7-Card Stud Hi-Lo

Seven-Card Stud High-Low is a split pot game, with half of the pot going to the best high hand, and the other half going to a qualifying low hand. In order for a low hand to qualify, it must consist of five unpaired cards of eight or lower. Aces act as both high and low cards, with the best low hand being 5-4-3-2-A (straights and flushes do not affect a low hand).

Each player receives two hole cards, followed by four cards face up and a final hole card in Seven-Card Stud. Players use five of those seven cards to make their best five-card hand. Players may use different cards to make their best high and low hands.

hole cards

This is a basic description of Seven-Card Stud High-Low. For more general poker rules, read Robert's Rules of Poker, which also includes more specific Seven-Card Stud High-Low rules.

Game Progression

1. Ante - Forced bet prior to receiving cards


2. Deal - Two cards face down followed by one card face up to each player
   


3. Bring-in and First Betting Round - Lowest card showing must bet at least half the small bet to open the betting


4. Fourth Street - Each player receives another card face up
    
   


5. Second Betting Round


6. Fifth Street - Each player receives another card face up
    
   


7. Third Betting Round


8. Sixth Street - Each player receives another card face up
    
   


9. Fourth Betting Round


10. River - Each player receives his or her final card face down
     
    


11. Final Betting Round


12. Showdown - Players reveal cards to determine which hand wins
    

Antes

Before the hands are dealt, each player puts an ante into the pot.

Deal, Bring-in and First Betting Round

Every player receives two hole cards, followed by one door card dealt face up which everyone can see. The player with the lowest value card showing (suits break ties, with clubs being lowest, followed by diamonds, hearts then spades) must post the bring-in, which is less than the full amount of the lower betting limit, or may make a complete bet, which is equal to the lower betting limit. The player immediately to the left of the bring-in must decide to call, fold, complete the bet (if the player with the lowest card paid the minimum bring-in) or raise (if the player with the lowest card made a complete bet). The remaining players are then faced with the same decision until all players have wagered the same amount in the round. NOTE: After the bet has been completed, subsequent raises are equal to the small bet (e.g., In a $10/$20 game with a $5 bring-in, a player could complete the bet to $10, and each subsequent raise would be in $10 increments, not $5).

Fourth Street and Second Betting Round

After the first betting round is complete, the dealer burns a card then deals a second door card to each player. The player with the best poker hand showing has the first option to check or bet. The bet amount is equal to the small bet, unless the player has an exposed pair, in which case he/she has the option to bet in either the large or small increment. Play proceeds clockwise around the table until the betting round is complete.

Fifth Street and Third Betting Round

After the second betting round is complete, the dealer burns a card then deals a third door card to each player. The player with the best poker hand showing has the first option to check or bet. The betting increment doubles to the larger increment in the third betting round and stays at that level for the remainder of the hand. Play proceeds clockwise around the table until the betting round is complete.

Sixth Street and Fourth Betting Round

After the third betting round is complete, the dealer burns a card then deals a fourth door card to each player. The player with the best poker hand showing has the first option to check or bet. Play proceeds clockwise around the table until the betting round is complete.

River and Final Betting Round

After the fourth betting round is complete, the dealer burns a card then deals the final card face down to each player. The player with the best poker hand showing has the first option to check or bet. Play proceeds clockwise around the table until the betting round is complete.

Showdown

Once all bets have been settled, the last player to make a bet must show his or her hand. Players who called must show their hand if it beats the final bettor, but if they do not hold a winning hand, they have the option of mucking without showing.