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7 Card Stud H/L Rules
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Razz Poker
Razz Poker Strategy
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How To Play Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo
Seven card stud hi/lo is a popular variation of the classic seven card stud game. In this version the pots are generally larger because there is the potential for two winners per hand. This makes for some interesting play and a change in strategy. 7 card stud hi-lo is like Razz in many ways.
Hand Progression
The high hand in seven cards stud hi/lo follows the the traditional poker hand breakdown, but the lo hand must be an 8 or less. The maximum lo hand would be an 8,7,6,5,4 while the optimal hand is 5,4,3,2,A. In this game the Ace can be played as either high or low. Straights and flushes do qualify for the low hand so the lo straight of A,2,3,4,5 could be a hand that wins you the entire pot.
The hands progress by the players putting in an ante then having two cards dealt face down, one at a time, followed by a round of betting. After that, four cards are dealt face up with a round of betting in between each card. Seventh street is dealt face down followed by another round of betting. The three face down cards make you pay very close attention to what cards are showing to determine what your opponent by be betting on.
Basic 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Strategy
This game gives rise to a different strategy than 7 card stud. Many beginning players think that winning two half-pots will equal winning one full pot. That isn't necessarily true. By the time you have bet several times and anted, you may only get back a tiny bit more than your initial investment from the hand. Most players who are successful at this game will tell you to fold after the first four cards if you do not have a viable chance to “scoop” the whole pot. Having the 8,7,6,5,4 straight puts you in a nice position on the high hand, but it is very risky on the lo end. Anyone with a 7 or 6 high straight will take half the pot from you. The four card and out theory will help you to last longer in a tournament.
In any poker game it is always important to pay close attention to the other players at the table. You have to watch them for tells, but pay a lot of attention to hands that they play. Do they play into 5th and 6th street a lot then fold? Do they tend to bluff as often as possible? Do they only play hands that make sense? Knowing all of these things will help you determine your strategy at the table. If they bluff or play late into hands before folding, you may want to stick with them. The player who only plays good hands is probably going to have a good hand every time he stays. That guy might bluff once in a great while hoping you have noticed his playing, but normally he will be sitting there hoping that you will jump into a pot that he knows he can win.
Seven card stud hi/lo is a very fun game for all levels of experience. Sometimes the professional players get into these tournaments for the variety in strategy. They like to challenge themselves and nothing does that better than playing a game that makes you think outside of the usual box. Seven card stud hi/lo does exactly that.