How To Play 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo

March 24, 2010

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo is one of the classic Stud poker game that have been popular for several years.  The game is easy to learn as the rules are listed below to help you enjoy this great betting game of chance.

At the beginning of every hand in play of FL 7 Card Stud H-Lo, all players must contribute a small bet to the pot, which is called the ante.  The ante is typically used as an incentive for players to play their hand and build up the pot for the round.

Stakes, Ante, and Betting

In the rules of 7 Card Stud Hilo, the “stakes” column will dictate the raise and bet amount for each round of the game.  The lower number is used for the first two rounds of play, while the higher number is used for the last three betting rounds.  For example, a $2/$4 stakes table, the first two rounds max is $2, and the last three rounds of play will have a raise/bet limit of $4.

Once the ante has been thrown into the pot by each player, the dealer will then deal each player two cards that are facing down (the pocket), and one face up card (the door).  Once all players have received their first three cards, the first round of betting (bring-in) can begin.
If two or more players are showing the same door card, the suit ranking will then determine who is first to bet.  The ranks of the suits are from weakest to strongest-Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades.  The player with the high card shown will begin betting, and then betting by each player will go clockwise around the table.  Any raise after the bring-in must be the lower stake amount.

After the bring-in, each player will then be dealt another card to them facing up:  This is called Third Street.  The highest shown hand will open the betting round.  However, if a pair is shown on Third Street, the player with the pair has an option of doubling their bet for the round.

The Streets

The next round, Fourth Street, another card is dealt to each player facing up.  The high hand will open the betting round.  Keep in mind that the last three rounds of play, the bet amount is now at the higher stake ($4 in the $2/$4 example). At Fifth Street, the last face up card is dealt to the players, and the high hand will open the round of betting.  As in all rounds of play, players have the choice to call, bet or raise their hand as long as the amount does not exceed the stakes amount. The last card that is dealt to each player is called the River card.  This card is dealt facing down.  As before, the highest shown hand will lead the betting, and the limit is the upper stake of the game.  You play 7 Card Stud HL with a standard fifty two card deck, there may be instances when the dealer will run out of cards.  If this is the case, the dealer will deal out one card in the center of the poker table, which is called the Community card that can be used by all players to complete their hand for the round.

Determining the Winner

Once all of the bets have been called, it is time to determine the winner.  The last player to raise or bet their hand in the River are first to show their hand.  Once that player has revealed his hand, in a clockwise manner, each player will reveal their hand during play.  Any player can use any combination of five cards in their hand to make the best possible hand to win the pot, and the standard poker rankings come into play.

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