Generally, players will post their “antes” prior to being dealt two down cards and one up card each, which is followed by the initial round of betting which is started with a “force bet”. The initial betting round is followed by three additional up cards being dealt one at a time, with a betting round following each one. A final down card is then dealt followed by the last betting round. After the initial betting round, action is started by the player whose up cards form the highest-ranking hand. If there is a tie in determining the highest-ranking hand, the player with the tied hand sitting closest to the left of the Dealer must start the action for that betting round.
On the first betting round of a “structured limit” game, any player, including the player required to make the forced bet, may bet either the force amount or the lower structured amount for that betting round. Once the structured bet has been made, all calls and/or raises must be made by the structured bet amount.
In a structured game, if there is an open pair on the fourth card, any active player has the option of making a bet or raising at the higher limit.
On the first betting round of a “spread limit” game, any player, including the player required to make the forced bet, may bet any amount within the limits at any time. However, all raises must be equal to or greater than the previous bet or raise, without exceeding the maximum dollar limit for that game.
7-Card Stud High-Low Poker Rules:
A variation of the 7-Card Stud where both the “High” (best) hand splits the pot with the “Low” (worst) hand. A player can win both the high and low hands, thereby winning the entire pot. Players do not “declare” whether they are playing for high, low, or both. The winners are determined by reading the value of hands in accordance with basic 7-Card Stud for high and in accordance with “Razz” for low. Players may use a different combination of cards to make their best high hand and best low hand.
Because pairs have no value for a low hand, the bet on the fourth card is always the lower amount in a structured game.
7-Card High-Low, 8 or Better Poker Rules:
This game is played in the identical manner as 7-Card Stud High-Low, however, there is a “Low” hand “qualifier” of “8 or Better” in place. In order to have a valid low hand, and thus qualify for the low portion of the pot, the best five card low hand must contain five unpaired cards less than nine. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand will then win the entire pot.
Razz Poker Rules (7-Card Stud Low):
A variation of 7-Card Stud where the “Low” (worst) hand wins the pot. Aces play as low only, thus kings are the highest ranking card. Straights and flushes do not count against the value of the hand. Therefore, the best possible hand is 5-4-3-2-A (referred to as a “bicycle” or a “wheel”). In determining the initial force action, the player with the highest ranking card (by suit if necessary) must start the action. On all subsequent betting rounds, action starts with the player whose up cards form the lowest ranking hand.
The bet on the fourth card is always the lower amount of the structured betting limits.