Eights or Better is also commonly called High Low Seven-Card Stud. Usually two winners split the pot. The highest hand wins, as in regular seven-card stud, and the lowest “qualifying hand” also wins. Aces can be played high or low. It is possible that there is no “qualifying hand,” so the entire pot will go to the player with the highest hand.

Sometimes a person can have the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand at the same time. This is because straights and flushes are not considered for purposes of the low hand. Therefore, the lowest possible hand is Ace-2-3-4-5. This could also be the highest hand. Additionally, of the seven cards available, different combinations can be considered for high and low. “Scooping the pot” is the phrase to describe winning both on the high and low ends, or winning high, with no low winner.

A hand does not “qualify” as a low hand unless all the cards have a rank of 8 or under, and five ranks are represented. If fewer than five ranks were represented, there would be a pair, which is higher than an 8.

The major strategy difference between conventional seven-card stud and Eights or Better is that in calculating the pot odds it is often correct to consider only half the value of the pot in a Hi-Lo or split pot game. A win of a half-pot may barely cover the expense of playing the hand. Experienced players, therefore, aggressively pursue only those hands that have a good chance of scooping the pot. Like all other forms of poker, it is essential not to wind up playing a hand that will lose. Violating this principle in a Hi-Lo game is doubly important. As soon as it looks bleak for scooping the pot, exit, unless the hand is the nuts for one of the half-pots or the other.

In addition to watching for aces and faces in the board cards of other players (as usual), also monitor fives and fours. They can be tips that a dangerous low hand is in progress.

In all seven-card stud games, the first four cards are critical in forming a winning hand. In Eights or Better, the same principles apply. Watch out for a door card that may be paired with a hole card to create a possible set later one. Bet all playable hands rather than check them. Slow play draw hands. High pairs are better than draw hands when it’s heads up play at the end. Exit if someone else shows a card you’ve been looking for.