7 Card Stud Hi/Lo

In a Hi-lo Poker game, more than one player has the opportunity to win and split the pot. Players' hands consist of seven cards dealt to each player. The first two are dealt face down. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth cards are dealt face up. The final (seventh) card is dealt face down. A player wins by having the highest-ranking or lowest-ranking hand of five cards (or both). In the same hand, the low hand and high hand can use different sets of cards.

Each hand can start with seven players or fewer. If eight players are sitting at the table, one has to sit out for the hand.

How Play Proceeds

Play begins with each player adding his or her ante to the pot. The ante for Seven Card Stud at the Hoyle Casino is 40 percent of the lower bet amount. Each player receives two cards face down and one card face up, followed by the first betting interval.
The player with the lowest-ranking card showing must open the betting. (If there is a tie in low card rank, the player closest to the left of the dealer opens.) This is called the blind open. The blind open bet is half the amount of the lower bet amount for the table. Each player then has the option to call, raise, or fold.

The first raise increases the size of the bet to the size of the lower bet amount for the game. The betting continues as long as players keep raising their bets (up to three raises, not counting an opening partial raise). If only two players are in the hand, the number of raises can be unlimited. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting has equalized).

On the next three rounds of dealing, each active player receives a face-up card, then another betting interval takes place. Cards are dealt face up until the player has four face-up cards (and two face down). The betting intervals at this stage of the game begin with the player who has the highest-ranking cards showing. This player can check, fold, or open with a bet. Each player then has the option to check, call, raise, or fold. The betting continues as long as players keep raising their bets. Betting stops when all players have called (the betting has equalized).

During the first and second betting intervals, the lower bet amount for the table is in force for bets. On the third, fourth, and final betting intervals, betting must open and continue at the higher bet amount for the table.
Finally, the last card is dealt to each player (seventh card, face down). The highest hand showing starts the betting. When betting is complete, all players who are still in show their hands (the showdown). The players with the highest- and lowest-ranking five cards split the pot. If there is a tie between high hands or low hands, the high or low portion of the pot is then split between those hands.

For example:
Pot = $100
Player 1 wins high and gets $50.
Player 2 ties low and gets $25.
Player 3 ties low and gets $25.

Summary

Three cards dealt to each player (two down, one up), first betting interval.
Fourth card dealt to each player face up, second interval.
Fifth card dealt to each player face up, third interval.
Sixth card dealt to each player face up, fourth interval.
Seventh card dealt to each player face down, final betting interval.