Poker Rules:7 Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better

7 Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better is also offered for free in most of the online poker rooms as well. The rules of 7 Card stud Hi Lo 8 or Better is very similar to the rules of the standard 7 Card Stud poker game. The only difference is that the pot is split between the high hand hand and the low hand (if one qualifies).

The rules to qualify for the low hand are this - a low hand must be five unpaired cards, with the highest card no greater than an 8.

A, 2, 3, 4, 5 is the best low hand (as straights and flushes do not apply to low hands).

In order to win the low hand, players must have 5 un-paired cards with the highest card of eight or below, otherwise the poker hand does not qualify for the low hand.

The winning low hand (8 or better) is first decided by the player with the lowest high card. Upon a tie with the high card, the hand goes to the player with the next lowest high card. If two highest cards are tied, then you move on to the third highest card etc. Any hand of 5 cards that contains card values of 9 or higher CANNOT qualify as a low hand.

If there is no qualifying low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.

At the showing of hands (showdown),each player can use any five of their cards for their high hand and any five of their cards for their low hand. The best low hand is A, 2, 3, 4, 5. This will also count as a straight for high. Aces can be used for both high and low. Straights and flushes are not considered when evaluating a low hand. A player can "scoop" (win the entire pot) by showing the highest and lowest hands.