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Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Rules
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Seven Stud-Hi-Lo is shorthand for Seven Card Stud, 8 or Better, High-Low Split Poker.
The rules are almost exactly the same as Seven Card Stud, but what makes this game more exciting (and complicated) is that there are more contenders for the pot. Players with the lowest hand also stand a chance to win some of the loot. With more possibilities for winning hands, there are more players chasing more cards - and the pot tends to get bigger.
In effect, two separate games are going on, with some players betting for the high combinations, and others seeking the low ones. In case there is a qualifying low hand, the pot is split between the high hand and low hand. But what exactly is a ‘low' hand?Qualifying Low Hands
Where to Play
Games that are played only for the low hand allow any hand to be considered a low hand. This is not the case when it comes to High-Low split games, where the low hand must meet certain requirements that make it ‘low enough'. To qualify for the low half of the pot in High-Low split games, a hand must be made of five unpaired cards that are all Eight or lower in rank. Straights and flushes don't count against you for the low hand. The same ‘8 or better' Low hand rules holds for Seven Stud/Hi-Lo.Low Hand Rankings
Low hands are counted from the highest card down. For example, 8432A is a weaker hand than 76543, though they both qualify as low hands. The same is true of the second highest card - 8643A will loose to 85432. This is because 6 as a second highest card is weaker than 5 as a second highest card, even though the hand with the 6 ends lower (with the A, which is counted as a low card).The Wheel
The best possible low hand is A2345, which is also known as the wheel. Remember - aces are counted as both high and low cards, and straights are not counted against you for the low hand. This makes the wheel is an exceptionally strong hand in Seven Stud/Hi-Lo - you're holding both a 5-high straight for the high hand, and the lowest possible low hand. If you have a straight flush, you're really in business.Seven Stud/Hi-Lo Rules - Pair on Fourth Street
All rules for Seven Stud/Hi-Lo are the same as Seven Card Stud, with one exception - an open pair on fourth street doesn't give players the option for a double bet.Playing Seven Stud/Hi-Lo online
One sweet benefit to playing Seven Stud/Hi-Lo online is that unlike some home games, there is no need to declare whether you're going for the high hand, the low hand, or both. Your hand is automatically evaluated at the showdown, and you take whatever you've earned. This is great for beginners who may accidentally overlook a winning low hand.
