The game has gained popularity, both in the US and abroad, due to its true Poker feel and highly challenging game play. A hand of Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo consists of up to five Betting Rounds. Initially, each player places an "Ante" (opening Bet) to "seed" the Pot.
Each player is then dealt two initial, private, facedown "Hole Cards" and one, face up "Door Card". Players who remain active (do not Fold), throughout an entire hand of Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, will receive a total of three facedown cards and four face up cards. After the fifth and final Betting Round is complete, there is a "Showdown". The players that create the highest and lowest (with no card higher in value than eight) ranking (valued), five card, Poker hands, using any combination of five of their seven total cards, split the Pot 50%-50% (if one player creates both the highest and lowest ranking Poker hands, that player receives the entire Pot). Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Step-by-Step Step 1: The Ante * Before the first deal of the cards, each player "Sitting-in" places an initial Ante (opening Bet) (see the Limits, Antes & Rake in the how to play section of this site), in the center of the table, to "seed" the Pot. Step 2: The Hole and Door Cards - The First Deal * The Dealer distributes two facedown "Hole Cards" and one face up "Door Card".
The cards are dealt in a clockwise fashion, one at a time, starting with the first player to the left of the Dealer. Step 3: The First Betting Round Betting Limit: 1/2 of the Table's Lower Limit Stake * The player with the lowest ranking (valued) Door Card showing, by suit, initiates the first Betting Round. This player is required to Bet no less than the "Bring-in" amount (half of the table's Lower Limit Stake), up to the table's Lower Limit Stake. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. Step 4: "Fourth Street" - The Second Deal * Each active player (has not Folded), is dealt one additional card, face up.
Step 5: The Second Betting Round Betting Limit: *Lower Limit Stake * The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the second Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. o The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Lower Limit Stake; o In the event that a player is "Showing" a Pair, with their two face up cards, at the beginning of the second Betting Round, players have the option to Bet in multiples of either that table's Lower or Higher Limit Stake. If a player Bets at the table's Higher Limit Stake, all following players are required to continue Betting at the table's Higher Limit Stake.
Step 6: "Fifth Street" - The Third Deal * Each active player is dealt one additional card, face up. Step 7: The Third Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake * The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the third Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake. Step 8: "Sixth Street" - The Fourth Deal * Each active player is dealt one additional card, face up.
Step 9: The Fourth Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake * The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the fourth Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake. Step 10: "The River" - The Fifth and Final Deal * Each active player is dealt one additional card, face down. o Occasionally, there are not enough cards in the deck to give each player their own final seventh card, the River, face down. In this case, one card will be placed, face up, in the center of the table.
This "Community Boardcard" is shared by all active players. Step 11: The Fifth and Final Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake * The active player with the highest valued card(s) showing begins the fifth Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake.
Step 12: The Showdown * Once the fifth Betting Round has been completed, there is a "Showdown" (if more than one player remains active - see the Showdown below). In the Showdown, each active player combines any five of their seven total cards, to create: 1. The lowest ranking (valued), five card, Poker hand possible, with no card higher in value than eight (see the Hand Ranking Chart section of this site); Or 2. The highest ranking, five card, Poker hand possible; Or 3.
Both the highest and lowest ranking Poker hands possible. * The two active players who create the highest and lowest ranking Poker hands split the Pot 50%-50%, minus the "Rake" (see the Limits, Antes & Rake in the how to play section of this site). "All-in" Policy applies to all game Pots (see All-in Policy in the House Rules section of this site). 1. Should one active player create both the highest and lowest ranking Poker hands, that player receives the entire Pot, minus any All-in Pots and the Rake. 2.
If there is no qualifying low hand (with no card higher in value than eight), the player with the highest ranking hand receives the entire Pot, minus any All-in Pots and the Rake.
This article about Texas Holdem provided by Pacificpoker.com.
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