Seven Card Stud Variations

Seven Card Stud is one of the older forms of poker and has inspired many variations on its own. These different variations of 7 Card Stud aren’t played by many people but it’s still possible find the occasional table running. Internet poker sites usually host several variations of Seven Card Stud at their tables.

Before jumping in to a new Seven Card Stud variation, it’s a good idea to get a solid hang of the normal Seven Card Stud rules. These other games require even more concentration due to their unique rules. Poker players who make the effort to learn new poker variations ultimately become more skilled players because it forces the mind to think in new directions.

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo

This game, also called Stud 8 or Better or Stud 8/b, is a popular one for mixed game players. The rules of Hi-Lo are the same as for normal 7 Card Stud except for one key difference. In Hi-Lo, each pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand.

Any hand that contains five cards ranked 8 or lower may qualify for the low half of the pot. Straights and flushes are ignored for the low portion of the pot and the Ace counts as low. The best low hand in this variation is A-2-3-4-5. If nobody has a qualifying low hand, the entire pot is awarded to the player with the best high hand.

Razz

Razz is just slightly different than the Hi-Lo variation of 7 Card Stud. In this variation, the entire pot is awarded to whoever has the best low hand. All aces count as low in Razz and straights and flushes are ignored. The best hand in Razz is A-2-3-4-5.

Unlike 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, Razz poker does not have a requirement that all five cards be ranked 8 or lower. In fact, hands can even have a pair in them and still compete for the pot. It’s not likely that such hands win the pot, of course, but it does occasionally happen.

Other Seven Card Stud Variations

There are countless other Seven Card Stud variations played at home games all around the world. The variations listed above are the most popular and can actually be found online at some of the bigger poker sites. Other variations exist but there are no official rules for such games.

One of the more common Seven Card Stud variations is called “Baseball.” In that game, 3s and 9s are considered wild cards, in reference to three outs and nine innings. Any time a 4 is dealt face-up to a player, that player receives an additional card. Baseball is a crazy game full of big hands and tends to be a hit at casual home games.

For lesser known Seven Card Stud variations, you’ll have to find a home game or host your own. The best place to go for 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo and Razz is on the Internet at large poker sites. Sites such as PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker regularly have active tables featuring such games.