London Lowball
A lowball variant where straights and flushes count against you like Deuce-to-Seven, but aces still play low — the best hand is 6-4-3-2-A, the 'Chicago Wheel.'
Coming soon — not yet playable
Rules
London Lowball is dealt like standard Five-Card Draw or, in some traditions, with triple-draw betting rounds similar to Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw.
Hand ranking is a hybrid: as in Deuce-to-Seven, straights and flushes count against the hand (they can't be used as a valid low and instead count at their high-card value, effectively ruining them for low purposes). Unlike Deuce-to-Seven, however, aces play low rather than high, meaning the best possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A (since A-2-3-4-5 would be a straight and therefore disqualified) — this hand is often nicknamed the "Chicago Wheel" or "number one" in London Lowball circles.
Showdown: after the draw round(s) and final betting round, the lowest-ranked qualifying hand among remaining players wins.
Strategy notes: Because aces count low but straights are penalized, players must avoid accidentally drawing into a straight the way they would need to in Deuce-to-Seven, while also remembering aces are an asset (unlike in that game) — this dual consideration is the single biggest adjustment for players coming from either pure Ace-to-Five or pure Deuce-to-Seven lowball.
Common house rules
Confirm single or triple draw
London Lowball can be played with a single draw (like California Lowball) or three draws (like Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw) — agree on the format before dealing, since it substantially changes correct starting-hand standards.
The 'Chicago Wheel' nickname
The best possible hand, 6-4-3-2-A, is commonly nicknamed the Chicago Wheel in London Lowball circles — worth knowing so the reference isn't confused with the unrelated stud game Chicago (also in this library).
Don't confuse with Ace-to-Five or Deuce-to-Seven
London Lowball's hybrid ranking (low aces, but straights/flushes still penalized) is genuinely distinct from both other lowball traditions in this library — confirm explicitly which ranking system is in play before the deal.
Related games
Based on shared category, origin, and rules that reference each other.
California Lowball
The classic single-draw lowball game: five cards, one draw, lowest hand wins using Ace-to-Five ranking where straights and flushes don't count.
Learn the rules →Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw
A five-card draw lowball game with three separate draw rounds — the lowest hand wins, and straights, flushes, and aces all count against you.
Learn the rules →Five-Card Draw
The simplest and oldest form of poker: five private cards, one chance to trade in cards you don't want, and a single showdown.
▶ Play nowChicago
A Seven-Card Stud variant where half the pot is awarded not for the best hand, but for the highest spade dealt face down in the hole.
Learn the rules →