look forward to likely drawing a better low hand."