Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo (also known as Stud 8 or Better) is a split-pot game
where players receive seven cards, three "down" cards (that only you
can see) and four "up" cards (that everyone can see).
Your hand(s) are determined by using the best five of seven cards for your
high hand and your best five of seven cards for your low hand (if you qualify
for low).
The game is played like Seven Card Stud with
the exception being if someone qualifies for "Low", the pot is split.
You don’t have to qualify on the "High" side - the best hand
automatically wins half the pot and could win the whole pot. To win the "Low"
side, however, qualifying is required.
To qualify for the low half of the pot you need a five-card hand with different
numerical values from ace through eight. The best "Low" hand is A,2,3,4,5
(also known as the "wheel" or "bicycle"). The winning "Low"
hand is the one with the lowest high card in it. If two or more players qualify
for "Low" but have the same highest card, the second lowest high card
(and if necessary progressing down to the third, fourth, or fifth lowest high
card) would be the winning hand. For example, a 2,3,4,6,8 would be a better
"Low" hand than an A,2,4,7,8.
Sequence of Game Play:
1. All players ante
2. Each player is dealt two cards face-down
(hole cards) and one card face-up (door card)
3. First betting round
4. Each player is dealt one card face-up (4th
street)
5. Second betting round
6. Each player is dealt another card face-up
(5th street)
7. Third betting round
8. Each player is dealt another card face-up (6th street)
9. Fourth betting round
10. Each player is dealt a last card face-down
(river)
11. Final betting round
12. Showdown
At the showdown, players may use any 5 of their 7 cards to make their best
possible high poker hand, and any 5 of their 7 cards to make their best possible
low hand.
The highest hand wins 50% of the pot and the lowest qualifying low hand wins
50% of the pot. If no low hand qualifies then the highest hand wins the entire
pot.
Very seldom, a situation occurs where there are not enough cards left in the
deck to give each player their own river card. In this event, the dealer will
turn one boardcard face-up and it will be used as a community card.
Please check Roberts Rules
Of Poker for a more complete discussion of the rules and for any irregularities
from the above.
Omaha 8 or better is a game of Flushes. When playing hands stay away from “naked” A-2
combinations that have no back-up low. Always look for hands where the Ace is
suited.
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