7 Card Stud hi lo Basics

We first need to add is that we are major pundits of any hi/lo poker format and a lot of players feel that 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo is an exhilirating form of poker. It is played with up to 8 players. What makes this game so interesting to play is the fact that at the end of each hand, the pot is split between the player with the "highest hand" (high hand) and the player with the lowest eligible "low hand."

When playing 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo each player is dealt seven cards. The player with the best combination of 5 cards is the winner.

7 Card Stud hi lo Poker - 1st Round

Before any cards are dealt, each player at the table must post what is known as the "ante," a predecided amount, into pot. This amount is based on the betting size of each game as determined by the players or tournaments directors. Once all players have posted an "ante," each player is then dealt 3 cards. Two of these cards are dealt face down, and one card is face up. This face up card is called the "3rd street," more commonly known as the "door card." The player with the lowest "door card" must always start the betting. If 2 or more players have the same card, the low card is decided by the suit rank. Suit rank from highest to lowest is: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs. Each player can bet once and raise a maximum of 2 times per round.

7 Card Stud hi lo Poker - 2nd Round

Once betting on the 1st round is completed, the dealer deals a 4th card face-up. In 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo this is known as "4th street." From this round forward, the highest hand showing initiates the round by checking or betting. Important to note: if a player is showing a pair, this player has the option of making a "double bet." If a player makes a double bet, other players can call, raise, or fold. However, if they raise, they must raise the amount of the double bet.

7 Card Stud Poker - 3rd Round

Immediately after betting in the 2nd round is completed, a 5th card is dealt face up to all players that are still remaining in the hand. This card is called "5th street." Its important to note that in 7 card stud poker, betting limits double for this round, for a lot of player this can throw them and they really need to measure their potential return on investment.

7 Card Stud Poker - 4th and 5th Rounds

In the 4th round, a sixth card is dealt face up, known as "6th street." The betting remains the same as the 3rd round. The 5th Round: A final 7th card is dealt to each player face down. This card is known as the "river card." Players now have their final round of betting.

The hand finishes off if at some point all players, apart from one, fold, then the remaining player wins the ultimate pot. If two or more players remain after all rounds of betting are complete, then the highest hand wins. If two or more players have the same hand, then the pot is split among those player. Otherwise, the pot is split between the high and low hand. If there is no qualifying low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.

Qualifying for low hand in 7 card stud hi lo

In order to qualify a player must have a combination of five cards, numbered eight or lower. The lowest hi card wins. For example an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, would be an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 6. If the highest low cards are equal, then the second highest cards in the series are compared, and the lowest of these high cards then wins. Keep in mind that it is the lowest hi card of the 5 cards that determines the low hand winner.

More rules and terms of 7 card stud hi lo

• Table Stakes - This means that only the chips which players started the hand with can be bet during that hand. More chips cannot be added or bet, once the hand has already started.
• All In - At any time during rounds of betting, when a player goes "all in," this means that the player is betting the remainder of their chips. If that player does not have enough chips to match the existing bet or raise or their are bets and raises after the "all in," that player will remain active until the hand finishes. However, the "all in" player will only be eligible to win the amount of chips that they could afford to bet against. Any bets after the "all in" will be put in a side pot and only players betting into that side pot will be eligible to win those chips.