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Seven-card Stud High-Low Poker Defined
Seven-card High-low Stud is dealt the same way as one-winner Seven-card Stud.
This is a variation favored among High-low enthusiasts.
To illustrate an example, stakes in this group are one chip ante by each player; two chip limit, until a pair shows or the sixth card is dealt; then the limit is increased to four chips.
Two raises per player per round are permitted. The chip declaration is used.
Say, Player G deals. The open cards are: A--- J; B--- A; C--- eight; D--- K; E--- six; F--- nine; You--- A; H--- 10. B bets. C calls. D raises. F raises. You have a pair of Q's in the hole. Do you raise, call, or fold?
If this were the high-hand-wins form of Seven-card Stud, you would be happy with your pair of Q's. Here. You must fold because, as in most High-low variations, the odds are in favor of the low hands.
A hand which starts out as a low may develop into a contending high; five four three may become a winning low or a straight.
With your pair of Q's, you are virtually out of the running for low, and if you catch another repair, you will be hooked. If you catch a winning high, you will get only half of the pot. Retire from the action now.
It is also unsound, in this variation, to stay with a pair of J's, 10's, nines, or eights.
Now, A deals. The open cards are: B--- two; C--- A; D--- four, F--- J; G--- five; You--- K; H--- seven; A--- Q.
C bets this time. D raises. F folds. G raises. You have an A K in the hole. Do you raise, call, or fold? Fold, because the price of staying with your pair of K's has become too high.
When you can get in at a low price, a pair of K's constitutes a borderline call and requires delicate management thereafter.
Now, D deals. Open cards are: E--- five; F--- A; You--- 10; H--- J; A--- seven; B--- seven; C--- four; and D--- nine. F bets. You have A two in the hole. Do you raise, call, or fold?
Fold. This is the type of hand which traps those who ignore the odds. The A two look promising, but the 10 fouls your hand.
You want to catch a strong low, and that means a hand topped by the eight or a lower card. You need three low cards out of the remaining four available to you, and you probably won't catch them.
Recommended minimum staying requirement when you aim for low: eight-high in your first three cards.
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