7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Starting Hands

One variety of poker is Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.  In this version, there is the possibility of a division of the pot between two of the players.  The player guaranteed a share of the pot is the one with the highest hand.  However, there is the opportunity for a second player with a qualifying low hand to take half the winnings.  A qualifying low hand requires that five cards have classifications of eight or lower.  If no player has such a hand, the player with the high hand takes the pot.
     
Other rules apply when determining a low hand.  Keep in mind that flushes and straights only have value for a high hand.  Aces may be played as high or low in case you need options in deciding whether to shoot for the low hand or the high. 

Taking only half the pot may seem like silver lining in the face of a bad hand, but remember that a player who plays a low hand is also ensuring that the other player is only taking half as well.  In the long run, the gap between taking only half the pot and taking all of it (also known as “scooping”) keeps the winning player from getting beyond the reach of the others.

Decide early whether to aim for the high or the low.  If you are initially dealt primarily low cards with no matching pairs (pairs being helpful for high hands), pursue the low hand remembering the benefits of splitting the pot rather than allowing one of your opponents to take the entire profits.  Don’t forget, however, that other players may be following the same plan.  For example, if you have a “high” low card (such as a seven or eight) and another player keeps raising the pot, he or she may in fact have a better low hand (such as threes and twos).  In the same way that one should fold if one suspects an opponent of having a better high hand, one should bow out after spotting the signs of a better low hand.

Unlike with low cards, high cards without pairs should just be folded.  A qualifying low hand is impossible and a winning high hand unlikely.  The final hand most expected would be a pair that is rarely enough to beat out opponents.  The same outcome is probable when facing a hand of both high and low unpaired cards. 

Low card combinations that should be followed through involve the few hands that stand a good chance of being either strong low or high hands.  Cards that have low classes but are set up for likely straights or flushes or the much desired straight flush.  If you are dealt, for example, a two of diamonds, a five of diamonds, and a six of diamonds, you may well draw the right cards to complete a straight flush and win the high hand.  If this fails, odds are still in your favor for having a good low hand and chipping half the pot away from someone else.  Two low cards and an ace are also desirable for the same level of flexibility (remember aces may be played as high or low). 

Beginning hands of high cards are less complicated.  Look for standard good hands, only remember that pairs are at their best when they are face cards or accompanied by an ace.  Common sense demands that one who is dealt three of a kind continues playing regardless of the class.   
   
Remember, in this game one is watching for either a strong low hand or a strong high hand.  Mismatching or weak sets should be folded.