7 Card Stud High Low

7 Card Stud High Low is played exactly the same as conventional 7 Card Stud . The difference between them is that in 7 Card Stud High Low, the pot is split between 2 winning hands; a high hand and a low hand. The high hand is ranked according to standard Poker hand rankings, and the low hand is ranked according to low hand rankings specific for 7 Card Stud High Low Poker.

In 7 Card Stud High Low, a low hand is defined as 5 unpaired cards with the highest card value not exceeding 8 (accounting for it to also be called “7 Card Stud 8 or Better). Any hand containing a value higher than 8 will be disqualified as a low hand. Additionally, each hand must contain at least 3 cards of differing ranks, 8 or less. Both the high and low hands must be made from any 5 of a player’s 7 cards, and Ace is played as both high and low values.

Straights and flushed do not disqualify a low hand, so the best possible low hand is A, 2, 3, 4, and 5 - known as a “Wheel”. Accordingly, a flush or low straight can qualify as both a high and hand. In this case, a player will “scoop” - win both halves of the pot (100%).

The winning low hand is awarded to the player holding the lowest high card. When at least 2 players hold an equally valued high card the winning hand is awarded to the player with the next lowest high card. This continues until a single winning hand is found (IE – no ties). In 7 Card Stud High Low Poker, there may not always be a qualifying low hand. In such a case, the high hand will be awarded the entire pot.

• It is not worth playing at a table that has 4 or less players, because even when the pot is divided 4 ways, you will still lose money.
• A big pair is nearly always worth betting on.
• If another player’s hand beats yours, it is advised to fold.
• Always check to see if other players are displaying the cards you need when trying to make a Straight – you may need to play accordingly.
• You can minimize your losses by deciding in the 5th Street round whether or not you can produce a winning hand. This is because at this round, the betting increments double.