diff --git a/python/cudf_polars/cudf_polars/experimental/join.py b/python/cudf_polars/cudf_polars/experimental/join.py
index 265cdf1b098..3754c295b01 100644
--- a/python/cudf_polars/cudf_polars/experimental/join.py
+++ b/python/cudf_polars/cudf_polars/experimental/join.py
@@ -74,9 +74,10 @@ def _make_hash_join(
 
     # Record new partitioning info
     partitioned_on: tuple[NamedExpr, ...] = ()
-    if ir.left_on == ir.right_on or (ir.options[0] in ("left", "semi", "anti")):
+    how = ir.options[0].lower()
+    if ir.left_on == ir.right_on or (how in ("left", "semi", "anti")):
         partitioned_on = ir.left_on
-    elif ir.options[0] == "right":  # pragma: no cover
+    elif how == "right":  # pragma: no cover
         partitioned_on = ir.right_on
     partition_info[new_node] = PartitionInfo(
         count=output_count,
@@ -94,7 +95,6 @@ def _should_bcast_join(
     output_count: int,
 ) -> bool:
     # Decide if a broadcast join is appropriate.
-
     if partition_info[left].count >= partition_info[right].count:
         bcast_count = partition_info[right].count
         other = left
@@ -116,13 +116,14 @@ def _should_bcast_join(
     #    TODO: Make this value/heuristic configurable).
     #    We may want to account for the number of workers.
     # 3. The "kind" of join is compatible with a broadcast join
+    how = ir.options[0].lower()
     return (
         not other_shuffled
         and bcast_count <= 8  # TODO: Make this configurable
         and (
-            ir.options[0] == "inner"
-            or (ir.options[0] in ("left", "semi", "anti") and other == left)
-            or (ir.options[0] == "right" and other == right)
+            how == "inner"
+            or (how in ("left", "semi", "anti") and other == left)
+            or (how == "right" and other == right)
         )
     )
 
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ def _make_bcast_join(
     left: IR,
     right: IR,
 ) -> tuple[IR, MutableMapping[IR, PartitionInfo]]:
-    how = ir.options[0]
+    how = ir.options[0].lower()
     if how != "inner":
         shuffle_options: dict[str, Any] = {}
         left_count = partition_info[left].count
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ def _(
         new_node = ir.reconstruct(children)
         partition_info[new_node] = PartitionInfo(count=1)
         return new_node, partition_info
-    elif ir.options[0] == "cross":
+    elif ir.options[0].lower() == "cross":
         raise NotImplementedError(
             "cross join not support for multiple partitions."
         )  # pragma: no cover
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@ def _(
         }
     else:
         # Broadcast join
-        how = ir.options[0]
+        how = ir.options[0].lower()
         left_parts = partition_info[left]
         right_parts = partition_info[right]
         if left_parts.count >= right_parts.count: