7
Card Stud Hi/Lo is an exciting form of poker,
known the world over. It is played with up to eight
players. What makes this game so interesting is the
fact that at the end of each hand, the pot is split
between the player with the "highest hand"
and the player with the lowest eligible "low
hand."
The basic rules and terminology to 7 Card
Stud Hi/Lo:
In 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo each player is dealt 7 cards.
The player with the best combination of 5 cards wins.
(See our poker hand
rankings).
The First Round:
Before any cards are dealt, each player at the table
must post an "ante," a predetermined amount,
into pot. This amount is based on the betting size
of each game.
Once all players have posted an "ante,"
each player is dealt three cards. Two of these cards
are dealt face down, and one card is face up. This
face up card is called the "third street,"
or the "door card."
The player with the lowest "door card"
must start the betting. If two or more players have
the same card, the low card is determined 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 three
times per round.
The Second Round:
Once betting on the first round is completed, the
dealer deals a fourth card face-up. In 7
Card Stud Hi/Lo this is known as "fourth
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. For
instance, if a single bet is $5 and a double bet is
$10, then when a player raises a double bet, he/she
must bet $20 ($10 plus $10).
The Third Round:
Once betting in the second round is completed, a
fifth card is dealt face up to all remaining players.
This card is referred to as "fifth street."
Betting stakes double for this round.
The Fourth Round:
Once betting in the third round is completed, a sixth
card is dealt face up, known as "sixth street."
The betting remains the same as the third round.
The Fifth Round:
A final seventh card is dealt to each player face
down. This card is known as the "river card."
Players now have their final round of betting.
Conclusion of hand
If at some point all players, but one, fold, then
the remaining player wins the 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
To qualify for a low hand, a player must have a combination
of 5 cards, numbered 8 or lower. The lowest high 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 wins.
For example: an Ace, 2,4,5,7, would beat an Ace,
2, 4, 6, 7.
If need be, the third, fourth, or fifth cards will
be considered to determine the lowest hand.
Keep in mind that it is the lowest HIGH card of the
five cards that determines the low hand winner.
For example a 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, beats an Ace, 2, 3,
5, 8.
Additional rules and terms
"Table Stakes"
This means that only the chips which players started
the hand with can be bet during that hand. Additional
chips cannot be added or bet, once the hand has already
begun.
"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 his/her chips. If that
player does not have enough chips to match the current
bet or raise or their are bets and raises after the
"all in," that player will remain active
until the conclusion of the hand. However, the "all
in" player will only be eligible to win the amount
of chips that he/she 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.
Poker Rooms to play 7 Card
Stud Hi/Lo:
