Also known as 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo and Stud 8, Stud Eight or Better is essentially a mix of
Stud ⚾️ and Razz.
Stud Hi-Lo is a split pot game. The best high hand wins half of the pot,
and the best ⚾️ low hand wins the other half of the pot. The low hand must "qualify" with
at least five cards below ⚾️ 8 in order to win half of the pot. This game uses the A-to-5
lowball rankings for low hands, in ⚾️ which straights and flushes do not count against
your hand.
It is possible for a player to win both the high ⚾️ and low portions of the pot
-- known as "scooping". If there is no qualifying low hand (five cards below ⚾️ 8), the
best high hand scoops the whole pot.
(Note: This guide covers the rules of Stud Hi-Lo.
You can also ⚾️ learn 7 Card Stud here or 5 Card Stud here.)
Stud Hi-Lo / Eight or Better
Rules
Stud 8 is almost always ⚾️ played as a fixed limit betting game. The small bet size
is used during the first two rounds of betting ⚾️ (third and fourth street), and the big
bet size is used on fifth street and beyond.
The small bet size is ⚾️ used during the
first two rounds of betting (third and fourth street), and the big bet size is used on
⚾️ fifth street and beyond. Each player antes a fraction of the small bet before the cards
are dealt. In aR$2/$4 ⚾️ limit game, for example, the antes are usuallyR$0.30.
In aR$2/$4
limit game, for example, the antes are usuallyR$0.30. Three cards are ⚾️ dealt to each
player, including two face-down "hole cards" and one face-up "door card".
two face-down
"hole cards" and one face-up ⚾️ "door card". The player with the lowest Door Card must
start the betting with the Bring-In, which is usually about ⚾️ half the size of the small
bet. Alternatively, the player may also complete the size of the small
bet.
Alternatively, the ⚾️ player may also complete the size of the small bet. If multiple
players have the same low card, the card ⚾️ with the lowest suit will Bring-In (the order
from highest to lowest is spades-hearts-diamonds-clubs).
(the order from highest to
lowest is ⚾️ spades-hearts-diamonds-clubs). A round of betting begins with the player to
the left of the Bring-In , who may call the ⚾️ current bet, raise, or fold. The betting
proceeds counterclockwise.
, who may call the current bet, raise, or fold. The betting
⚾️ proceeds counterclockwise. Four more cards are dealt to each player with rounds of
betting in between: Fourth Street: Each player ⚾️ is dealt another card face up. There is
then a round of betting, and the player with the highest value ⚾️ exposed hand is first to
act, so a player with Q ♦ -4♠ exposed would act before a player with ⚾️ 5 ♥ -3♠ exposed.
The player may bet the small bet size or check unless any player is showing a ⚾️ pair, in
which case they, or any other player, may raise the stakes by using the big bet size
instead. ⚾️ Fifth Street: Each player is dealt another card face up. As with the previous
street, there is a round of ⚾️ betting and the player with the highest exposed hand acts
first. This time, the player may bet the bigger limit ⚾️ bet or check. Sixth Street: Once
again, each player is dealt another card face up, and the player with the ⚾️ highest
exposed hand must act first, either checking or betting the big bet size. Seventh
Street (the 'river'): On Seventh ⚾️ Street, each player is dealt one final card face down
for a total of three face-down cards and four exposed ⚾️ cards. The player with the
highest exposed hand is first to act in the final round of betting, and they ⚾️ must bet
the big bet size or check.
Showdown and Hand Rankings
The pot is split between the best
low hand (following ⚾️ the A-to-5 lowball hand rankings) and the best high hand. If there
is no qualifying low hand, the best high ⚾️ hand wins the whole pot.
Note: Are you here
just to learn how to play poker...or do you want to know ⚾️ how to win too? Get this free
guide with 10 quick poker strategy tips if you want to come out ⚾️ on top.
Note: Are you
here just to learn how to play poker...or do you want to know how to win ⚾️ too? Get this
free guide with 10 quick poker strategy tips if you want to come out on top.
Check out
⚾️ this article for some Stud 8 strategy.
