Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Rules

Like its father, the traditional Seven Card Stud, The Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo has also been gaining popularity steadily over the years. I assume that you have been playing some of the most popular variants of poker like the Texas Hold'em or the traditional Seven Card Stud, right? This may be a more complicated version of its traditional counterpart, but understanding this variant will be relatively easy for you.

What’s with the Hi-Lo?
Well basically, the main difference of this Hi-Lo version from the traditional version is that, in this game, the pot will be split in half among two winners. The player with the lowest hand and the winner with the highest hand win the pot, hence, the name Hi-Lo. It is possible to win the whole pot for yourself if you’re lucky enough to have both the highest and the lowest hand. It is also possible for three people to win in cases of a tie. If there are two or more people who have the same lowest hand, then they are going to divide half of the pot equally among them. Same goes when two or more people all have the same high hand. The high hand winner can also take the entire pot in case no one qualifies for the low hand win. Yes there is a qualification required.

Basic Rules to Follow
You don’t just win the low hand by having the lowest hand. To win the low hand, an eight or lower is required for hand. An ace card is used both as the high and low card. In determining a low hand, the straight and the flush has no significance. Basically, the same rules that apply in the traditional seven card stud poker still apply unless otherwise specified.

Tips and Tricks
In split pot games like this, the most important thing to keep in mind is that there is a big difference between winning half the pot and winning the whole thing. If you’re a newbie, you might think that winning two separate half pots is equal to winning a whole pot…wrong! Winning a whole pot is definitely bigger in profit compared to winning two half pots profit wise. Remember, you don’t have to post bet all over again when you win one full straight pot. This makes all the profit difference. Yes, you have to settle for half most of the time, but when the time comes that you know you just have the best hand, don’t be afraid to go all the way and grab the chance to win it all!

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