This is an Archie (Triple draw high-low split) hand from the Bellagio 40-80 mix game. You need to make and 8-or-better to qualify for low and a pair of sixes to qualify for high.
I'm a player in this hand but I'll tell the story from another player's perspective since my opponent had the big decision to make.
The hand:
We're playing seven-handed.
An early position player raises. She's plays reasonably well and certainly isn't getting out of line with an EP raise.
I'm in middle position and three-bet. This should be recognized by all the other players as a strong holding.
It's folds to the Big Blind who has A
3
7
XX.
The Big Blind calls and so does the initial raiser.
Three players take the first draw with 9 1/2 small bets in the pot.
First Draw
The Big Blind draws two and catches A
3
7
6
8
The EP draws two and I draw one.
Big Blind checks. EP checks. I bet.
Big Blind raises. EP thinks for a bit and folds.
I call.
Two players take the second draw with 6.75 big bets in the pot.
Second Draw
Big Blind stands pat. I stand pat.
Big Blind bets and I call.
Two players take the third draw with 8.75 big bets in the pot.
Third Draw
At this point, the Big Blind went into a long think with his A
3
7
6
8
His basic thinking is "If my opponent has a low, I'm beat for sure. If''s he's got a high, we're chopping if I stand pat but I may have scoop outs if I discard the 8
."
Can the 8
be discarded on the third draw in this situation?
Should it have been discarded on the second draw when you don't know your opponent is going to stand pat behind you?