Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo: Rules and How to Play
Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo is a classic stud poker variant where players compete for the high and low halves of the pot. Each player receives seven cards over several betting rounds, but only their best five-card hand counts at showdown.
The aim is to make the strongest high hand, the best qualifying low hand, or a hand that wins both halves of the pot. Understanding how the high and low hands are ranked is key to making informed decisions throughout the game.
New to the rules? Visit our Poker Hand Rankings page to learn more.
How Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Works
Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo uses an eight-or-better rule for low hands. To qualify for the low half of the pot, a hand must contain five unpaired cards ranked eight or lower.
- High hand: The highest five-card poker hand wins the high half of the pot.
- Low hand: The best qualifying five-card low hand wins the low half.
- No qualifying low: If no player has a qualifying low hand, the high hand wins the entire pot.
The low hand follows the Ace-to-Five, or California, ranking system. Aces count as low, and straights and flushes do not count against a low hand. This means a hand can qualify for low while also being a strong high hand.
The best possible low hand is 5-4-3-2-A, known as the wheel. If one player wins both the high and low halves of the pot, they achieve a scoop.
Examples of qualifying low hands
The following hands are ranked from a weaker qualifying low to the strongest possible low. Actual results depend on the other hands at showdown.
Rank
Low hand
Description
1
8-7-6-5-4
Eight-low
2
8-7-6-5-3
Eight-low
3
8-6-4-2-A
Eight-low
4
8-4-3-2-A
Eight-low
5
7-6-5-4-2
Seven-low
6
7-6-5-2-A
Seven-low
7
7-5-4-3-2
Seven-low
8
6-5-4-3-2
Six-low
9
6-4-3-2-A
Six-low
10
5-4-3-2-A
Five-low (the wheel)
Low hands are compared from their highest card downwards. For example, a Six-Four low beats a Six-Five low because the second-highest card is lower.
For more information about how hands compare, visit our Poker Hand Rankings page.
Rules for Playing Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
A hand of Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo progresses through five streets, with a betting round after each deal. Here's what to expect at each stage.
1. Ante
Before the hand begins, every player contributes an ante to the pot. The amount depends on the table and is displayed in the table information.
2. Third Street
Each player receives three cards: two face down and one face up.
The player showing the lowest-ranked card starts the betting with the bring-in. They can either make the required bring-in payment or choose to complete the bet to the lower betting limit.
Betting then continues clockwise until the round is complete.
3. Fourth Street
Each remaining player receives another face-up card.
The player with the highest-ranking exposed cards acts first and can check or bet. In Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, a pair on Fourth Street does not increase the betting limit. Bets remain at the lower increment.
For example, in a $1/$2 limit game, the bet on Fourth Street is $1.
A betting round follows.
4. Fifth Street
Each remaining player receives a third face-up card.
The player with the highest-ranking exposed cards acts first. From Fifth Street onwards, bets and raises use the higher betting increment.
For example, in a $1/$2 limit game, bets are now made in $2 increments.
A betting round follows.
5. Sixth Street
Each remaining player receives another face-up card.
As before, the player with the highest-ranking exposed cards acts first, followed by another betting round.
6. Seventh Street (the River)
Each remaining player receives a seventh and final card, dealt face down.
The player with the highest-ranking exposed cards acts first. After the final betting round, any hand with more than one remaining player proceeds to showdown.
The Showdown: Determining the High and Low Winners
Once the final betting round is complete, the remaining players reveal their cards.
- If there was a bet or raise on the final round, the last player to bet or raise shows their hand first.
- If there was no bet, the player in the earliest seat shows first, followed by the other players clockwise.
Each player's best five-card hand is evaluated for both high and low.
The best high hand wins half the pot, while the best qualifying low hand wins the other half. If no low hand qualifies, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Remember, a qualifying low must contain five unpaired cards ranked eight or lower. Aces count as low, and straights and flushes do not disqualify a low hand.
If two or more players tie for the best high or low hand, that portion of the pot is split accordingly.
Once the pot has been awarded, the next hand can begin.
Player Betting Options
As in other poker variants, your available actions depend on the betting so far.
- Fold: Give up your hand and take no further part in the pot.
- Check: Pass the action without betting, provided no bet has been made.
- Bet: Put chips into the pot when no bet has been made.
- Call: Match the current bet to continue playing.
- Raise: Match the current bet and increase it.
In limit games, bets and raises follow predetermined amounts. Check the table limits before you play so you know which betting options are available.
Additional Rules and Situations
A few additional rules help determine how a hand proceeds:
- Ties for the bring-in: If players have the same lowest exposed card on Third Street, suit determines who acts first. Suits rank from lowest to highest as clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. This rule applies to the bring-in only, not to determining tied hands at showdown.
- Bring-in and all-in players: If the player required to make the bring-in is all-in for the ante and cannot make the required payment, the bring-in moves clockwise to the next player, regardless of their exposed card.
- Running out of cards: Seven Card Stud is generally played with up to eight players using a standard 52-card deck. In the rare event that there are not enough cards to deal everyone a seventh card, one community card is dealt face up and shared by the remaining players.
Explore Other Poker Games
If you're familiar with Seven Card Stud, the high-only version of the game, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo is a natural variant to explore.
You can also discover other poker formats:
- Omaha Hi/Lo: Compete for the high and qualifying low halves of the pot using Omaha rules.
- Texas Hold'em: Explore one of the most widely played poker variants.
- Razz: Play a stud variant where the lowest hand wins the entire pot, without an eight-or-better qualifier.
Visit our Poker Games page to explore the available variants, or head to our online poker lobby to see what's available.
Learn at Your Own Pace
If you're new to stud poker, take time to understand the dealing sequence, betting rounds and hand rankings before playing. Exploring the rules first can help you make more informed decisions at the table.
Where available, use free-play options to familiarise yourself with the game before considering real-money play. Set limits that suit your circumstances, keep track of your play and take a break whenever you need one. For additional guidance, visit our responsible gambling resources.
Explore Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo and other poker variants to find the format that suits your preferences. Play within your limits and enjoy the game responsibly.