Triple Draw Mix Spotlights: Lowball Rotation Specialists

In a dimly lit corner of the Rio during the 2025 World Series of Poker, Benny Glaser stood pat with an eight-seven in 2-7 Triple Draw, facing down Schuyler Thornton’s desperate river bluff. When Thornton revealed K♣6♥3♥3♣A♠, Glaser’s 8♣7♠5♥4♦2♠ secured his third bracelet of the summer—a feat accomplished by only seven players in WSOP history. This moment crystallized Glaser’s dominance in the mixed draw game universe, where mastery requires juggling multiple lowball variants while navigating the psychological warfare unique to limit betting structures. The British pro’s ascent to 8 career bracelets represents the pinnacle of a specialized poker discipline that has evolved from niche side events into mainstream tournament attractions drawing 400+ player fields and million-dollar prize pools.

The Current Kings of Mixed Lowball Mastery

The triple draw lowball hierarchy features a clear apex predator in Benny Glaser, whose 2025 summer performance redefined excellence in mixed draw games. His three bracelets that year included victories in the $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw ($208,552), $1,500 Dealer’s Choice, and $1,500 Mixed PLO Hi-Lo, establishing him as arguably the most dominant mixed game specialist in modern poker. “This is one of my very best games,” Glaser stated about 2-7 Triple Draw. “I play it all the time, mostly online. So, I wasn’t surprised to win the bracelet in this event.” His career earnings exceed $9.3 million live, supplemented by 26 WCOOP titles and 11 SCOOP victories online, demonstrating cross-platform dominance rarely seen in specialized formats.

Scott Seiver emerged as Glaser’s closest competitor with 7 total bracelets, including a historic 2024 campaign where he captured three bracelets in a single series—the first player to achieve this since Phil Ivey in 2009. His $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship victory for $411,041 showcased his draw game expertise, though Seiver maintains an interesting perspective on tournament play: “The only reason I’m in this event is that Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final ended, and I couldn’t get into a cash game.” This casual approach belies his elite-level execution across all draw variants.

The specialist tier includes David “Bakes” Baker, whose three bracelets all came in mixed or draw events, including the 2010 $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship ($294,321) and 2021 $1,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw ($87,837). Baker’s “mechanical” approach emphasizes mathematical precision over feel, establishing him as the technician of the draw game world. Christopher Vitch holds the distinction of winning the inaugural $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw event in 2016, while Randy Ohel captured the 2012 $2,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw and finished runner-up in the 2018 $10,000 Championship, though he’s recently stepped back from full-time play due to frustration with private games.

Evolution from Niche to Mainstream Tournament Attraction

The transformation of mixed triple draw formats from afterthought side events to marquee tournament attractions reflects poker’s broadening strategic landscape. When the WSOP introduced 2-7 Triple Draw in 2004, fields rarely exceeded 150 players. The 2016 debut of Mixed Triple Draw Lowball—rotating between 2-7, A-5, and Badugi—drew 236 entries with Christopher Vitch claiming the inaugural title. By 2025, that same event attracted a record-breaking 463 players competing for a $1,030,175 prize pool, with Glaser earning $208,552 for his victory.

This growth accelerated through the pandemic years as online poker boomed and players sought new challenges beyond no-limit hold’em. The 2024 WSOP Mixed Triple Draw event drew 371 entries with Patrick Moulder breaking through for his first bracelet and $177,045 after two previous final table disappointments. “Once the game switched from Badugi back to 2-7 triple draw, Moulder won several pots,” observers noted, highlighting how game rotation creates dramatic momentum shifts that reward versatility over single-variant expertise.

PokerStars elevated the format’s profile by introducing the first-ever Mixed Games Main Event at EPT Prague 2024, a €2,200 buy-in tournament signaling mainstream acceptance. The PokerGO Tour’s dedicated Mixed Games Series in February 2024 saw Max Hoffman dominate across five events for $376,300 in winnings, establishing mixed formats as viable professional specializations beyond the WSOP calendar.

Strategic Mastery Across Rotating Lowball Variants

The complexity of excelling at multiple triple draw variants simultaneously demands constant mental recalibration as games rotate. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi emphasizes fundamental differences: “The general rule is to never play a starting hand without a 2 in 2-7 Triple Draw—you cannot make a 7 hand without a 2.” This axiom becomes irrelevant when the game switches to A-5 Triple Draw, where aces transform from worst to best cards and straights no longer count against you.

Matt Glantz describes the strategic depth required: “Usually there aren’t that many options in Triple Draw on the river. You’re check-calling, check-raising, or leading out as a bluff or for value. You just want to go over all options and think of the consequences of each action based on your opponent’s ability.” This decision matrix multiplies when factoring in game-specific hand values—a pat eight represents strength in 2-7 but marginal holdings in A-5 where seven becomes achievable.

The psychological warfare unique to draw games centers on “snowing”—standing pat with garbage to represent strength. Randy Ohel explains the evolution: “Most snows are not hands that you’ve decided to snow from the go. Most snows are hands that have progressed into snows. You’ll tend to take the weaker part of your drawing range and if you start to pair it a couple times, you turn it into a snow.” This dynamic creates leveling wars where players must balance mathematical equity against psychological pressure.

Split-pot variants like Badacey (Badugi/A-5 split) and Badeucey (Badugi/2-7 split) add another strategic layer. Players must evaluate starting hands for both halves simultaneously, with premium holdings like 2-3-4 of different suits offering “scoop” potential. Chad Eveslage’s dominance in Badeucey during his 2023 Dealer’s Choice victory earned him the moniker “greatest Badeucey player in the world,” a title he embraced with wrestling-style bravado: “I played the character as the greatest, like a championship wrestler, but it might be true too.”

Tournament Drama Unique to Limit Draw Formats

The limit betting structure and multiple drawing rounds create distinctive dramatic arcs absent from big-bet poker. Aaron Cummings’ back-to-back victories in the $1,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw (2024-2025) featured a remarkable heads-up sequence where he won three consecutive all-ins against Travis Erdman. In the decisive hand, both players committed four bets pre-first draw before Cummings stood pat with 9♣8♠5♥4♦2♠, his marginal nine eventually holding against Erdman’s drawing hand.

Phil Ivey’s 2024 return to the winner’s circle after a decade-long bracelet drought showcased draw game variance at its finest. Three-handed against Jason Wong and Jeremy Ausmus, Ivey caught a deuce on the final draw to make an unbeatable wheel after Wong stood pat with ten-eight. “It feels good. It feels good to win always,” Ivey stated, his 11th bracelet moving him to sole second place all-time and notably arriving in a non-hold’em event like all his previous victories.

The 2025 $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship required an unscheduled fourth day as Ryan Hoenig ground through 21 different poker variants to claim victory. His final Badeucey hand epitomized the format’s complexity—announcing “Three card perfect and a number two” while tabling 8♦6♣3♥2♠ for an eight-eight, prompting defeated opponent Dylan Smith to marvel, “You really always catch a hand.”

Family legacy stories add emotional depth rarely seen in poker tournaments. Alex Wilkinson’s 2025 victory in the $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Championship fulfilled a multi-generational dream after his father Wil Wilkinson logged 30+ years of WSOP grinding without capturing a bracelet. “It’s been a long journey,” the elder Wilkinson reflected during a final table break, his son ultimately completing the family mission his father started decades earlier.

The Economics of Mixed Draw Specialization

Prize pools for mixed triple draw events have expanded dramatically alongside field growth. The 2023 $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw generated $785,425 with Nick Pupillo earning $181,978 for victory. By 2025, the same event’s prize pool exceeded $1 million with Glaser banking $208,552. The $10,000 buy-in championships consistently generate seven-figure prize pools—Glaser’s 2023 $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship victory paid $311,428 from a $1,209,000 pool shared among 130 entries.

High-stakes mixed cash games provide additional income streams for specialists. Randy Ohel built his reputation in Bellagio’s biggest mixed games before stepping back, while Scott Seiver balances tournament play with nose-bleed stakes cash action where pots regularly exceed six figures. The PokerGO studio streams have showcased mixed game cash sessions with $200/$400 limits and beyond, creating celebrity status for players like Ohel who combine technical excellence with entertaining table talk.

Online platforms have democratized access to mixed draw games while providing grinding volume impossible in live settings. PokerStars’ WCOOP and SCOOP series feature dedicated 2-7 Triple Draw and mixed events with buy-ins from $5.50 to $25,000. Benny Glaser’s 26 WCOOP titles demonstrate how online volume accelerates skill development—he credits constant online 2-7 Triple Draw play for maintaining his edge in live tournaments.

Digital Revolution in Mixed Draw Training

The training landscape for aspiring mixed draw specialists has evolved from forum posts and books to sophisticated video platforms and solver-based analysis. Upswing Poker’s Mixed Games Mastery Course features Jake “Jllama” Abdalla teaching approximately 15 videos per variant covering games like 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi, and Razz. The $400 course includes private Facebook group access where students interact directly with instructors about specific hands and concepts.

Run It Once offers multiple 2-7 Triple Draw series including high-stakes session reviews from $400/$800 games. Instructors like Stephen and Christopher George break down advanced concepts like snowing frequencies and multiway dynamics. Red Chip Poker’s PRO membership ($495 annually) integrates GTO+ software with mixed game analysis tools, bringing solver-based approaches to traditionally feel-based games.

YouTube channels have democratized basic strategy with PokerStars’ official channel (2M+ subscribers) streaming mixed game final tables with expert commentary. Doug Polk’s channel features mixed game strategy content reaching 429,000 subscribers, while specialized creators produce deep-dive analyses of specific variants. The accessibility of free content has lowered entry barriers, though serious students still invest in premium training to gain edges in increasingly competitive fields.

Discord servers have emerged as real-time strategy hubs with communities like ACR Poker Community Discord facilitating hand analysis and tournament discussions. Regional study groups coordinate through platforms like the Upswing Poker Facebook Groups, creating peer learning environments that supplement formal instruction. The Mixed Game Academy Discord servers host regular coaching sessions where specialists review member hands and discuss meta-game adjustments.

Key Strategic Insights from the Specialists

The transition between lowball formats demands constant recalibration of hand values and drawing decisions. In 2-7 Triple Draw, straights and flushes count against you with aces playing high, making 7-5-4-3-2 the nuts. Switch to A-5 Triple Draw and suddenly aces become low, straights and flushes don’t count, transforming A-2-3-4-5 into the best possible hand. This fundamental shift catches even experienced players—James Woods famously stood pat with nine-eight thinking he was playing 2-7 when the game had rotated to A-5.

Position assumes paramount importance in draw games where information derives solely from drawing patterns and betting actions. Michael Mizrachi emphasizes: “This game is all about position. If you are in position, since you are last to act, you can see what your opponent is doing, whether they draw or stay pat. This is a huge advantage, especially on the last draw.” Early position requires premium holdings—ideally one-card draws or better—while button play expands to include speculative three-card draws in A-5 Triple Draw where equity runs closer.

The art of snowing separates competent players from specialists. Matt Glantz recommends bluffing with “total garbage” when drawing patterns suggest opponents likely missed, particularly on final betting rounds where one big bet can claim pots. The limit structure caps risk at one additional bet, encouraging aggressive bluffing compared to no-limit formats where stack preservation concerns dominate. Randy Ohel’s concept of hands “progressing into snows” captures the organic evolution from drawing hand to bluff as boards develop unfavorably.

Card removal effects significantly impact drawing probabilities in ways absent from community card games. Ohel notes: “Folded cards are not random. They are selected. So the types of cards that are folded just have a smaller proportion of low cards, particularly deuces, than random cards do. The remaining cards are richer.” This principle affects drawing decisions—attempting to complete 7-6-4-3 becomes more attractive knowing opponents likely folded hands containing deuces and threes.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Mixed Triple Draw Poker

Mixed triple draw formats appear poised for continued growth as poker seeks differentiation beyond no-limit hold’em saturation. The 2025 WSOP’s record-breaking fields and PokerStars’ commitment to mixed game main events signal institutional support for format diversification. Younger players like Ben Yu—Stanford graduate with four bracelets including the 2017 $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship—represent a new generation combining academic analytical approaches with traditional feel-based skills.

The emergence of variants like Badacey, Badeucey, and Razzdugi within Dealer’s Choice rotations suggests continued innovation in game design. These split-pot formats reward players who can simultaneously evaluate hands for multiple winning conditions, adding strategic layers that prevent solved game scenarios plaguing some poker variants. The complexity ensures that even as training materials proliferate, significant skill edges remain achievable for dedicated students.

International growth shows particular promise with players like Japan’s Tomomitsu Ono and Sweden’s Oscar Johansson making deep runs in major championships. The online infrastructure supporting mixed games globally means geographic barriers no longer limit access to high-level competition. As prize pools grow and prestige accumulates around mixed game mastery, expect more elite players to develop triple draw expertise as career differentiators.

Conclusion

The world of triple draw lowball specialists represents poker’s intellectual frontier, where mastery demands juggling multiple rule sets while navigating psychological warfare unique to limit structures. From Benny Glaser’s historic three-bracelet summer to Phil Ivey’s triumphant return after a decade-long drought, these formats create dramatic narratives impossible in single-game specialization. The evolution from niche side events to mainstream attractions with million-dollar prize pools validates the format’s competitive depth while rewarding players willing to master complexity beyond mainstream poker’s comfort zone. As training resources proliferate and online platforms provide unlimited practice opportunities, the next generation of mixed draw specialists will push strategic understanding to new heights, ensuring these mentally demanding formats remain poker’s ultimate test of versatility and skill.

About the Author

Mixed Game Masters Editorial

Published: October 21, 2025 | Categories: Tournaments & Events, Draw & Lowball

Mixed Game Masters is the premier resource for non-Hold’em poker strategy, tournament coverage, and mixed game education. Our editorial team consists of experienced players and poker historians dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of poker’s most challenging variants.

We provide comprehensive coverage of draw games, lowball variants, and mixed game formats, helping players of all levels improve their skills beyond traditional No-Limit Hold’em.

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