Continuing with some of our beginner tips, here are a few thoughts on 7 Card Hi/Lo. It’s a fun game, but also pretty skillful. Like other split games, it takes a bit of playing to grasp the concept fully. Check it out:
7 card Hi Lo is a great game that invites a lot of action as players are gunning for both Hi and Lo hands. However a lot of players, even those with a decent level of experience at regular 7 card stud, fail to understand what hands do well in the Hi Lo game.
To understand what hands will do well in any split game, you must grasp the concept and how to make profit – to scoop the pots. Scoop means to take both the high and low halves of the pot.
Hands with aces are naturally a good hand, providing they are offset with a few low cards preferably suited. These hands should be played semi aggressively depending on the straight and flush draw odds. Better hands are those with three low suited connectors such as; 2s,3s,4s. Such a hand has good strong straight and flush draw outs and will most likely scoop the entire pot.
A common mistake made by many players new to 7 card Hi Lo are playing hands that would be good for regular 7 card. A hand such as KJQ while it might make a good high hand possibility, it will only manage to win half the pot at best. These hands should best be played with caution and be ready to be mucked should your opponent develop a strong looking board.
If you are in late position and there is a lot of action in front of you (with lo cards up) then it can be worth taking a chance on the hi cards. There is no guarantee that a lo hand will be made so you could still scoop the whole pot with a strong hi hand. You should have a pretty good idea by fifth street where you stand. Make people pay to chase the lo if you are strong there.