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How to Play:
7-Card Stud 8

Description:

7 Card Stud 8 or Better Poker, also known as Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, is a popular variant of Seven Card Stud where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand, provided the low hand qualifies. The objective is to form the best high hand, the best low hand, or both.

Game Setup

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and typically accommodates 2 to 8 players. Each player starts with an equal number of chips. The dealer position rotates clockwise after each hand.

Dealing the Cards

The dealing process in 7 Card Stud 8 or Better involves a combination of face-down and face-up cards:

• Third Street: Each player is dealt two face-down cards (hole cards) and one face-up card. The player with the lowest face-up card starts the first round of betting.
• Fourth Street: Each player is dealt another face-up card, followed by a round of betting starting with the player showing the highest-ranking hand.
• Fifth Street: Each player is dealt another face-up card, followed by another betting round starting with the highest-ranking hand.
• Sixth Street: Each player is dealt another face-up card, followed by a betting round starting with the highest-ranking hand.
• Seventh Street: Each player is dealt a final face-down card, followed by the final round of betting.

Betting Rounds

There are five betting rounds in 7 Card Stud 8 or Better:

• Third Street: The player with the lowest face-up card starts the betting. This is known as the "bring-in" bet.
• Fourth Street: Betting starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand.
• Fifth Street: Betting starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand. This is where the betting limit typically doubles in fixed-limit games.
• Sixth Street: Betting starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand.
• Seventh Street: Betting starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand.

Low Hand Qualification

For a low hand to qualify, it must consist of five unpaired cards with ranks of 8 or lower. Aces are low for the purposes of forming a low hand. Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand. The best possible low hand is A-2-3-4-5, also known as a "wheel."

Showdown

After the final betting round, if two or more players remain, there is a showdown. Players reveal their hands, and the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If no low hand qualifies, the high hand wins the entire pot. Standard poker hand rankings are used to determine the best high hand.

Hand Rankings

The hand rankings for the high hand in 7 Card Stud 8 or Better are the same as in traditional poker:

• Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
• Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
• Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
• Flush: Five cards of the same suit.
• Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits.
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
• Two Pair: Two pairs of different ranks.
• One Pair: One pair of the same rank.
• High Card: The highest card if no other hand is made.

Strategies

7 Card Stud 8 or Better requires a combination of high and low hand strategies:

• Pay close attention to your own and your opponents' upcards to gauge the potential strength of high and low hands.
• Start with hands that have the potential to win both the high and low halves of the pot (scoop).
• Be aware of the cards that have been folded to improve your understanding of the remaining deck.
• Adjust your betting strategy based on the strength of your hand and the likelihood of making a qualifying low hand.
• Consider folding if your hand does not have potential to win either the high or low portion of the pot.

Game Type: Stud Style

Split Game: Yes

Cards Dealt: 7

Max Players: 8