7-Card Stud Hi/Lo (8 or Better)

What does '8 or better' mean in Stud Hi/Lo?

To qualify for the low half of the pot, your best 5-card low hand must contain five unpaired cards where the highest card is an 8 or lower. So 8-6-5-4-3 qualifies; 9-5-4-3-2 does not. If no player has a qualifying low, the entire pot goes to the best high hand ('scoop'). Aces count as low for lowball purposes (A-2-3-4-5 is the nuts low — 'the wheel'). Straights and flushes do NOT disqualify a low hand because they only count for the high side.

Can the same hand win both halves of the pot?

Yes — this is called 'scooping' the pot and is the goal of every Stud 8/B hand. The classic example: A-2-3-4-5 (the wheel) is both a 5-high straight (strong high hand) AND the best possible low (5-4-3-2-A). One player holding the wheel with no better high hand at the table wins everything. Premium Stud 8/B starting hands are those with two-way potential — typically three low cards including an ace.

How is Stud Hi/Lo dealt compared to regular Stud?

Identical dealing structure. Each player gets 2 down + 1 up (3rd street), then three more up cards (4th, 5th, 6th streets), then one final down card (7th street/river). Five betting rounds total. Bring-in goes to LOWEST showing card on 3rd street (same as standard Stud — opposite of Razz where highest brings in). From 4th street onward, HIGHEST showing hand acts first. The only difference is how the pot is awarded at showdown.

What are the best starting hands in Stud 8/B?

Three-card hands with two-way potential. Tier 1: rolled-up trips (any), A-2-3 suited (huge scoop potential), low three-flushes containing A-2. Tier 2: three low cards 8-or-under with an ace, three to a straight 7-or-under. Avoid 'trap hands' — high pairs and high trips (like JJJ or KKK) win only HALF the pot when a low qualifies, making them break-even at best in multiway pots. The mantra: 'scoop or fold' — play hands that can win both ways.

Is Stud 8/B part of HORSE?

Yes — the 'S' (sometimes 'E' depending on format) in HORSE stands for Stud 8 or Better. HORSE rotates Hold'em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Eight-or-better, one hand each round (or one orbit each in tournament play). The WSOP runs a $10,000 Stud 8/B Championship annually. The 2024 winner was Erez Levy, earning $337K. Stud 8/B is also part of the 8-Game and 10-Game mixes that elite cash players spread in Bobby's Room and online.