Stud Hi-Lo
Stud Hi-Lo is a unique stud variant in which the game is split between high and low hands.
Players need an eight or better hand for the low end, and a high hand can also win a portion of the prize pot. Clubs Poker offers this variant, so players can explore even more interesting ways to enjoy poker gaming.
Below, we provide the full details on Stud Hi-Lo. Learn more about the game’s rules and how to play, plus a few strategies to help you during a gaming session.
What Is Stud Hi-Lo Poker?
Stud Hi-Lo is played like a classic Stud, with two hole cards per player and one face-up card.
The difference with hi-lo is that a player can win with both the high and low hand. The pot is split if there is a low and high qualifying hand. A-5 lowball rankings will qualify for low hands, with straights and flushes not counting against the low hand.
Players can win both the low and high portions of the prize pot. This is called scooping. If no low high qualifies, the high hand wins the full pot.
Stud Hi-Lo Poker Rules
Stud Hi-Lo is typically played as a fixed limit.
This means the play amount will be fixed in the early rounds of a hand. Each player must include the big or small blind when it falls on them. Others must decide to play or fold.
When the game begins, the two hole cards and one face-up card are dealt to each player. The face-up card is known as the door card. The player with the lowest door card will start the play with the Bring-in. This amount is typically half the small play amount.
If multiple players have the same low card, the start point is based on the card suit. The highest to lowest ranking for suits is spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. The first round is known as Third Street.
After the first round, another face-up card is dealt to each player.
The highest face-up card will go first and choose to check/call, fold, or raise. The second round is known as Fourth Street. The game continues with Fifth and Sixth Street before the final round, known as the showdown.
Players must now make a five-card hand with their cards and the community board. The game can offer a split pot if there is a low-qualifying and high-qualifying hand.
Stud Hi-Lo Poker Hands
For the high-hand wins, players need the typical options like:
- Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards with the same suit.
- Four of a Kind: Four of the same cards and one additional card.
- Full House: Three of the same cards and two of the same cards, like 9-9-2-2-2.
- Flush: Five cards with the same suit.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards without the same suit.
On the low end, players need to have an A-5 lowball ranking hand to win. This can include:
- Five Low: 5-4-3-2-A
- Six Low: 6-5-4-3-A
- Seven Low: 7-5-4-2-A
- Eight Low: 8-5-4-2-A
Playing Strategies For Stud Hi-Lo Poker
Once you understand the hand rankings, you are ready to play.
Use the strategies below to try to give yourself better odds during the session.
- Play Fewer, Stronger Hands: Don’t be tempted to play a wide range of starting hands. Pick a hand that can win both ways. Strong hands will include three consecutive cards or low-suited cards, three low cards with an ace or a pair of aces, and a low card.
- Review Exposed Low Cards: Pay special attention to Third Street so that you know what low cards you need and check if they are possibly live. If the low cards are not in play, you will not get the cards you need to create a qualifying hand.
- High Pairs Can Lose: A low hand can easily hit a second pair or create a set or flush. Be leery of playing high pairs, as it may be your downfall.
How To Play Stud Hi-Lo Poker At Clubs Poker?
- Log in to Clubs Poker.
- Use the lobby to locate Stud Hi-Lo Poker games.
- Select a game that matches your criteria.
- Provide the entry, and the table pops up.
- Once seated, you can play and try to get a low or high qualifying hand.
- The rounds will continue through preflop, the flop, turn, and river to reach the showdown.
- In the showdown, all players show their cards to determine the single or multiple winners to split the pot.