7-Card Stud Hi-Lo: 8 or Lower for a Low Hand

7 Card Stud Hi Lo, Hand Selection
July 25 2008

In order for you to have a qualifying low hand in the game of 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo, you must have five cards under 8. There’s no such thing as a low hand with a 9 in it. This is different from other forms of poker you may be used to playing.

Some games like Omaha Hi-Lo present situations where someone will have a 9 or 10 as part of their low hand. In that game the board must show three cards under 8 for anyone to have a low hand. You make the best low hand with the two lowest cards in your hand. In Razz your low hand is simply the five lowest cards in your hand. There’s no qualifying for the hand; low hand is guaranteed to be in play every hand.

So remember that when you’re drawing to a low hand in 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo, you don’t have one unless you qualify. And if it looks like your opponents are on the high hand, they will get the entire pot if you don’t hit your small cards.

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