Five Tips for 7 Card Stud High/Low
Seven card stud high/low is a twist on regular seven card stud where the pot at the end of the game is split between the player who holds the high poker hand and the seven card stud player with the lowest stud lo hand – although there is oftentimes not a low hand winner. The high hand winner in seven card stud high/low is determined by traditional poker rules. The low hand that wins in seven card stud high/low must be made up of five cards that are eight or lower. Seven card stud high/low can also have one winner take of both the high and low pot with a hand such as ace – two – three – four – five. As you can see, seven card stud high/low can be quite exciting!
Some seven card stud high/low tips to keep you on top of your game and pulling chips in your direction:
Seven Card Stud High/Low Tip #1 – Scooping
Because seven card stud high/low poker is a split pot game, keep in mind that there is a huge difference in taking home half of the pot and taking home the entire thing (called “scooping” the pot). Winning just half of the seven card stud high/low pot may only put your chips barely higher than they were before the hand began. To be profitable in seven card stud high/low, you can settle for half of the pot from time to time – but true to the bone poker enthusiasts will play only hands that have a great chance of winning the entire pot. What this boils down to is: never play uncertain half-pot hands through to the end. Instead, wait for those hands that can take that are valuable on the low and high end of the spectrum – those that will take it all.
Seven Card Stud High/Low Tip #2 – Hand Selection
In seven card stud high/low, the first four cards can play a major role in whether you win or lose. If your starting hand is being formed according to your plans, you may be in a strong position to take the entire pot. If, however, as is sometimes the case, your starting hand is going in all the wrong directions, the time is ripe for you to get out as early as possible to escape being simply second best – as pros tell you, second best is not what it is all cracked up to be, not profitable in the long run.
Seven Card Stud High/Low Tip #3 – Playing Strong Hands
When you do get an optimally formed hand in seven card stud high/low, run with it! Bet all of your playable hands rather than checking the hand. Oftentimes, there are opponents sitting around the table just waiting for someone to bet instead of check so that they can get out. The only time you should really check in seven card stud high/low is if you intend to fold to a competitor’s bet.
Seven Card Stud High/Low Tip #4 – Watching The Cards
Keep your eye on the board for the key cards that you need to make the best (or worst) hand in seven card stud high/low possible. If you see that every card you are holding is still alive, then chances are that you don’t have a good hand!
Seven Card Stud High/Low Tip #5 – Knowing Your Opponents
Study your competition with a discerning eyeball. What should you be looking for or what information can you find out from them? What you want to concentrate your efforts on finding out is whether they play more hands or fold more hands, if they have a propensity to bluff, would they buy in to a bluff if you tried one, do they have any particular mannerisms that you can pick up on (tells) that let you know if they are holding a strong hand or a weak one? In seven card stud high/low, as in any poker game, reading the competition can be one of the best determinants of how you will play your best game ever.
