January, 2021 - As you should already be aware, the main object of 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo is to scoop pots. However, the reality of the game is that there are many hands where you will not scoop, but rather you will split the pot. There are many times you will be involved in hands that will only go one way and will be destined to only split. These are known as one way hands. Let's take a look at how to play one way hands. The most obvious one way hand is a rolled up set. Even if you are rolled up with a small set, 95% of the time, you are looking at a one way hand as you much catch perfect for low. When you get these hands, you want to push them hard and get the hand to heads-up. If you cannot, then you want to push and make your opponents pay to draw to low or better. Scoop pots in Stud 8 is only one part of a winning 7-card Stud HL strategy. Here are some other articles that you will need to read.
Big low hands such as A-2-6, A-2-7, A-3-7, 6-4-A, and 6-5-A are one way low hands that will many times only pull one half of the pot. Yes, it is possible to improve to a pair of aces or aces-up and take high. It is also "possible to catch three running cards to make a straight and scoop, but we are not dealing with possibilities. This type of hand really likes a big pot as you want to increase your half of the pot as much as possible. Many people will come in raising, but if you knock people out with this hand, you will likely only win your money back. In a cash game, this does not help beat the rake. In a tournament, you basically split the antes, which is a small gain at best.
How you play a big low hand on fourth street will depends on several factors. If you improve, you will want to see how your other opponents improved. If someone looks to be improving to a hand that may cause you problems, bet to see where you are at. If you get called, you need to pay attention to this person. If you are drawing to a huge low such as holding A-2-3-6 on fourth, you may want to check call to allow the pot to grow larger. Of course, you still have to catch your next card.
On fifth, how you proceed depends on where you stand. If you have a made low, evaluate you opponents. If you think a strong looking board will probably knock out a weaker low unless they a draw to a straight or some other type of hand. The high hand will likely stay in. Of course, there is always the chance that a bet here can take the pot. If your high opponent started with tens and you have 2-3-4 showing on fifth, a bet might force them out. If you can get the high hand to fold, then the odds of you scooping just skyrocketed.
If you don't have a made hand on fifth, you will want to check-call if there is a bet. Otherwise you will hope for a free card. Once you get to sixth street, start betting your made low at this point. The pot should be substantial enough for players to stay to the end unless they caught really poor for two streets in a row. If you miss on sixth, check-call again and be prepared to abandon the hand if you miss on the river.
Big low hands can be played profitably if you pay close attention to your opponents and can play them to big pots. You want to stay away from too many heads-up situations as you are likely facing a pair and you still have to catch in order to just split. However, when the situation presents itself for a nice multi-way pot, big low hands can make your a profit and in some cases even allow you to scoop a few hands.
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